I mean this as a serious question - why would you not attend an important match of the team you support because you don't agree with the format of the competition?

The Saints match was an important game despite the second chance (which we'd earnt by finishing second) being available as it puts us under pressure and give us a more difficult route to the final. Plus a local rivalry.

It's not like you're making a grand political stance for humanity - all it does is damage the team and sport you like.

I do not understand how Wigan can lose nearly 10k fans from its seasonal average - OK in reality this figure is more like 8k when you take out the average of away fans but it is still staggering to me how you can lose half a fan base. Leeds was the same.

The playoff format is too dragged out and repetitive, particularly the possibility of identical fixtures for the top 4 in 2 weeks time. This must have an effect on attendances.
Having said that, the attendance figures of this weekend cant be judged in isolation. Wakefield for one have benefited massively this year from having something to play for over the last few months. Its probably a price worth paying keeping it at top 8 even if some tweaks are needed.

I only attend Sunday afternoon games ,I don't want to go to evening games just to suit Sky TV.If I want to watch a play-off game I can go to the pub round the corner at a fraction of the cost of travelling to the match.
The RFL talk a lot about improving stadia but discourage people such as myself from attending due to chaotic, short notice changes to fixtures and many televised games.I need to know well in advance when games are going to be played.
A few years ago I went to Headingley and purchased four tickets for a Friday night play-off game,then the fixture was changed to Saturday ,which didn't suit us so I had to go back to the ticket office again to obtain a refund.No, Leeds didn't compensate me for my petrol expenses (60 miles ) and for wasting my time.
I know many people who watch and enjoy Rugby League on TV but never attend matches.The RFL have made it into a TV sport,the same as F1 racing ,Tennis Golf ETC.

The thing about Sky dictating the fixtures is the amount of money the RFL get from them. £1.125m for each club is a lot, probably 50% of the total ticket revenue for big clubs and possibly overtaking ticket revenue for smaller ones. As rubbish as it is for fans, it's a no-brainer for the clubs when Sky say 'move the fixture' - you would have to be losing half of your attendees on a regular basis before you're out of pocket.

How would people feel about televised games on a Sunday? The frustration seems to be the night games and last minute moves - maybe the RFL could try and get Sky to put a game on Sunday? As long as they are still getting the 100k-150k average viewers they should be happy.

you will find its mainly all season ticket holders.. why go to all home games throughout the season then when your team reaches play offs sth wont pay to go and watch there team unless they get to the final.... to me its pathetic why pay £150 to go and watch your team throught out the season then when it comes to playoffs not go??????