...
And furthermore it doesn't work and never has.
Only one team made 4th from outside the original split since the concept began...and that was only because Salford collapsed.
Wakefield or Hudds deserve a decent crack....alas just dead rubbers making up the numbers as Wire only need 3 wins from 7 with 4 home games.

The 8s concept seems to be a dead duck(ie). The main problems seem to be too many repeat fixtures and the short notice of fixtures at peak holiday time.
I emailed the RFL last year with a suggestion to improve the super 8s.

LLS is awarded after 23 rounds. Have a points carried forward column in the table, but everything else is zeroed (games played/points diff). The 8s is then the premiership with another prize/trophy. Make it 3 points for a win to reflect the greater intensity of games and reward teams that can get on a run against other top sides. The top 4 still play off as now to become champions at the GF. 3 prizes increasing in value/prestige.
So far, if we'd used this system, no team would have won the treble - League/Premiership/Championship
I even got a reply! From Ralph, I think... "Don't phone us, we'll phone you"

I've emailed the RFL myself and never once even had a thanks for your email now feck off.
Just nothing.

As it stands the teams 5-8 are safe but not a lot for the fans to get excited about with the next games as been said we can’t make the play offs .
The top four have a battle royal on their hands and so do the bottom four for a different reason .
Just hope our fans turn out for the next fixtures as well as the team puts the effort in or the season could just fizzle out which would be a real shame

is that so we have a chance to win something

So theres not point in finishing top of the league.
I think he hasn't thought that one through.

In respect of the 8s I've always preferred it to start something like this after 23 rounds.
1st 6pts
2nd 4pts
3rd 3pts
4th 2pts
5th 1pt
6th 0pts
7th 0pts
8th 0pts

Still rewards higher placed teams but still offers all 8 a chance of getting in top 4.

apart from being league winners????

After 23 rounds have a top 5 playoff. Cut down on games get more international games played. Generate more money through this for the game feeding this into the clubs and development offices. Keep the jeopardy if we must.

I have to say I like the current set up.
If you take the points away after 23 rounds there is no point playing for the last few. You'd get teams resting players when they know they are in the 8, and for some that would be 5-6 games before the end.
The middle 8s is excellent from an every minute matters point of view.

There is an issue with both from a sponsorship/season ticket point of view but in a lot of ways that is down to the marketeers to be more creative. It probably hurts a team like us more where we have less supporters so a Thursday game hurts us more when a percentage can't attend so it would be good to resolve that issue.

Unfortunately, the best way to resolve the season ticket/sponsorship issue of not knowing who will play when, is to bring franchising back. It guarantees the fixtures for everyone for this season all the way to the end, and as long as they are financially stable guarantees the next 5 years as well.

If we stay with promotion I'd stay with middle 8s, but just market the up coming teams more than talk about the jeopardy of the SL teams.
The top 8 could easily be changed but the final positions at round 23 have to count for something. Even if only financial.

But your not!!!!
Doh

Why not just award the top team 7 home games, 2nd place has 6 and so on...team 8 has none.
All teams on zero points top 4 play off.