leeds won their way to the final, then won the final, they're champions, well done to them.

Still bitter and twisted I see.



The solution is to cut the number of teams and therefore the number of regular rounds in the league.



The 2 play-off semis and the final have all shown the potential and quality available in our game.



but to expect the eventual champions to play at that level of intensity over a possible 36 - 40 games in a season is just unrealistic stupid.



Leeds have just sought to garner their resources and to play to win the maximum number of trophies available and NOT the maximum number of games.



If the Wigan management cant see that simple truth then they will win what they deserve.

I don't like the playoff system, never have, never will. But it's here, we all know the rules before the start of the season, and it turns out that Leeds are the master of being able to do it when it really really matters (so long as the Challenge Cup isn't the prize) so well done and fair play to them.



It does leave me thinking though, is it really worth spending well over £200 on a season ticket to watch 13 qualifiers that, at the end of the day, mean very little.

If I'm going to be honest, if Wire had of won yesterday I would be revelling in a brilliant system which extolled excitement. I wouldn't have said that yesterday, clearly, just after the final hooter, and I was moaning about the play-off system along with the rest. Today, in the clear rational, cold light of the next morning, you just have to say "well done Leeds, astonishing to have won it from 5th again, you deserve it. - see you next year".

Then cut the number of teams to 10 and therfore the intensity of weekly rounds and cut the play-offs to top 4.



The condition is that clubs will need to raise the ticket prices as well. Is that going to happen. I think not so, the current system is a compromise and we just have to get on with it.

Embarrassing thread that oozes sour grapes from many. Leeds have achieved a stunning feat by winning it from fifth twice. It gives credibility to the play off format because it increases belief that getting into them really does give you a shot at the championship, rather than just give you the opportunity to play a match against a team that finished above you that you will routinely lose and exit the play offs with no real point participating in them in the first place. How on earth is that bad for the game?!



I do think the play offs are overblown and shouldn't have eight teams or second chances, but that's a separate issue. What Leeds have done the last two years is outstanding. Bad for Warrington? Well yes, it obviously has been both times. Bad for the game? Not a chance.



Last year Leeds beat positions 8 (h), 4 (a), 1 (a), and 3 (GF).



This year they beat 8 (h), 4 (a), 1 (a) and 2 (GF).



That is very very impressive no matter what way you look at it, and a lot more exciting for the sport than the possibility of one team simply running away from the rest and crusing to the title as the rest give up half way through the season as so often happened in the Wigan era of dominance that coincided with first past the post.



Leeds are champions and 100% deserve to be so. I just wish it was us.

correct pal. I've no problem with it at all. In the 1972/73 season we topped the league yet it was a play off format that crowned 8th place Dewsbury champions...



imagine how ed off we were the following year to finish fifth and win the playoffs but it was changed to top of the table being crowned champions and the play winners getting a secondary trophy.... (due no doubt to a side from 8th spot being called champions). its good job the internet wasnt around then eh....?



And I dont need to remind Wire fans how inmportant our 1986 Premiership win felt (and is still thought of today). We were crap all season sacked our coach and Les Boyd and Tony barrow rallied the team for the the last 8 games of the season finishing in fourth spot beating widnes Wigan and Champions Halifax.



We wouldnt have argued one bit at being called Champions ...........would we???

Top post.

Firstly, congratulations to Leeds....last night they were class, never panicked when they went behind, and played like Wire, with great pace, and unlike against Wigan, continued to play open, flowing rugby!!! But I do believe they have hit upon a flaw to a degree with the play-off system:

finish 1st or second and you have atough game against 3rd or 4th,

finish 5th or 6th you play an easier home tie against 7th or 8th,

Win their game, and ok they play away, but are playing against a team that has lost and maybe low on moral/confidence, as play-off games must take something away mentally, while being high on moral/confidence themselves,

Win that game and they are playing against a team that will have lost some momentum for having a week off, as well as even more confidence/moral,

Bang ....in the final!!! This is the real one off game with all at stake, and Leeds have proved they have the big match experience to pull this one off, and would be wholely confident!!!!



Despite all this....finishing 5th or 6th you are playing instant knockout rugby, and it takes some nuts to pull it off!!!! So again well played Leeds!!



Matt

Not at all, We achieved more than Leeds did this season.



We finished 2nd in the league, we beat Leeds in the CC Final and we were runners up in the GF Final.



No sour grapes here, the better team won on the day.

Leeds also won the World Club Challenge.



Even if you start from the premise that the Challenge Cup has equal value to the Grand Final - and objectively nobody seriously would - you'd still be pitching runners up for the hubcap as being better than a WCC.



In football terms its almost like saying a team that wins the league cup and are beaten finalists for the FA cup have been more successful as the league champions who also won the Champions League.

Games between the top sides the home advantage doesn't matter that much. The fact they get basically a week off the first week against a crap team, then have to away games whilst the teams in the top four have to play a tougher opponent.