Have to agree with Cronus about keeping things simple and he's bang on about certain clubs being able to "coast" through the season and still be comfortable in making the top 4.
The game needs to stop talking itself down and actually get out and sell the games, just as they do in the premier league.

Although the big games and derbies always grab the headlines, they seem to enjoy minnows like Burnley taking on Man United, whereas RL only wants to talk up the games between the big 4 (and Leeds).

IF we are to push expansion with Toronto and Toulouse then lets get them into the SL and see if they can actually bring the much hyped investment and increased profile to the game, because, quite frankly, the longer that they remain outside the top flight, the more likely they are to fail and much as I personally disagree with Toronto (or any other N. American side being in SL), there is absolutely no point in having them in The Championship.

Therefore it's easy.
Increase Sl to 14 clubs, play everyone home and away, plus magic.
To keep Magic fresh, there should be a random draw, either at the start of the season, or as part of the build up to the new season and then sell the fixtures that are drawn.
This should add some excitement to the event and hopefully prevent the same clubs meeting too often.

As for promotion and relegation, I'd go for a 2 game play off between top of The Championship and bottom of SL, using aggregate scores to decide who gets in SL and if scores are tied then go to tries scored to decide it.

Top 5 play off for the GF, job done.

The only issue then would be whether to offer Toulouse and Toronto any protection from relegation for a couple of seasons, which although not ideal, this would give the expansion sides a decent chance to become established.

Quote ="HXSparky"Someone found some magic mushrooms? Next season will have the same structure as this one, it's too late to start messing about with it now. All of this expansion and mergers might have some legs if RL was already a major sport in the UK, but it isn't, and condemning the bulk of existing teams to the bin and replacing with "regional" teams would kill the game overnight. You'd be relying mainly on "new" supporters, or maybe the support of the team where the games are played. If Yorkshire played at Headingley, how soon would it be before they become the Yorkshire Rhinos? Well done, you've just lost the supporters from every other current Yorkshire club. Ditto for the other side of the Pennines.'" I agree mergers are a complete no, however clubs sharing stadiums (Wakey and Cas) or a relocation (Salford) could be successful. As for the magic mushrooms, Robert Elstone suggests today that the 2019 structure will not be the same as this year. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-13082640

Quote ="HXSparky"Someone found some magic mushrooms? Next season will have the same structure as this one, it's too late to start messing about with it now. All of this expansion and mergers might have some legs if RL was already a major sport in the UK, but it isn't, and condemning the bulk of existing teams to the bin and replacing with "regional" teams would kill the game overnight. You'd be relying mainly on "new" supporters, or maybe the support of the team where the games are played. If Yorkshire played at Headingley, how soon would it be before they become the Yorkshire Rhinos? Well done, you've just lost the supporters from every other current Yorkshire club. Ditto for the other side of the Pennines.'" I agree mergers are a complete no, however clubs sharing stadiums (Wakey and Cas) or a relocation (Salford) could be successful. As for the magic mushrooms, Robert Elstone suggests today that the 2019 structure will not be the same as this year. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-13082640

I know you are joking but do not give them ideas please lol

I would personally keep the middle 8s. Its the most exciting comp and best games to watch the super 8s seem pointless I guarantee the middle 8s will get most viewing figures.

Allternatively keep 12 teams in each league. The sl top 6 play offs with the league leaders playing second at home and winner straight to the final

bottom of sl relegated winner of the championship promoted

2nd to 6 play off winner to the final at neutral venue
bottom 6 sl mini comp team who finishes bottom plays the the winner of the championship playoffs in the final for a place in sl

It could work and means plenty of games

Quote ="Sir Kevin Sinfield"I agree mergers are a complete no, however clubs sharing stadiums (Wakey and Cas) or a relocation (Salford) could be successful. As for the magic mushrooms, Robert Elstone suggests today that the 2019 structure will not be the same as this year. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-13082640'" He suggests that the end game for 2019 might be different, but pretty much confirms that the league structure (in terms of leagues and the number of teams in them) for 2019 will be the same as this year... [iElstone also confirmed that any changes cannot affect what happens this season. He added: “The format is established and we have to accept the consequence of whatever happens in the Qualifiers. That will dictate what division clubs are competing in in 2019.”[/i

Quote ="Sir Kevin Sinfield"I agree mergers are a complete no, however clubs sharing stadiums (Wakey and Cas) or a relocation (Salford) could be successful. As for the magic mushrooms, Robert Elstone suggests today that the 2019 structure will not be the same as this year. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-13082640'" He suggests that the end game for 2019 might be different, but pretty much confirms that the league structure (in terms of leagues and the number of teams in them) for 2019 will be the same as this year... [iElstone also confirmed that any changes cannot affect what happens this season. He added: “The format is established and we have to accept the consequence of whatever happens in the Qualifiers. That will dictate what division clubs are competing in in 2019.”[/i

Anyone with any logic or just basic maths skills knows it doesn't. But thats exactly why the RFL might announce it saying it was revolutionary or some other rubbish. This is the RL govening body we're talking about - they've got previous.

Anyway, the point is, none of us can really guess what might happen because the top brass are a law unto themselves.

Promote TWP, Toulouse, and London. Relegate Hull KR. Pi$$ off the flatcappers.

<REMOVED - Please refrain from personal abuse>

For this season, relegation is based on the middle 8's.
As for KR being "flatcappers" ??

Where are you from, the planet Zogg

Decided in the next 2 weeks according to Elstone. Possibly, maybe, potentially...because we woulden't want to look like a tinpot sport now would we!

Must have permission from Sky TV,then.

There’s always a lot of weird and wonderful ideas on threads like this. Ultimately it will probably come down to how much money is available.

For me the key is creating a 2nd tier which is funded and full time. Without this promotion and relegation is a disaster waiting to happen (see Leigh).

I’d like to see a return to franchising with a 14 team 1st tier and a 12/14 team 2nd tier. Everyone plays each team home & away in their respective tier. Magic weekend becomes the CC quarter finals. Ideally I’d have a first past the post with the CC final returning to its rightful place as the season finale. If we must have playoff’s then a top 6, 3rd v 6th, 4th v 5th then 1st V game 2, 2nd v game 1 winners into the final.

Franchises to be reviewed every 3 years with any 2nd tier teams not delivering to be replaced by new applicants. Any expansion teams then come into the 2nd tier and earn the right to be promoted. Outside the 2 tiers the game would be amateur. All teams to run an under 19’s and either reserve side or under 23’s (for which 3 overage players can play each week) for player development.

2 up 2 down between tiers, as the 2nd tier is fully professional there is no need for players contracts to be annulled etc.

I strongly believe we need to introduce a regular international calendar and would like to see a RU style 5 nations brought in with a view to having a team from Scotland, Wales & Ireland in the second tier sooner rather than later.

It genuinely pains me to say it but due to the lack of money in the sport we really need to look at the areas which are saturated with clubs, reducing the number of professional or semi professional teams in those areas and spreading our wings.

before so called MPG, which probable wont happen now. top 6 from 8,s go up 14 team league home away top 5/ 6 playoffs. best system one up one down from championship. 26 league games no CC seeding just good old luck of the draw. magic replaced by CC semi double header. best system to suite the majority.

If we don’t have the Super 8’s in 2019 that is a different league structure

Or' waiting to see whether his wishes are fulfilled without further meddling, it's quite ridiculous.
Are we really saying that the professional RL clubs the western hemisphere dont actually know what they are playing for



I know that Elsotone hasn't been in the job all that long and that Rimmer "loved" the "civil war" but, come on.
Between them that have actually made Nigel Wood look clever and forward thinking, WOW

Nothing wrong with the current format except the Super 8s should be considered a new, different competition. Crown the top team after 23 rounds as League Winners then for the Super 8s all teams start on zero points. Top 4 play off and winners are the Super League Champions. That would give much more meaning to the 7 rounds before the top 4 play off.

The Super 8's are history. Michael Carter was quite clinical in that fact tonight. He as a SL club owner requires 14 home games to survive. He doesn't agree with one up one down, but acknowledges it is what is with looping fixtures.

I didn’t hear Carter but he gets 14 or 15 home games under the current format. I don’t see your point.

His point was not knowing the schedule of the 8's fixtures was costly. He made tonights game an example of the failings of the Super 8's structure.

If Wakefield could double their crowds they would only need 7 home games to survive financially then. Carter should get in touch with Toronto then and get marketing tips. Learn what it means to be pro active rather than reactive

Regards

King James

Bugger.....I find myself agreeing with you.....I need a shower.

Wakefield, Huddersfield, Salford and the rest

We really shouldn't be building a business model based on making our players do more. Carter should be making more from the fixtures that Wakefield have, and generating more from non-matchday revenue sources. Demanding more fixtures because it's easier than doing that is not good for player welfare or for the quality of the on-field product.

Can't RL do simple for once.
Each league has home and away fixtures + 1 magic weekend/big bash fixture.
Each league has top 5/6 play-offs. The winner in SL are champs, the winners in the leagues below promote to replace the bottom team of the league above.
Each club has 2 objectives: get better off the field, get better on it.

[i/Alarm clock rings and wakes me up/[/i

That's great but, he's not demanding more fixtures ??

What he wants is to have the same number of games (27) and to know when they are to be played so that his club can "sell" the games.
Trinity have the luxury of playing Huddersfield 5 times this season and apart from already having lost 4/4, this cannot be good for anyone and as for the Super 8's, far from every minute mattering, nobody actually cares.
Saints have the LLS and although there is a slight scramble for second spot, the rest of the fixtures are like a damp squib, and not exactly mouth watering fayre.
The qualifiers however, do hold some interest but, these seem to be getting scrapped.

A 14 side top flight seems to be about right and play everyone home and away, plus Magic, which should be a "random" set of fixtures, rather than contrived games, although this may not suit Sky ?

Salford are getting there.