Quote: BrisbaneRhino "I thought that one of the reasons the play-offs were changed was because it was felt that the winners of 1 vs 2 going straight to the final meant that a team that was playing well could lose momentum by having a week off? '"
I have never heard that. I seem to recall when it was changed from the top 5 the RFL said something along the lines of it was too difficult for the fans to understand or some other patronising comment. I suspect it is also to be more inclusive to give the impression poor teams really do have something to play for. It's bit like the often criticised attitude in schools where no one is a loser! Your season is over half way through? Well tough - try harder next time.
The loss of momentum was IMO easily made up for due to the fact the other sides would have battered themselves to bits to get to the final which was the whole point I thought in order to make it very hard for anyone other than the top side to win the competition. With the top five the only way for a side other than the one finishing first to win the GF was to beat
all the sides above them. Of all the systems we have had the top five gave the side finishing top the most advantage whereas now it's little removed from an ordinary cup competition.
Dave
