Will it really? If the points gained before the split get wiped out, that's already a waste of time. Also, surely the clubs will spend the weekly rounds using their reserve players and resting their key players, therefore devaluing the competition. At least this year there is more intensity to get into the top 8. Even Hull FC have a chance that makes 5 teams (including Widnes) to get 8th spot. I just think that next year the slogan "every minute matters" couldn't be further from the truth. There is also salary cap issues e.g 1.8 m vs 1 m and the fact the top four championship clubs get more home game than the bottom four SL clubs. I personally don't see any benefit from the 3x8 system and think it's just another stupid gimmick this sport could do without.

No ever minute won't matter, but let the RFL peddle their propaganda. They'll move the goal posts in three/four seasons.

I think I read that they'd changed that now and 9&10 in SL and 1&2 in Championship will now get the 4 home games.
Not that it changes the "every minute matters" bit but I do think that makes a bit more sense.

Correct, the teams finishing 9th & 10th in S.L will get four home games, I was also under the impression that the points accrued by the top eight clubs were carried over into the mini league, but maybe they’ve altered the goalposts again, because that proposal appears to have disappeared into the ether

.

To be honest, from what I understand, I like it and I think it will be good for teams like us.

I'm right at the opposite end of the scale Pop Tart.
The new system offers more protection for the top clubs and ensures that the lower half SL clubs will be stuck in the "qualifiers" league for many, many years.
A team could miss the cut on points difference and the have to fight for their SL survival.
The 3 leagues of 8 could be interesting but, that doesn't make it right.

I don't see how clubs at the bottom end will be able to attract the calibre of player needed to become strong enough for the top 8.
Finally, as we have in the current SL, the teams in 7th and 8th will become the whipping boys of the top 8 which will be a massive turn off for their fans.
the winners in this are the top 4 Championship clubs and the top 6 SL club but, there are more losers than winners.

As for "every minute matters", what a load of nonsense .
It just isn't true.

Agreed. Don't like the new set up whatsoever and don't see how it will be of any extra benefit our club at all. Sorry but effectively being 'relegated' for the last third of the season is hardly a pull for fans and sponsors. The top 7 of this years league are likely to be the same next year and given the recruitment of Salford, Hull & Hull KR to date then theres every likelihood, even if we have a decent season, we will be fighting just to retain our SL position in the convoluted second tier. The system is not for me i'm afraid.

I'm very much on the fence with this. I simply do t know whether it will be a better system than what we have currently but I can see that, in theory at least, it gives all clubs a chance of promotion and progression. Your point about Trinity fighting to retain SL position will be the same whatever the league set up- it's just a fact of life for us at the moment. But, if we do struggle, under the new system we've got a reasonable chance of getting back up.

I'm still non the wiser about next season, and when someone newish to watching the sport asks me what the new
'rules' are they look at me completely bewildered when I try to explain.

It's too complicated, especially for thicko's like me!!

I will just have to see how next season goes, It may be a good idea but I am doubtful that it is. So we can only wait and see.

"Every minute matters" is cheesy and wide open to derision from the average cynical and negative RL fan. "Well that minute didn't matter".

It's also a bit close to Cancer Research UK's maxim "Every moment counts"

Otherwise, I'm a big fan of the new system. It's the best fit for RL at the moment.

There are only 5 or 6 clubs of any real quality, then 3 or 4 nearlies. I don't expect any change in the top 12, but at least it gives other clubs a sporting route to access the top division.

Automatic P&R doesn't take into account a club's readiness to compete on or off the field. The new system ensures the best 12 clubs will be in SL1. "Coming, ready or not" didn't work before and it wouldn't work now.

If you finish 9th in the main season, but then cannot beat the teams from the lower division and at least one team from 10-12 in the play-offs, maybe you don't deserve your spot in SL1?

In an ideal world, franchising would be the best option, but you need 15/16 clubs who are capable of meeting the minimum requirements, so that there is real competition for places. Trying to grow a club whilst already in the system is what killed many clubs, including ours. The new system will allow for steady (or rapid) growth. When you're ready to go up, you'll get promoted.

The salary caps are close enough to allow at least a competitive first team squad, at least with 8-10 of SL, who currently would be unlikely to be spending full SL1 cap anyway.

One thing that seems to have sneaked in under the radar is the return of the '50% of income' rule. I thought this was ditched because it was too difficult to police? How much will this affect us?

My main issue is what if we finish 8th and are 12 points behind 4th which I can see happening. How will the next 8 games matter for us? Playoffs should be top 6 to keep the excitement. 8 is too many I do agree but just 4 makes it hard to compete for us.

Are not all points taken away on the league of 8, so won't all start equal?

Unless they've had a rethink, only the middle 8 have their points reset.

I stand corrected then

The playoffs are only the top 4

Middle 8 start equal but higher teams get the home games

Nah those points are what you finished on they don't get reset. That's my argument we could be 12 points behind 4th this will leave the last set of games pointless. For our benefit top 6 should be playoffs

How long will it be before we get bored of the same games, for instance Wigan play St Helens twice in league, another time once sides break into leagues of 8, then again in the play-offs and maybe even in the challenge cup. It'll get stale ridiculously quick.

But it will give them particularly good crowds.

Hey look it this way middle 8 might have us cas and fev in imagine the crowds

The point made about finishing 8th and being well adrift on points is a valid one, it could even be tempting if we are level on points with the team in 9th to throw your last game and hopefully have a more interesting end to the season with an extra home game despite the risk of relegation.

I would guess that the end of season pay-out will be much higher for 8th than 9th. Hopefully enough to make your scenario not financially beneficial to the club.