I'm sure this won't be the club's attitude, but, now the euphoria has worn off, i was thinking about the implications of playing in the grand final.

With our "box now ticked", the result of the grand final is irrelevant, both sides have the same reward come what may - the chance to apply for super league - making the final an irrelevance.

Also with regards to the coming season, Fax now have nothing to play for, along with Barrow and Widnes, our boxes are ticked. Investment in the first team could be reduced and money spent on reserves and scholars. This, again, could reduce the quality of the league, if widnes and barrow choose to do the same thing. Rather amusingly though, this could lead to three different clubs being able to apply for super league as well as fax, barrow and widnes.

So congratulations to the RFL - their brainstorm has made the grand final an irrelevance and potentially cheapening next season - really working hard to make the championship a valued competition

I am bloody excited about the grand final and it would be amazing to win it - [size=150COME ON FAX[/size

but also no pressure to get tick now so can just play with less pressure.

There's also the small issue of Prize Money.

why do people keep going on about boxes ticked, it wont make a bit of difference the rfl will promote the team THEY want regardless just like they did last time

of course they will...but having the box ticked at least can apply n then complain afterwards.

The prize money is important to help fund the newer ventures.

Agreed, its 100k if i'm correct?
In this league that is a lot of money.

I thought it was 200K this year due to lack of promotion?

As far as I'm aware £100,000 for the winner, £30,000 for the runner up and £100,000 for the winner of the NR Cup. I don't know if there was anything for runner up.

we have to still play to win if only to limit the amount of teams eligible to apply for a license, keep toulouse out from winning anything then how will thr rfl give them entry to super league?
at present its us widnes and barrow, lets keep it at that then we have a "better" chance of going up.

Thats sadly what the championship has turned into, not a competition to get promoted but one to stop teams applying for promotion. Sad isnt it?

lets be real do you think Fax Widnes and Barrow would be happy just ticking the box this season?
Each team will want to win everything next season.

But im sure most on here would agree that the RFL suck and dont really have a clue, they are trying there hardest to make the gap between super league and championship greater..

Don't worry. If the RFL want Toulouse in Super League they'll be in irrespective of any box ticking.

Here's something to stir up the hornet's nest. I actually think the RFL have done a decent job in creating the environment under which the most competitive season in living memory has just been played out. A lot of this must be to do with the bonus point, the salary cap and assisting new clubs.

There. Said it.

Ooooooh, you're gonna get castigated for that

Yer see your point but we need to win it hopefully as it gives you more prestige and keep that winning habit as it increases your support (fact).
If we can keep getting to the GF and win the NRC it stops our competitors from 'ticking the box' - thats the teams like Fev and Toulouse who have only got 2 more years to do it.
Be ruthless is my motto - lok at the team we all hate Man U, do they care about oh its only another title when they won the Premieship yet again? No.

I am going to agree with you part way, with the exception of the farce that is called the bonus point.....

Leave the room and come back when you can behave.

Castrated more like

I'm with you there MR.Fruit & veg man. This season has been outrageously exciting and to add to the skill levels of the players just everyone note the goal kicking stats for the last two weekends play off games:
Barrow v Fax 100 % both kickers.
Widnes v Fev 100 % both kickers.
Fax v Fev 100 % both kickers.
All this in the most important games of the whole season when the pressure is on.

hmm after noticing this thread before I had a thought when I was out walking the dog.
Why not give the second of the leagues 'ticked boxes' to the league winners outright. I reckon that demonstrates a better qualifier.
I understand why theyve gone for the finalists, after all they want as many applications as possible and if you're runner up you're not exactly far off the pace.

Better still, why not promote the League Winner and if there is a 2nd SL place up for grabs, THEN have the Play Offs and leave the League Winner out of it (as they already have the promotion) and give that 2nd place to the Play Off winners.

Simplz

best thing fax can do is win the championship 3 years running, showing we are the best team outside super league! With our up to date stadium and prize money to strengthen the squad at all levels. The box is ticked so lets show the rfl why we should be in super league!

Unfortunately, as nice as that might be, that would still leave 9 other possible contenders. 2 x NR Cup places x 3 years, and 1 x Grand Final Runner Up places x 3 years. Add to that the RFLs ability to change the rules as and when they want, and all it adds up to is giving the club a much needed boost in the local area.

The RFL will decide who's going up, make no mistake about it!

The licence bids have to be in halfway through 2011 so its only this season and next that counts really. And you have to win the NR cup to be able to bid.