Super League play-offs: How do they work?

The new system for the engage Super League play-offs is a little confusing. Therefore, to help you understand Last Tackle explains how the 2008 play-offs might have looked using this system.nnWe are using the actual top eight from the end of the 2008 regular season. For the purposes of this explanation we are assuming that home teams win, although that of course isn’t always the case.nnTop eight after regular season:nnSt HelensnLeeds RhinosnCatalans DragonsnWigan WarriorsnBradford BullsnWarrington WolvesnHull Kingston RoversnWakefield Trinity WildcatsnnWeek One: Qualifiers and EliminatorsnnIn week one, first will play fourth and second will play third. The winners will progress to week three while the losers will have to play in week two. Meanwhile, fifth will play eighth and sixth will play seventh. The winners will also play in week two, while the losers will be eliminated. nnQualifier one: St Helens v. WigannQualifier two: Leeds v. CatalansnEliminator one: Bradford v. WakefieldnEliminator two: Warrington v. Hull KRnnWeek Two: Preliminary Semi Finals:nnIn week two the loser of qualifier one will play the winner of eliminator one, and the loser of qualifier two will play the winner of eliminator two. The winners will progress to week three.nnWigan v. BradfordnCatalans v. WarringtonnnWeek Three: Semi Finals:nnWeek three is where the element of choice comes in. Let us assume that St Helens won by the largest margin in week one, then they will have the choice of which side they face. Of course all manner of factors come into such a decision, injuries sustained in week two for example, but for the purpose of this explanation it makes sense that, having beaten them well in the play-offs and in the regular season, Saints will choose to play Wigan. That leaves Leeds to play the Catalans. nnSt Helens v. WigannLeeds v. CatalansnnWeek Four: Grand Final:nnHere’s the simple part. The semi-final winners will play each other in the engage Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford. The winners will be declared champions.nnLeeds v. St Helens