Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 8:47 am  

Having just read through the new structure for next season, it seems theoretically possible.
After seven games in the middle 8 (the qualifiers), the top 3 clubs are assured of a place in SL and the bottom 3 will play in the Championship the following season, with the last SL spot decided with a supposed "million pound" game.

I had previously thought that only 1 club would be promoted and that this was dependent on one of the Championship clubs having a successful run in the "qualifying league".

[PopTart]

Re: Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 9:39 am  

As I understand it, 4 super league teams can be relegated if they all lose their games.

Re: Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 10:26 am  

PopTart wrote:

As I understand it, 4 super league teams can be relegated if they all lose their games.

That's my understanding too. Theoretically possible for all 4 SL teams to be relegated, however given the quality of the squads and level of funding that would seem highly unlikely.
I think you could quite easily see one of the Championship sides promoted automatically and another on playing off against one of the SL sides for the last place but to think that more than 2 will be in with a chance is pushing it in my opinion.
As said in other topics though, a lot will depend upon form going into the middle 8 phase. In theory the Championship sides involved will have been on a winning run to get to the top of the Championship, whereas the SL sides will have shakier form having been losing games to see them in the bottom 4.
The middle 8 is probably where the excitement is going to be.

[PopTart]

Re: Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 10:39 am  

I'm looking forward to that part of the season.
The Championship sides will be treating every game like a cup final.
It's a big deal fo them

Re: Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:08 pm  

PopTart wrote:

I'm looking forward to that part of the season.
The Championship sides will be treating every game like a cup final.
It's a big deal fo them

I think you're right, and the four teams from SL should be treating each of these games like a final as well....

IF we do finish in the middle 8 at split time, the idea of playing weekly 'finals' against four from say Bradford, Fev, Leigh, Fax and Dewsbury could REALLY improve the coffers coming into WTW and those clubs too.... I can see some big games in there, throwing Cas in (if they slump from last season) just adds to that mix.

However, I have to say that the way JW got the team to gel so quickly after he took over in the summer put me in mind of John Kear as an amazing motivator...... I think we may (as we did under JK) get off to a flyer early doors, beat some teams that we probably wouldn't later on in the season, and might actually end up being unlucky to be in the middle 8, rather than the dead certs for middle 8 that many have us down for.

Re: Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:33 pm  

If the RFL was completely serious in their assertion that "every minute counts" then the teams in the middle 8 would carry forward the points earned against the other 3 teams and play teams from the other half twice. The top 2 would be promoted and play off 3v6 & 4v5 for other places. This would provide some point to the preceding 22 games assuming the "magic" game would be consigned to the bin marked "nonsense".

Re: Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:55 pm  

rlfan wrote:

If the RFL was completely serious in their assertion that "every minute counts" then the teams in the middle 8 would carry forward the points earned against the other 3 teams and play teams from the other half twice. The top 2 would be promoted and play off 3v6 & 4v5 for other places. This would provide some point to the preceding 22 games assuming the "magic" game would be consigned to the bin marked "nonsense".

I quite like the concept of the Magic weekend, I'm just not convinced by the fairness.

Another option would be to replace it with a NRL style Nines competition which, if marketed correctly, could be a fun and entertaining weekend.

[PopTart]

Re: Could this happen ? : Thu Dec 11, 2014 6:37 pm  

rlfan wrote:

If the RFL was completely serious in their assertion that "every minute counts" then the teams in the middle 8 would carry forward the points earned against the other 3 teams and play teams from the other half twice. The top 2 would be promoted and play off 3v6 & 4v5 for other places. This would provide some point to the preceding 22 games assuming the "magic" game would be consigned to the bin marked "nonsense".

I read this wrong first time and thought you meant keep all the points, which would be ridiculous, but even given you say just keep the points against your other 3 it still means we get our points by beating say Salford or Cas or Hull whereas, Bradford as an example would get their points based on beating Doncaster or Halifax.
And then the reverse applies, for Bradford to progress they will need to beat a Super League team twice and we'd have to beat Doncaster twice.
There are too many things that are not fair and the complexity makes for lots of excusefor the teams that don't get it.

I like everyone starting on an even level of points and just see who wins, though clearly salary cap imbalance will still affect.

Re: Could this happen ? : Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:41 pm  

rlfan wrote:

assuming the "magic" game would be consigned to the bin marked "nonsense".

I totally agree - it's a false construct of a round designed to make money for the RFL; nothing wrong with that in principle, but for gods sake don't have 2 competition points resting on the outcome - that's simply unfair.

Re: Could this happen ? : Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:28 pm  

bren2k wrote:

I totally agree - it's a false construct of a round designed to make money for the RFL; nothing wrong with that in principle, but for gods sake don't have 2 competition points resting on the outcome - that's simply unfair.

Agreed but objectively, they don't want to change it to something that might not be as successful financially.

I might not go if it were a friendly or a 9's comp, I like the idea of it being based on where teams are in the league at a certain point but then they need to give people plenty of time to book accomm n time off work etc. Tricky one and to be fair, I think keeping the current formula, however imperfect, is the right choice for the RFL.