Of course they make up the numbers or it would be a top 5 play off ???

but they do have a chance...Hull fought mightily to gain a play off place and where rewarded with a chance at Leeds.

Leeds turned their season round to gain 5th spot

Cas and HKR fought for the last 2 spots...all this added to the overall end of season. Its not just about the top 2 / 4 or the rest might as well all just pack it in at the half way stage.

This issue is with no religation there needs to be a top 8 otherwise lots of pointless games in a season with clubs with nothing to play for and less reason for fans to turn up

Ad continuum the weak, manufactured arguments in favour of a Top 5 system, which is horrendously flawed and full of inaccuracies.

Perhaps the answer is even simpler. Any team who wins the Grand Final under the current set up, pretty much deserves to win it for a huge variety of reasons, all of which have been identified.

Saints or Leeds will be worthy winners, that is clear. To argue against that is quite simply, pathetic. Wigan and Warrington had their chances, they bottled it. It is clear when teams need to peak. Very, very clear. To mitigate a loss by blaming a system around them, in which they had a huge advantage, is weak.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the mental courage required to succeed in the play off's and with the Grand Final was clearly displayed by two other teams. And well done for them to making this a pretty unique Grand Final.

If Wigan won it from 5th, cue the be shouting from the rooftops and thread and needle out for the new giant flag...

That's not what you typed. At all. In fact, you have attempted to address what you incorrectly wrote with a completely different issue. That aside, taking into account the above as a seperate point, you rattling on about it being harder, doesn't necessarily make it right, or viable. Not even close. And, if you are so bothered, why not ring Red Hall or write to them with your flawless plan. Re-read what you wrote and relax from the spinning petal.

FFS hes back

Just doesnt read what people have posted and goes off ranting the same thing over and over.

Under the top 5 Leeds fixtures would have been
Hudds away
Saints away
Wigan away
Wire at OT

Under this top 8 its
Hull home
Hudds away
Wire away
Saints at OT

Others can judge which is harder

WOw this is a vey long thread, I've never seen such interest in the playoff system. Last year the validity of the system was hardly mentioned.

Surely a team being champions from 12 is as valid as a team being champions from 2. In the end neither finished top so the rest is just about fiddling at the margins.


Either a playoff system is valid or it is not.

The point is that under the old top5/6 system that Saints benefited from Wwarrington would have had two chances to reach the GF whereas under the top8 system they only had one. That is a big difference and I feel sure that Warrington would not have lost twice but if they had then fair enough.

You miss the point. The big difference is that under the old system the top two had two chances to win a game to reach the GF whereas under this system they only get one.

To be honest the only bit I remember of the old system(s) is that one of them had 1v2 first week, winner got a week off and straight to the final. The loser played again, against one of the lower teams for a place in the GF; top 6 I believe some one said it was.

Far superior system to what we have now as not enough importance is given to doing well in the league.

Under the top 5 and top 6 system, 1st place guarenteed a home semi final with the safety net of a 2nd home semi final. Under the top 8, 1st place does not even guarentee 1 home semi final never mind a safety net one. The top 8 system is awful. Please RFL change it!!! Bring back at least the top 6 system!

Glad Wire finished top so it doesn't sound like sour grapes! I just think top should be rewarded more.

More than 2 chances?

Get a grip.

Wigan lost 2 games. That's good enough to dump a team out of the play-offs under any system surely?

Think you may have mis-read there.

Nope. My point being 1 is enough. Any team deemed League winners shouldn't need more than one, it's that simple.

Perhaps Man U should replay Barcelona because they lost.

The whole Top 5 argument is riddled with pointless theorem.

This system is in place, it works and massive credit to anyone who wins it from outside the Top 3. Oh wait, it hasn't happened.

Good job wine isn't made in Wigan, it would taste a little sour.