What does it matter? If they changed the rules, Leeds would change their approach.

Spot on - Doesn't matter how many games Leeds have won/lost. They've only lost 2 knockout games out of 19 in the last 2 seasons. Nobody else can come close can they?

But everyone knows at the start of the season what the rules are, and that the team who wins the Grand Final is the Champions. If it was decided on the LLS at the end of the season who the Champions were I'm sure they'd take the regular season more seriously. To win the Grand Final from 5th 2 years in a row is, IMO, a better achievement than winning it from top 2 years in a row.

Err only they didn't...Bradford won the championship in 2005 and Leeds won in 07 and 08 (and 09 if we really want to get into that).

Bottom line is Leeds have now won 5 out of the last 6 titles... simply an astounding achievement

Why don't all teams do it then?

When you say all teams do you mean wigan and warrington and maybe saint helens?

But everyone knows the rules at the start of the season. You make it out like saints slogged their guts out, finished top and then the RFL suddenly said ''well actually, theres been a change of plan, top spot doesn't decide champions, we're going to have a playoff''

It's also strange how no one was saying f*ck all about the playoff format in 09 and 10 when top spots leeds and wigan won the title.

I don't know, but this damned leeds team are ruining the game! If they are going to finish 5th they should at least have the manners to make sure they lose to the teams above them to keep the credibility of the playoffs intact.

Leeds are the best team in SL they have played more games than anyone this season got to CC final, won the GF, won the WCC! Wow they finished 5th, they only had to beat 4th, 1st, 2nd in a row to pick up the trophy! Would Wigan, Warrington or saints be able to do that NO because Leeds would stand in there way 9 times out of 10!

Never like to compare, between era's however 5 in 6 and 6 in 9 is some effort.

Leeds are the greatest team during the least competitive era of Super League. Well done...

A 58% win ratio during the league would tell you otherwise, but don't worry about that Leeds deserve to be "Champions".

I wanted Leeds to win as do not like Warrington but in a unbiased opinion I think the Champions should be the most consistent team through the year.Imagine Liverpool winning the title Champions from Man Utd from 5th postion?Fair play to Leeds but if was best team ever they top the league.

This gets thrown up ever year - it's such a poor argument

OK football has a straight League system but the Champions League, NRL, ARL, NFL, NHL, NBA, Rugby Union etc etc all have play-off systems yet people moan as if ours is the only league decided in that way

I don't mind playoffs per-se, but its particularly difficult as is stands for our sport. We're desperate for media attention, but now it gets even harder to get the media to care about a regular season game.

Or imagine Liverpool winning the "Champions League" when they can only finish 5th in their domestic league. Or imagine Man Utd winning the champions league when they barely scrape through the group stages including such GIANTS as Trabsonzpor. You'd better tell Fergie you're taking his trophies back because they lost some games to crap teams along the way and didn't top their group.
I would imagine half the people moaning about winning from 5th pick there ball up on the 17th hole when they're playing golf and declare themselves winners without even playing the 18th. The season starts in February and finishes in October. It's not how you win it, it's IF you win it.
Anyway, off to HQ to see the Champions parading the trophy..........again.

You sound a bit like the guy who was draped inconsolable over the railings at the DW last Friday night. Oh no, that was Sam Tomkins

I congratulated Leeds for winning it just I feel Champions should be the team top of the league.I don't support Wire or Wigan so I am just pointing out my opinion.I support Liverpool and to be 4th in the league and win Champions league is a joke.Happy with the Silverware but we where not league champions.For me it should be the top teams in each league in football too.But the domestic competition is if come top of the league.

So take away the playoffs and we would get even less media coverage

Why is first past the post any more valid at deciding champions than a playoff system?

Theoretically a team could lose against all their main rivals, but never slip up against mediocre teams and win the title.

Why is that any more valid than a playoff system where a team can slip up against mediocre teams, but beat their rivals when it matters most?

What if we had Warrington unbeaten in all games up to the Grand Final and Leeds losing 10 games up to the Grand Final.
Leeds win the final and are Champions.........................how would you truly value it.

The best team I've seen in this era without question. You don't win 5 out of 6 titles and fluke it. I hold my hands up and thought that last season was their last hurrah, but they just know how to win when it matters.

Argue about the play-offs all you want, everyone knows the rules, everyone knows the system. If you can't work out how to peak at the right time, tough. I love the play-offs, though 8 is too many, I love the Grand Final. Without them, there'd be no live match on 5Live once a season meaning they have to get rid of their chronic footy phone-in.

Well done Leeds.

Leeds would be worthy champions as they have won the final. Struggle to understand what people don't grasp.

New England Patriots went unbeaten for the entire season the other year only to lose in the Super Bowl to NY Giants and see their rivals be crowned Champions.

No complaints from them, that's how the competition is structured. Same here. If you have the team to win it from 5th then you deserve to be champions.

In my opinion, its a joke that Wigan can finish top of the league, win a play off game and still not make the final.

Yes. They have proven it time and time again when it comes to the important part of the season.