The Virtual Terrace • Re: Are Leigh the worst ever SL team?
Promotion and relegation’s not the problem in rugby league. Relegation’s the problem.
Under the current system a team’s relegated whether it deserves to be or not just because it finishes bottom. Take London in 2020, relegated on points difference even though they won 10 games. The thing is they were competitive - they beat Wigan, Leeds, Sts, Trinity (twice), Catalans - and given a bit more time could have been, I think, successful and an asset to Super League. But they had to be relegated because they finished bottom (ahead of HKR who they beat twice!)
The winners of the Championship should be promoted (and protected from relegation for 1 season) whilst they bottom SL team is assessed for its competitiveness during the season. Work’s been done in the States on measuring teams’ competitiveness during matches so it can be done. A competitive team wouldn’t be relegated. It could lead to expansion and increased quality of SL based on measurable on field performance. An odd number would mess up Magic but there's a way round that too. Why relegate a potential asset?
I don’t know if this approach would help Leigh this year but they shouldn’t be relegated anyway. I know they applied for it but they and their fans haven’t been treated fairly. To relegate them would be a farce and bring the game in to disrepute.
Under the current system a team’s relegated whether it deserves to be or not just because it finishes bottom. Take London in 2020, relegated on points difference even though they won 10 games. The thing is they were competitive - they beat Wigan, Leeds, Sts, Trinity (twice), Catalans - and given a bit more time could have been, I think, successful and an asset to Super League. But they had to be relegated because they finished bottom (ahead of HKR who they beat twice!)
The winners of the Championship should be promoted (and protected from relegation for 1 season) whilst they bottom SL team is assessed for its competitiveness during the season. Work’s been done in the States on measuring teams’ competitiveness during matches so it can be done. A competitive team wouldn’t be relegated. It could lead to expansion and increased quality of SL based on measurable on field performance. An odd number would mess up Magic but there's a way round that too. Why relegate a potential asset?
I don’t know if this approach would help Leigh this year but they shouldn’t be relegated anyway. I know they applied for it but they and their fans haven’t been treated fairly. To relegate them would be a farce and bring the game in to disrepute.
Statistics: Posted by Kevs Head — Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:30 pm