Westwood didn't look too good either. A big few games for James Laithewaite me thinks!

well said that man

Well more fool them Chaz in my opinion. they could have actually promoted both parts of the competition if they upped the ante for the League Championship and then particularly with the expanded WCC Competition, offered a best of the best series to challenge the Aussies and a big pot of money for the Play Off Final akin to the way The Premiership treats top 4 and Champions League in Association Football

Yes I know that it will never happen but I happen to think that it's a bit short sighted. BTW Let's hope Widnes haven't been saving themselves for the Play Offs we'd never hear the end of it.

I would be more than happy to see the league champions recognised and celebrated, ( after all I'm an old fart pre-dating SL by decades) my point is that the marketeers have taken a cynical view on this issue and looked to maximise revenue by extending the season (via the playoffs). Doesn't anybody find it rather strange that the 'league leaders' are given a plate (not a cup) and that there is virtually zero razamataz at the presentation ? Sky don't want any distraction from their end of season GF. Club chairmen need the extra revenue from the knockout element of SL, as do the RFL.

So there is a problem. Either the league leaders trophy is important, or it isn't. If it is important then you celebrate, throw publicity at it, it and award a proper trophy. If its not, you adopt our current approach of giving the leaders a plate behind the stadium toilets at the end of season. If it's not important, then you sacrifice some games to ensure you get to the playoffs in the best possible shape - because the only real prize is the GF. Which brings us back to why a significant number of fans will say that some games are 'meaningless'.

Whether or not the new structure will answer some of these problems will be interesting to see. Certainly the RFL have placed additional value behind finishing close to the top of the regular season, so that is a step in the right direction.

I like the shield, it is a bit different and I like the fact that a new one is made each year. In the past I have suggested using the old Championship trophy, if it makes people happier. Perhaps use that and also continue with the shield which is something a club will always be able to have in their trophy cabinet.

Chaz, you are nearly old enough to pre date a break from the Union (only kidding) never mind SL. It's not what we've got that generally cause debate and disagreement, it's what we want/need that seems to cause a stir.

The new system might help and I'm certainly in favour of opening up 'SL' to all rather than a closed shop approach despite accusations of a 'race to the bottom' whenever P&R are discussed. Spike Milligan's book on Natural Selection should be the order of the day we might as a sport be stronger for it