is deafening! #RLnewera my ! Hope you happy clappers will be happy when Wigan get relegated due to the lack of quality and experience in the squad to cope with super clubs like Leigh, Fev, Dewsbury etc.

WHITE LIGHTNING!!!!!!

Its that code for shambles

There is little reaction to the new structure as it was known months ago. All the debate was done then. What people wanted to say has already been said.

What a pointless thread

Reading through some of the feedback on twitter only suggests that a lot of stupid people watch rugby league or a lot of people simply can't be bothered reading how it works properly.

I keep reading comments like "how is this supposed to attract new viewers?" Has anyone ever tried explaining the current top 8 playoff system to a non-RL fan!?

I think people need to give the system a chance, learn how it works properly (really not that difficult) and bare in mind what it is trying to achieve with regards to the flaws of the current system.

If someone can actually state what the flaws are with the current system are and the reasons for change, that would be the starting point in understanding what it is trying to achieve. Franchise has worked - Catalan, Widnes, Huddersfield and cas have all benefitted from a system which allows development and growth without the threat of relegation. So why do the RFL say it has failed or that you say it is flawed??

Aren't they all?

I'm getting my head around it now a bit as it's probably the first time I've bothered to pay much attention to what's going on.

There should be a lot more games that mean a lot more and that can only be a good thing.

I'm willing to give it a fair crack.

I'm wondering as to how it will affect both season ticket sales and prices. Do season tickets include the end of season jamboree games or do you have to pay for them separately? If you have to pay separately then its already going to be a struggle as play off games are traditionally poorly attended. I have to admit I don't like this format at all, why oh why can't we have just a simple top eight play off system and a two up/down relegation system. All we need is the league to be sponsored by Chipperfields or Billy Smarts to complete things.

Like others I haven't really paid attention to the structure since it was announced and only looked into it yesterday and I have to say I really like the idea.

It certainly cannot be any worse than the lethargy we currently experience throughout the season and it gives every fan and team something to play for throughout the year.

I have learnt over the years that most of the vocal negative fans are idiots who when things change read the headline without reading below and make their mind up based on that.

The code is in the doldrums for 6 months of the year, anyone can see that, and despite the odd derby only the start of the year and the playoffs generate any real excitement and intensity.

A change is needed and we have it, I applaud the RFL for recognising this and giving it a shot. For all the things they get wrong when they make major decisions like this they tend to have a positive impact on things certainly in the short term. Long term we may need to review it but lets see how it works out before slamming it.

It's very simplistic to say franchising has worked and you have conveniently left out what had happened to crusaders, Bradford and pre-Koukash Salford in the same period.

The flaws of the current system are obvious and have been discussed to death on these boards over the years. Most notably:

- Too many teams in the elite division for the number of quality players available, resulting in too many mis-matches and blowout scores (addressed by the new system)

- Playoff format that includes too many teams and rewards mediocrity without giving enough merit to finishing top, has resulted in teams taking their foot off the gas mid season in an attempt to peak for the playoffs (addressed by the new structure)

- Licensing may have "worked" in your view but the RFL were always too spineless to kick out the under performing clubs, this new format at least provides a route for the better performing championship teams to get in to the top division.

My only issue with the new format is keeping the magic weekend as an additional fixture, which is pretty much going to guarantee we end up playing one team 4 times in the league, on top of a possible cup and playoff meeting. It should have been better incorporated in to the season IMO.

My concerns are commercial.
How is a club going to sell season tickets for a competition when almost a quarter of it will be played not knowing who or when you are playing?
How are the RFL going to schedule the last seven games when the likes of Wigan, Huddersfield, Hull and Leeds groundshare?
What about fans (I'm talking about ME and I suspect many others) who book their holidays around their clubs fixtures?

I asked Gary Hetherington these questions at a Wigan v Leeds U19 game last year when this system was first mooted.. He wouldn't or couldn't give me any answers.

IF fans decide to stop buying season tickets and go on a pay by match system then I suspect attendances will be hard hit.

There wasn't much wrong with the old top 5 system, which really rewarded the team that finished as League Leaders. There was never enough talent available for a viable top 8.

I don't understand why they can't use the magic weekend for that uneven fixture in the 2nd part of the season, it's set up perfectly for it?