This is the weakness of the top 5 system. After beating the Reds and going into an away game against the leaders, our reward is a game on the back of a loss, against a team that has just won.
We therefore have a repeat of the last outing vs Reds but with the momentum reversed.

tough game coming up. i think the bookies have this wrong and its far more 50/50 than odds on wigan now.

I agree it will be a tough game but if someone said to you before the season we would have to beat Salford at home to make the grand final you would have ripped their arms off.

If we play well we should win if we dont we dont deserve to get to Old Trafford

Yeah I like having a top 5 and get that this system rewards finishing higher, but it's too likely to repeat games IMO. I'd go:

Week 1 - Wildcard weekend
A - 4 (Warrington) v 5 (Castleford)

Week 2 - Semi Finals
B - 1 (Saints) v Winner A (Castleford)
C - 2 (Wigan) v 3 (Salford)

Week 3 - Final
Winner B (Saints) v Winner C (Wigan)

That would remove the repeat fixtures and most likely give you the same final you would get anyway IMO. 1st don't get two bites at the cherry, but they do get a week off then a game against the theoretically weakest opposition who have just had to play a tough knockout game.

The top 5 system works much better for sure but isn't in need of being tweaked mainly, as you rightly say to cut out repeat fixtures,i like the look of the system you suggest.

The team finishing 1st should not get a week off as a prize, They have been given the hub cap as the prize for finishing 1st, Top 4, all 4 teams, two games, winners to the final, That'll do for me

I think this system is pretty good and has worked well for SL this season. It gives a purpose to every game in the play-offs.

This looks like one of our most embarassing home turnouts in a long time. Salford could actually come close to outnumbering us at this rate.

Because of how our attack is stagnate and no longer has the second pivot we need out wide linking to the backline. We're currently playing split halves with an 'old school' fullback. Anyone who's watched any of our season can see the lack of second phase out the backdoor off the 6 and 7.

I'm not blaming Zak, he's been great, best defensive fullback since Rads. Just doesn't fit what we're doing.

Just to remind fans... This game is from 1999, very mixed squad from Wigan, some obvious stars and legends from the game playing in cherry and white; but a number who never really made it. Yet look at the intensity and attitude they all start with. This is exactly what's missing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgm7SJMFdjQ

Just to remind fans... This game is from 1999, very mixed squad from Wigan, some obvious stars and legends from the game playing in cherry and white; but a number who never really made it. Yet look at the intensity and attitude they all start with. This is exactly what's missing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgm7SJMFdjQ

Quote Last Son of Wigan="Last Son of Wigan"Just to remind fans... This game is from 1999, very mixed squad from Wigan, some obvious stars and legends from the game playing in cherry and white; but a number who never really made it. Yet look at the intensity and attitude they all start with. This is exactly what's missing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgm7SJMFdjQ'" I get that it's a good opening set but I'm not sure a game where we give up a shock play off loss to a far less talented side is the best thing to make your point The speed of the play the ball always shocks me when I watch these old games, makes the players look like superstars at times because there's so much more space compared with today.

Quote Last Son of Wigan="Last Son of Wigan"Just to remind fans... This game is from 1999, very mixed squad from Wigan, some obvious stars and legends from the game playing in cherry and white; but a number who never really made it. Yet look at the intensity and attitude they all start with. This is exactly what's missing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgm7SJMFdjQ'" I get that it's a good opening set but I'm not sure a game where we give up a shock play off loss to a far less talented side is the best thing to make your point The speed of the play the ball always shocks me when I watch these old games, makes the players look like superstars at times because there's so much more space compared with today.

How do you know?

I know Salford have sold over 2.5k which is magnificent.

Unfortunately I can’t make it Friday because of work otherwise I’d be be going.