League One Play-off Rules 2019 : Sun Jun 23, 2019 5:19 pm  

League One Play-off Rules 2019:

Weighman (Paul) has mentioned to me that the RFL rules for the play-offs are different to those from last season.

I generally try to keep my nose to the ground with what’s going on but this one had passed me by. I thought I’d make this post to try to explain (what I think) is happening. It seems madness to me but who am I to question the sanity of the RFL!

The top team is promoted automatically. Teams in positions TWO to SIX will then contest the play-offs for the second promotion spot. It was teams two to five only last season.

It seems very strange that 6th place in an 11 team league should be deemed good enough to get into the play-offs. In footballing teams, it’s akin to Team 13 in League One of the football league reaching their play-offs. I'm sure that would never happen!

Here’s how it actually works....

Round One: Team 5 is at home to Team 6. The loser is eliminated.
Round One : Team 3 is at home to Team 4. The loser gets another chance.

Semi-Final One: Loser of 3 v 4 is at home to the winner of 5 v 6. The loser is eliminated.
Semi-Final Two: Team 2 v Winner of Semi-Final One. The winner progresses to the final. The loser gets another chance.

Preliminary Final: Loser of Semi-Final Two v Winner of Semi-Final One. The loser is eliminated.
Play-Off Final: Winner of Semi-Final 2 v Winner of Preliminary Final.

I’ll gladly stand corrected if anyone thinks it works differently. I’ve got acute brain-ache trying to fathom all this lot out.

Personally, I’d make it very simple: The second team should go straight to the final. They should play the winners of Team 3 v Team 4. Either that or simply promote the team that finishes second. You could explain that one to your mates but I bet you can't explain the RFLs procedure to your mates!

Re: League One Play-off Rules 2019 : Sun Jun 23, 2019 5:34 pm  

There is already talk of a 16 team championship for 2020. With the TV deal running out after next season I fear for C1.

Re: League One Play-off Rules 2019 : Sun Jun 23, 2019 5:58 pm  

It may be worse for promoted sides/clubs this year,should they be promoted and then relegated at the end of next season from The Championship. Last year,just before the play-offs the RFL moved the goalposts and Workington were short of players as they had booked holidays. Here are the play-offs as per RFL some months ago - For The 3 Divisions

It may be worse for promoted sides/clubs this year,should they be promoted and then relegated at the end of next season from The Championship. Last year,just before the play-offs the RFL moved the goalposts and Workington were short of players as they had booked holidays. Here are the play-offs as per RFL some months ago - For The 3 Divisions

Re: League One Play-off Rules 2019 : Sun Jun 23, 2019 6:13 pm  

weighman wrote:

There is already talk of a 16 team championship for 2020. With the TV deal running out after next season I fear for C1.

This point was raised on last week's Rugby League Backchat. If the RFL change the rules again at the last minute, like they did last season, the credibility of the game will be shot to pieces.

The idea of a 16 team Championship would perhaps mean Super League could be made into a 14 team league, with 14 left in the Championship. I don't believe there is enough money in the pot to justify a 14 team Super League though.

I too fear for the future of League One.