The only way to keep a top eight play off in a 14 team league format is to play 1st vs 8th, 2nd vs 7th and so forth. Although I see the validty of a top five format and the team finishing top having a week off (I know there'll be examples where I am wrong) but isn't the trend that the team that has had a week off generally struggle? If so wheres the advantage? And not forgetting the bigger point the biggest paymaster is Sky and what would they do with less fixtures in the play offs?

Oh I know. I'm just joking with good old saddo.

Not a fan at all of losing teams going through to the next round. In your suggestion you could end up with the same fixture in Week 1 and 3, which is what ruins the intensity and excitement of the POs imo. Repeat fixtures in the POs has got to be a big no no.

It's fine as it is.

it's fine but what should happen as a reward for being consistent in the league over the entire season is the team that finished highest in the league in any fixture always gets home advantage

If you win your games then you do. In round 1 the top 4 sides basically play for home advantage which I have no problem with. Then in week 3 however if it's the same 4 sides then they shouldn't play the same team again. (which is the way the NRL playoffs will work I believe)

A one off game is more likely to be determined by a refereeing decision or an injury crisis than the entire 9 month season. Anyone can lose a one off game, whether they deserve it or not. That is the essence of sport.

Also NRL changed their format because Auckland finished 6th, lost their first play off game and they still got to the GF. A lot of Aussies still complain about the playoffs and want it returning to a top 5. I spent only 3 weeks in Aus last year and i heard it mentioned on 3 or 4 occasions on different shows.

Thats the problem, as clubs are playing 27 games and 8 months of slog to basically get home advantage in a game, to play for home advantage in a semi final!!!

Agreed, for me the likelihood of repeat fixtures it IMO the main reason why the first 2 rounds of the P/O are so poorly attended. If we went to a top 5/7 straight knockout series with top spot getting week one off, the playoffs would only take 3 weeks rather than 4 and would therefore free up another weekend throughout the season. If they really want to look at making the Exiles a 3 game series or even a extended WCC then doing this would surely favour one of those.

For me there are 2 major changes that need making to the English RL calendar ASAP; the format of of the playoffs and the ridiculous scheduling of the Challenge Cup.

IN the first few years of the playoffs I don't think they were as poorly attended. The first few time we played Saints in the playoffs we got 18,000 - 22,000 crowds on. Now we struggle to get 12,000.

That's because the format is pants (well, probably more the economic climate which I also blame the RFL for)

Playoff attendances against Saints at Robin Park:

2000: 19,200(top 5)
2001: 19,300(top 5)
2003: 21,900(top 6)
2004: 20,100(top 6)

then suddenly
2011: 12,900(top 8 )

I agree the format is pants.