The numbers don't agree with you.



In the three years since the 8-team format came in, only two out of the six winners in Week One who have then had Week Two off have been successful in Week 3 and made the Grand Final.

Is there any common theme with those that haven't, such as being knocked out by us perhaps?

The numbers also dont provide a large enough sample size to draw any significant conclusions.

Is the right answer.



We're making informed(ish) qualitative judgements. We should avoid confusing them with statistical evidence. Otherwise we'll all turn into Phil Clarke. And he's an idiot. Marginmeter my hairy a**e.

Wonder how the numbers look when also taking into account previous playoff formats. Still personally don't see any massive benefit in having a week off. Ultimately - as we keep proving - the best team will win regardless of any perceived advantages be it weeks off, home advantage etc

Probably there are pros and cons either way. In which case it's a question of making the situation you find yourself in work for you.

We've accounted for 2 of them, and it's actually 4 out of 8, not 2 out of 6.

But the number of teams who have lost, often very heavily, in the play offs and then come back to win the final is rather larger:

Saints 1999

Saints 2002

Leeds 2004

Leeds 2007

Leeds 2008

Wigan 2010



So a defeat isn't a complete disaster by any means. But you need to have a fair amount of balls (or luck, like Wigan 2010) to come back from it.

Can I change my vote please?

I haven't voted yet.



Should I vote for Saints?

Deepends how you now interpret the question.