My point exactly, winning one trophy should give you the confidence to go on and win the other, injuries to major players is the key, at present we have one main casualty, if we are lucky enough to keep the rest of the squad healthy (as healthy as they can be at this time of year), we should be able to compete with the best.

We won't win the Grand Final because we're not good enough to beat the top sides, especially when it matters. Nothing to do with winning the Cup.

So how did we win the cup? They were all in it.

I know we had a very easy route and that is IMO the main reason why we did. I am not suggesting we were any more likely to beat the top sides in a CC final than we are to win a GF.

What I [iam[/i suggesting is luck can play a part in winning the GF almost as much as the CC. It's why the play-offs just like the CC don't tell you who the best team over the year is.

Under the old top 5 system I reckon we'd have no chance as we'd have to beat all the sides above us.

Under this system we will avoid playing one of the sides above us completely (if we progress) and even if we lose v Hudds our next game is against a side lower down in the league.

It's easier to get to a semi-final from 4th in this system than the top 5. So despite poor form and with luck such as Hudds getting nervous we could find ourselves in a semi final.

By rights based on form I don't reckon we have any right to expect that but that is the system we have.

It's a lot easier to win the GF from lower down the league in a top 8 format than it is a a top 5 or top 6

Quite true. The 7th or 8th placed finishers would literally have no chance of winning it.

Well if you want to say that consider the 5th placed side who would have also been in the old top 5. They get a home game v 8th under the top eight compared to away at 4th under the top 5. Both sudden death but the top 8 gives them an advantage compared to the top 5.

They are also going to have an easier round 1 game than the top four opponent who they will face the week after will have done. It's nuts.

Whats quite amazing is that i have not spoken to anyone who agrees to this top 8 system, myself included.

But havent the NRL adopted "our" top 8 play off system and they seem to embrace it with the crowds increasing in size.

Yes that's true, they've adopted our and think its preferable to the old top 8. Most Aussies want to revert back to a top 5 if you asked them. They only changed the top 8 format cos Auckland got to the GF from 6th the other year. If they're not happy with a team from 6th getting to a GF then why have 6 teams are more in it?!

What you seem to misunderstand, is that British RL fans will never, EVER be happy, or satisfied with the product. Instead of embracing it, they focus on the negatives, bemoan it and cause the chopping and changing every few seasons that leads to inconsistency & confusion for both non RL fans and Casual fans.

You honestly think the fans cause the changes? You have got to be joking. The RFL does not jump to the fans tune.

The reason for the chopping and changing is down to The Fat Controllers inability to leave things alone.

Who do you think dreamt up clubcall? The most pointless gimmick in the whole set up.

I'd also say the fans don't like the current playoff system simply because it's demonstrably cr @p and the majority seem to favour the top 5 so it's not criticism for the sake of it without suggesting a better alternative.

You don't think fan opinion has an effect on the decisions made about the sport?

I would prefer a top of 8 of straight knock out matches.

Hudds vs HKR
Wire v Catalans
Leeds v Hull
Wigan v Stains

Winners progress to the next round, with the highest placed team against the lowest league position available. In theory and going off league positions Hudds should beat HKR but if HKR win and Wire win then the next round match would be Wire v HKR.

Although still flawed, it is better than the current system IMO. Also with a top 5 currently most teams season would be over with by June. I am not a fan of the top 5 as I dont like it when teams get a weeks rest. IMO it is not always a benefit as it is around 50/50 whether they progress or not.