Maybe so but the Leeds v Wakefield match was by far the best match of that weekend. You'll find the vast majority of neutrals agree with that view and the outcome of the match wasn't certain right until the end.

A random draw has been tried and doesn't work as it could throw some potentially dire games. If the top 4/5 avoided each other then it'd be likely it would be 2 days of one-sided games. I think it has to go down the route of being based on last season's league table, if the RFL insist on having it every year then that is the fairest way to do it. If this year isn't seen as a success though then scrapping it has to be given some serious consideration.

Unreserved seating throughout would be better, but I will no doubt be going for the Sunday at least

The whole lower tier is unreserved seating so presumably access right the way around the 'bowl'.

I agree, really enjoyed the game.

Was probably a bit unfair to use it as an example, but before the game given the choice between Leeds v Wakey and Leeds v Bradford there's no doubt I'd have picked Leeds v Bradford, just as I would Wakey v Cas rather than Wakey v Bradford as 2009.

Saturday May 26
1.00pm - Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Wildcats
4.00pm - Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings
7.00pm - Hull FC v Hull KR

Sunday May 27
12.00pm - Catalan Dragons v London Broncos
2.00pm - Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds
4.00pm - Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos
6.00pm - St Helens v Wigan Warriors

Why is there 3 hours between games on the saturday, but only 2 hours on the sunday? On the saturday thats going to leave a gap of about 1 hour 20 minutes between games? Seems a bit of a long wait

Derby games are right. Sure, they could lead to blow-out scores but so did 'seeded' games. And if RL still thinks its grounded in its communities, then its the right message. Yes, two points could decide who wins the hub cap but the play off structure means the final league placings is only one factor in who ultimately wins the SL trophy; ask any Saints fan.

less games, but want more fans to spend more money. the longer they're in there / gaps between games, the more likely ale, grub, merch will be bought. The class thing about cardiff was that u could literally hop out of the ground to the pubs outside. is there any pubs near the ethiad?

How about a completely random draw.

The bottom 8 play on the Saturday.
Top 6 play on Sunday.

Saturday KO times are 12.30, 3, 5.30 and 8
Sunday KO times are 2, 4.30 and 7

The exact fixtures are not drawn out until 1hr before each KO just to add an element of surprise. It might be quite weird for a team to prepare for a game at 11.30 but not play till 8. It might be worth doing it for 1 year. Alternatively you could name the fixtures and dates well in advance but not the time of the KO until an hour before. Everybody would have to turn up for the first game and then once your there you might as well stay for the remaining games that day.

Just a thought!