Does the sky money go the teams finishing 1st and 2nd in the regular season or the two teams that contest the grand final. ?

You need to read some threads, its league positions - hence every game is vital. If we are winning we must win well for points difference, if we can deny bonus points we must do so and if we are losing we must keep the margins low.

26 meaningful games to look forward to, where every minute and every point counts

And you need to stop sounding pompous.

Makes the grand final this year a bit meaningless

Not at all - golden rule of forums is that you check the existing content before posting, otherwise the board gets bogged down with all kinds of duplicate content. There's been a number of threads on this very topic and Maurice is simply suggesting that you go and read them so he doesn't have to go and cut and paste the answer for you.

As to the value of the Grand Final, cold hard cash is nice, not to mention the prestige. Blimey, how many years have Leigh fans been complaining that the league season is meaningless. Now they turn around and complain that the Grand Final is now meaningless. Quite simple this - YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!

The league has never been meaningless because it enhances your chance of reaching the grand final the higher you finish.
And I never complained about the league so I wasn't moaning about wanting it both ways. Quite simple

I would like to see the team I support reach the Grand Final and I am sure you do too.

I think every game we play this season is important in terms of results if we want to increase our fan base.

To be fair to 'soldiers field', I have had difficulty finding anything 'official' on this point. There's plenty of talk of "teams who finish first and second", without defining what that means. For example, for the wonderful Anglo-French Cup, the same phrase was used, and we were then told it meant play-off results. (fortunately putting us in third place, thus avoiding a meaningless trip to France)

Anyway, as long as it's based on League positions, we know we'll now win all our play-off games this season!

I can be very pompous when I want but this wasn't one of those occasions, as I hoped my answer showed but you did start a 'top 2' thread a few days ago.

The Grand Final is a great day out for fans and something to win for the players, I am sure once we have completed the season that really matters we will want to go on as long as possible, as a player how many finals do you play in during a career ?

Think its all on the RFL website.

Derek, could you please find that link. I think 'maurice' may have provided it, but I can't find it!

Just checking I had not misunderstood that's all.

Can't wait for Sunday not looked forward to a season as much since our super league year.
We need to hit ground running and build momentum and crowd numbers will hopefully return

Mo pompous ?NEVER , he gives lectures on Modesty every week before games .



.And doesn't charge much to Autograph hunters .

I think we can all agree with that SF!

As I think more about it, with the abolition of the Northern Rail Cup, the playoffs can act as something of a replacement to give the top clubs their chance of a "grand day-out" - bit like the old Premiership if you will.

IMHO, its a very good thing that the cash is determined over the course of the season and not on playoff placings, especially given our recent playoff track record!

No problem, and agree 100% but its up to us fans to keep spreading the gospel.

Can't wait, and I am in Dublin when it kicks off as well

The fans that go to games know this and know for the first time in 10 years we have a chance of competing with the best.
We need to spread the word to the broader public , those that no longer attend etc

Salford have increased season ticket sales by 300% so it's achievable , more fans more money to spend on salary cap= more chance of playing week in week out with the best.
I m spreading the word are you ?

T............ h .......... e ........ w ........... o ........... r .......... d.

The prize money is:

1st - £500K
2nd - £450K
3rd - £200K
4th - £200K
5th - £175K
6th - £175K
Rest - £150K

From 2015 the salary cap increases from £300K to £1million although to spend £1m you need to generate a revenue of £2.5 unless club chairmen personally underwrite.

I personally have never liked the salary cap. We are still seeing clubs struggling financially with the cap and we are also seeing our best players leaving for the NRL or Union. It also deters very rich businessmen from investing. It needs raising significantly or scrapping. I understand the idea behind it but you don't put restraints on private businesses.

Whatever, quite a lot for all to teams to play for this season and following seasons. Great to have P&R back even though Champ clubs will still find it tough but quite sure 1 or 2 will get promoted during the coming seasons.

Does seem a bit odd that the RFL can't seem to decide whether it's the regular season or play offs which is more important/lucrative year on year.

It makes every game vital this season, can't wait

Don't b so Pompous.

In SF's defence, I really could not be bothered trawling though pages of cliquey 'in' jokes to find something out on my dinner break.

I've been writing a programme article, on the new structure, and can't find anything 'official' about what 'first and second' means, despite extensive research. I really would appreciate it if someone could provide me with a link to something 'official' from the RFL.

Closest I have got is the following from RL World Editor Gareth Walker-

I can't understand why as SL money goes off play off position.

It's not as dramatic a drop as the championship money, and I understand the view to have been to financially reward the consistency with so much at stake as opposed to the one off bad game