In trying to get their heads round a fiendishly complicated new eight-team play-offs format in the engage Super League next year, the leading clubs will conclude that the reward for coming first after the regular season is so minuscule as to be meaningless.

The top six play-offs have been expanded to take account of the increase from 12 to 14 clubs from 2009. Under the new system announced by the RFL today, there is no longer a direct route through to the Grand Final for the club finishing top.

Until this year, the top club had to win only a home semi-final against the second-placed club to qualify. The clubs finishing first and second must now win two home play-offs, although they would avoid one another until the final itself.

The chances of a club from a lower position reaching the final are improved and, in a further innovation, the first-placed club will be able to choose their qualifying semi-final opponents from the winners of the preliminary semi-finals.

The number of play-offs has been increased to nine and clubs in the top four are guaranteed a second “life” should they lose in the first round of qualifying and elimination play-offs.

Changing times

Sept 18-20 2009: Qualifying play-off 1, 1 v 4; Qualifying play-off 2, 2 v 3; Elimination play-off 1, 5 v 8; Elimination play-off 2, 6 v 7.

Sept 25-26, Preliminary semi-finals: 1, QPO 1 loser v EPO 1 winner; 2, QPO 2 loser v EPO 2 winner.

Oct 2-3, Qualifying semi-finals: 1, QPO 1 winner v PSF 1 Winner*; 2, QPO 2 winner v PSF 2 winner*.

Oct 10, Grand Final: QSF 1 winner v QSF 2 winner (Old Trafford).

*subject to choice of highest-placed winner in week one