Going on Paulie explanation
I would say if London beat Doncaster )A)
And Widnes beat Newcastle (B)
Then it would be
Doncaster (C) would play Oldham
And Newcastle v Barrow/Sheffield
Then the semis would be
London v Doncaster
and Widnes v Newcastle (presuming they beat Barrow/Sheffield)
2 winners in the final
Whatever the formula is being used, the only thing that matters is we go and win on Saturday.
Paulie xx
It's absolutely straight forward, beat Newcastle and we've got the Harlem Globetrotters away, beat them and it's the Brazil 1970 team in the Final. Congrats to the RFL on another doozy of a plan.
It does seem hugely complicated, but...............
I suppose the "If we keep winning then we're OK!" scenario is the best way to look at it? 🤣
Newcastle away won't be easy, but neither was Oldham I would imagine. I've gone for Thunder in the Prediction League, so that prob means you'll be coming home smiling! 🤣
Changing tack slightly, and "Yes" or "No" please, should the Broncos be dining at the top table next term?
It's a defo "Yes" from me, coz they've earned it on the park.
Spelly.
Agree should always be on the pitch. So if we won it then that would put a spanner in the works. 🤣
Yes they’ve been the best team, but only because of the money they’ve got from the Aussies.
But if they get promoted, it will make the championship a lot more competitive next season., especially if the RL can come up with a proper fixture list, but i know that’s asking a lot of Nigel and his brain dead mates.
@spelly It is not really a question of whether or not London should be in SL next year. Despite the recent comments casting doubts on London's chances of promotion, do you really think that the Aussies were not given a guarantee of promotion as a condition of their investment? It is also no coincidence that the IMG criteria changes this year have been to the benefit of London.
My guess is that the Aussies assumed that London would be one of the two Clubs selected for promotion, but even the RFL could not justify promoting a team that finished 10th in the Championship and were below Salford, Toulouse and York in the IMG spreadsheet league.
Maybe they regret that now, because a decision will now have to be made about which team is to be replaced by London. Huddersfield? Toulouse? York? - bet the assumption was made in 2025 that Toulouse or York would finish bottom - maybe even Bradford? I wonder why they put their name forward for the game in Las Vegas?
The RFL have announced that the number of SL teams will not be increased in 2027 and the fourteen SL Clubs will be determined by the IMG criteria. If London are in the top 14 of the IMG league, yes they should be promoted.
My hope, without any expectation - is that the RFL announce that the SL will be increased to 16 teams in 2028, with the team finishing the top of the Championship and/or the Championship Grand Final, winner guaranteed promotion. I don't think that finishing top of the league in both the SL and Championship is given anywhere near enough credit.
At least this would give those teams with SL ambitions something to play for (as well as generate interest and investment) in 2028 and beyond.
Farnworth, and Frank - You're both talking a lot of sense there guys, therefore making you totally ineligible for a job at the RFL! 🤣
Spelly
@spelly Surprised you have tipped Newcastle to beat Widnes. The good news for us is York have a game this week on Thursday.
It could get intetesting after that as York's season is finished, so Newcastle can cherry pick Yorks 4 best players for the elimination play off the week after that, or the semi final in 2 weeks time if they do beat us.
Let's put a positive spin on these play-offs.
We all know it will be a massive shock if London don't reach the final, and they will do.
But whoever want's to play them in that final are going to have to beat Widnes Vikings. We've already beat a very good Oldham team on their own midden, we are going to play a team we beat at Robin Park on Saturday, a team that don't know who they can pick, week in, week out, and have hardly played any of the good teams. We are the team to beat.
So, bring it on, Lads. We are waiting!
Paulie xx
@spelly Surprised you have tipped Newcastle to beat Widnes. The good news for us is York have a game this week on Thursday.
It could get intetesting after that as York's season is finished, so Newcastle can cherry pick Yorks 4 best players for the elimination play off the week after that, or the semi final in 2 weeks time if they do beat us.
Nowt more than a guess mate, as is where I've gone for Sheff up at CP. I reckon both will be tight, but......................
As my position in the Prediction League proves, you should be heading to the north-east in total confidence! 🤣
Spelly.
Bradford confirmed bottom of SL but we know they're not being relegated.
I'd say it's looking unlikely for London now. I don't think 1 team will be promoted without relegating anyone, it would upset MW.
Their only chance is someone else collapsing financially.
Not a chance for the Bulls to go down
Big Nige & Nobby's project / train set
Not a chance for the Bulls to go down
Big Nige & Nobby's project / train set
Absolutely mate!
They're also Vegas bound, so there's no way there's gonna be a Championship team in Sin City!
The Allegiant Stadium will be a real culture shock after Odsal!
I think I've read it where the powers-that-be have said there won't be fifteen teams in tier one next term, so could the Broncos be heading to your gaff and / or mine, rather than to the Piedome come 2027?
Also, as a side issue, unlike this year, will there be Chemics v Lions?
Spelly.
I recollect that the RFL announced that they will retain the number of SL teams at 14 for 2027; and that the SL will be determined by way of the IMG gradings ie top rated 14 clubs.
If the RFL have any integrity left, they will ensure an independent and transparent assessment of IMG gradings, with the top 14 Clubs comprising SL for 2027. I cannot understand why the RFL cannot announce that now and the gradings publicised at the beginning of October. If that means London staying in the Championship or London being promoted at the expense of Braford or anyone else, so be it.
I am not really sure how Bradford managed to be 10th in the IMG gradings in 2025, above Castleford, Huddersfield, Toulouse and York, but I really can't see them dropping down to 15th this year. Similarly, does anyone really believe that the London backers have not been given a guarantee of a SL place? Snape is a paid up member of the SL owners club, so I guess he will have his supporters in SL/RFL. I think that it will be between Toulouse and York and more than likely the former, despite being the surprise team in 2026.
They should also announce at the same time the structure below SL for 2027. They have had enough time to think about it and learn from the mistakes made this year. You would also hope that they are in touch with the owners of NW Crusaders and any other team facing possible financial meltdown, to be as sure as they can be of the likely number of teams below SL.
My own preferred structure would be have two divisions of 10 teams - Championship and League 1 - with promotion and relegation between the two leagues. I am not sure how many teams make a league feasible from a commercial point of view, but the number of games could be increased with a continuation of the 1895 Cup competition - played immediately before the Challenge Cup final - including all 20/21 teams and a play-off system at the end of the season.
I would also hope to see an announcement of the reintroduction of promotion and relegation between the SL and Championship, but this would require a review of the central funding distribution to ensure that a promoted Championship can readily transition to be competitive in SL. Unlikely to happen!!!
I don’t know how they can relegate Toulouse, when they have finished 8th in the table on only half the full SL funding.
It should be Huddersfield , who have finished equal bottom of the table, and are going to play at a championship ground in 2027, because they have only averaged 4,300 fans this season, and their present ground is to big for them.