Hello, I am looking into writing a book about the idea of play-offs deciding the Champions in sport. I was wondering what the opinions are of fellow Rugby League fans on the play-offs. Do you think play-offs are the best way to decide the champions or do you prefer whoever finishes top being champions? And what do you think of the current format?
Personally I think play-offs are a great concept, sport is about peaking on the big occasion and beating your biggest rivals head to head when it matters.

There's nothing more exciting than the play-offs and unlike many people I like the current Super League play-off system. There is a huge advantage finishing first as you get your first game at home and you can afford to lose it, but if you win you get a bye the next week and in the semi-final you can choose who you play.

Personally I think the current play off system is completely stupid, on one TV channel they tried to explain it with the teams as floating boxes and it seemed a complete mess!

Yes home advantage for the top clubs in the first round, but no second chance, it is nothing more than a money spinner!

The Team that wins the Super League Table should be crowned as Champions and then a Top 8 Knock Out Cup Playoff, no way should the success of a full season be overtaken by play-offs offering second chances!

There's nothing less exciting than the play-offs. Crusaders have done tremendously well to finish 8th from 14 given their chaotic winter, but what are they doing in the play-offs? They won three fewer games than they lost and had a points difference of almost minus 200. Why did they deserve the chance of being recognised as "champions"?

Wigan were clearly the best team over the entire season and are worthy champions. Warrington were able to peak in big matches to retain the Challenge Cup. Great. That's the season done for me and I'll be back next February.

Our season would have been much more exciting with relegation at stake.

problem is, without the play offs, the season can be done and dusted with up to 6 weeks to go.

Football world cup, why have the group stages lets just have knock out
same for RL and RU world cup

Everybody knows what the situation is, and it means the season comes to an exciting end! Personally i think it should be nmuch simpler and back to top 6, this "Club call" business is a pain in the butt and its not that straight fwd but hey ho

Not voting, no point, play-offs are here to stay having been part of British RL for more than half a century.

But I think that they take too long and, for the benefit of just a few clubs (ultimately just 2) take too much of a chunk out of season at a time of year when the weather is usually good, forcing "summer" rugby to start, if the weather allows, in February.

Top four is quite enough, as it was historically. Week 1: 1 home to 4, 2 home to 3,
week 2: winners contest the final.

Agree on the top 4 only being involved ! but don't really think it should be changed until after the 2011 season........that's when we finish 8th and end up winning the Grand Final with a 99% British squad

I don't have a problem with the play-offs, but the current structure is a bit silly with more than half the league actually getting in. Think they should have left it top 6, that has more credibility. As it stands some fairly average teams get in.