The worst aspect of the play offs is the possible repeat fixtures that the top teams can play. A top four team can play the same team they have already beaten

I'm reckoning

A, 1 Wigan v 4 Saints >>Wigan
B, 2 Wire v 3 Catalans >>Wire
C, 5 Leeds v 8 Bulls >>Leeds
D, 6 Hull FC v 7 Hudds >> Hull

As someone as already pointed out, a top 5 system with the current top 5 teams would give us 4 weeks of oustanding action. Under the current system the playoffs only get going in week 3 rather than week 1.

I also believe the team finishing top should be champions, but we only get two 70,000 plus crowds in RL and scrapping the playoffs would get rid of one of them 70,000. RL cannot afford to do that.

Its a shame the RFL scrapped GB and the Ashes series because in the 90's it was attracting 50,000 plus crowds at Old Trafford and Elland Rd and 70,000 crowds at Wembley. Real big occasions that for some reason have been binned.

With bulls losing to Hull it looks like Wakey might be in the mix.

I agree with your predictions though.

We could only just fill the DW last time around though. Unfortunately, big RL crowds died with the invention of Super League, but don't let Sky hear you say that.

Whichever play off method we have, the team that finish top should go straight to OT.

Only just realised that we could end up with Catalan at home in week one, lose to them and end up having to go to France for a semi final two weeks later.

That'd be doing it tough.

To be quite honest I would be happier going to Wigan in the play offs rather than Warrington on there current form. Last year we lost every game in the regular season apart from Magic weekend that was a draw???? And come the play offs we won twice which shows we are capable. Cant remember if that was last year or the year before. I cant see this happening and Im praying Mike Rush see's sense before the play offs and plays Tony Puletua in the front row ahead of Anthony Laffranchi. This is a area we seriously struggle with against teams like Wigan and Warrington. The forward battle will be immense whoever we play.

With Catalans winning today they have overtaken Leeds into fourth place.

Next week's games.

Catalans v Bradford
Hudds v Leeds
Wigan v Saints


If we beat Saints and the Dragons also win, then it will be Wire v Catalans and us v Saints.