If a team is promoted and fares ok is that proof the system works?

There are a lot of shifting goal posts for this system, the claims of what it can be expected to achieve are getting smaller and smaller, the bar for success is getting lower and lower, some just being written off completely.

Don't get me wrong, i have no problem in principle with us sticking with something because we know what success looks like and we know how we are going to get there, even if it isnt immediately apparent. I would have no problem with sticking with this system, even now, if there was logic that took us from here to where we need to be, But there isnt. No-one is arguing for this system because its going to bring us closer to the NRL, nobody is arguing for this system because it means we will bring through better players, nobody is arguing for this system because it will expand the game in a clear and sustainable manner, nobody is arguing for this system because it will attract the biggest names, nobody argues for it because it will provide a clear pathway for us to become the biggest rugby comp on the planet.

They just argue that these things are impossible so we shouldnt bother with them and be happy with how brilliant a single 6k crowd is for fev.

Ignoring Rule's comments.
I dont think that clubs finishing down the ladder should expect to be seriously considering having a push at becoming Champions.
The tag line of "every minute matters" at the time was nonsense and still remains so.
If clubs cant have a serious dig at the title (and they shouldn't really get the chance if they finish 6,7 or 8 out of a 12 team comp),
they at least have the chance to get a head start for the following season.
The system is horribly flawae, purely on the basis that the Champions could theoretically come from 8th spot, a club could be relegated from 9th and a club could be promoted from 4th in the Championship.
Of course, none of these events haven't happened and nor should they but, for them even to be possible is just wrong.

One of the main reasons for the structure change was to give clubs in the Championship a chance to gain promotion but, this system is just niot necessary.

Either go for 1 up, 1 down or IF we are hell bent on having the drama of the MPG, then have top of The Championship play bottom of SL to decide who gets the nod.

Lets get back to a sensible competition (minus the gimmicks) and enjoy RL as a top class sport and if we are serious about expanding the comp, then we have to go for some form of licensing.

In my mind this new system is actually more closed than either of the two previous models.

Right now we are asking small clubs on small budgets to try and compete against SL teams for a long period with little time for proper preparation due to uncertainty. It is going to be extremely hard for most of the championship chubs to come up, especially without over stretching themselves or being bankrolled. This system gives the illusion of promition but IMO is the least likely and also least safe way of providing it.

1 up 1 down works, is a genuine reward for a great season, and once a team knows they are going up they have some time to prep. Obviously the main issue with this is the potential for Yo-Yo clubs.

IMO franchising done right is the best choice for promotion/expansion is applied fairly and consistently. Lay out a very clear set of guidelines and once a club is hitting all or the majority let them through the door. This gives Championship proper targets which should be good for them and the game long term, while hopefully putting less stress on them long term.

All I know is the current system is a bit mad, and IMO promotes short term is amongst the top of the championship and bottom of SL, this needs to be avoided if we ever wish to develop our great game.

I like the format but wouldnt mind tweeking it a bit like in the super 8 you could get 3 points for an away win and two points for an away draw and 1 point if the away team comes within 6 points.
This gives teams with more away fixtures a small chance/reward.

But why would we give the teams that finished 5/6/7/8 more chances/rewards?

Why reward 2/3/4 also ??? Your rewarding failure. It's not like they have won anything.

Except they finished higher then the rest. 1/2/3/4 get one more home game than 5/6/7/8 for finishing higher. I don't see anything wrong with that. To suggest 5/6/7/8 should have more rewards and chances then they have got, now that would be rewarding mediocrity.

This format is as good as it can get for the championship teams. Think about it. For a third of the season they get more regular games against super league opposition rather than just the odd potential CC game here and there, and they get a boost in income. Not only that, but one championship team is pretty much guaranteed to be a game away from super league (unless 4th and 5th place happened to be SL teams).

We've never had one format that people agree with. What happens is with every format people think about the downsides, then when a new format is brought in they bemoan the downsides of the new format while retrospectively fondly recalling the good points of the old format they previously bemoaned.

Round and round we go.

They finished higher than the rest ??? That could be said about every club in the rl pyramid barring the bottom of championship one.

Anyone been watching the olympics ??? How many medals have we seen for finishing 4th ???

Sigh.

I don't see anything wrong with the current setup regarding the Super 8s and I don't see why 5/6/7/8 should get more rewards/chances. They weren't good enough to get into the top four in the regular season but they did good enough to finish ahead of the rest.

I understand where your coming from, and it's a fair point regarding extra income from playing SL teams, but if that income is wasted chasing the SL dream, rather than improving the club, is it actually a benefit? And while there in with a chance it is just that, now knowing if your going up, or conversely down must wreak havoc with club finances not to mention individual players, and provides no basis for long term planning.

And for what it's worth, I always liked the franchising system, we saw a lot of young players come through in that period. Even the disaster which was the crusaders yielded some players that are still benefiting SL today.

I do, it's meant to be play off time and at least 50 percent of the games are meaningless. Looking forward to Hull vs Widnes tonight ??? Na me neither

Is that down to the system though and not some of the teams inability to win games in the regular season to bridge the gap? Therefore by making each game in the eight more valuable. For example, if Wakefield had won big matches like Salford away, Hull KR and Leeds home we would've been closer to the top four. That's not down to the system that's down to Wakey being outplayed and at the same time being crap.

I can't say I am looking forward to Hll vs Widnes but at the same time I would not be surprised if it was a good match.

And has been said countless times, there will be plenty of dead rubbers. Not just in rugby league, but in Union and football as well.

Since when did the play offs last more than 2 months? The super 8 isn't the play offs.

Hull have one eye on the LLS and one eye on Wembley. Fair chance some of their players could be rested. Widnes, one their unique pitch, gave Hull a pasting last time their, Hull looking to avenge that loss.

But of course many in the RL fraternity are class just about bone dry..........

Anything for a moan