The only thing that a final eight system is good for is making more money for the governing body. Full stop. I reckon the best and fairest system is a final five. The minor premiers get a week off. Some might argue that can be a disadvantage, but they also get a second chance if they lose their next game. A BIG incentive to become minor premiers! The next incentive is to be in the top three because you get a second chance if you lose your first game. And if you can only manage fourth or fifth, it's sudden death all the way.
This system stops teams just going through the motions during the early part of the year. It makes EVERY game during the season important. As it is, a team can coast through the year with very average form, and just peak at the right time. I hate it.
How exciting would this be?
1. Manly play Melbourne - (sudden death)
2. Titans play Bulldogs - (winner plays Saints to see who goes first into the Grand Final. Loser plays Manly or Melbourne)
All games played at a neutral ground.
That's how it should be. If you aren't good enough to get into the top five of a sixteen team competition, then you aren't good enough to be the premiers.
