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Simon Templar wrote:
I agree that the naming of the playoff games is a bit illogical, but neither logic nor a sense of history/tradition are strong points with the NRL.
- Only read this if you have an interest in NRL history:
Prior to 1954, there were 4 teams in the finals, with 2 knock-out semi-finals, and a Final. If the Minor Premier DIDN'T win the Final, then they would challenge the winner of the Final in a Grand Final. The games were called:
Round 1
1st Semi-Final (1 v 3 or 1 v 4) - loser eliminated
2nd Semi-Final 2 (2 v 4 or 2 v 3) - loser eliminated
Round 2
Final (1 v 2)
Round 3 (only played if MP didn't win Final)
Grand Final (MP v Final winner)
From 1955-72, there were 4 teams, with MP and team #2 having a 2nd chance, and a mandatory GF). The games were called:
Round 1
Major Semi-Final (1 v 2) - winner to GF
Minor Semi-Final (3 v 4) - loser eliminated
Round 2
Preliminary Final (2 v 3) - loser eliminated
Round 3
Grand Final (1 v 2)
From 1973-94, there were 5 teams, with teams #4 and #5 the only teams to not get a 2nd chance. The games were called:
Round 1
Major Preliminary Semi-Final (2 v 3)
Minor Preliminary Semi-Final (4 v 5) - loser eliminated
Round 2
Major Semi-Final (1 v 2)
Minor Semi-Final (3 v 4) - loser eliminated
Round 3
Preliminary Final (2 v 3) - loser eliminated
Round 4
Grand Final (1 v 2)
The current 8-team system has been used since 2012. The games are currently called:
Round 1
1st Qualifying Final (1 v 4)
2nd Qualifying Final (2 v 3)
1st Elimination Final (5 v 8.) - loser eliminated
2nd Elimination Final (6 v 7) - loser eliminated
Round 2
1st Semi-Final (4 v 5) - loser eliminated
2nd Semi-Final 2 (3 v 6) - loser eliminated
Round 3
1st Preliminary Final (4 v 5) - loser eliminated
2nd Preliminary Final (3 v 6) - loser eliminated
Round 4
Grand Final (1 v 2)
Traditionally, 8 teams play in quarter-finals, and 4 teams play in semi-finals, so using a combination of logic and NRL history, the games could be called:
Round 1
1st Qualifying Quarter-Final (1 v 4)
2nd Qualifying Quarter-Final (2 v 3)
1st Elimination Quarter-Final (5 v 8.) - loser eliminated
2nd Elimination Quarter-Final (6 v 7) - loser eliminated
Round 2
1st Preliminary Semi-Final (4 v 5) - loser eliminated
2nd Preliminary Semi-Final 2 (3 v 6) - loser eliminated
Round 3
1st Semi-Final (4 v 5) - loser eliminated
2nd Semi-Final (3 v 6) - loser eliminated
Round 4
Grand Final (1 v 2)
NB: It's actually more a Final than a Grand Final, but the Grand Final name has been used in every season since the mandatory GF was introduced 1954, so that's a tradition that should be kept.
Traditionally, 8 teams play in quarter-finals, and 4 teams play in semi-finals, so using a combination of logic and NRL history, the games could be called:
Round 1
1st Qualifying Quarter-Final (1 v 4)
2nd Qualifying Quarter-Final (2 v 3)
1st Elimination Quarter-Final (5 v 8.) - loser eliminated
2nd Elimination Quarter-Final (6 v 7) - loser eliminated
Round 2
1st Preliminary Semi-Final (4 v 5) - loser eliminated
2nd Preliminary Semi-Final 2 (3 v 6) - loser eliminated
Round 3
1st Semi-Final (4 v 5) - loser eliminated
2nd Semi-Final (3 v 6) - loser eliminated
Round 4
Grand Final (1 v 2)
NB: It's actually more a Final than a Grand Final, but the Grand Final name has been used in every season since the mandatory GF was introduced 1954, so that's a tradition that should be kept.
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Gotta say, that was an incredible write up. The naming makes slightly more sense now I guess
Aardvark
