ThePrinter wrote:
It’s funny because every year when this inevitably happens where the fans and some cases the players/coach of the club leading the competition start talk of how the LLS should be the true champions I know they’re going to fall short in the playoffs as they’re almost already getting their excuses in early for failure and worried about playing in the big occasions of a Grand Final instead of thriving on it and being eager to play at Old Trafford. As soon as Cas started that talk I knew then we’d beat them in the playoffs and likewise I fancied Saints to fall short last year. You didn’t hear it from Leeds in 2015 when they were well clear, they instead look ahead to going for the treble. In 2009 after finishing 2nd in both 2007 & 08 but beating Saints in both GF’s the squad was determined to not only finish 1st but back it up with the GF.
That’s why we should have a GF/playoffs because it’s the biggest stage under the biggest pressure where the best players step up.
Although it has taken much of the kudos away from the Challenge Cup Final, which used to be the end of season spectacle for the world to have chance of seeing RL on the big stage, the GF is here to stay and by it's very name "The Grand Final" is the championship decider and is also the end of season celebration for our sport.
Despite some saying that it's "easy to win" as it's decided with three games after the end of the regular season, the teams have to have played well to make it to the play offs and the current top 5 system is the best option that we've had during the SL era, quite rightly giving the top 2 sides the best chance of making the final.
It would be great if this could be on FTA TV so that the world could watch but, I'm not sure that Sky would be too happy about that.
