I was going to start a thread with observations on the new format so far but as you've brought it up you're right.

The games between the top four were a complete bust. HKR especially (and probably the giants) were saving themselves for next week. There was not sufficient incentive for them to win.

Under the old format there was only 1 game where both teams had a 2nd bite of the cherry and the incentive to win that was a berth in the GF. Under this format there were four teams playing each other with nothing at stake. Poor.

So far new format = epic fail.

Precisely.

Agree 100%. I think the RFL need a re think on the format. I think most supporters were saving them selves for the sudden death game before the GF. Add to that is was also on sky.. it reminded me of an early Challenge cup round.

Bang on that G.

While we are certainly stuck with this format for this year i have found it amusing that during post match interviews etc players and SKyTv team are confused as to who plays who in the next round.Reflecting on that makes me wonder how people will respond at the turnstiles next week.

Sums it up in my opinion.

Games are only interesting to fans when there is something riding on them (although how that explains the p*ss poor turnout at Belle Vue god knows). The winner getting a week off in the playoffs isn't sufficient to motivate a fan out of their armchair to relieve their wallet of £20 plus.

All the RFL have done is add another two meaningless games into the schedule, and then they will be wondering why top players look knackered come the Four Nations.

Fair points, although perhaps the accountants of the respective clubs might not regard the extra games as meaningless.

You raise a bloody good point there mate.

A lot of the Saints lads look exhausted, and as good as it is for Leeds (which is all I care about) it's bad for England who are likely to get thumped again this winter.

Completely agree AG.
I also think it should revert back to a top 6 with only the top 2 getting a 2nd chance,the club call bollox ditched and the magic weekend concept ditched.

Great point there Andy. Agree 100%. A set of bloody amateurs the RFL

Although it pains me to say it I think you're right. I paid good money and turned up at Headingly only to see a very weakened team playing, had this game been a do or die game I can bet we'd have played nearly all our 1st string.

Think we tried really hard in the 1st half but once Leeds went over two scores up I got the feeling we switched off and went into next week mode. Can't blame Morgan for it as even at full strength we'd have still more than likely got beat by a very good leeds side and knowing that we would have only had to play them again to get to the final. I don;t think even the most optimistic KR fan would think we'd beat you lot twice back to back.

As for the confusion, I was over the moon that cats beat wakey thinking that with all the travel cats would be shot coming to ours on Saturday only to find out we play Wigan, seems an overly confusing format.

I knew we'd never hear the last of the "weakened team" excuses. You were crap...get over it.

I hope the RFL take notice of all the small attendances and realise that fans are voting with their feet as to what they think of the new play-off system.

Was talking this through this morning.

Imagine your average working couple, no kids who support RL.

If they went to Wembley at the end of August with hotels, travel and tickets it will likely have cost a conservative £250

If they attend two home games in the playoffs at Headingley in the seats at £25 each there's another £100

If they go to the Grand Final they will likely have to spend another £150, conservatively, if they go for the day.

Then come the four nations. They buy two tickets each for four games at £20 each, £160

Then guess what, its' season ticket renewal time at the end of November. Two season tickets at £250 each, £500

So, in the space of three months this couple will have been asked to shell out, conservatively, £1160 to follow Rugby League.

Now factor in some kids.

Wow.

And that G is the rub. Plus all the little things that the kiddies want ie shirts, programs, food and drink you make a very real and salient point.

Good point G


To everyone here, how much do you realisticly think you have spent on supporting Leeds and RL this year?

So you now realise it is an exspensive hobby, does that mean you still also find it "criminal" to miss a game, like you said in the attendances thread?

£20.

I suppose I could claim my travel and hotel expenses, but I was coming to Leeds anyway, so just £20 for 2 tickets, plus the cost of a couple of pints. Maybe £26 would be realistic.

In previous seasons which might have included every home and away Leeds game (including Perpignan), Millennium Magic, a Cup Final, a Grand Final and a Test Match or two, a lot more than that. Obviously.

please read in what context that was regarding and come back to me

not a bad season for you then

I reckon about £700-£800.

Season Ticket-£108
Away Tickets- About £140
Coach Travel- About £100
Entire Murrayfield Trip-£100
General Spends on a match day-£20 x 20=£400

All estimates but I'd never really thought about it until now, no wonder I'm always skint during the season

I emailed the club about prices at Headingley especially taking into account facilities, and to be fair I did recieve a response from the club along the lines of great value for money.

I replied that we would have to agree to disagree on that point and I guess othershave voted with their feet this season with attendance figures down.

My ex-season ticket holding friend has dropped down to bronze membership this year as he just wouldnt get the value for the season ticket, and has picked and chosen his home and away games according to what he can / cant afford.

He has however come up with a fiendish way to save money at games and that is in subsitute of any expensive alcohol he now has a can or two of white ace.

With the ammount of savings he has made im sure he will now be able to afford the next game.

christ, he must be cost cutting

I need to learn these lessons, I enjoy a beer whilst chilling out watching the game, but these £2.70s really do add up over the course of the season.