Wellsy4HullFC

I get why we have systems like they have. They want to reward finishing higher with things like a bye and second chance. I don't mind that concept. But it has to actually reward finishing higher! This system punished Oldham for finishing 3rd over 4th, and as a result of the harder fixture, they lost and Doncaster got a far easier fixture (and another one) against 6th. Simplicity should be at the heart of a system though. I think SL have it perfect now (though we don't describe it well!). We essentially have a quarter final, semi final and a final, and the top 2 get a bye to the semis. Easy to explain. Everyone gets it. When SL were discussing extending the playoffs, I'm surprised they never discussed going to 7 and just having the top get a bye to the semis? Simple format.

And yet, they chose this 5 week convoluted process that rewards finishing 4th over 3rd and 2nd over 1st?

Are you sure?...

Which is why it was a terrible system. At least that way, it was based on merit. You now have a system not based on merit that still has repeat fixtures. Like I say, there were alternative options for a 10 team play off had they thought for more than a few moments. If this is the result of thinking for a long time, then I despair at the leaders. Well no, everyone that actually looked for more than a glance at this format realised it was ridiculous. The fact it didn't even avoid repeat fixtures because of ONE unexpected result just demonstrates further how poor it was.

If the aim really was to reduce the chance of repeat fixtures, they could have had a much better system that still rewarded ranking AND took 4 weeks instead of stretching out to 5. Week 1 (qualifiers): SF Qualifier (winner to SF, loser to QF) 1st v 2nd QF Qualifiers (winners to QF, highest ranked loser second chance, rest out) 3rd v 10th, 4th v 9th, 5th v 8th, 6th v 7th Week 2 (quarter finals): Winner of SF Qualifier receives bye. Loser of SF Qualifier vs highest ranked other loser 1st ranked winner v 4th ranked winner 2nd ranked winner v 3rd ranked winner Week 3 (semi finals): Winner of SF Qualifier vs 3rd ranked winner 1st ranked winner vs 2nd ranked winner Week 4 (Grand Final): Winner v Winner Do I think this is the best system for a 10-team playoff? Well... I wouldn't have a 10 team playoff! But it was better than their system! Similar to the 8-team playoff in that it lasts 4 weeks, 2 teams are rewarded a second chance, but different in that only 1 team can get a bye to the semis (2 in Top 8 system). Think the only way there can be a repeat fixture is in the final (and only of a week 1 fixture).

In fact, if one of the away teams wins in the next round, there will be yet another repeat fixture. If Oldham and Doncaster win, Doncaster will play London again. If Widnes and Barrow win, Widnes will play Newcastle again. Shambles.

Now that we have 2 repeat fixtures in the next round (albeit, one has the home advantage reversed), do you still believe they've chosen correctly? They've not achieved a structure sooner at avoiding the thing that wished to avoid, and created an imbalanced playoff structure in the process. Oldham have been screwed over here really.

The issue is that the initial rounds had fixtures that didn't reward ranking higher (3rd has a harder fixture than 4th), and the excuse given was it was done was to avoid repeat fixtures. The fact it didn't actually achieve this despite the making illogical matchups in the initial rounds it's definitely grounds for binning it. There is no defending this structure.

Wait... I thought the whole point of having 3rd vs 5th and 4th vs 6th was to avoid repeat fixtures? Are we saying that the system not only doesn't reward ranking higher, but it also doesn't avoid repeat fixtures anyway?! You couldn't make it up.

Some fair criticisms. However, what the NRL have shown that can do better than most is generate TV income and develop players. That's 2 things we're desperately in need of and have shown we are very much behind the times in. Not to mention they have the ability to arrange international fixtures for us against desirable opposition.

Well, I forgot to pick up my tickets from the club shop for this game. Still went. Had to buy everyone's tickets again. Worth it though

This is honestly one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard, and the fact that you kept going makes it hilarious!

It's exactly what I thought. Same with the sudden expansion to 14 in SL - quick way to get who we want where we want them contract again when we get them there. And the exact reason why we need to take the decision making away from these people.

With time, Eddie my lad. Global round will spread the seed!

When they expand to 24 and us to 16, we'll have a 40 team 5 conference world competition with cross group games. That's the future!