BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

It has been almost thirty years since rugby league in Australia has seen the top-five playoff system – last used in Super League’s one and only season in 1997.

The format guaranteed that only the very best performed teams in any given year would qualify for September and rewarded winning records.

The late 1980s and early 1990s produced some of the greatest finals series Australian rugby league has ever seen including the incredible 1994 edition.

This was peak Winfield Cup.

Every match played in the sun at the Sydney Football Stadium and not a crowd under 33,000 for all six games.

In just 48 hours, Jason Taylor’s field goal saw North Sydney eliminate the back-to-back champions Brisbane 15-14 and Canterbury downing eventual premiers Canberra the following day, 19-18.

The following week, referee Greg McCallum sent John Lomax and Gary Larson for early showers as the Raiders outlasted the Bears to qualify for a re-match in the grand final against the Bulldogs.

Poor old Norths.

Stole defeat from the jaws of victory.

The race to the 2024 playoffs has been enthralling and there’s no doubt we’ve seen some incredible footy played in the last few weeks.

St George Illawarra Dragons currently sit in 8th with an 11-11 record with the Broncos 10-12 in 9th place so at least we’ll have no sides sliding into the finals with a losing record.

Let’s pray to Tom Cruise and Baby Jesus the NRL doesn’t go ahead with plans for a “wildcard” weekend when the competition expands to 20 teams.

Most punters believe there are only five real contenders for the first Sunday in October, anyway.

They sit in the top 5 spots on the table heading into round 26.

With that in mind, what would the 2024 NRL Finals look like if we reverted back to the top-five format using the current ladder?

While there would be fewer games, week one would see the Melbourne Storm rewarded with a rest and allow them to sit back and watch the other four teams in action.

The first mouth-watering match-up would see the three-time champs Penrith in an elimination final against Stephen Crichton’s Bulldogs and while Canterbury have been so good in 2024 – Panthers would sneak by them by the skin of their teeth.

Panthers survive and Canterbury would be sent packing.

In the other week one blockbuster, 2nd place Sydney Roosters and 3rd placed Cronulla-Sutherland come together for a shot at the Storm in the major semi-final.

Look away Sharks fans.

It may sound predictable and you probably saw it coming but until they prove the NRL wrong – they are going out in straight sets here.

The Chooks are crowing and might be too much for Craig Fitzgibbon’s men.

That would lead to Cronulla facing the Panthers the following week.

We’ve got a major semi-final of the Storm and the Roosters and what a massive game that would be for a spot in the grand final.

Could go either way but we’ll go the Tricolours in a golden point thriller.

That would then lead to a preliminary final between the Storm and the Panthers.

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The Panthers, back in the real world, have been below their best and were dusted by the Raiders last week in Canberra. They’ve been missing players including superstar halfback Nathan Cleary but the top-five finals format plays right into their hands.

A narrow escape in week one against the Doggies and an improved performance against the Sharks would have them right where Ivan Cleary would like.

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Sharks out in straight sets.

The Storm out in straight sets.

Which leaves us with a grand final between Penrith and the Roosters.

You’d expect it to go right down to the wire and so it should.

Panthers by one point.

@woodward_curtis