Saints
Wigan
Wire
Leeds
Catalans
Cas
Wakey
Hull KR
Hull
Hudds
Salford
London

Realistically, I think that top 3 could finish in any order, as could the group Ive stuck down for places 4-10. Fairly competitive season, hopefully, and a better play off system to cap it off.

Of course it is. It’s slightly better than last season but the reality is that a team can probably lose 10 games and still become champions. It’s better to finish 1st for sure but it’s definitely not the end of the world if you don’t.

You said it doesn't matter where you finish as long as your in the top 5?
Finish 4th or 5th and we 99.9% won't win it.
Everyone will bust a gut to finish 1st or 2nd
How's that rewarding mediocrity?

Remember when we finished fifth two seasons in a row and won the league?

Not under this system though.

I stand by my comments but time alone will tell. I’d genuinely love to be wrong on this. I really hope teams go all out every week but I can’t see it happening. Taking Wigan just as an example, I can’t remember us putting a full strength side out in a game against Widnes. I put this down to the fact that we can afford to take a chance and risk losing a few games. As long as we have a play off system it’ll remain the same. Bet your life if finishing top made you champions then every team would put their strongest side out week in and week out. I know it’ll never happen and as I said, I’d love to be proved wrong.

Teams would still rest players for CC semis and finals and probably the earlier rounds too, were the payday that is the grand final removed from the calendar.

You’re right they would but it would less tempting. I’m just not a fan of the play off system, regardless of format. I suppose I’m just an old fashioned old sod!

One man's "resting players against Widnes" is another man's "giving some of the promising youngsters some valuable game time". Sometimes I wonder why I don't see equivalent complaints from Aussie fans about the regular season not mattering. With a top 8, too, in the NRL!

Under the top 5 system no team from outside the top two 2 even made the Grand Final.

I see use as an unknown quantity this year. New coach/backroom staff, potentially new playing style, player changes etc. Hard to predict this season.

Was it top 6 when Bradford won it from third?