The top 5 system was never given enough of a run IMO. While under that the loser in the 2nd v 3rd game in week 1 got another chance I think there was more value in winning it so it was a bigger game less likely to be dismissed.

As to attendances next season the playoff game will probably be a good crowd. It's the crowds we have before it that will be interesting. This system resulted in lower attendances in the Swiss soccer league overall and was a reason it was abandoned.

They moved to a top 8 PO system when they scrapped P+R so that more teams had something to play for. If they scrapped P+R and kept a top 5 PO system the last 3 months of the season would be meaningless for the majority of teams.

Wigan's average attendance has fallen by over 2000 over the last two seasons, so it's not like everyone loves the current structure. Comparisons with its use in other sports are pretty moot tbh, it needs to be looked at in terms of how it will work in RL. We are losing two home games against London and Bradford, and gaining 3 or 4 games that will likely be against top 8 opposition. There is more emphasis on finishing higher up in the table and the long, drawn-out PO system with 2nd chances and weeks off will be gone. People may have reserversations with this system, but the problems with it are more for the middle and lower tiers. For top 8 teams, it will be much, much better than what we have now.

There's always the chance that the teams finishing 7th or 8th after 23 games have no chance of getting in the top 4. They will then have 7 meaningless games and games that the fans won't be able to plan for because the fixture list won't be available until all of round 23 is completed which no-one seems to have picked up on.

At the moment the fixture list is out in December enabling people to plan for the season. The top8 and middle 8 can't be sorted until round 23 finishes. We might be playing Catalan away for example with a weeks notice. We might be playing Leeds for the fifth time in say 6 months if we get them in the cup as well as the magic weekend. Try marketing that as the Big One 6.

Similarly the top 4 may already be pretty much nailed on by then also. Leading to teams coasting through August and September, as pretty much happens now.

The problems with the new structure is the same with all structures that try to manufacture excitement. In a sense it may be best to stop tinkering around with systems and just play the season out. Let the top 2 go to Old Trafford. Try to build something in to reward the team coming first - like greater prize money.

It's very easy to scratch the surface and say "this MIGHT happen". I know it isn't perfect but too many people seem to be too premature in dismissing it because it's a bit unconventional. We could get Catalans away at short notice in the cup or the current PO structure. I agree that we may end up playing one team too often (as we did in 2011 under the current system when we played Saints 6 times), but that's because of the poor, additional game format of the MW IMO. It's very unlikely that 7th and 8th will mathematically not be able to reach the top 4 and have nothing to play for the whole 7 games.

We didn't know the finishing positions of 5 of the top 6 until the last game of the weekly rounds this season, if that happens under the new structure then one team doesn't make the POs. Neither Leeds or Warrington would have been included. The tactic of coasting through the weekly rounds and peaking for the POs disappears, because you could end up missing out on the POs altogether.

I would have liked them to structure it as 22 pre-split home and away games with a 9's tournament MW as round 23, that would at least give an extra week to sort the post-split fixtures and get rid of the extra game and lopsided fixture calendar (which shouldn't exist now relegation is back).

I wasn't dismissing it - just pointing out some problems. I don't agree that 7/8th should have a chance of top 4. This season that would have been Catalans and Widnes, who had no chance whatsoever. It's pretty difficult to move from 8th to 4th over just 7 weeks. Even if Widnes had won every game they'd have been nowhere near.

I do agree about the lop sided nature of the structure caused by Magic. If Cas had won their last game then they would have won the LLS. Playing Wakey at Magic as opposed to us playing Leeds or Saints playing Wire gave them an unfair advantage. In fact such an advantage could see someone drop out of the 8 altogether next season with potential relegation looming as a result.

Yeh I hate the current format of that MW for that exact reason. I think it's made worse by the fact that the fixtures are seemingly pulled from nowhere. They make sure the Hull derby is on then have two games featuring Wigan, Saints, Leeds and Warrington then the rest of the fixtures are pretty random. Huddersfield as last year's league leaders played relegation favourites Bradford at MW this season, how was that fair? They had the perfect opportunity to mix it up by changing to a new league structure, and there are several better options. It could have been the first game after the split when there's an uneven number of fixtures, it could have been two double headers for the CCQFs, a standalone 9's weekend - any of those would have been better than what we currently have. It's a brilliant concept but they need to give it more of a purpose and move away from the uneven league structure.

They'll be small again just like cup semi finals are. Wigan and Saint Helens couldn't sell out at Warrington a few years ago and that was before the increase in capacity.

Everyone will "save their money" for the final the week after.

That's a problem of the attitude of the fans who think like that. I understand picking and choosing when there's 4 potential playoff games in quick succession, but a one-off game that is must win to reach the GF, that should be the biggest game of the season excluding finals. Same with the CC semis. Too many fans seem to adopt the attitude of I've paid my £250 at the beginning of the season, bought my replica shirts and that's it. I know times are tough for many but RL is already excellent value and fans shouldn't be put off spending an extra £20 a few times a season to attend the biggest games.

...or even leave the replica shirt, just wear last season's and go to a few extra games instead. Either way the club gets the money but I'm sure they'd rather someone actually attend the game than sitting at home watching it on tele in their replica shirt.

(Personally I don't wear one - I'd look ridiculous, though I've bought plenty for kids, nephews, nieces etc)

Maybe we could go back to first past the post for a season and see how everyone likes it.

We can't do that.

The crap clubs would have nothing to play for.

All they have to ''play for'' at the moment is the opportunity to bend over against a title contender and get their botties smacked.

Avoiding relegation ought to be more than enough for crap teams to play for.

Saints v Cas 7548.

I was their this was untrue it seemed way more than 7k. As its pay on the door because season tickets don't cover the game its cash in hand. Therefore, fudge the figures and pay less to the tax man.

What! Are you suggesting Saints are deliberately engaged in fraud?