Dave Craven: Being pipped at the post could be a blessing in disguise

There are many who decry the eight-team play-off format, arguing it gives too many sides the chance to prosper for the ultimate prize.

After all, a club from the bottom half of the competition could win the Grand Final on October 2.

However, the decision to extend from six clubs two years ago has plenty of merits, not least the fact that, as we head into the final round this weekend, so many clubs are still battling for places.

Granted, there is only that band of merry Aussies from Wrexham who can nudge back past the crucial cut-off point, Castleford the ones nervously looking over their shoulder at the threat of Crusaders given Wakefield and Bradford's ailing hopes both ended in recent weeks.

But, within the eight there are plenty of fascinating battles about to erupt, meaning there is still so much to play for.

All eyes turn tomorrow to the double-bill which Sky have rightly focused their live broadcasts towards: Hull FC v Leeds followed by St Helens v Castleford.

Hull need to beat the defending champions to jump back into fourth, a position they have held for so much of the year until a combination of Leeds's late charge and their own little falter sees Richard Agar's men in danger of being pipped at the post.

However, would that necessarily be a bad outcome? Securing fourth would provide two chances in the play-offs but it would also mean a trip to league leaders Wigan in the first round.

If, let's say, Hull did beat Leeds and were subsequently sent to the DW Stadium and results were to go with final table positions with Wigan progressing, the Airlie Birds would then likely face a home game with the Rhinos the following week.

If Castleford do hold onto eighth spot, they would venture to Headingley where, again, if we go with standings, Leeds would be expected to win.

However, would Hull, no doubt having been given a thorough testing by Wigan, be in much shape to then overcome Leeds who may, in theory, have had an easier ride against Castleford?

It is all ifs, buts and maybes but finishing fourth may not be all it is cracked out to be. Having said that, Agar, with Sean Long and Richard Horne back together, would be confident his side could go to Wigan and overturn the minor premiers and make all this discourse redundant. Therein, lies the beauty of the play-offs.

Wigan have also lost three of their last four games at the DW Stadium so it is not the fortress it once was earlier in the year.

St Helens, meanwhile, are clinging onto second only due to a superior points difference of just six over Warrington.

However, Saints will have a distinct advantage over their rivals as, with Warrington being in action at Harlequins tonight, by the time tomorrow's game comes around they will know exactly what scoreline they need to achieve to confirm runners-up spot.

There should have been a call for both fixtures to be played at the same time to avoid such unfairness, just as Castleford kick-off simultaneously with Crusaders, who need to beat Hull KR in Wrexham to challenge the Tigers.

However, regardless of all the potential outcomes, it is still difficult to believe that seven months have really passed since Leeds started it all off in the snow against Crusaders at the Racecourse Ground.

As I mentioned, Super League has kept people hooked yet again.