Jon Wells summed it up for me at half time when he spoke about the difference in the 2 teams as they were warming up. Leeds very serious and focussed while Wire laughing and joking with the fans. Yes you need to be relaxed but you need to be switched on. I still haven't forgiven Atkins and sideshow bob for coming out laughing and joking at the semi-final...

Don't blame the player, blame the game.

Seems a good strategy to me. That said they hardly had it easy away at Catalan, Wigan and then Warrington in the final.

I've never agreed with playoffs settling a season for the main prize. I can accept footballs playoffs for the nearly rans but in my opinion it should be whoever gets most points after playing everyone home and away

It would be a very long and meaningless season for a club like ours with no playoffs or relegation. I don't think we would have sustained crowds of 8,000 like we did without any realistic goal to aim for. And for that reason I think the playoffs are a good for the game.

TBF I think our gates were holding up pretty well prior to the seven in a row.
I concur that life would be less stimulating though.

The top 8 is only a prise to aim for if the fans buy into. I had my doubts that it would provide the buzz amongst the fans but it seems to be there. I think the style we did it may have been more to do with it.

Whilst a 6 or 8 team format keeps the season alive, as it did for us, I can't agree with a system that crowns a team as champions when they finished so far off the real Champion's (Wigan) points tally. If we have to have a play of it would be the top 3 0r 4 for me. Maybe we could have a plate competition for the next 4 or 5 teams to keep something going but, whilst I can't help but admire the way Leeds played Vs Wigan and Warrington, I don't believe they ought to have had the opportunity to pinch the title with a good cup run, which is essentially what this is.

Wigan were rewarded with an easier route to the GF and they failed to get there. Leeds' experience in knock-out rugby is second to none but they didn't win their games comfortably - heck, but for Washy's misfired pass it could have been a very different climax to our game against them.

I think that the playoff format includes too many teams at present (but I'd argue that it makes the lower part of the table more interesting for speccies - the race for eighth was a thriller!) but them's the rules and I've nothing against a team that can knock out Wakey, Les Cats at their place and Wigan and then stage an outstanding contest against a classy Warrington side to lift the trophy.

Not sure I can handle another Kevin Sinfield speech next year though.

Should be top 5 or even top 9. Let the top team go through to the final and the rest play off for the right to challenge them. They should have the top ranked team in each week versus the lowest ranked team left in the competition until one left to play top team. If not that for me top of league as champions and bring back the premiership finals and treat it as a seperate competition. It will still have same intensity and will bring in fans still.

They won because they have the big game mentality which goes a long way to it and good on them for winning it again from 5th. I wonder if they'll do it again next year ?

Don't usually get involved in these type of debates however I like the comment of a secondary plate final. I also think the playoffs need to be cut by a few weeks. I have a straight simple knockout idea that could generate interest for all 8 teams after the final week.

Grand final set-up

Challenger finals

Week one
1st finish vs 3rd finish
2nd finish vs 4th finish

Grand final
Winners of two week one games.

Plate final

Week 1
5th finish vs 7th finish
6th finish vs 8th finish

Plate final
Winners of week one.

In total it's 2 weeks of games that matter to all teams all fighting for a final spot. Cutting out the dead rubber first 2 weeks games and simplifying the playoff system.

The finals weekend could be either a double header or spread on the sat/Sunday.

That for me would be a top playoff system and much simpler. The playoffs are just too long.

The 2 weeks cut could be used for an international fixture prep.

Just to add, none of this second chance balls. You lose you are out - end of.

Good idea Trojan , but why 1 v 3 and not v 4?
In plate why 5 v 7 and not v 8 ?

They are open to suggestion are the match ups, I just picked what I would like to see. I would very much like to see something similar to what I put down. Fewer matches but straight into the big games that matter most.

It's Eddie and Stevo banging on about the 'Champions' that does my head in. I don't think I'll be watching any games featuring Leeds on Sky next season!