Hi Guys,
Think I understand most of this,,,,,,,,Just to clarify, if we lose on friday, and then beat F.C. or Rovers at home the following week, would we then have to face Stains at KR in the semi ( assuming that we are not chosen by the pies, as sacrificial lambs,,assuming they win, ...not that we would not beat them.). ?.
I think I comprehend most of this, But why the hell can't we have:-
1 v 8
2 v 7
3 v 6
4 v 5,

The winners of the semi have home advantage regardless of final league placings.

Sorry that should have been the winners of the 1st games featuring the top 4.....God it's confusing intit

Some people on here would struggle to find an elephant in the snow with diaorrea..

Correct me if I am wrong, but the whole idea of the losers from the top 4 in week 1 getting a second chance stems from when there were only 6 teams in the playoffs????

That makes sense. You have 6 teams and need to get it down to 4 and then 2 for the grand final.
So you have the top 4 battle it out with 2 going through to the semis, and then the 2 losers play 5th and 6th to get to the semis, and hey presto 6 has become 4 and then 4 becomes 2.

But now with 8 teams in the playoffs, why not just have a straight quarter final knock out, semi final knock out, final?

It surely makes far more sense and is a lot more straight forward.

Finishing higher still gives you the advantage of playing the lower placed teams and it gives you home advantage throughout the playoffs until the final.