Re: Should the play-offs decide the Champions? : Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:53 am
FearTheVee wrote:
I don't think Hull (in 8th) are there to make up the numbers any more than Catalans (in 6th) are. Both are well capable of producing a shock result along the line IMO.
I think the 8 is fine TBH, and will get better and better as seasons pass and (hopefully) more teams start spending full cap. I can see the issues you highlight, but I think to label the format "embarrassing" is to massively overplay them I reckon.
Will Hull win it from 8th? No. Could they have a major say in the play-off series? Yes.
I think the 8 is fine TBH, and will get better and better as seasons pass and (hopefully) more teams start spending full cap. I can see the issues you highlight, but I think to label the format "embarrassing" is to massively overplay them I reckon.
Will Hull win it from 8th? No. Could they have a major say in the play-off series? Yes.
But Hull have finished in the bottom half of the league. I personally don't think they should be rewarded with a shot at winning the Super League title after havign such a mediocre season. The reason we have a top 8 is to get more money into SL and I understand that but I don't agree with that.
I imagine speaking to someone who doesn't understand RL very well and explaining to them that yes, the team who finished 8th having lost as many games as thy have won, need to win 4 straight games and they are SL champions. As unlikely as it would be, I just don't think it should be allowed. Think about other sports that employ play offs to determine a Champion. 12 out of 32 teams qualify in the NFL. 4 out of 12 in the Guinness Premiership. 8 out of 30 qualify in baseball. I just think those numbers are more realistic that 8 out of 14 in SL.
I agree with you that over time, once clubs start spending up to the cap that it should turn out better, which is why I don't have as much a problem with the NRL play offs. This season must be one of the first for a while were the top 4 have all won on the opening weekend. It's much more unpredictable over there. Until we have a stronger more equal competition I'd suggest going back to 5 or 6 teams, but that's just my feeling.