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.

Let's be honest folks, the Playoffs are first and foremost all to do with increasing finance for the clubs concerned. A system which effectively could (with luck/and some dodgy ref.decisions) end up with a team that finished eigth becoming champions!
If we want the TRUE champions then the team, that over a full season, plays every other team home and away and finishes with the top points are the champs.

I have always championed this method as determining the champs.

The playoffs should be recognised as extra financial bonus to teams as they were when call 'The Premiership'. And I would then have no qualms of going to Manchester to see the GF of The Premiership.

Truly the only Sport in the games at the present are the amateur games for both football, rugby League or Union, the rest are all business. Like business too, they can be subject to scams..............Cricket at the mo in the spot, but wonder how long before Football, Rugby, or any of the sports now run as commercial business will be in the firing line of the media power brokers?
.......grannyfan Cindy

I've never agreed with the playoff system deciding on the the champion team. The team who has finished top after playing each of the other teams home and away, is the best team in that sport.
I think the play offs should be a seperate compitition.

And be classed as what?

I'm fully in favour, there's a long history to RL having a play off system deciding the champions in our sport.

We're miles away from having the strength in depth in the league to have the team finishing in eighth wining the competion, has anyone other than Bradford actually won it from outside the top two?

The Premiership always just felt like a bit of a pointless excercise at the end of the season, it had more than a whiff of after the Lord Mayor's Parade. The play offs provide edge of the seat excitement, sometimes right up to the very last minute of the season.

The Premiership. No one would watch or go. The clubs miss out on an end of season bonanza as do Sky. Rugby League ceases to exist with in five years.

I think all the excitement leading up to this weekend proves that playoffs are the way ahead. Biggest Derby for 30 years and loads to play for.

From a purely sporting POV, my ideal compromise (because the hubcap is so little valued), would be to divide a 16 team SL in to two divisions of 8 (East and West, say). Play home and away against those in the same division and home or away against those in the other. 22 league games to decide who are Eastern and Western Divisional Champions (a lesser, but hopefully not insignificant accolade) and who qualifies for the play-offs for the Grand Final.
You'd need some way of making up the shortfall in revenue though. Adding another comp would just be seen as a distraction, I fear.

Bit like the NFL then? think thats how they do it isnt it?

Then could have a spin off end of season game with the best of west Vs best of East (War of the Rose style)

People are calling this game the biggest Derby since Wembley 1980 but it really isnt. We have competed against each other in major finals before full houses since then. Biggest in 25 years maybe.

Fair enough, but bearing in mind im only 25 its the biggest game of my life...

Since the HKR-HFC CC final there was the '81 premiership final, the '82 John Player and in '85 the Yorks cup and John Player (again) finals, so I'd agree - biggest in 25 years.

is that right.......?

Yep. I Like the Pro Bowl idea - could be used to help bridge the gap to international standard.

Is what right?

You appear to interesting the laydeez!

I think they bring a great deal of excitement to the back end of the season, and financially they''re a sound idea for the clubs involved. However I feel that there is insufficient kudos given to the minor premiers. Wigan are the best team this season. Already proven in my opinion. They will remain the best team regardless of who wins at Old Trafford.

Can`t argue with that,as pointed out elswhere,Wigan have got more points over the season,therefore champions.
Maybe if the top eight had a staightforward knockout for a "play off cup",as such.

the playoffs are a good idea for exciting rugby at the ar5e end of the season and a big game to finish on, but the league winners should get more recognition definately. dunno how this could be overcome tho other than the east west idea mentioned earlier in the thread, nfl style, 2 conferences and the two conference champs play in the grand final.

I think that it is strange that this country believes that having the team topping the table as champions is the right way when worldwide playoffs are more common.