Hi all Rugby league lovers out there !

The proposals for the new league structure are to be put before an EGM of the RL Council on Weds 9 October. As a special sneak preview we are pleased to announce we have secured Blake Solly , Director of Standards and Licencing at the RFL to run through the two possible proposals and answer any questions in relation to them. The event will be held at the popular Carlton Cricket Club where the recent successful audiences with Neil Fox and Richard Agar were held. Entry is free and the bar will be open. The event on Monday 7 October will be 7pm for a 7.30 start, is open to all and should be a great night.

Carlton Cricket Club
The Clubhouse
Town Street
Carlton
Wakefield
WF3 3QU

Blake Solly always speaks very well when ever I have neard him interviewed. It will be interesting to hear the reasoning behind the proposed changes, how they will work, promotion and relegation etc.

Is this the same Blake Solly who told us were safe without Crusaders demise, but denied it shortly after?

Nah that was Bright Sodje...

just out of interest are any of you intending coming along to this event ?

Any point ?

suppose point is to attend, listen and ask questions, saves spending time on here asking questions of the 'real'experts

But will it matter ? - it looks like it's already been decided anyway .

I certainly won't be attending; this whole process has had all the hallmarks of fait accomplish from day 1, so I won't dignify any so-called consultation events with my presence.

The RFL might think I'm stupid, but I don't.

so which one of the 2 proposals on the table do you think they will opt for ?

When 4 of us from the supporters Trust attended along with fans from clubs from all 3 divisions we all found it very interesting. Its a good idea to offer the same insight to other fans from all clubs who are interested . Its free entry too. Hope folk do come along

I think it's safe to assume they're going to go for the 3x8 structure. I am intrigued by what this system can offer and it really does keep the season alive for everyone. The best the lower end SL clubs can hope for is an extra match in the play offs. I don't agree with the increase in non-fed players though nor the reduction in club trained.

The 3x8 is fascinating, reminds me of many football leagues in Europe who have similar structures and gives you more games with something riding on them. People will moan at any change the RFL make, and moan when they have an opportunity to discuss them.

I still don't get how you can sell season tickets when you don't know what the games are going to be.
I could buy mine expecting to be playing Wigan and Leeds and find I am watching Batley and Sheffield in the second half of season

Also, from a club's point of view, how do they budget for the second half of the season. The income is massively different if you make the 8 rather than the second 8

Its effectively a 22 game league season. Thats ultimately what you're buying. The second phase is when the play offs begin. Its much like what we pay for now, but I guess the extra 7 games come as part of the season ticket price.

My greatest concern is that the RLF/ ESL will continue with the discredited nonsense that is the "Magic Weekend" as part of the initial league programme. This by its very existence distorts the league and creates an unnecessary unfairness when it really has no place in a sane league structure.

I suppose the best outcome we can hope for is that they move the "Magic Weekend" to phase 2 so each team has 3 home, 3 away and one neutral fixture. However, the common sense of that idea probably automatically excludes it from any RFL/ ESL deliberation.