Can the RFL be accused of bringing our great game into Disrepute.
By devaluing the 27 round league structure it has now become a laughing stock to many fans, this is because most clubs are not treating the competition seriously enough. The problems as I see it are as follows:-
1. League winners not given the respect they are due for being the most consistent team over 27 round of competitive Rugby League.
2. The Trophy awarded is poor and does not represent the achievement (note minor premiership trophy in the NRL) and is ridiculed as "the Hub Cap".
3. The prize money awarded to the league winners is abysmal (£50,000 ?).
4. No main sponsor of Superleague, does this say something? When we can't get a blue chip company to invest in what is perceived to be a second rate competition.
5. No threat of relegation to under achieving clubs and no possibly for championship clubs being promoted to the elite league.
6. The top 8 team playoff is far too many and should be top 5 only as it was in the early years of Superleague, this format leads to mediocre clubs getting into the playoff, 1st v 4th and 5th v 8th makes no sense and gives an easier draw to the team finishing 5th.
7. Clubs are targeting certain games as bankers for points and are aiming for the 5th prized position.
8. Clubs are not playing their strongest team week in, week out.
9. Clubs resting players who would normally play if the importance of the game warranted it.
10. Fans who buy season tickets are being short changed by seeing games that lack credibility.
11. A team from outside the top 4 winning the Grand Final on 2 occasions.
12. The 2013 season has fizzled out into a damp squib due to teams not trying, they just want to peak for Grand Final playoffs.
Some of these issues must be solved immediately for next season but the 2015 new league restructure must address these problems otherwise our game will die.
I watched a meaning less game last Thursday when Warrington were hosting Widnes. A cert home banker and Wire batter.......Er hang on a minute I got this wrong!
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