Unhappy McManus suggests fresh Play Off system : Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:46 pm  

http://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/st-he ... 4993664.jp Thoughts?

http://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/st-he ... 4993664.jp Thoughts?

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:00 pm  

I always thought that the top 5 system was the best. It rewarded the top team, by only having to win once to get to the Grand Final

Teams two and three had to win at least twice to get there.

Teams four and five had to win three times to get there.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:04 pm  

I agree with him partly, the playoffs are somewhat of an excuse for poor performance throughout the season.

I think the point of having an 8 team play off is that it ensures 8+ teams have to play for the whole season. Having 3 involved would just mean that several teams could clock off by April as there would be nothing to play for.

If we did what McManus suggested, it's great for the top 3 sides, but the other sides would need a reason to keep playing, McManus doesn't cover this.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:18 pm  

I agree with the fact the top team should get a larger reward, the top team should either go straight to the final or only have to win one game.

The advantage of a larger play-off system is that the 2 form teams are in the final which makes for a great final.

With us not having the chance to qualify for europe like they do in the premiership, there would be nothing to play for later in the year for the teams below the top 3 or 4.

I thought both the top 5 and top 6 were fine but we will see if this new system works.

But I also think the fact that a team could go all the way and win it exciting.

I can see both sides, I would of just stuck with the top 5 if Im honest though.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:35 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I agree with him partly, the playoffs are somewhat of an excuse for poor performance throughout the season.

I think the point of having an 8 team play off is that it ensures 8+ teams have to play for the whole season. Having 3 involved would just mean that several teams could clock off by April as there would be nothing to play for.

If we did what McManus suggested, it's great for the top 3 sides, but the other sides would need a reason to keep playing, McManus doesn't cover this.

I agree, it's a double edged sword whichever way you look at it.

I can see why the RFL have gone for a top 8 Play Off. It's similar to the NRL and gives every team a chance of winning the major prize. That is hugely rewarding for the teams low down the table, but for those challenging at the top it is a poor format as it really devalues top spot. Why fight hard for top spot when you know anywhere in the top 4 is highly rewarding?

The idea of 3 is good on the face of it as it'll really make the top teams fight for a spot in the three. In a league of 14 this is tough, which will make the league more competitive particularly at the start and middle period of the year. The problem comes at the middle and end of the year when teams well outside the three cannot make it and therefore have nothing to play for. That's when the pace drops off and there will be no competitiveness.

I'm not sure what the answer is to be honest. 8 is too many, but I feel the top six was also becoming a bit tired to be honest. It needed re-jigging, but I'm not sure the top 8 was the answer to be honest.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:46 pm  

I am in agreement with Rogues on this one. The top 5 system was by far the best, as play-offs go.

Unfortunately, however, the scrapping of relegation means that, as Blobby points out, by the halfway stage six or seven of the teams would have nothing to play for.

It's a no win situation basically. In a 5 or 6 (or 3) team system, the league is devalued because half the sides are effectively playing friendlies for half the season. In an 8 team system, the league is devalued because the rewards for finishing top are so diminished. In a first past the post system you have fairness and reward for excellence, but you lose a showpiece event upon which the RFL and the SL clubs are by now no doubt financially dependant.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:49 pm  

Why not give a set amount of money for where you finish in the league, the higher you finish the more money your club gets given to pay off debts or what ever. This way, they could have a top 3 or whatever, and thw lower sides would be playing to earn there club more money. Think they do it in football.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:54 pm  

The other thing against the first past the post system was the ridiculous playing some teams 3 or 4 times per season and playing others only twice.



Last season for example Wigan played Saints 4 times, Leeds 3 and Catalan 3.

This season with 14 teams it is far better, but until you get all teams playing each other just home and away, the first past the post system cannot be deemed fair.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:03 pm  

Top five as others have said is the best.
Top eight is a bit of a p1ss take and definitly devalues the week to week rounds of Super League.
As Blobby has said anywhere in the top four is a good finish,I can see a lot of youngsters getting good game time towards the end of the season.
I reckon key players will be rotated as no club needs to bust a gut to finish top or top two even.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:05 pm  

Top 6 with last years system could be enough. Top 8 is too many as it is over half the league.