I don't think the current system is that bad. Yes some teams are out of contention but being realistic most teams chances of winning something are dead and buried once they are out of the CC. Instead of looking at Widnes, lets look at Cas who started the super 8's 9 points behind 4th spot, effectively ruling them out of the top 4. Yet they have gone out and beaten 1st & 3rd already in their first 2 games even though there is no real chance of them catching Saints in 4th.
Those teams out of the running for top 4 can plan for 2017, they have the benefit of trying out youngsters who may well be good enough to make the grade but don't get the chance during the first 23 games through fear of being in the bottom 4. They also have to be a more appealing club to potential recruits than those who are in the middle 8's thus giving them an upper hand over those in the middle 8.
The only other option that could be plausible would be to have a secondary plate competition for those who finish 5th-8th but then you are just going back to rewarding mediocrity.

Anyone except Wakefield & Widnes fans.

After years of misery, some fans (who have actually witnessed misery) do feel like it's a success.

Take your one rubbish season (THIS ONE) & try and imagine that's nearly as good as it gets, my success threshold is much lower than yours.

More clubs supporters have genuine excitement about the Middle Eight play-off's than what's gone before.

Sure, the Batley & Fev supporters don't expect their clubs to achieve promotion, but just that little bit of hope lifts your soul.

Last year when Hull made the middle 8's they had zero chance of making the top 4 from game 1 bit like Widnes and Wakefield this year. However it gave Lee Radford, Motu Tony and Adam Pearson the foundation to build on for this season.

They was able to sign real quality from the NRL in Pritchard, Manu, and Fanou as well the likes of Scott Taylor and Danny Washbrook because Super League status was already guaranteed by end of July.

Radford was also able to give more game time to the likes of Bowden, Green and Hadley as well as blood youngsters such as Naughton, Abdul, Logan, Turget, Downs and Fash once again because Super League was guaranteed.

These players stood up in an awful injury crisis but at least it showed Radders that taking 300k from Warrington for
Lineham and Westerham was pretty good business

Wakefield and Widnes and need more fans. They need new fans. Lots of them.

Call me crazy but i think they will be far more likely to find, far more of those new fans if they have some actual success once in a while rather than hoping to find them with the 'contextual success' of a mid table finish to the first part of a competition.

Indeed, that's the age old conundrum, but I don't see how a move to one up / one down, or franchising, will help their cause.

Anyhow Wakefield have got far bigger problems than an ignominious final third of a season.

Btw, how are you enjoying your sabbatical, is it a welcome change from S.L. domination?

No system can force those clubs to be a success. But some can make it harder. The 'jeopardy' of relegation in any format makes it harder.


it has limited novelty value. But its been a poor season quality wise throughout the league in my opinion, and now we are playing the worst of opposition, plus a couple of inferior sides. Its hardly burning with excitement. I think attendances will hold up on that novelty but i can't imagine many people all that interested in seeing us put 60points on part-time sides or games of the absolute awful quality that was HKR>