I do like the current system better, whilst the old McIntyre had advantages, took 4 host a final, and the suspense of watching another finals game to determine who gets eliminated and who goes through, the system we have now is better and easier to understand.
I'm glad we've gone back to the old 95/96 model.
Actually its interesting looking back, both 95 and 96 had the same top 8 format for week 1, however I noticed they were different to week 2.
So in the current system we have loser 1 v 4 plays winner 5 v 8, loser 2 v 3 players winner 6 v 7.
Back in 95 we had Cronulla (loser from 1 v 4) play Newcastle (winner 5 v 8), and Brisbane (loser 2 v 3) play Canterbury (winner 6 v 7)
But it was different in 1996 for some reason.
Week 2 was Brisbane (loser 2 v 3) Vs Cronulla (winner 5 v 8) and Roosters (loser 1 v 4) Vs Dragons (winner 6 v 7)
Not that it wouldve mattered but I wonder how many people were confused back then.