I understand the play off system with regards who plays who, and know that the highest team gets home advantage...but is that in all instances?

For example if we were to beat Newcastle then Oldham, does that mean we'd be at home in the final? Or would that revert back to Oldham (for example) if they were to get there.

Likewise; if we beat Newcastle next week, then lose to Oldham. Would the semi against Newcastle be at our ground (as we beat them in the preliminary) or their ground again (as they finished higher)?

As far as I understand it highest placed team always has home advantage

Just seems weird that if we beat Oldham, we'd be rewarded with a trip to Oldham

Yeah. I thought the same. Final should be a neutral venue

We need Hunslet or Workington to beat Oldham.

Oldham ground is not fit for purpose.

On the chart is has it written as "winner of the first semi final" v "winner of the second semi"...don't know if that is the fixture order

Anyway this is all by the by if we don't win them

Can't be at home to Oldham or Newcastle under any circumstances is how I understand it.
And if we beat Oldham we are not necessarily rewarded with a trip to Oldham in the final, they could get knocked out.
It's just a bit of a bugger that we will probably have to beat either Oldham or Newcastle twice away to get promoted.
But that is our fault.

Yes tat was a hypothetically assuming Oldham won there next game

I knew that ...
Now about those stones ..
Sure you don't want them?

Positive

Kiss of death maybe .. but considering that we duffed a side at home that put 30 on Hunslet away and we duffed a side that was in the game against Newcastle until late on, then I would say that if we take the attitude that they shall not pass against Newcastle .. then we should be OK.

One Swallow has not made our summer so far this season, good job Autumn is here. We all know they are capable of doing this, the problem is do the players think and believe it.

The RFL rules section A1: 11 (j) states:

"Unless otherwise determined by the RFL, in each match in the League One play-off series, the highest ranked club shall have home advantage."

Basically, the only way we can be at home in the final is if Hunslet or Workington get to the final.

Should we lose to Newcastle, we'd then play the winner of the Hunslet v Workington game at home. If we were to knock them out, we'd then be the lowest ranked team left in, so couldn't play at home again.

It does seem somewhat harsh that we could win at Newcastle in the first game and then have to play them away again at a later stage but this is the price you pay for not finishing higher up the league.

I hope we do not have to have another home game and the fact that there is a second chance should not lessen the game on Sunday. The price has been paid for close games not going our way and the prospect of all away games, including a final at a venue that is akin to playing at one of the five a side pitch's at the Keepmoat, is the payment.

We along with all the other sides at various times suffer from lack of player continuity.
Now we are in a good position with the players, with only the odd exception, of having our best side free from Hull disruption going into the playoffs.
OK, Beryl is suffering with a knee complaint but is soldiering on and boy is he vital, but that aside we are in a great place.
Only stupidity can beat us now barring injuries.
And it was stupidity that cost us at least three game wins.

The worry for me regarding MB is that we may have to play twice on a surface that RH thought he was not suited too just a few weeks ago.

Well I remember a champagne try by Beryl at Oldham in the 1895 cup.
And when we got stuffed he was not playing.
Plus what does RH know?
Those players would be a top team under any decent coach.
Of course he may have the last laugh and I would hope he does.

Who replaces Brad Foster for the next couple of weeks?

Evan Hodgson is an injury doubt also according to the free press.

Brad has been playing 13 of late. Jordie could start there.

Could easily see another prop coming in, Connor Scott for example

What has happened to Brad England ?

A more important and philosophical question is .. what has happened to England Brad?

He got injured a while back didn't he?
Again!