But then we'll have the same whinging about games before the split meaning nothing. If a team can't make the top four having made the top eight then you don't deserve to be in there do you?

Agreed GHF
So it makes a mockery of the system. Why bother playing out the mini league at all? Theres little more than a pay day formality with each game.

Eh? So you finish round 23 in fifth, maybe level on points or a couple behind fourth, and you don't think it's do-able to overhaul?? Ok, so you've 3 home games, and the team above have got 4, but that's pretty likely in the old style seasons, with 7 games to go!

You're alternative suggestion sees one team playing 7 home games, whilst one plays 7 away-easy to manage season tickets for that system.

At least off scratch, a team from 8th ranking with 7 away games has a chance at a play off spot.

If the team starts the super 8s in 8th and 12 points off 4th, that team is effectively playing dead rubbers from the first defeat.

I suppose if a team can keep its players reasonably fresh & injury free & finish say 8th & then manage to beat the teams above then there is no reason why they couldn't become champions by being able to win the seven games that matter. That format suddenly sounds very familiar,but Leeds obviously haven't thought of that this season because they look like finishing top.

9a just what I thought as I wrote the post. Sounds like the top 5 inaugural thing.

Or the format is a dud

When first announced I must admit it did seem a bit OTT/weird/complicated. Now that its almost here and we are talking about it in terms of who (currently) would be playing for what it makes sense. Now that the "table" is clearer the whole predetermining of what position plays what position (home or away) even the following 7 weeks makes sense.