Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:36 am  

What do people think, now that we have had two full seasons of it? IMO:

Positives
- League games feel more important than under the top 8 play offs. As top 4 is a tougher challenge, and the consequences of bottom 4 are severe.
- More games against opposition at a similar level is better for the fans and players.
- The middle 8s provide some of the most exciting games of the year, and IMO will improve the quality of the top Championship clubs by regularly exposing them to SL opposition.
- Whilst it does feel a bit barbaric, the MPG is a highlight of the season.
- Simplified play offs which have clear importance. Win the game and you're in the final.

Negatives
- The Super 8 tends to be a bit of a foregone conclusion with only 5 clubs standing any chance of making the top 4 by the time of the split.
- We have yet to see whether clubs are able to cope with P+R. I don't know enough about Bradford's situation but have seen it mentioned that at least part of the issue was gambling on income from making the middle 8s.
- Attendances for the 8s phase don't seem to be great. Possibly due to lack of notice?
- Not sure whether it's just Wigan but I think the demands of the system seem to have increased the number of injuries.

I like it overall, I'd like to see them increase the points on offer for the Super 8 to keep things interesting but can see why that wouldn't be popular.

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:32 pm  

I think we've learned a lot from it and it has been worthwhile. But u don't think it's the final answer.

More games between SL and Championship is great TV as it offers variety. But 7 games is too much to organise. I'd prefer just an expansion of the playoffs to include SL and Championship clubs.

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:36 pm  

"Whilst it does feel a bit barbaric, the MPG"
BIT!!!!!
I NEVER want to experience it again; my team won.
And as it being a highlight ....

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:45 pm  

I'll probably better shot down and called bad loser by wire fans but the LL Shield should be aware design after 23 rounds, home and Away games v all teams

The top 8 fixtures after the 23 rounds are play off gameso leading up to the top 4 play off

An extra 7 games shouldn't decide the LLS unless echo team played each other home and away

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:53 pm  

For me, the middle 8's are a hit! They have produced drama, suspense, surprises and exciting rugby. My team have been in the MPG once; not a pleasant experience (even tho we won) but nevertheless, compelling viewing even for the neutrals.

The Super 8's and the Championship Shield seem to need some more thought; I am not sure what the answer is but they have not been inspiring competitions so far.

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 3:50 pm  

number 6 wrote:

I'll probably better shot down and called bad loser by wire fans but the LL Shield should be aware design after 23 rounds, home and Away games v all teams

The top 8 fixtures after the 23 rounds are play off gameso leading up to the top 4 play off

An extra 7 games shouldn't decide the LLS unless echo team played each other home and away

Ive been saying this for ages.....the LLS should be given after 23 rounds when Super League finishes. They should then rebrand the 8's as a seperate comp...

SL Premier 8's

SL Qualifier 8's etc.....

Something like that.

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:36 pm  

tigersteve wrote:

Ive been saying this for ages.....the LLS should be given after 23 rounds when Super League finishes. They should then rebrand the 8's as a seperate comp...

SL Premier 8's

SL Qualifier 8's etc.....

Something like that.

So do you:
A - Keep the points - in which case surely the top team after 30 games is more deserving of the LLS
B - Lose the points - in which case we have the same problem as with the previous system whereby you can get to a position where you are sure to make the 8 then relax (assuming you aren't in with a shot of 1st). Only it would be worse as at least previously there was a small incentive to finish higher up.

The LLS will always be overshadowed by the Grand Final whichever system we use.

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 5:36 pm  

I like our new structure.
Only thing I would change is after the split the top of the championship start with a 2 point advantage and the bottom of super league start with a minus 2 points.

I'd also scrap the million pound game and let the top 4 be safe and the bottom 4 be demoted.

I'd possibly have a small cash prize for the top of super league before the split.

I also think the magic weekend could be the first 8 games after the split and scrap our extra game now.

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 6:43 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

So do you:
A - Keep the points - in which case surely the top team after 30 games is more deserving of the LLS
B - Lose the points - in which case we have the same problem as with the previous system whereby you can get to a position where you are sure to make the 8 then relax (assuming you aren't in with a shot of 1st). Only it would be worse as at least previously there was a small incentive to finish higher up.

The LLS will always be overshadowed by the Grand Final whichever system we use.

Years ago we had the top 8 play offs for a cup and the champs were already the champs before it started

Re: Super 8s : Mon Nov 28, 2016 7:31 pm  

We need to change the mindset about the MPG. If you finish 4th in the middle 8's, you have effectively finished 12th in the top division. Under any other promotion system, you're gone. It should be thought of as a second chance, not a one-off.

What is perhaps nervy about is that you could finish 9th by some distance, with no chance of being relegated, and then end up in it, as the points are wiped.

As for the Super 8's, on the whole a waste of space until the final couple of weeks. The 8th place team might as well put out the kids to give them some experience, because there is no chance of getting into the top 4. Perhaps have the old top 8 play-off system. Or a short play-off between 5th to 8th to create a top six, and then go to the top six play-off system, so the top two clubs have a chance of going straight to Old Trafford.