We need to give the League Leaders Shield more credibility, let's not call it the Minor Premiership or any of that tosh, let's call it the Premiership. I think as a club we can make it more of a big deal by showing off our famous atmosphere during the game in which the presentation is. If there was a big enough crowd then maybe a mosaics would not be a bad idea. Finishing top is such a special thing and it means so much to us but it does not get the credit it deserves, We can show what's it really worth with our passion. Hopefully it will give the boys a lift going into the play-off's and we can complete a marvellous double this season. Anybody with me?

Who is gonna lift the shield with the leadership team? I would guess at Lockers. Maybe we should get Madge to lift it.

Personally I couldn't give a toss about this league leaders shield myself. We have a play off system and thus Grand Final victory is all I want.

If the prize was a decent looking trophy rather than a hub cap and more incentive to win it then it would recieve more credibility.

Nowhere in the world is finishing top of the league a un-important than it is in RL, that is why the winner should get the SL trophy and top 4 play top four play top four from NRL in a world club challenge over the following 3 weeks after the season ends

Add to that have promotion and relegation.

I am not comparing it to the play offs whatsoever, that is what we want more than anything but it feels like finishing top of the ladder in Super League is like the equivalent of the football League Cup and it shouldn't be that way. I am not just saying that as a Wigan fan either. It should be about more than just the Challenge Cup and The Grand Final, the league winners should receive something more worthwhile for their efforts over the course of 27 games.

Which was basically what Sky wanted when SL was formed and they launched SL in Aus - The sole reason we've got a play-off grand final system is because that fell through, and sky still wanted their big game series.

+1

Correct.

It should be a celebration of how we have turned around as a club.

Its a small recognition of being consistent throughout the year thats all, the big test is now can we do it in do or die situations to get the big prize

The Minor Premiership is so called, and the trophy is understated quite deliberately. For it to be more than it currently is would take away from the Grand Final, and make it no more prestigious and desirable than the old premiership playoffs.

It's done correctly, in my opinion. Our showpiece is the Grand Final, and so it should remain. As it is, it shows that you're not only the best over the course of 27 rounds, but you can also hold your nerve in a sudden death situation as well.

Wigan fans need to stop going on about it because it's becoming an embarrasment. If we don't lift the trophy at Old Trafford it means nothing and until then it will continue to mean nothing.

People need to shut up and stop making other Wigan fans look stupid.

I agree.

I always remember the Leeds fan on here a few years who, in reference to Leeds coming top but not winning the grand final who put "Leeds - the TRUE champions" on his signature. I bet he, and most of their fans, have changed their minds over the last three years or so.

So being proud about where your team has come from to top of the league is stupid? I agree we dont need to go over the top with the celebrations, but it doesnt mean nothing. It shows how far this club has come and that we are the best team in the league. It should mean alot to the club, its been along time since we were in this position. Im not saying that we should see ourselves as champions because I know that winning the GF is what counts, but regardless of how other see this it is still a massive achievement.

If you dont care about it then leave at full time, nobody will miss you.

I agree. I think the players and coaches would reckon it odd if the team paraded the hubcap around the ground after the last match, only to see the crowd turn their backs on them and troop silently out.

It's the most unimportant piece of silverware in the competition, but it's the first we'll have won since about 2002, and since then we've battled relegation two years on the trot. I'm not sure why that isn't good cause to offer Maguire and his boys some applause.

I like that idea, the only thing is jet lag would be an issue and crowds would be dire (already bad for play offs between teams 10-20 miles apart)

Don't see what the problem is celebrating finishing top of the league - everyone knows that the big prize is the GF under the current system, but the club and players should be proud of their efforts and consistency throughout the season. I watch Wigan for the whole season, not just for a few games in the Autumn and I appreciate the effort that the lads put in week to week together with the results that it has gained.

The hubcap is a minor piece of silverware, but it is still a trophy to be won, something the club has failed to attain since 2002. To me it symbolises progress, regardless of the outcome of the playoffs which of course retain greater importance.

Having remained a supporter of Wigan RL during the last decade, enduring such top-drawer performances as 70-0 and 75-0 and the threat of relegation, I will be cheering for whatever silverware is presented to us! No, it isn't the big prize but what the heck?

The team has worked damned hard since Maguire and Wane took over and pretty much sealed the top spot a month before the end of the season. The club, and we fans, deserve a little moment of joy before the play-offs set in.

I agree with the previous two posts on this thread. I don't know how anybody could be embarrassed by finishing top of the pile at the end of a long season, We support Wigan all season not just during the play-offs.

Why do people buy season tickets? Why don't you just get tickets for the CC and playoff games? If thats all that matters
I think its a sad state of affairs that our nation and sport accepted the playoff format so readily. Its really is farcical that our game accepts a one off playoff game to decide the best team in the league. Especially when you see how many games are decided by referees.
Noble had this vision that 'its not how you start its how you finish' and look at the poop we were served up for half a season every year.

You want to get your memory checked then pal! We only came top in 2004 and 2009 and guess who went on to win the GF both times? You may be getting confused with some Saints fan.


Either that or you just made it up!

So you've actually only been Undisputed Champions twice in teh SL era? Bloody hell its only one more than us!

Same as us so far!

We finished top of the pile 1998/2000

Plus this year (Surely this can't be counting chickens?) Makes 3?

I think you've got a 'noob' there!