Quote ="sally cinnamon"There isn't really much more to play for for the top 2 or 3 clubs.
This is basically like the RU playoffs where the top 4 just get a semi final, so you are a game away from Old Trafford whether you finish first or finish fourth.
In the last six seasons the gap between 1st and 4th has ranged between 6 points and 14 points. There will be a big incentive for finishing fourth but for the strongest clubs once you are fairly well clear of the battlers in 5th or 6th then how much will league fixtures really matter? Your mind turns all to the one off must win game. And all you are playing for, in terms of difference between 1st and 4th, is home advantage.
As for the difference between 1st and 2nd, assuming both clubs got a home game then all it means is it changes the opponent you play in the semi. Again one loss and you are out.
I prefer our current playoff format because it does give some rewards for finishing higher, eg week off or a second chance.
The reason people started to kick off about our current playoff format is because of Leeds winning it from 5th. Under a 1v4, 2v3 semi final format, one year we will have 3rd and 4th in the Grand Final and that will start everyone discrediting it so we will start looking for a different playoff format again...'"
It may yet be as follows for play offs
week 1.
A) 1 v 2 winner to final
B) 3 v 4 loser out
week 2.
C) Loser A v Winner B
week 3.
FINAL
Winner A v Winner C
therefore finishing 1st or 2nd gives an advantage of 2 attempts to make the final
