´óÏó´«Ã½

I fail to see the problem with club call.

If it didn't exist, Wigan would still be playing Leeds, and every Wigan fan I know would still still have been praying that Hull beat Wire so that Wigan did not have to play Leeds.

Losing McGuire is a massive blow, and unless Sinfield provides the same kicking masterclass that was evident in Perpignan, I'd expect Wigan to get the win.

Here's hoping for a wigan Warrington final...

The most "open" SoooperDoooper League ever!

YAWN!!!!!!!

Wake me up when the competion IS a competition

Nice blog George. Hope Terry Newtons death means that other players who suffer can be identified and helped at an early stage.

I still think all the playoff games should be pure knockout. Means every game has both sides trying not to lose. Finishing higher up the league gives you the home tie advantage and the easier route to the final so no need for repeat games and second chances.

As for the games I think Wigan will beat Leeds and Saints will beat Wire. I would love to see a Rhinos v Wolves repeat of the Challenge Cup final but I just can't see it. I would bet on Saints in the final though as I think this could be their year.

Man of steel always seems a bit of a lottery as all three players have been outstanding. I would pick Tomkins for the hollywood wow factor, Roby for the class and Westwood for the consistency.

I'll be staying up late to watch both games live on satellite TV here in Malaysia. A Wigan Warrington final would be just tops, but I think St Helens will be the tougher game. What odds are the bookmakers taking on another Leeds - St Helens final?

The clubcall gimmic is just that and should really be dropped, it just doesn't make any sense, and i also think it should be a straight knock-out with no weeks off - I don't think it really helps anyone.

As for Wigan being favourites, nobody read the script last year when it was supposed to be us & Wire in the final so I'm not assuming anything until the hooter blows for the 4th time tomorrow night !

& as for MoS, I seriously doubt Sam'll get it, it was simple peevishness & an "anyone but Tomkins" attitude last year and he's not played as well this year, I'd probably give it to Westwood.

And finally, yes, we are seeing a bit of "the usual suspects" in the top 4 or 5 each year which worries me as dropping P&R was supposed to stop this happening. Let's see if Widnes can actually step up to the mark & prove they're worthy of the licence in the next couple of years or I'd say there has to be a reconsideration (and I'm actually in favour of the licencing mechanism for the stability it gives, but something might need to be done about evening out talent).

I'm mixed on club call. It is a gimmick but it gets media time. I would like it to go to week one of the play offs and then have a straight knock out over 3 weeks.

Man of Steel could be any of the three named. They have all had great seasons and hopefully the right man wins it.

I really have no problem with club call. If a team of lesser quality made the semis, it would be very useful to be able to pick them. As the best sides usually make up the four, there isn't really any advantage.
I'm picking Wigan v Saints in the final. McGuire's being out won't help Leed's in its tough agssignment and Wire seem to have gone off the boil at the wrong time of the season.

@Christopher Talbot

"It is a gimmick but it gets media time"

You can say that again. It gets media coverage saying how ridiculous it is and is yet another example of the RFL messing things up when leaving things alone, for once, just once, would have been much better.

Wigan v Warrington please, but it could be Leeds v Saints (again). And for those who keep banging on about the 'same old clubs', it has taken Warrington over 10 years to become serious contenders. Before then Bradford were in the 'big four'. Using Warrington as an example, I see no reason - if a club is well managed over the long term - why a team like Hull FC or Catalans could not muscle their way in as serious Grand Final contenders.

Really looking forward to the weekends matches!

Wigan Saints please. Although can make a case for any of the four there getting to the final (which makes me wonder about comment 3 a bit?).

Wigan Leeds will be closer than the bookies think, although Wigan should win. Saints the hoodoo team for Wire and I hope they win as I think that'll make it easier for Wigan in the final.

As for the play-offs - just make it top 4. If you want the revenue then play each other once and top two play final. Might make Leeds try a bit harder in the regular season rather than just making sure they get to the play-offs ;-P

What a surprise. Leeds 'One forward pass every set' Rhinos at Old Trafford again. Sick of the sight. Got rid of Webb before they had the wage bill checked. Want to see a proper competition? Stuff Eddie and Stevo and watch the NRL.

Well, so much for Wigan being favourites! As indeed were Warrington last year but both made the mistake of choosing Leeds. They should have left Leeds to us (Saints) as we are great at beating Leeds anywhere but in a final at Old Trafford.

I suppose if people are tired of Leeds getting to a GF then the trick is for their club, coaching staff and players to play better than Leeds at the right time of the year to make sure they don't get there! That's the idea.

And comparing to the NRL is all well and good but they have their own version of Leeds in Melbourne Storm who have won a few titles themselves in recent years and are back in the GF again on Sunday. C'mon you Doggies!

Yep Leeds have got it right. Make sure you hit the play-offs in your best form. Stuff the league.

Works for them.

I see boring tactics won again. Both teams guilty of the worst aspects of the game. Leeds are just better proponents of it.

RL is my game but that was ,IMO, not entertaing, and by the attendance it was probably what people expected.

As I write I hope the Wire /Saints match is a far more open game.