Following on from the above, Warrington and Leeds would play at home in the second week and then away in the 3rd week.

We are guarenteed two play-off games (maybe 3). We are guaranteed 1 home game (maybe 2).

We could lose in week 1 and still make the final but ANY loss after week one means you are out. Only the losers of games 3 and 4 are OUT completely in week 1

So we 'could', beat Saints in the first game, they win the next one, and we could play them again for a place in the Final ?
Crikey, they would be two very bruising, not to mention mentally tough games....and thats just for us supporters..

Or they could win the first, we win the second and then we play them for a place in the final. the only thing different would be the venue of the week 3 clash.

OR, you beat Saints, we beat Wigan, you get the club call between the winners of week 2

The Aussie system works similar to this and the "second chance" is deceptive because like you say, it only counts for teams who lose in the first week of the playoffs. There's been a few teams in Australia who have been consistent all year, then won their first playoff game and had a week off, then had the bad luck to have their 'off day' in the second playoff which then spells curtains. While you get other teams who lost their first playoff game but had finished in the top four so got their second chance, and came out for the rest of the playoffs determined to make the most of it.

This is some sort of nightmare scenario. We beat St Helens for this first time in almost 10 years, possibly for the first time in Super League at Knowsley Road and then get the choice of St Helens (nemesis) or Wigan (league leaders) for a place in the final. Who on earth would you choose?

Basically, we can get to Old Trafford by winning two play off matches. That's it.

Wigan!

is the obvious answer. And when we lose, everyone crows how arrogant Tony Smith was etc etc....

Hold on a second.. so if we end up 3rd and play Saints away in week 1, and win, we would then have a week off and play the winners of Saints v whoever in round 3 but because we won away in game one against the higher placed team, we would then be at the HJ for the next game? Or is that just in the event that Saints also lose their second game?

Confused.

Does anyone know the dates of the play-offs?

Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th. Provisionally we're playing on the Saturday but with Wigan Athletic playing at home on the Saturday we MAY get bumped up to the Friday.

How many times....?

[urlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_League_play-offs[/url

Work out all the permutations from this.

In a nutshell, we have to beat Saints, at least once.

The likelihood is we'll play Saints twice to get to the final, the result of the first game isn't the end of the world. The result of the second one is !

Wrong. Play Saint week one and lose, win week 2 and lets say that Leeds/Hull beat wigan and club call us. Saints get knocked out in the semifinal. We can win the GF WITHOUT beating Saints. The again, irrespective of our records against them in the league, recent cup final results would predict in one-off knock-out rugby I'd take on Saints with no worries (well, very few TBH)

Erm, if Saints beat us, and Leeds/Hull beat Wigan, then Saints have the ClubCall in Week 3, surely. My suspicion is that if they've beaten us in Week One, they'll more than likely choose to attempt to do it again in Week Three.

Perfectly correct. I stand corrected but the original comment that we dont HAVE to beat St helens still stands. It all depends on fixtures and results etc.

Correct. Then Saints would have the clubcall to pick either Wigan or ourselves.

Would you like a small wager - proceeds to charity of your choice.

My assertion is that Warrington will not win the GF without beating Saints at some point in the playoff process.

Not really because I actually think your assertion is correct (I was merely pointing out its not compulsary) and we will beat them in round 1 ........ although I wouldnt put a bet on it

Fair enough

backing out tut tut

What can I say........call me Ryan Bailey!!!!!

All you need to know is two wins in the playoffs = Grand Final = going for the double