At the moment.

2nd means playing Saints at home in the first game of the play-offs, we just lost that same fixture.

1st at the moment means playing Hull at home.

I know which one I would rather have. I would rather have Leeds than Saints.

Yes, but Leeds at home would still be a tough fixture, even considering your form against them at home. Finishing 1st or 2nd will give you a tough home fixture whoever you play really, because the teams must be of a good quality to finish 3rd/4th

That is the great thing about the new play-offs IMO, although I don't like how fair the system is but it will throw up some crackers. It didn't happen last year because Hudds and Hull KR overachieved and 3 big clubs did not reach the play-offs.

The first round of the play-offs could be

Wigan v Leeds
Wire v Saints
Hull v Hull KR
Hudds v Bradford

Amazing stuff! You can't call any of those games really.

Just a quick question about the play-offs, would the winners of FC vs KR play the losing team from Wigan vs Leeds and Hudds vs Bradford winners face the losers of Wire vs Stains?

Yes.

Which then means Leeds v Hull FC and Saints v Bradford

Final week could be Wigan v Wire and Saints v Leeds

Aamazing set of fuxtures.

If the positions end as you predicted them, then it would be a great play-off series, tough to call any games as you said.

I think the criticism of the new playoff system last year was that teams that didn't necessarily deserve to be playing playoff footie got in because it got increased to 8 teams. If the league got stronger and we had 8 very competitive teams then it becomes a very entertaining system, as you mentioned this year we could have sme big fixtures, but just imagine if Bradford got back to some sort of respectable levels once that muppet leaves for England, and the Hulls continue to improve, then we'll see the true potential of the top 8 playoffs.

I actually got that wrong, its just the highest ranked team plays the lowest ranked. Still amazing fixtures though.

If Hull FC and Hudds both won.

Leeds would play Hull and Saints would play Hudds. Assuming higher ranked teams win.

I don't think it matters in terms of the Grand Final whether you finish 1st or 2nd.

But for me the minor premiership should be given a lot more credence.
It is by far the best indication of who was the best team over 27 games, whereas the Grand Final is about winning 4 games on the trot.

I still think it should top 5 but thats just my opinion.

We could really feel the backlash from a lowered advantage for the team who finishes top. Saying that though the top 2 teams from last year got to the final so we should be able to do the same. But, saints had leeds were playing teams who had overachieved IMO, playing Leeds at home for us would be a different kettle of fish.

My top 5 system would see the top team go straight through to the final with the others playing straight semi-finals midweek having to win 2 games in 4 days to win the GF.

I don't think it matters about finishing top in terms of the toughness of the task, but I reckon that if Wigan were to lose top spot after being in such a strong position and putting so much into the season, together with being knocked out of the cup - it may instil a bit of doubts in the Wigan players' minds.

Still think you'll finish top comfortably though.