Oh dear back to the league again, should we win, or should we not? Second, third, fourth, now where did I put mi slide rule and calculator?

I'm praying for a logical, sensible playoff format in 2015

I'm with you. The present set-up is a farce (and I say that even though the present system actually gives us a chance).

I've heard it's gonna be a top 4 playoff

I heard that too. Very sensible. Straight 1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd, then grand final. If we're having the 2x12 3x8 system, it seems the most logical choice. A top 6 system [icould[/i work, but having a top 8 system in that set up would be nothing short of idiotic.

With a top 4 sytem and therefore a shorter playoff series, the extra couple of weeks could be used for either a mini comp (Lancs v Yorks?) or an international series.

If it is a top 4 I'd go:

Week 1 (Qualifiers)
A - 1st v 2nd
B - 3rd v 4th

Week 2 (Final Eliminator)
C - Loser A v Winner B

Week 3 (Final)
D - Winner A v Winner C

It gives an obvious advantage to finishing in each position:
1st - One home game to get into the final with a week off to rest players. You also have a second chance if you lose in week 1.
2nd - Same as above but you're away in week 1.
3rd - You have to win twice in a row to make the final but at least you're at home in week 1.
4th - Same as above but you're away in week 1.

I'd definitely prefer either a top 4 or a top 5 play off system

I like this

Me too. After being a touch skeptical at first over the 2x12 3x8 system, I've really started to warm to it. If we implement the playoff system that Grimmy suggests, I can see a lot of teams placing more emphasis on the start of the season allowing for a good build up towards the split and then the playoffs. Teams will be reluctant to have a bad start to the season and risk being out of the playoffs. Or worse, being in SL1B/2A (or whatever catchy name the RFL/Sky will undoubtably come up with). For the stronger teams like ourselves, Wire, Hudds, Leeds and Sts it will be a battle to finish in a high a position as possible and not play catch up to the others. I hadn't considered 1v2 and 3v4, but it does seem very logical as it allows Sky to have an extra week of playoff rugby that they wouldn't have under a straight 1v4 and 2v3 system. Plus, it would be mighty unfair to finish top, have a bad day at the office in week 1 and suddenly find yourself out of the title race.

Also, it would be interesting if they had the last round before the leagues split as the Magic weekend rather than have it as a seemingly arbitrary round mid season (granted the May bank holiday has been good timing weather-wise the past 2 years and I'm aware City's PL considerations would have to be taken into account too). Suddenly Bradford v Castleford actually has something riding on it, rather than the inevitable snoozefest it would otherwise have become.

+1
It rewards the top most and the 2nd next.

Week 1

(A) 1 v 4
(B) 2 v 3

Week 2

Rest

Week 3

Winner (A) v Winner (B)

I think Sky will want three weekends.

IF we rewarded the top 3 with a mini World Club Challenge v Aussie top 3 then under your system you could have the two losers from week 1 play off for that 3rd spot on week 2

Not enough advantage to finishing top there IMO. Under my system they are guaranteed either a week off while everyone else plays, or a second chance if they lose. Under yours it's basically the same for all the top 4 teams and form will largely dictate who wins the trophy. For example under that system I'd want us to finish 4th rather than 2nd/3rd because it's a straight choice between playing Hudds or Leeds/Wire. Under mine I'd want us to finish 2nd so we can beat them and get straight to the final, or at least have a second chance at home to Leeds/Wire, who will have just knocked 7 bells out of each other.