There may be plenty of critics of the playoff system (me being one of them), and almost as many critics of the eight team playoff system, but the excitement that they are likely to generate cannot be ignored. Four games over next weekend, and not one of them can be considered a forgone conclusion.

Despite our not being a part of it, I'm really looking forward to.

Leeds v Rovers
Saints v Huddersfield
Wakey v Catalan
wigan v Cas

C'mon Huddersfield.

Huddersfield are my tips, they are in cracking form and if they make the GF I reckon they will have learnt alot from the challenge cup final defeat.

Anyone got best odds?

I really like this playoff format, its more like the NRL system.

Like you say though there are a lot of critics and the main reason is because it favours excitement and unpredictabilty over rewarding the top most consistent teams over the season. In Australia there's often been top consistent teams over a season who have ended up going into the playoffs either with injuries or slightly out of form and one slip has blown it for them, Parramatta, St George and Cronulla have been done by this, in Parra's case its happened a couple of times. However generally the winners/Grand Finalists do emerge from the top three. It is very difficult for a team who finishes in one of the lower playoff spots to make it right the way through, but its not uncommon for them to cause one upset which shakes up the playoffs.

I'm definitely looking forwards to these playoffs and we can relax and enjoy them now and not get too stressed that we aren't in them, because at the end of the day there are 2 trophies on offer and we've already got one in the bag.

Yes, the play-offs provide good, quality entertainment, but do they actually provide the answer to who is the best British Rugby League team out there today, which is surely what the premier competition in the game should do??

Yes, we all want an underdog (HKR, Giants, Cas) to go on and win it, but if one of them did, would we seriously regard them as Britain's best, or would we still rate Leeds as the best, on the premise that over a full season they came out on top of a league table?

What you said, I like the new structure. I think it's speccy friendly too, for any RL fan, next weekend looks mouth watering. Four live, high intensity games, given our position, we can just sit back and watch the drama unfold, awesome.

Rugby league is changing now thanks to the salary cap and the gap between leeds saints and the rest is getting closer so any1 has a chance of winning it, there will hopefully soon be a different winner each year

catalan will lose heavily at wakey they are crap only in cause saints let them

I'm liking the idea that its better not to be involved so we don't get too stressed watching the drama unfolding.....

They might not, you never know!

Wigan v Cas will be the one to watch, could be very close indeed.

Nothing to do with the other 12 wins, including wins against Leeds and Rovers, then?

theres always next year

no? lol fact is there if saints never let them win they wouldnt be in playoffs it dont matter about other 26 rounds

For me the team that finishes the season on top are Champions ,the play-offs are just another cup comp imo and who ever wins the Gf are only champions of the play-offs sames as we are champions of the challenge cup SL champions are LEEDS imo !
I still think they will win the GF as well !
Which means Saints bank account will be rather light this year could even see them in receivership but thats just a fantasy I have

you are a tool

Shush.

I think Catalan will beat Wakey.

They (Catalan) have the best pack in the league, with Ferriol back and Fakir due back they will take some holding.

I reckon Cas could win too.

I think there'll be one or two surprises (surprise = away win) but I'm not so sure that Cas at the Piedome will be one of them. One of Nobbys greatest assets is his abilty to get his teams up for the playoffs, and I expect them to see off Cas quite comfortabley.

Catalan at Wakey, and Huddersfield at the Knowlsey Shed would be my favourites for a 'shock'.

Playoffs week two =
Saints v Catalan
Hull KR v wigan
Leeds and Huddersfield to get the week off.

Why would you want to see Saints go into receivership - surely you should recognise them as the true champions and best team in Britain for the past four seasons running before this...

[urlhttp://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-league/super-league/grand-final-winner[/url

12-1 Huddersfield

Cheers pal, im having a bit of that £10 e/w with Stan James.

£10 on the nose as e/w terms not available.