In the CC you get weeks between the rounds. In the playoffs you have to back up, week after week.

From wigans run i remember them playing bradford away (who finished outside the playoffs) warrington away (1st) saints neutral (3rd) and leeds neutral (5th). I don't remember the game before bradford, but would i be right in assuming it wasn't an opponent worth mentioning?

Leeds had to back up week after week against 8th (h) 4th (away) 1st (away) 2nd (neutral)

So no, wigans cup run wasn't harder. And the weekly rounds aren't meaningless because you still need to finish higher up to have the best chance. Though i suppose, anywhere from 1st to 5th wigan generally fail to make the grand final so It doesn't matter for you guys.

I like your idea, however there would no doubt be uproar if say Leeds finished in 8th and smashed the top team, finishing their season in week one.

Then that would just be tough s__t though

And no better than the current system.

So was mine.
Whichever way you look at it in the play offs you are always likely to get a lower team beat a higher placed team in a one off game.
It happens week in and week out.
Hence my suggestion for a top 3 playoff league which benefits the top team.

yeah i would prefer the 'tri league' than to what we have now. Only perhaps the top 2 in the Tri League play the GF?

Also would give meaning back the regular season, which is basically what we are looking for. Don't finish in the top 3 - you've no chance of being Champions.

People don't have a problem with Leeds being Champions - people have a problem with the team finishing 5th being Champions.