SL 2009

By Chris O'Brien
October 5 2009

Rugby League’s play-off system has always attracted controversy. Dwindling attendances continue to raise legitimate questions about the end-of-season event, whilst it’s easy to see the problems in a system where the well-deserving league champions do not necessarily win the competition. However, the current system is one which the RFL can be justly proud of.

In most respects, I understand why the play-offs have been subject of much derision from some quarters. Certainly, it's easy to ridicule a system where a team that stutter to an eighth-placed finish could still win the competition over an all-conquering league champion.

However, the Super League clearly needs to embrace some form of play-off system. Rugby League in this country has been victim to unpredictable gates for years so the competition needs a format that maintains a degree of excitement for clubs who may not be challenging at the right end of the division.

The play-offs do just that.                                                

Though the abandonment of relegation has zapped some of the drama from the bottom of the league (though who are we to complain!), qualification for the new eight-team play-off system kept things exciting for every team in the league - except Salford and the Saders - right up until the final hurdles of this summer's campaign.

Also, far from being a move against the sport's traditions, British rugby league has almost always embraced some form of play-off series. A four-placed play-off system was in place as early as 1903; the end of season Premiership system was launched in the mid-1970s and the Super League competition has always relied on play-off drama.

In recent years there has also been an increasing emphasis placed on the importance of the League Leader's Shield. Re-introduced in 2003 as something of an after-thought, the honour now carries immense importance. Anybody who watched Leeds and St Helens tear lumps out of eachother for eighty minutes will know just how much significance the Hubcap now carries. There is, therefore, a decent reward in place for the top-placed team as well as the Grand Final winners.

For me, the introduction of the ‘ClubCall' system for 2009 is an excellent move from the game's authorities. This allows the highest ranked first-week winners to choose their opponents in the semi-final and saw the Rhinos choose season-travellers Catalans over Wigan this year. This adds spice and provides further reward for the more consistent achievers over the regular season.

As many commentators have suggested, the innovative idea is one which other sports could well take advantage of. The Football League, for example, could do a lot worse than introduce the system which would give a worthwhile advantage to those clubs who have achieved better results over the duration of the campaign. As it stands, bar home advantage in the second-leg, no such advantage exists.

The play-off system will continue to cause controversy and, certainly, dwindling gates are a concern. 8,689 watched Wigan's elimination play-off win over Castleford, despite the presence of a sizeable away following. That gate was significantly lower than, for example, the 12,371 that watched Wigan thump the Saders earlier in the season. Whilst that, however, is an issue with season tickets benefits, pricing and over-bearing TV coverage, the play-off system is one the league can be rightly proud of.   

Thumbs up for Super League’s 8-team play-offs

Discussion started by CruXIII (IP Logged), 05/10/2009 11:32

CruXIII
05/10/2009 11:32

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stevec
05/10/2009 14:58

The interesting thing for me is that the same Wigan who were truly awful when losing at our ground earlier this summer came within one score of the Grand Final. That is some turn around!!

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40:20
05/10/2009 22:34

There is hope for us next season!!!

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swanseablue
06/10/2009 16:24

Im not so sure about the legitimacy of the 'Club-Call' and how it could later how a team plays going into a decisive match in the playoffs but it certainly seemed to fire up the Catalans when they went over and I bet Leeds didn't expect the contest they got. I think these matches have to be included though in the season tickets, we already get one challenge cup match, whats a few more and alter the price accordingly. Its the same as football or local RU matches here when they're shown live near the end of the season.

The Grand Final however gets consistantly high crowds every year, its testament to the fans and the promotion of the event by the RFL.

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Rogero
06/10/2009 23:08

The play off Grand Final is now bigger than the Challenge Cup final.

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Terrace-Culture
06/10/2009 23:11

If you look on RLFans, there does seem to be some disillusion with this year’s Grand Final, however, as the same two teams prepare to do battle this season. The Challenge Cup threw up some real surprises this year – even if no lower league clubs progressed yet again – but the play-offs, despite initial excitement and an exciting new format, has the same two clubs at the end. To be fair, I suppose they’re clearly the very best in Europe and deserve to be there.

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