Top five play-offs

A play-off structure involving the top five teams was used to determine the winners of the Super League competition in British rugby league from 1998 until 2001. A top six play-off system was then introduced. Apart from the Grand Final all matches are staged at the home ground of the team placed higher in the final league table.

The same system was used in the NSWRL's Sydney Competition 1973-1994, the Super League in its only season 1997, the VFL, 1972-1990 and New Zealand's Lion Red Cup, 1994-1996, and Bartercard Cup, 2000-2006.

From week two on the Top five play-offs system reflects exactly the Page playoff system.

How it works

Week One

• Qualification Final: 2nd vs 3rd
• Elimination Final: 4th vs 5th
• Bye: 1st

Week Two

• Major Semi Final: 1st vs Winners of Qualification Final
• Minor Semi Final: Losers of Qualification Final vs Winners of Elimination Final

Week Three

• Preliminary Final: Losers of Major Semi Final vs Winners of Minor Semi Final
• Bye: Winners of Major Semi Final

Week Four

• Grand Final: Winners of Major Semi Final vs Winners of Preliminary Final

This is considered a good playoff system as it allows fifth place to take part while making it incredibly difficult for them to be crowned champions as they must beat every team from above them at some point.

Example

The 1994 NSWRL finals occurred as follows:

	Qualifying/Elimination Final					Major/Minor Semi Final					Preliminary Final					Grand Final
						1	Canterbury	19
							Canberra	18								1	Canterbury	12
	2	North Sydney	12									Canberra	22			3	Canberra	36
	3	Canberra	26									North Sydney	9
							North Sydney	15
	4	Manly	4			Brisbane	14
	5	Brisbane	16

See also

• McIntyre System
• Top six play-offs
• Page playoff system
• ARL final series