EoS playoff question : Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:07 pm  

I asked this on the VT but thought I'd post it here too.

Say in theory Saints finish 1st, Leeds 2nd. Both win their qualifying play off and go through to the qualifying semis along with 2 other teams.

Could Saints choose to play Leeds thus denying Leeds home advantage in the hope of knocking them out before the final and leave the other two lower ranked teams to play each other?

If this is correct then if I were Saints that's what I'd do, much better chance of knocking us out at their home ground than in the final.

Up until now I didn't think finishing top was that much of an advantage.

If Leeds finish top I think I'd rather play Saints in the final than at HQ in the semi.

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:12 pm  

that's my understanding, but I wouldn't put my swimming pool on it.

I agree with your tactics too.

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:17 pm  

My understanding is that they can't do that. As I understand it, the highest placed winning club from week one can only choose an opponent who is playing/wins in week 2, when they have the week off.

If the finishing positions are as they are now, the only way Saints could chose Leeds is if we lost at home in week one, then won in week 2.

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:23 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

My understanding is that they can't do that. As I understand it, the highest placed winning club from week one can only choose an opponent who is playing/wins in week 2, when they have the week off.

If the finishing positions are as they are now, the only way Saints could chose Leeds is if we lost at home in week one, then won in week 2.

I think Saints would be able to chose leeds!

What if Saints and Leeds lose their first week games, who do third pick to play?

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:31 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

My understanding is that they can't do that. As I understand it, the highest placed winning club from week one can only choose an opponent who is playing/wins in week 2, when they have the week off.

If the finishing positions are as they are now, the only way Saints could chose Leeds is if we lost at home in week one, then won in week 2.

I think that is spot on.

If 4th loses against 1st and 3rd against 2nd in 1st week, and then 4th and 3rd win next round to get through to final eliminator, the team finishing 1st can only pick one of those.

1st posters thoughts wont happen though. Can see Leeds finishing 1st.

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:39 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote: My understanding is that they can't do that. As I understand it, the highest placed winning club from week one can only choose an opponent who is playing/wins in week 2, when they have the week off. If the finishing positions are as they are now, the only way Saints could chose Leeds is if we lost at home in week one, then won in week 2. On the superleague website http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=360 there is no mention of any restrictions in who you can choose. "In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. Significantly, the winning team from week one with the highest League placing will be allowed to select their opponents at this stage, thus adding a further element to this phase of the competition." It's a bit of a joke we can get this close to the playoffs without being explained the exact rules.

Lord_Percy wrote: My understanding is that they can't do that. As I understand it, the highest placed winning club from week one can only choose an opponent who is playing/wins in week 2, when they have the week off. If the finishing positions are as they are now, the only way Saints could chose Leeds is if we lost at home in week one, then won in week 2. On the superleague website http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=360 there is no mention of any restrictions in who you can choose. "In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. Significantly, the winning team from week one with the highest League placing will be allowed to select their opponents at this stage, thus adding a further element to this phase of the competition." It's a bit of a joke we can get this close to the playoffs without being explained the exact rules.

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:42 pm  

Loop wrote: On the superleague website http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=360 there is no mention of any restrictions in who you can choose. "In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. Significantly, the winning team from week one with the highest League placing will be allowed to select their opponents at this stage, thus adding a further element to this phase of the competition." It's a bit of a joke we can get this close to the playoffs without being explained the exact rules. Above the bit you've quoted above it states:- In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. That's the bit I've gone on to make my guess. As you say though, it's silly we don't know exactly what's going on.

Loop wrote: On the superleague website http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=360 there is no mention of any restrictions in who you can choose. "In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. Significantly, the winning team from week one with the highest League placing will be allowed to select their opponents at this stage, thus adding a further element to this phase of the competition." It's a bit of a joke we can get this close to the playoffs without being explained the exact rules. Above the bit you've quoted above it states:- In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. That's the bit I've gone on to make my guess. As you say though, it's silly we don't know exactly what's going on.

[Matt_Horton]

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:48 pm  

Loop wrote: On the superleague website http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=360 there is no mention of any restrictions in who you can choose. "In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. Significantly, the winning team from week one with the highest League placing will be allowed to select their opponents at this stage, thus adding a further element to this phase of the competition." It's a bit of a joke we can get this close to the playoffs without being explained the exact rules. If in the case of 3 and 4 winning then team 3 will get their choice of opponent at that stage. Simples

Loop wrote: On the superleague website http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=360 there is no mention of any restrictions in who you can choose. "In week three, the winners of the two Qualifying Play-Offs will play the winners from week two. Significantly, the winning team from week one with the highest League placing will be allowed to select their opponents at this stage, thus adding a further element to this phase of the competition." It's a bit of a joke we can get this close to the playoffs without being explained the exact rules. If in the case of 3 and 4 winning then team 3 will get their choice of opponent at that stage. Simples

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:51 pm  

Oldham Rhino wrote:

If in the case of 3 and 4 winning then team 3 will get their choice of opponent at that stage.

Simples

If 3 and 4 win in week one, then 1 and 2 win in week two, where are the qualifying games held? That's another one I'm not sure on, in previous years it was always highest placed finisher, but is that still the case?

[Matt_Horton]

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:52 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

If 3 and 4 win in week one, then 1 and 2 win in week two, where are the qualifying games held? That's another one I'm not sure on, in previous years it was always highest placed finisher, but is that still the case?

Teams 3 and 4 would be at home regardless.

You win in Week One, your prize is a home game.