I see what you did there...

Potentially winnable fixture.

While obviously you want your team to make the 8 in the new format, if they come in 7th or 8th, maybe 6 points adrift of 4th at rnd 23 they'd have to go on a very good run to make the top 4 play-offs, playing all the top teams. For all the talk of every minute matters (which in fairness is very hard to deliver) a loss in round 24 might effectively end your challenge with 6 games left.
In some ways ninth might offer a more compelling run-in and better vfm.

WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT NO NO NO THAT IS A terrible

I think your right about the appetite. I cannot see a joint side being that well supported to be honest, I love RL as a sport but have become disillusioned with the top level of late and my love for my club is probably what drives me on. I used to go to every test in the UK, cup finals and back in the 70's and 80's if Rovers weren't playing I would go to Boulevard just to see a game. If a merger took place I couldn't find the passion for for a new club and would probably just nip to Saltend to watch games when I could.

and that is the problem, the game has tried to become something it isn't. I t used to be cheap enough to follow and say "well, nowt else to do, lets go down xxx and see the game", now they want £25 to watch a crap side (and by that I mean FC) play crap rugby in a soulless stadium. And then listen to a Neanderthal prteneding he can even spell his own name.

RFL is dying, it needs to remember where it came from, where it lives!

For once, you'll get no argument from me on your appraisal.

there has been a 600% increase in cost of game tickets since 1980, there hasn't been a 6% increase in value for money, I used to watch Entat/Mackey/Hasler, what do I get now, Rankin, Horne, no worse, certainly no better, just paid a shed load more.

How can Ellis be worth £200k a year, can he perform surgery?

Could be worse, Rooney and co are on that a week (and some)

Does anyone feel a bit cheated out of their money after watching the pies/wire game last night?
I was slightly envious of them fans watching what was a pulsating match, and comparing how much their season passes are compared to ours.

It's not like that every week for both them clubs, have you got sky? Or have you read the posts on these clubs boards? It's business end of the year & certain teams can find another gear/level & compete.

I've watched plenty of games this year, and read message boards. And yes, I know teams cant play to that level every week. All I was saying is the fans of most the top 8 clubs have watched some good rugby this year, and I'm envious that their fans have paid more or less the same as us for what is (in our case) an inferior product.

Start supporting Wigan then? I'm staying with the biggest rugby league club in Hull, (FC)