I'd hope odds vs evens based on previous years' finishing position, so that, in theory, you get a fairly balanced fixture list. Probably not though

Tbf, Elstone has indicated that this means the pressure is now on him and SL to deliver.

We’ve avoided a catastrophic rupture... for now. Which is nice. Hopefully we’ll start to see progress on all the things you mention, now the threat of self-immolation has receded.

The middle 8's is over half-way through it's current life cycle, and to go to 14 teams now (without an MPG) would mean ripping apart the conditions on which the 8 teams started the competition. It's Ok going to 14 teams, but not 3 matches from the end of the season.

14 in SL is fine, but we need to plan for it, and the incumbent clubs need to accept and prepare for the reduced income that comes from that.

How many times does it need spelling out? The SL clubs cannot afford to take the cut in funding (of £264k pa) for the next 2 years that would result from increasing to 14 - quite a few would be going 'pop'

The top 6 from one season play each other one more time the next season (albeit that's only 5 games). Same for the bottom 6 (sorry, 7-11 plus promoted team). Games spread through the season rather than been all at the end.

So if your in 6th lose a couple of games for an easier year after then,?

The Rugby League public want Sunday games! Rugby should start early and make it a full event. #SummerRugby

Though the vote concerned the new league structure, the bigger picture is the owners of the superleague clubs gaining more power and the right to negotiate commercial revenue and secure a new TV deal. reading the adam pearson/neil hudgell joint statement they lay their intentions out in the open. In fact this process has already started with the appointment of mr elstone and the ousting of nigel wood. In fact we have today probably seen a major step in superleague breaking away from the rest of the game.
So the question is, are the owners doing the right thing?

.

I can kind of see their argument. For example, if saints and Wigan ceases to exist (as they are the 2 teams everyone wants to watch) the value of the TV deal would plummet. Therefore both clubs are reliant on related parties funding the clubs which by proxy, the likes of spongers Like Leigh, Fev and Halifax benefit from so ergo, in essence they benefit from McManus and lenegahn dipping into their own pockets so how is that fair? Let the championship clubs fend for themselves i say instead of living off the SL gravy train

Regards

King James

Jog on.

...and your alternative is?

We did use a similar system to that for a while but it always resulted in one club getting a good season due to playing the bottom half in their extra games and finishing usually 5th or 6th. The same club would then finish bottom two the following season due to having to play all the top teams in their extra games. That scenario would create the issue suggested by Alaw whereby a club would look to avoid climbing into 6th place if in 7th or 8th with a few weeks to go.

Grimmy's suggestion of odds v evens for selecting the extra games (so Saints would play this season's 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th placed clubs in their loop games next year for example) seems more likely. As you correctly say the loop games would be spread over the season (as they were the last time we had them) I don't know why some people seem to think they will be the last 6 games on the fixture list.

The end is nigh.

If wigan don't get St Helens, Leeds and Wire at Home I suspect the system will be tweaked in a year or so....

I am not a fan of this system at all and think it is a mistake to move away from the top 4 we currently have. In comparison it adds 2 weeks onto the season before going into internationals where any players not involved in the play offs will not be match ready. 2nd chances also create dead rubber fixtures. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_five_play-offs

I am not a fan of this system at all and think it is a mistake to move away from the top 4 we currently have. In comparison it adds 2 weeks onto the season before going into internationals where any players not involved in the play offs will not be match ready. 2nd chances also create dead rubber fixtures. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_five_play-offs