Top 2 finish

[37916319]

Is there any a real advantage in having a week off in the semis.

What are everyones thoughts. Should we be pushing for a 2nd place finish, not to think we would finish that high but if we had a choice what would u choose.

Anyone know what the win percentage is after a bye, or more impotamtely how many teams have had a week off and gone on to win a final.

 

[bubblesunlimited]

You need to win to get a week off.

 

[Direct]

The real advantage is the guarantee that you won't be knocked out in the first round of the finals.

Plus, we could be pushing for a minor premiership if St Merge start their traditional finals series choke a few weeks early.

 

[joel caine number 1 fan]

3rd place would be perfect we are more likely to finish 5th though

 

[madunit]

we've performed best when playing from 4th on the ladder ;-) Ideally, anywhere in the top 4 is good, as you'd be very unlikely to get kicked out after a week 1 loss.

 

[Borat.]

I don't like the week off but 2nd is the best place to finish- no pressure of 1st place and in theory you are 1 good game away from a GF.....

 

[madunit]

2000
Brisbane (1st) won week 1, had week off and won in week 3
Newcastle (2nd) won week 1, had week off and lost week 3

2001
Parramatta (1st) won week 1, had week off and won in week 3
Newcastle (3rd) won week 1, had week off and lost in week 3

2002
Warriors (1st) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3
Brisbane (3rd) won week 1, had the week off and lost in week 3

2003
Penrith (1st) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3
Roosters (2nd) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3

2004
Roosters (1st) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3
Penrith (4th) won week 1, had the week off and lost in week 3

2005
Parramatta (1st) won week 1, had the week off and lost in week 3
Dragons (2nd) won week 1, had the week off and lost in week 3

2006
Melbourne (1st) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3
Bulldogs (2nd) won week 1, had the week off and lost in week 3

2007
Melbourne (1st) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3
Manly (2nd) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3

2008
Manly (2nd) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3
Cronulla (3rd) won week 1, had the week off and lost in week 3

2009
Bulldogs (2nd) won week 1, had the week off and lost in week 3
Melbourne (4th) won week 1, had the week off and won in week 3

All up, teams who have a week off in the finals have the following record:

Won 11, Lost 9

 

[N.C.]

To flesh this out a little... all stats taken from http://stats.rleague.com/rl/rl_index.html

6 teams have taken a week off and gone on to win the title:
2000 - Broncos (1st place)
2001 - Knights (3rd place)
2003 - Panthers (1st place)
2007 - Storm (1st place)
2008 - Sea Eagles (2nd place)
2009 - Storm (4th place)

6 teams have taken the week off and made the Grand Final, only to lose:
2001 - Eels (2nd place)
2002 - Warriors (1st place)
2003 - Roosters (2nd place)
2004 - Roosters (1st place)
2006 - Storm (1st place)
2007 - Sea Eagles (2nd place)

4 teams have won the title without getting the week off:
2002 - Roosters (4th place)
2004 - Bulldogs (2nd place)
2005 - Tigers (4th place)
2006 - Brisbane (3rd place)

4 teams have made the Grand Final without getting the week off, only to lose:
2000 - Roosters (2nd place)
2005 - Cowboys (5th place)
2008 - Melbourne (1st place)
2009 - Eels (8th place)

The Grand Final has been won:
3 times by a 1st placed side
5 times by a 2nd placed side
2 times by a 3rd placed side
3 times by a 4th placed side
Never by a 5th-8th placed side

The Grand Final has been lost:
4 times by a 1st placed side
4 times by a 2nd placed side
Once by a 3rd placed side
Never by a 4th placed side
Once by a 5th placed side
Never by a 6th or 7th placed side
Once by an 8th placed side

According to my handy numbers crunching machine, the best possible chance for Grand Final glory is to finish 4th (with a 3:0 ratio for 4th placed sides who make it to the big game), but it doesn't really make much difference if you get the week off or not.

What matters is that you turn up, play the game, and win the f**king thing.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

The real advantage is the guarantee that you won't be knocked out in the first round of the finals.

Plus, we could be pushing for a minor premiership if St Merge start their traditional finals series choke a few weeks early.

Never mind our choke mate, this is the time of the year when you blokes have issues.

Good luck tonight, by the way. Hopefully you can put those dastardly Eels to bed for the year.