Bilko's tv listing indicate that the 1st playoff week features 4 matches, which would presumably mean that the top 8 system is unchanged in 2013. Is this guesswork by the main man; if not I would be seriously dischuffed if the merits of the different play off systems were not at least discussed after all the criticism of them in 2012.

They've been heavily criticised every year the format has been like this and nothing has been done, why would it this year? IMO nothing will change with regards to league structure/playoff format/P+R etc until at least the beginning of the next license period.

I can't see it changing without plenty of notice so I think the top 8 system will be set in stone for at the very least next season.

The problem we have in changing it is more teams will vote for it then against it. The reason for that is the majority would have little confidence in making a top 5. Teams like Wakey, Hull KR, Bradford etc wouldn't be in with a sniff of a top 5 spot at the moment and then teams like Huddersfield, Hull and even Catalan would be edgy about voting for a top 5 because they'd all be borderline.

A top 5 system and promotion/relegation being brought back would really pump life in to the weekly rounds but sadly it won't happen anytime soon.

The RFL are not pro active they don't see potential changes for the good of the game and act on them they stick with what they know until something truly messes up and then they become reactive. The inclusion of Crusaders into super league can't be considered pro active simply moronic there's a certain level of understanding and knowledge required to apply such a mentality and sadly our governing body is inept at this. We will only see a change when Leeds start winning it from 8th and the RFL consider the current play off system doesn't reward good rugby for 27 rounds merely the final 3/4 games.

It's quite simple really. The RFL are tied now until the end of the current tv contract (end of 2015). Sky have signed for 70 matches a year (of which 7 are magic games and 9 are play offs). So axing either or both would have to be done with Sky agreeing to pick up the missing 16 matches somewhere else, or by re-negotiating the tv deal, probably so it ends up cheaper for Sky.

None of those options are likely to happen, so the current will be around for at least 3 more years.

Nothing will change until the next 'licencing review'

What sort of a game we will have left after 3 more years of the same structure is worrying for me as a fan, I find it hard to believe that those actually involved in the business are ok with it rolling along on autopilot. Isn't Maurice Watkins doing a review - wouldn't that have something to say on the matter?

A review is a good way of taking peoples concerns and kicking them nicely into touch.

I guess it depends on what the RFL tell him to put in it...

If it was P&R Crusaders would have been in SL for the first season as they were the best or 2nd best team in the Championship that season.

probably been mentioned before , but i would like to see a top 5 play off system that works as follows

league winners get rewarded straight into grand final
2 v 5
3 v 4
winners of them games play with highest finishing team at home for right to play in grand final

simples!

So the team that finishes top gets two weeks off whereas the other finalist will have played each week.
I wonder which team would be more game ready?