So how come they dont use this system in Championship 1 ?

I don't know, maybe because it's 'two up-two down' and it would nullify the occasion?

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You mean like the Championship GF where both clubs will have already ' Qualified ' to apply for SL in 2012 when they get to the GF

Effectively making winning the semi final more important than winning the final ?

My God, you really do post some misinformed rubbish at times

The play-off system serves, and has done for the majority of RL's existence, served the game perfectly well.

The first-past-the-post system only works in an even fixture list, which Super League isn't.

The league is effectively a qualifying stage. Those who meet the qualifying criteria should compete in the play-offs (although I believe that eight is too high). What happens in the play-off stage will ultimately decide the champions. Should Greece not have been crowned European Football Champions in 2004? After all, they finished second behind Portugal in the "league" system.

Ah, the annual "Saints fan posts a thread about the Grand Final not being the best way to decide the champions, unless, of course, its' Saints that win it from a position other than 1st, as has happened thread".

Must be getting near playoff time.

Using a playoff system to determine the champions is the traditional way in RL and is used in all the main RL playing nations.

One of the main complaints about Super League is that there aren't enough high intensity matches and the playoffs and Grand Final provide that. The best players and teams are able to win when there is no next week to rectify losing a game and when the stakes are at their highest, as well as being consistent in the league.

Spot on.

That was one of the main arguments for keeping promotion & relegation. If were were to do away with the play offs as well, then my god we would have a boring season.

I love the play offs, a proper knockout comp and a good way to finish the season.

Even if my lot seem to be scared of it

It's embarrassing continually bringing this up.

The only thing I'd change about the current system is that finishing top should give you a distict advantage over finishing second to ensure that everyone fights to finish top. The top 5 system did this perfectly and is still the best system we've used IMO.

Also even the great sssociation football uses finals after leagues for the major events such as the World Cup, European Champs, Champions League etc

No way he would.

And as a saints fan he should know they have benefitted as much as anyone from the playoff system.

They won back to back title in 99 and 00 both from 2nd place.

You win some you lose some.

The point some people miss on this thread, although it's been mentioned by some, is that

[sizeTHE FIXTURE LIST IN SUPER LEAGUE IS UNEVEN AND LOPSIDED DUE TO VARIOUS EXTRA FIXTURES AND HAS BEEN SINCE THE FIRST GRAND FINAL IN 98, THEREFORE CLAIMING TEAM THAT FINISHES TOP HAS BEEN BEST IS A MUTE POINT[/size.

Saints are probably going to finish top again, theres a number of realistic conmtenders and the playoff structure is more open.

It's just a saints fan with a squeaky bum.

It is a farce given the RL that Saints have played taking them to potentially 5 consecutive top of the table finishes could only bring them one actual championship. And i'm from Wigan.