: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:17 pm  

LS16_Rhino wrote:

TRANSLATION: We consistently collect hub-caps but consistently choke in the big games so lets move the goalposts so that people may call us Champions instead of chokers.

Actually talking about the old system, before 1998...games seem to be more competitive then..

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:37 am  

thebloodbath wrote:

Ryan Bailey - I adore his gritty style....... and I have a strong feeling that he loves it too....... His huge......., thanks.........Ryan Bailey. More of the same please Ryan.

OMG!!!!!

You have problems.

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:13 am  

Glad to see Diskin is free to play Friday

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:50 am  

the wicker man wrote:

Actually talking about the old system, before 1998...games seem to be more competitive then..

How far before 1998?

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:33 am  

King Monkey wrote:

How far before 1998?

Well as far back as I've been watching rugby so the early eighties, mind you the weather gave you some mudbaths, but even then the games were more entertaining and competitive.

I think we all know why the Grand final was introduced, Sky TV and money!!

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:37 am  

the wicker man wrote:

I think we all know why the Grand final was introduced, Sky TV and money!!

If you think about it....the playoffs and Grand Final are how we find the champs. So it's the regular rounds that are the money spinning exploitation of fans and TV subscribers. It's just a way of guaranteeing fixtures.

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:44 am  

the wicker man wrote:

I think we all know why the Grand final was introduced, Sky TV and money!!

Why hadn't English Rugby League thought of deciding its' champions by a playoff and championship decuider before Sky TV came along eh?

Oh hang on........

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:49 am  

tvoc wrote:

Give Bradford a chance to complain first. With Hood in charge it's pretty much a given.

The teams that have missed out on being Champions after finishing top are:

1999 Bradford (St Helens)
2000 Wigan (St Helens)
2005 St Helens (Bradford)
2007 St Helens (Leeds)
2008 St Helens (Leeds)

Isn't it strange how Saints fans never complained in 1999 and 2000?

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:53 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Isn't it strange how Saints fans never complained in 1999 and 2000?

: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:53 am  

Anyone with half a brain knows the GF series were nothing more than a money spinning initiative.

With regards to the format we have had, I knew Sainst would benefit just as much as they would suffer.

It was as inevitable as night follows day. I can't really say I was too bothered about the 'fairness' of the system, notwithstanding the fact that I thought Leeds were the best team in the competition in 2007 anyway, irrespective of League tables.