Geoff in principal I agree however the idea behind having more teams in the play off was to try and keep the season live as long as possible so the lower teams had something to play for.
The lower teams in my idea do have the penalty of having to back up. Also as the top 5 system that I have tried to modify to me had the big advantage in that to win you had to beat everyone above you. Apart from the initial loosers in the "mid week games" this is stil tha case and rewards teams finishing higher in the league. If a team finishes lower down the league they have a much harder route. I acept there are some hitches as to telivision and playing schedules but I am certain there is ways to overcome this.

But everybody knows it's just window dressing. I also don't think teams will improve much if they can get into the play offs with the typical record of those finishing 7th or 8th.

Going back to the top five which is the best format of the lot means the league is more important because you must do well in that to get into the top five in the first place.

If some teams season is over earlier - so what? There has to be some price for failure and incentive to improve.

With the top eight it's almost like you could ditch the league and just run the play offs.

Dave

Top 5 is by far t he best way.

If you're worried about lower teams having nothing to play for, have a separate knock out comp for 5 - 10.

Ive got an idea about the bottom 6! why not have a 3 week play off series with the 2 worst performing clubs having an "relegation grand final" which could be played at Widnes with the loser being relegated from Super League.

Theres no relegation any more so the entire focus is on getting to the playoffs (seeing as finishing bottom in all 3 years wouldnt actually mean losing your licence due to the points system) so the 5 team playoff would do for a more competitive league because the lower teams would have nothing else to aim for (other than the cup) and therefore would have more incentive to be better.

This is what the 8 team was supposed to be about giving them something to go for but looking at 7th and 8th's records this year I dont think its good enough.

Also Frisk great idea haha. How would that work? You win a game then dont have to play again? haha