To be fair the LLS will mean more to Cas than it would to ,say Leeds or Wigan because they aren't usually in the mix up for the silverware. I don't recall Wigan fans being too distraught when the helicopter turned round a couple of years back. I'm sure they were more distraught after the GF. However, we shouldn't diminish Cas' achievement in the eyes of their own players and fans. They've been a joy to watch even when spanking us. They just don't want to put the cue on the rack like Huddersfield appeared to do in 2013 and not even reach the GF. I think it's just DP being coy and trying to take pressure off his players. I still expect them to be at OT in October.

I think I'm one of the few Cas fans who respects the grand final and think it should be kept.

It's all very well being clear of 2nd place and saying that's that and we should be the rightful winners of the league. But I heard few if any similar protests from fellow Castleford fans in previous seasons when we finished in the playoffs but were way behind the leaders. Likewise, when we failed to win the 2014 shield in the final regular match following the collapse at Catalans, many fans consoled themselves with knowing we had the playoffs to try for the grand final. I'll ask the question in future seasons when we don't finish 1st and see if we still think the winners should be the team who finish top.

The playoff format needs changing to make it more exciting (1st has 2 chances to get to OT, 5th needs to win sudden death matches), but getting rid of one of the showpiece occasions which is regularly attended by 65-75K isn't the answer.

Anyhow, looking forward to tonight and if we finish the season with just the 'hubcap' I'll be disappointed but not gutted - I've seen us humiliated and knocked out of the cup by Barrow, seen us play at Widnes on a Thursday when we took just 37 supporters, seen us relegated twice so this is a hell of a contrast.

Fully agree with this - top 5 it should be, not only to give more benefit to the LLS winner and make it more valuable to achieve but it also makes S8's more interesting to the end.

week 1 - 4th v 5th loser eliminated

week 2 -game 1 - 1st v 2nd winner to GF game 2 - 3rd V winner of week 1

week 3 - loser Game 1 v winner game 2

week 4 - GF

I've been made redundant a couple of times. Literally.

Ah course, I've never thought of redundancy in the context of sport. Gold star for you.

“For me, it’s the biggest prize (finishing top) without a doubt.”

Wake up Daryl

Do the winners of the LLS now get a place in the WCC at the end of the year as well?
So we're looking at a trophy, £100k and a place in an elite tournament. Not too bad I would say? Certainly nothing to be sniffed at.

Predictable mean-spirited bilge from fans of so called bigger clubs who although claim to be pleased for Cas they're actually a little mad that the days of giving clubs like Wakey & Cas a patronising pat on the head appear to be over.

Indeed

100k

A guaranteed home semi

A guaranteed WCC place

Silverware

Not bad for little old Cas who a decade ago were in the 2nd tier looking forward to Rochdale away.

Since the RFL reintroduced a prize for finishing top after the regular rounds it has gained a little more importance however it is still 3rd on the list of Trophey's imo. Being honest it's something every team wants to win but in reality are not that bothered if they don't, it's about being in contention for the big one. In that respect 2nd is just as good as 1st.

I think Powell has made a foolish comment and has managed to undermine his own team by doing so. I don't like the play off, I preferred the first past the post. However we signed up for this over twenty pigging years ago Daryl so come on get a grip it's not new.

Also does he not realise that if winning the LLS was more important then perhaps teams would have played differently over the season and Cas might not be where they are now.

Lost a bit of respect for the gut TBH.

Just a bit? Like a tiny bit or a big bit?

Ah yes, the league playoff final.

Can you confirm that was the same format from 1895 to 1972?

Are you suggesting that other teams may have not given their all throughout the season? Surely not.

If Cas win tonight I will be happy. If they win the GF it will be up there with Aus v GB in Melbourne in 92 for me.

It is typical isn't it, however it is a big thing finishing top after the regular rounds, it is just bigger to win the Grand Final....

I was their for that match and more great time what was that song at the end always look on the bright side of life while ever brit was trying to do the conga Happy Days

I remember you. You owe me a parnt.

Personally I think they should be the same thing. Players read/hear/see these articles/statements regardless of whether they're meant for them or not.

The bilge came from fans outside the "top 4" whose teams could not break the monopoly. My club won it 4 years on the trot and it was rammed down our throats that it was a Micky mouse trophy or the hub cap as it was later called.
Suddenly Warrington, Huddersfield and now Castleford have upgraded the value of this achievement, when in reality it has always been a measure of consistency, more so now because of its 30 game format.

Did Powell actually say he'd rather win the LLS than the GF though or just state that he thinks it's a greater achievement?

Complete billox, the harder the achievement the more prestigious the prize. Cas have been so good, the league doesn't lie, only the best team can win the league leaders shield. ANYONE can win a one off game. Whoever wins the grand final, cas is the best team in the league this season.

Ha ha! Thanks for that vasty. I'll be sure to let DP know.

If they don't win the accepted format to be champions (accepted by all teams) then they clearly aren't the best team over the WHOLE season. Sure Cas have played some oustanding rugby and played some of the very best we've seen for a while and consistantly so, however if you fall at the final hurdle just like many clubs have you simply aren't the best team as you aren't the champions as set by the rules.
Maybe you should tell all the teams and fans of championship winning sides in the past that won from a play-off system, you know the system that has more relevancy in RL from a numerical POV than does a simple league system to determine the champions.
iF Cas win, fair play to them, they'll be deserving, if they don't win, commiserations but you won't be champions, just a team that did fantastically well for much of the season but fell away at the crucial/important point.

Talking about a one off game is just patently silly, as per a league system one has to measure your effort and championships from such systems often come down to one off games to win it in any case, just ask any fans from any sport around the world from any era.
I could run off a dozen 'one -off' games to win championships in short fashion just from RL and soccer alone in the UK.

Powell is a fruit-loop to be talking like this and it undermines the mindset IMHO, it's a stupid mistake to come out and say it not least totally naive from his point of view.

When is parkside freddy gonna take off his mask?
You obviosly still feel far too insecure to come out of your lengthy hibernation due to the ridicule that you will receive should one of the regulars win the GF yet again and especially during SL's worst ever season of "Whipping Boy Garbage" ever seen outside of the only side showing any credibility in the Tigers

We've swept these sea's with you before Parkside Freddy,but you're only too aware of that hence your continued absence from these forums