Quote: TrevLovesJanice "Yes, up until 1973 if my memory serves me correctly.
However it was most often a top 4 contest and played as a straight 1v4 and 2v3 format without this silly aussie nonsense of letting in more than half the table and some teams getting 2 chances.
1973 to 1996 it was the league leaders who were champions and there wasn't much compliant about it (or nostalgia for the playoff method)
I just don't like the fact a team can finish 8th and somehow be playing for the championship !
One of the reasons that many see this is the big final is that SKY tell everyone that it is. From round 1 they bang the drum about Old Trafford so not surprising it has a raised profile compared to the Challenge Cup which is only mentioned when the games are actually on.'"
I agree that 8 teams is too many. I'd have preferred it stick with 6 in a 14 team league. I guess it will change again next season with the league restructure. Really needs to be the top half only.
I don't have a problem with the teams that finish top and second getting some advantage in the playoffs, whether that's a bye through the first round or whatever. In fact the 'old' top 6 format worked just fine for me.
In short, I don't think the playoffs themselves are the issue - it's the current format that needs changing.
