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Thread: Race for the Top 4 or 6 or 8 (merged)

  1. #126
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gray77 View Post
    Yep. His quote in the Mirror....

    We’ve been having talks internally and think a good way to look at the competition now would perhaps be looking at starting the play-offs earlier with more teams in it. We’re in a position where if we can navigate our way through to the play-offs it will leave us in a fair old state at the end of it. The whole win percentage stuff is getting called into question.

    This is most definitely emanating from Leeds. Remember it was Hetherington who spearheaded the change from Top 6 to Top 8 when we went to a 14 team SL, which left his own side as champions twice despite finishing 5th, because the system allowed the team in 5th to build momentum with a home game against an awful 8th placed team whilst the Top 4 were all killing each other on the same opening weekend of the play offs. Those three years of utterly pointless regular season games under that Top 8 format was an all time low in my interest in the sport to be honest.

    Didn’t the league decide that 15 games was the threshold? Catalans can still squeeze 15 games in. If they can’t, they’re out. If they can, they are the rules that were set out. If you can play 15 and have one of the best 4 win percentages you’re in. Clubs like Saints have taken the pursuit of a Top 4 place seriously, whilst others haven’t. Others have almost given up on it and will now be given another chance because the almighty Leeds aren’t happy. They’re happy enough when they decide to bother and beat Wigan in a cup semi or beat Salford to win the Final. But when they can’t be bothered they lobby for rules to be changed so that their mediocrity is rewarded.

    Agar and Leeds may argue that the system isn’t fair because Catalans may sneak in on 15 games. It isn’t fair, but nothing we’ve done in the last 20 years in RL has been fair. It hasn’t been fair that they’ve won 2 titles after being awful for an entire season. It isn’t fair that the team that wins the most points only gets a hubcap and a 50/50 chance if they make the Grand Final. It isn’t fair that well run clubs that achieve consistent success get handcuffed by a salary cap just so badly run clubs can artificially compete, etc, etc. The whole structure is artificially engineered to promote mediocrity over success, and it’s been that way for decades. But for the first time it’s not benefitting Leeds we get complaints.
    Brilliantly put and bang on the money!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Div View Post
    Laughable really changing the format in the last month. Only RL could consider this!
    Part of me says its the Leeds influence again trying to sneak into the play offs after being sh*** all year!
    Also, if the fixture list is not expected to be completed why do we not get our 2 points for beating Toronto?
    Because Toronto are no longer in the competition. All the other clubs are.
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Yellow Giraffe View Post
    Exactly. Plus you can't tell teams all season that they only need to get top 4 to stand a chance of winning it and then 5 weeks before the end of the season tell them they have to finish top.
    That’s no different to them changing the structure now and making it an 8 team play off. Any change now, makes a mockery of the whole thing.

    Some teams have taken the restart more seriously than others, knowing that they need to finish in the top 4 to have a chance.

    With the rumoured changes, Saints should have played the reserves for the last month, finished 6th and rested the big guns so they’re fresh for a play off competition.


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  4. #129
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gray77 View Post
    Yep. His quote in the Mirror....

    We’ve been having talks internally and think a good way to look at the competition now would perhaps be looking at starting the play-offs earlier with more teams in it. We’re in a position where if we can navigate our way through to the play-offs it will leave us in a fair old state at the end of it. The whole win percentage stuff is getting called into question.

    This is most definitely emanating from Leeds. Remember it was Hetherington who spearheaded the change from Top 6 to Top 8 when we went to a 14 team SL, which left his own side as champions twice despite finishing 5th, because the system allowed the team in 5th to build momentum with a home game against an awful 8th placed team whilst the Top 4 were all killing each other on the same opening weekend of the play offs. Those three years of utterly pointless regular season games under that Top 8 format was an all time low in my interest in the sport to be honest.

    Didn’t the league decide that 15 games was the threshold? Catalans can still squeeze 15 games in. If they can’t, they’re out. If they can, they are the rules that were set out. If you can play 15 and have one of the best 4 win percentages you’re in. Clubs like Saints have taken the pursuit of a Top 4 place seriously, whilst others haven’t. Others have almost given up on it and will now be given another chance because the almighty Leeds aren’t happy. They’re happy enough when they decide to bother and beat Wigan in a cup semi or beat Salford to win the Final. But when they can’t be bothered they lobby for rules to be changed so that their mediocrity is rewarded.

    Agar and Leeds may argue that the system isn’t fair because Catalans may sneak in on 15 games. It isn’t fair, but nothing we’ve done in the last 20 years in RL has been fair. It hasn’t been fair that they’ve won 2 titles after being awful for an entire season. It isn’t fair that the team that wins the most points only gets a hubcap and a 50/50 chance if they make the Grand Final. It isn’t fair that well run clubs that achieve consistent success get handcuffed by a salary cap just so badly run clubs can artificially compete, etc, etc. The whole structure is artificially engineered to promote mediocrity over success, and it’s been that way for decades. But for the first time it’s not benefitting Leeds we get complaints.
    I think many in the game have woken up to the Catalans situation. If they dodge games against Wire, Wigan and maybe Saints, then their win percentage is unfairly inflated on the back of largely playing the rubbing rags. It's in their interest to play less games or certainly to avoid re-arranging certain fixtures. It could be said that they have used their ability to play a lesser amount of games to their advantage.

    For me, a return to the top five system might be the best way. We know who the top five will be, but nobody will be in danger of missing out due to teams perhaps tactically declaring a few Covid issues in the wake of a big game, knowing that not playing does not reduce their percentage score. Not only that, it gives us two cracks at getting to the Final then. :-)
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    Default Race for the Top 4 or 6 or 8 (merged)

    Quote Originally Posted by undertheradar View Post
    That’s no different to them changing the structure now and making it an 8 team play off. Any change now, makes a mockery of the whole thing.

    Some teams have taken the restart more seriously than others, knowing that they need to finish in the top 4 to have a chance.

    With the rumoured changes, Saints should have played the reserves for the last month, finished 6th and rested the big guns so they’re fresh for a play off competition.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    It is different though. Changing the system in the proposed manner extends opportunities to more clubs. Clubs that have made in into the top four places that everyone was aiming for will still be in the new playoff system. If you suddenly ditch the playoffs altogether then a team that has been successfully planning for a top four finish and a big push at the playoffs is suddenly out of the picture.

    Of course any sort of mid-season changes undermine the integrity of the league but I think it’s currently just a case of needs must.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Blobbynator View Post
    Saints are in favour of the proposals aswell so it's not just Leeds and Warrington in favour.

    To play devils advocate is it fair that Leeds could play 18-19 games compared to 15 that Catalans play and miss out due to a % system especially when you consider two of the Catalans games postponed were against 2 of their top 4 rivals?
    It's interesting though. I seem to remember Leeds doing everything in their considerable power not to play Catalan, at Catalan. If they had done Catalan would probably have made the 15 games required.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dux View Post
    It is different though. Changing the system in the proposed manner extends opportunities to more clubs. Clubs that have made in into the top four places that everyone was aiming for will still be in the new playoff system. If you suddenly ditch the playoffs altogether then a team that has been successfully planning for a top four finish and a big push at the playoffs is suddenly out of the picture.

    Of course any sort of mid-season changes undermine the integrity of the league but I think it’s currently just a case of needs must.
    It benefits a "Covid free" Catalans side more than anyone else, Saints will probably have played 30% more games than the Catalans side prior to whatever play off. Catalan would only need 2 games to get up to speed fully energised Saints could go into a Grand final with some battle fatigue.

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    Wonder when it will start from as Alex has picked up a 2 match ban.
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  9. #134
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    Just to clarify it's the top 8 that are in the play offs?

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    Quote Originally Posted by STIDDY View Post
    It benefits a "Covid free" Catalans side more than anyone else, Saints will probably have played 30% more games than the Catalans side prior to whatever play off. Catalan would only need 2 games to get up to speed fully energised Saints could go into a Grand final with some battle fatigue.
    It's definitely not fair - it unjustly benefits some of those teams outside the four and one club in particular that has not been able to fulfil its fixtures - but my point is that there is no fair solution to the current situation and this seems like a less unfair solution than pulling the rug out from under three teams who would have had a place in the playoffs. Personally I think if we must end early then a top 5 system would be the best option, since it best maintains the advantage of finishing higher up the table and takes the same number of weeks as a top 8 system would anyway. Plus it's also the system we had in place at the start of the season, and is the best playoff system we've got.

    Quote Originally Posted by JB1973
    Just to clarify it's the top 8 that are in the play offs?
    I don't think anything's been decided yet - we're all going off the TotalRL article that says the clubs are discussing an extended playoff of either 5, 6 or 8 teams.

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    Don’t have playoffs just a final between first and second.

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    Quote Originally Posted by DD View Post
    Because Toronto are no longer in the competition. All the other clubs are.

    Its debatable they might be they just couldn't complete the season which may also be the case for Catalans - so are all points against Catalan going to be discounted as well?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Moore View Post
    It's interesting though. I seem to remember Leeds doing everything in their considerable power not to play Catalan, at Catalan. If they had done Catalan would probably have made the 15 games required.
    Hetherington and Sinfield are utter c**ts

    To change the format at the 11th hour is farcical, especially when it seems the aim is just to get lucky Leeds into the playoffs through the backdoor.

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    So true. Well said ...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ferester123 View Post
    Just on a note PAULO has signed for Toulouse for next season thought it might cheer some of us up lol
    Has he really? Thanks for that but don’t think anyone’s to bothered after calling him all season?

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    Stop the press!

    Breaking news!


    A new playoff system will be introduced on Monday in the format of “It’s a Knockout”

    Before that, the League Leaders Pizza (replacing the shield with a 12” Papa John’s Pepperoni thin crust in solid silver) will be presented in a cardboard box to whoever Sky say should get it. Probably Ben Flower, he looks like he’s had his share of 12”’ers

    Then, Each team in the top 8 will be set a series of challenges to complete whilst dressed in oversized Dinosaur outfits and inflatable axe’s while pushing wheelbarrows full of Rugby balls and Mushy Peas. This will whittle us down to a top 4.

    The top 4 will compete in a Karaoke contest sponsored by Cash Converters who will supply the gear (Not stolen guv, I promise) with extra points awarded if any of the artists/players can play any of the NOT stolen instruments as well as sing, plus bonus’s for anyone singing Fatboy Slim “Right here, Right now” from the Sky Try archive.

    The 2 teams will then play the “Grand Final” in a Top-Gear Challenge finale, at The Kcom with Paddy McGuiness and Andrew Flintoff as honourary club captains and Chris Harris as referee.

    The teams will line up in Dacia Sandero’s and play with a ball the size of a sofa and will score points by winning wacky challenges such as who can get the most socially distanced Commentators in the Dacia.

    In the unlikely* event of a draw, the winner will be decided on the historical success of the club who won the most Superleague titles from lowest position in the league.

    The Emerald Headingley Leeds Building Society trophy will be presented by Keith Lemon and Mel B, and an open-topped bus is booked for Saturday 28th of November at Leeds City Centre.













    *Fixed
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  17. #142
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    haha. brilliant

  18. #143
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    Quote Originally Posted by RJM25R View Post
    Stop the press!

    Breaking news!


    A new playoff system will be introduced on Monday in the format of “It’s a Knockout”

    Before that, the League Leaders Pizza (replacing the shield with a 12” Papa John’s Pepperoni thin crust in solid silver) will be presented in a cardboard box to whoever Sky say should get it. Probably Ben Flower, he looks like he’s had his share of 12”’ers

    Then, Each team in the top 8 will be set a series of challenges to complete whilst dressed in oversized Dinosaur outfits and inflatable axe’s while pushing wheelbarrows full of Rugby balls and Mushy Peas. This will whittle us down to a top 4.

    The top 4 will compete in a Karaoke contest sponsored by Cash Converters who will supply the gear (Not stolen guv, I promise) with extra points awarded if any of the artists/players can play any of the NOT stolen instruments as well as sing, plus bonus’s for anyone singing Fatboy Slim “Right here, Right now” from the Sky Try archive.

    The 2 teams will then play the “Grand Final” in a Top-Gear Challenge finale, at The Kcom with Paddy McGuiness and Andrew Flintoff as honourary club captains and Chris Harris as referee.

    The teams will line up in Dacia Sandero’s and play with a ball the size of a sofa and will score points by winning wacky challenges such as who can get the most socially distanced Commentators in the Dacia.

    In the unlikely* event of a draw, the winner will be decided on the historical success of the club who won the most Superleague titles from lowest position in the league.

    The Emerald Headingley Leeds Building Society trophy will be presented by Keith Lemon and Mel B, and an open-topped bus is booked for Saturday 28th of November at Leeds City Centre.













    *Fixed
    Unfortunately I could envisage this!

  19. #144
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    The more clubs in the play-offs, the higher risk of Covid cases and potential postponements. We should have as few teams as possible in the play-offs.
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    Quote Originally Posted by RJM25R View Post
    Stop the press!

    Before that, the League Leaders Pizza (replacing the shield with a 12” Papa John’s Pepperoni thin crust in solid silver) will be presented in a cardboard box to whoever Sky say should get it. Probably Ben Flower, he looks like he’s had his share of 12”’ers


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  22. #147
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    Waiting for the announcement that the £100,000 league leaders shield prize money will be in Papa John’s vouchers (collection orders only) this year rather than cash.
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  23. #148
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    The proposal of a change in play off structure got mocked earlier in the week but given Salford's forfeit today and Cas' 12 positive Covid tests I'm not sure how the season can continue really.

    A change to a top 5 play off makes absolute sense right now starting next week.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Blobbynator View Post
    The proposal of a change in play off structure got mocked earlier in the week but given Salford's forfeit today and Cas' 12 positive Covid tests I'm not sure how the season can continue really.

    A change to a top 5 play off makes absolute sense right now starting next week.
    Why is one game postponed and the Saford game forfeited. Neither can field a team because of illness or injury?

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    But now we hear cats are coming on mon to play Salford. So why can Salford forfeit the warr game . Made sure they played mon.? But all of a sudden can pick and choose. Well cats put a spanner in the works. Plus it looks as though there will only be one game on . Saints v wigan. .saints have had a busy run in. Wigan had a good break. How the hell does it work ...

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