After today it is likely four teams will be on 12 points at the bottom of the table. Has bottom of the league ever been this close before?

Not that I can remember.

'Likely'

Unlikely

Try again

Imagine if it actually mattered who finished bottom. We would be set up for an awesome last few games, just a year after we would have had the most spectacular finish to the top end of the season.

And including 2 of the same teams

In theory you would think that 9th or 10th would be the target for the extra home game in the 8s unless they are so cocky to think that that advantage won't matter cos it's 'only' championship teams.

If none of The Championship clubs gain promotion this time, there may be yet another change to the current format, unless it was designed to keep all of The Championship clubs in the lower league.
You have to say that Leigh deserve their shot at the big time and their motivation will have increased but, if anything, the bottom 4 in SL look stronger (by comparison than the 4 SL clubs that contested the middle 8's last season.

if no teams change league after the middle 8s then the rfl will have to give up on this stupid system and revert back to one up one down for the 2017 season

well said

Idea to replace middle 8 if decided its s failure.

Bottom of SL goes down, top of championship up.
Next bottom in SL plays second in championship....... two legged tie

3rd and 4th bottom and 3rd and fourth in championship simply lose revenue from any future games......... unless

To avoid any yoy-yo effect, any promoted championship side has a 1 year exemption unless they finish bottom (bottom automatically goes down). They will be replaced in the play-off by the lowest ranked team not exempted.

Might sound complicated initially but which new system doesnt. Mean the penalty for being REALLY crap is relegation, whereas the penalty for being "only just good enought to stay in SL again" might be a playoiff for survival.