What do people think, now that we have had two full seasons of it? IMO:

Positives
- League games feel more important than under the top 8 play offs. As top 4 is a tougher challenge, and the consequences of bottom 4 are severe.
- More games against opposition at a similar level is better for the fans and players.
- The middle 8s provide some of the most exciting games of the year, and IMO will improve the quality of the top Championship clubs by regularly exposing them to SL opposition.
- Whilst it does feel a bit barbaric, the MPG is a highlight of the season.
- Simplified play offs which have clear importance. Win the game and you're in the final.

Negatives
- The Super 8 tends to be a bit of a foregone conclusion with only 5 clubs standing any chance of making the top 4 by the time of the split.
- We have yet to see whether clubs are able to cope with P+R. I don't know enough about Bradford's situation but have seen it mentioned that at least part of the issue was gambling on income from making the middle 8s.
- Attendances for the 8s phase don't seem to be great. Possibly due to lack of notice?
- Not sure whether it's just Wigan but I think the demands of the system seem to have increased the number of injuries.

I like it overall, I'd like to see them increase the points on offer for the Super 8 to keep things interesting but can see why that wouldn't be popular.

I think we've learned a lot from it and it has been worthwhile. But u don't think it's the final answer.

More games between SL and Championship is great TV as it offers variety. But 7 games is too much to organise. I'd prefer just an expansion of the playoffs to include SL and Championship clubs.

"Whilst it does feel a bit barbaric, the MPG"
BIT!!!!!
I NEVER want to experience it again; my team won.
And as it being a highlight ....

I'll probably better shot down and called bad loser by wire fans but the LL Shield should be aware design after 23 rounds, home and Away games v all teams

The top 8 fixtures after the 23 rounds are play off gameso leading up to the top 4 play off

An extra 7 games shouldn't decide the LLS unless echo team played each other home and away

For me, the middle 8's are a hit! They have produced drama, suspense, surprises and exciting rugby. My team have been in the MPG once; not a pleasant experience (even tho we won) but nevertheless, compelling viewing even for the neutrals.

The Super 8's and the Championship Shield seem to need some more thought; I am not sure what the answer is but they have not been inspiring competitions so far.

Ive been saying this for ages.....the LLS should be given after 23 rounds when Super League finishes. They should then rebrand the 8's as a seperate comp...

SL Premier 8's

SL Qualifier 8's etc.....

Something like that.

So do you:
A - Keep the points - in which case surely the top team after 30 games is more deserving of the LLS
B - Lose the points - in which case we have the same problem as with the previous system whereby you can get to a position where you are sure to make the 8 then relax (assuming you aren't in with a shot of 1st). Only it would be worse as at least previously there was a small incentive to finish higher up.

The LLS will always be overshadowed by the Grand Final whichever system we use.

I like our new structure.
Only thing I would change is after the split the top of the championship start with a 2 point advantage and the bottom of super league start with a minus 2 points.

I'd also scrap the million pound game and let the top 4 be safe and the bottom 4 be demoted.

I'd possibly have a small cash prize for the top of super league before the split.

I also think the magic weekend could be the first 8 games after the split and scrap our extra game now.

We need to change the mindset about the MPG. If you finish 4th in the middle 8's, you have effectively finished 12th in the top division. Under any other promotion system, you're gone. It should be thought of as a second chance, not a one-off.

What is perhaps nervy about is that you could finish 9th by some distance, with no chance of being relegated, and then end up in it, as the points are wiped.

As for the Super 8's, on the whole a waste of space until the final couple of weeks. The 8th place team might as well put out the kids to give them some experience, because there is no chance of getting into the top 4. Perhaps have the old top 8 play-off system. Or a short play-off between 5th to 8th to create a top six, and then go to the top six play-off system, so the top two clubs have a chance of going straight to Old Trafford.

The 8's are loooooooooong, with huge amounts of pointless games.

Its a terrible idea, poorly executed.

exactly, there is only so much 'prestige' to go around, prioritise the LLS it takes it from the GF, prioritise the LLS you take it from the GF

The Super 8 s have been disappointing due to the gap being between 5/6 th , but next season we might see a clutch of clubs up to 7/8th , that is after all what we want/need

I'd keep it for another season to see if it develops the competition further. I don't like the idea of the MPG. Top 4 of the middle 8 should qualify for SL.

It's a decent concept so far,the middle 8s were good entertainment this year. it also gives the lower clubs a chance and something to strive for and Leigh have just shown what can be achieved with hard work. The super 8s have still to take off but i suggest we will have some seasons where it will be tight as a drum and thrilling to the last with nearly all the 8 teams involved...and others like the first two years where there were lots of dead rubbers due to the top four being sown up.

It's far better than the dull as dish water and not fit for purpose (at least not in ESL) top 8 play offs we had anyway. Lets stick with it, we never give any concept a fair crack to come good.