Exactly. I said something similar previously.

It's near impossible to qualify. We will need Sandow to win us every game and Pies to lose around half or more of theirs. The system means it's not within our own hands to qualify but rather that of the higher clubs to lose it.

I said league position should perhaps give home games advantage of varying amounts not carried league points.
I also said the system was flawed months ago and gave an example how teams might play the percentages at the top and forfeit games at the bottom.
It's happened at leeds at the top resting Sinfield and it's with Wakefield at the bottom with Chester admitting their fete.

We've had a poop season - so why should we be in with an equal shout of the SL title along side Saints or Leeds? It was in our own hands to qualify - we've had 23 games to do it and blown it.

In 2011 we were out and out the best team, and the league table reflected it. It still leaves a bitter taste that we lost the semi, so we're technically not even considered Super League runners up. Who won it? Leeds from 5th, who were 13 points behind us and over 500 points difference worse.

There were plenty of people moaning back then about how the system should be made "fairer" for the teams that do well in the regular season - which I agree with.

Ironically the first season that they've changed it, we've had a stinker. But I still think the current system of points carried over system is fairer than resetting the points and "rewarding" the teams higher up the table with an extra home game.

In that case the season should end this weekend and just let the top 4 okay off.

If we're not good enough to make the top four, or at least be in a shout of making the top four with seven games to go, then we only have ourselves to blame.

I don't disagree, we deserve to be where we are.
I'm highlighting only that the format is flawed.

We are having to go out to bring in a halfback half way around the world on daft money, or just over 11k for BBW, that may get us to win all of our games,while hoping the pies lose half of theirs.
All that just to give ourselves the slightest hope of a top 4 play off spot.
So what is the point of a top 8 at all?

Perhaps giving 4th and 5th a play off jeopardy game after the 7 rounds might give the bottom 4 something to go at?

I think this would be better. Obvs Sky want to maximise the number of games, but with the new middle 8 plus a top 4 playoff, that's already far more interesting / exciting than the previous playoff system.

It will be interesting to see over the next few years if many teams in 5th/6th manage to move up into the top 4 during the 8s.

Assuming that we lose Sunday, but then go on to beat HKR in semi final. Then moving forward I'd expect that Smith would leave out anybody that's not 100% fit, at this stage of the season that could be a fair few.

Expecting quite a few weakened teams from the teams 6th to 8th once mathematically impossible to qualify. Given the current position that could happen quite quickly, and as a consequence quite a few routs.

Playing for pride games never end well

Not sure what the solution is moving forward but seesee there being some cricket scores.

'Every minute matters' somehow I doubt it

The only way of giving every one in the 8 a chance is with a scratch start or a knockout jeopardy game for the 4th spot.
I wasn't aware that the points carried over at the start of the season. Had I have known, I would have emailed the rfl pointing out these flaws.

In all honesty the only big team that has changed tactics for this year has been Leeds who have bought into the new system by going out to win all they can instead of being content to sit on the rails as in previous years. Saints & Wigan have done their usual inter club rivalry by striving to finish each above their rival. Cas & Huddersfield should be commended for their efforts this season & with better away form Catalans could have also finished the normal season better. Warrington have totally not been ready for this season for whatever reason & maybe apart from the CC it has to be a write off with ,hopefully , a return to more consistency next year.

As mentioned earlier in the thread.

We're deservedly where we are. Turning up for the big games really doesn't cut it and the team and Smith have been found wanting badly. Yes we've had injuries, but so have many other teams.

Horrendous home performances against Huddersfield, Cas and Hull have quite rightly bitten us on the derriere.

We may have Wembley to look forward to, That would at least keep the team focused till end of August

If we don't I fear quite a few drubbings for this team with nothing to play fo

Wembley must be almost sole focus for us now.

If Wigan beat FC, we're secured 6th.

If we beat Cas we'll be 4 points from Hudds in 4th, fingers and toes crossed that Wakey do the unthinkable and beat Hudds, meaning we're only 2 points away from Hudds.

In 6th, we'll play:

Home - FC, Cats, Wigan
Away - Leeds, Saints, Hudds, Cas.

Given the likely results this weekend, to get 4th this must happen:

- Hudds get 4 points or less
- Cas get 6 points or less
- We have to beat Cats, Hudds, FC, Cas and atleast one of Leeds, Saints or Wigan.

Not impossible, but highly improbable.

If we are 4 points behind Cas and Huddersfield and beat therm both in the Super 8s, then we are only two points behind each of them. Who plays Catalan home and away might have a big bearing. Also, Wigan are currently due to be home to Cas and Hudds and away to us. Another two point move there. See, it is quite easy to imagine us making it to fourth.

Most of this thread is typical, knee jerk Neanderthal reaction of rugby league fans.

I honestly think if we have a shot at the 4, it'll be at the expense of Pies. Huddersfield IMO at better than them.

I see it as this:

Best case scenario: we beat Cas, Wakey beat Hudds - 2 points off 4th.

Middle: we beat Cas, Hudds beat Wakey - 4 points off 4th

Worst: Cas beat us, Hudds beat Wakey - 6 points off 4th

The real problem with the worst case scenario is that it will take two clubs above us to completely implode

I haven't watched either side recently but if we can atleast instigate the middle scenario and put pressure on them, they'll likely buckle.

Exactly, the real difference between 4 and 6 points isn't just the 2 points.....I think, especially as we will play both teams and they play each other.

We need to 'start' the play offs with a win against Cas next game

Instead of blaming the system, we need to blame ourselves. None of this would be being said if we were in the top 4, and it's only our fault that we aren't.

This season we haven't been good enough, we need to accept that as a fact rather than just blame the system.

We haven't been good at all this year and some could argue we're lucky to make the 8, but we should take that as a blessing and take 4th anyway, just to annoy everyone else!

They could go 3 points for a win in the Super 8s, that would liven things up a bit

I quite like the fourth v fifth jeopardy game mentioned previously by RD, especially given our current points deficit and my clutching at straws mentality

Thanks.

What it does is actually make almost every game count.
Split in to top 4 and bottom 4, each top 4 team must play to win to avoid the extra 8th game with no week off, which all the top 3 will then receive.
The bottom 4, well I don't need to explain, once again almost every game matters to be 5th to play double jeopardy to stay in the comp.

Because of your support, I just emailed the rfl with the idea.
Thanks again.

Yep!!! You're spot on.