New Format (Well old, actually) : Fri Sep 14, 2018 1:45 pm
So the new format is 12 teams, 5 team play off, 1 up and 1 down (the same as what we had in 2001). What are people's thoughts? Personally I'm not keen because- We have missed a golden opportunity to promote three expansion sides whilst they are strong. This would have removed loop fixtures, and I suspect replacing Widnes with Toronto, London and Tolouse would have sat well with broadcasters and sponsors.
- No qualifiers or MPG means there is no guarantee that the team coming up is stronger than the team going down
- The top 5 play off system means you will often see the Grand Final teams play in twice within two weeks. Add in loop fixtures and the cup, and we could end up playing the same team six times - overkill!
- Play off attendances are always poor, because of the short notice, it not counting on season tickets, people saving up for the Grand Final etc, so why have an extended play off format?
Having said that, I can appreciate that having certainty over the fixture list is better for the clubs and fans, and the top 5 play offs are good for rewarding finishing positions. We needed to do something, because the sport is slowly dying.