We won the LLS and Challenge Cup in 2008 so that'd make this the 6th year? 5 seasons without a trophy and barring anything major we should be back to picking one up this year, that's not too bad for a transitional period, especially when you consider we've still made 3 grand finals since then.

But believe me, you don't have to lecture Saints fans about the meaninglessness of the league leaders shield (not saying I agree with it btw). If we assume we're not going to win the grand final this year, that would make it 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2014 that we've won the LLS without winning the grand final. Hardly anybody remembers that, which just about says it all.

Exactly! Probably the most obvious one you'll ever see and the ref wasn't interested. Like I said, never seen one called in my life. Anyway, apparently (I haven't read them myself but seen them quoted) the rules actually state that a voluntary tackle is when you actually play the ball without being deemed to be tackled. Giving yourself up to be tackled isn't against the rules unless I'm mistaken, but that makes more sense to me.

Winning the LLS means you were the best team over the entire season. The fact it is considered meaningless by many (including myself) is an insult to the team winning it but that's the way it is with the playoffs. I think next year it will mean more coming 1st, as you have (on paper) easier games in the Super 8.

Is there still going to be a LLS next year? The team in 1st at the end of the normal rounds before Super 8?

That's a good point. As far as I know, the play-offs don't start til after the Super 8, so my assumption (and that's all it is!) is that the LLS will be awarded after the Super 8 to whoever is top.

Possibly yeah. Only the top 4 go into the "playoffs" as well so it's basically just semi finals. So next year top 4 is crucial with the hopes of top 2 for (I think) a home tie in the Semi.

I seem to recall Sean Long doing an outrageous voluntary tackle one time!?

I seem to remember ,i think Mickey Higham, in the Saints v Catalans CC semi at the HJ a few years ago ,being penalised for a voluntary tackle.

I think Kieron Cunningham and Leon Price have also been the villain of a voluntary tackle...
Bit of a theme around these names?
Joint Higham Long Cunningham Price?

You're wrong. A voluntary tackle is when a player in possession shall not deliberately and unnecessarily allow himself to be tackled by voluntarily falling to the ground when not held by an opponent.

Doesn't matter about playing the ball before being tackled, it's actually going to ground without any tackle made.

No, he just dived like a complete prat and dropped the ball over the try line.

This is rugby league, not association football. The most consistent side wins the league leaders shield. The best side wins the finals and is therefore the Champion. This has been the case in rugby league for all but 20 or so years of the sport's existence and is the case in just about every sport other than soccer. It is our own fault that we choked against Leeds in 2011, nobody else's.

HTH.

I understand your view and also understand that we are playing to the competition rules at the start of every season and the "he who pays the piper....."

However, I hope that you understand the reason why the play off system was necessary before the twenty odd years of FPTP and concede that as the natural imbalance of the regular season was eradicated, with the invention of the internal combustion engine, the opening of the M62 and more over a levelling of the playing field where the number and 'cost' of squads has been controlled. There just might be an argument to suggest that a mini end of season knockout competition of such complexity that 'the average man on the street' needs the format written down and forums discuss is 5 or 8 best, does a week off help can a team that's lost more than it's won be called Champions etc etc isn't ideal....unless of course you are Sky and they obviously "call the tune"

Quotes of the week

John Kear
"You can take the league leaders shield and put it back on the box!"

Mike Stephenson
"We'll it's not Elvis, but it's certainly leaving the field!"

Eddie Hemmings
"Saints have took more dummy's than a 2 year old!"

Well that started with promise and finished the last quarter a bit of a damp squid.
Let's hope Leeds pick it up some.

Dom Crosby is an embarrassment to big men. You do get them from time to time, but I just don't understand players of this sport who don't like being tackled. Every time he receives a hard tackle, he sees his !

Big soft lad!