The RFL has to change the format for match allocation as the current system of using mainly derby games for the Magic weekend unfairly skews league positions & points differences.



I think that match allocation should be made using the league table at the close of play from the prior round eg 1v2, 3v4, 5v6, etc.



Using that system the RFL could more or less guarantee a full round of competitive matches making great entertainment and possibly attracting new fans to the sport, the whole purpose of Magic.



More thumpings like Wolves handed out to Widnes just serves in people switching off their TV or creating even more empty seats like those seen at the Etihad yesterday.

I disagree totally. Widnes beat Wigan fair and square and I have no issues with at all. The imbalance comes from wire playing them 3 times in the season whist everybody else plays twice. If we have to have this extra fixture then the RFL need to do all it can to ensure a fair and balanced league for all clubs.



If wire win the league leaders shield on points difference there isn't anything on the planet that will convince me that they won it fair and square. Saints fans must be more angry about it than anybody!

That's the whole point, the current method for allocating the extra fixture is skewed.



If the RFL used league positions from the prior week to allocate matches this arguement wouldn't exist.

The derby idea is still a good one, it is just that Warrington are benefiting from a weak Widnes team that have just returned to SL. When Widnes are a strong team again there will be nothing wrong with that as a fixture.



Other than derbies I do like the idea of 1v2, 3v4 etc for the magic games. That is the fairest in terms of form and should be better in terms of league position interest and competitive games. Wigan vs Warrington this weekend would have been a cracker! Warrington have had a slower start this year but I guess they have learnt their lesson from last year that the GF is won in October and not by thrashing teams in March. I expect they will be competing for all three trophies this year come the business end.

I just dont think there should be an extra game as it falsely distorts the league table. Just do away with the extra game and make the weekend a 9s competition with all the best players, get a decent sponsor, split the prize money amongst the players etc and it would be a great event and it would be competitive. It really would be something different in the RL calender too.

Agree with all the posts about the unfairness of the fixtures. It doesn't matter what system is going to be used at the end of the day if there's going to be one extra fixture thrown in it's going to be unfair. Of course, the counter argument is that those twwo points don't matter as we have a play off system to determine the champions not a who finishes top system. Which is a whole different debate: Bring back the Premiership.

I think a draw should be made one week before, 2 bags, 1 bag has the top six in the league table, and 1 bag with the bottom 8, games are drawn from the bags and a ball could be drawn from a third with the day the games to be played. Sky could decide the order of the game play, or scrap the third bag if you want, what ever, but I think some kind of draw like this would be better than the farce we had on Saturday.







Rock 'n' Roll..

That was my point mate. I completely agree with the thread and think fixtures based on league positions would be better. I was disagreeing that if Wigan had beaten Widnes I'd think any differently.

Wire are clearly too strong for Widnes and will get 6 points from them in the league. Widnes won't be in the play-offs so it doesn't matter if they lose. Wigan/Saints on the other hand I can't see one team winning all three, and they will both be in the top eight regardless.

Magic weekend as a concept of all teams playing over two days I believe should be used to bring in new money, attract new fans, and grow the appeal over a wider audience.

If it's used as an extra league game, then I agree the 1v2, 3v4, 5v6 format makes the most sense.

That is a good idea. Get some serious prize money involved and get a trophy organised and leave the league as home and away only doing away with the extra fixture.

Surely they should have Warrington v Wigan as the derby in these fixtures.....you guys seem to have an emotional attachment to the Saints, but it's time to aim a bit higher and have derbies against us. Saints can play Widnes in the derby of the scousers and it would be more evenly matched.

Who needs to play the Vikings or broncos when saints are our bitches