Fixtures:
Wednesday 23th August: Oldham v Workington
Wednesday 23rd August: Rochdale v London

Sunday 27th August: Cornwall v Rochdale
Sunday 27th August: N Wales v London
Sunday 27th August: Dons v Dewsbury
Sunday 27th August: Oldham v Midlands
Sunday 27th August: Workington v Hunslet

Table:
1. Dewsbury 17, 31, Champions
2. Hunslet 17, 28, +300
3. Dons 17, 26, +240
4. Oldham 16, 23, +264
5. Workington 16, 20, +135
6. N Wales 17, 12, +41
7. Rochdale 16, 10, -137

Dons to finish second: We must beat Dewsbury & Hunslet must lose at Workington. There must also be a 61 point gain for the Dons in points difference. For example, if the Dons won by 40, Hunslet would need to lose by 21 or more. This is an example, not an expectation!

Dons to finish third: We will be third if we beat Dewsbury. Points difference won't matter. Oldham can't catch us.

If we lose to Dewsbury, Oldham must drop two points in their last two matches. If they draw against Workington but beat Midlands, the Dons and Oldham will have 26 points but Oldham will have the better points difference.

Dons to finish fourth: We lose to Dewsbury and Oldham get three points from their last two games.

Basically, if Oldham lose to Workington on Wednesday, they can't catch us. If they win or draw, everything roles on to Sunday.

If Worky don't beat Oldham then Worky have nothing to play for against Hunslet on Sunday. Worky will finish fifth.

Last Play-off place: N Wales and Rochdale are fighting it out for the last play-off place. This might well come down to points difference. N Wales seem to have the upper hand on that front but Rochdale are playing London & Cornwall. It does seem rather silly that a team can reach the play-offs with just seven wins in 18 matches.

My best guess for the Dons' finishing position: Second Place 2%, Third Place 51%, Fourth Place 47%.
I'm basing that primarily on the fact that Dewsbury might be in party spirit and give us a better chance than we might otherwise have. I don't think Oldham are a gimme against Worky as they had a tough game at Rochdale whilst Workington had the weekend off.

What does everyone else think? Are we more likely to be third than fourth?

Attachment: File comment: Play-off Structure RFL_League_1_playoff_structure_2021.jpg [ 64.25 KiB | Viewed 1955 times ] Team 2 gets a bye in week one of the play-offs (3rd September). Team 3 is at home to Team 4. The winner is then away to Team 2 in week two. The loser of that game gets a second chance. The winner of 2 v (3 or 4) is at home in the play-off final. The loser gets a second chance. There's a huge advantage for the team coming second in the league but that's how it should be - rewarded for doing so well thoughout the season. In effect, the teams in the top four can lose one play-off match and still get to the play-off final. However, losing one match means you can't be at home in the final.

Attachment: File comment: Play-off Structure RFL_League_1_playoff_structure_2021.jpg [ 64.25 KiB | Viewed 1955 times ] Team 2 gets a bye in week one of the play-offs (3rd September). Team 3 is at home to Team 4. The winner is then away to Team 2 in week two. The loser of that game gets a second chance. The winner of 2 v (3 or 4) is at home in the play-off final. The loser gets a second chance. There's a huge advantage for the team coming second in the league but that's how it should be - rewarded for doing so well thoughout the season. In effect, the teams in the top four can lose one play-off match and still get to the play-off final. However, losing one match means you can't be at home in the final.

This Wednesdays evening game Rochdale Hornets v London Skolars as been postponed London have informed the RFL that they are unable to fulfil the fixture.The matter has now been placed into the hands of the RFL who will determine whether the game is re-arranged or if Hornets are handed victory.

Seriously think with how we will be going into the game compared with dewsbury's plus the new signings a positive result will happen, I'm already intrigued into how the bookies will mark the game up (my guess is dons +6 ish). I was on us -38pts Sunday and hoping they will give us a reasonably generous start for this Sunday.

We only have to make up 60 points to go above Hunslet. So GAME ON!

(Our points scored would be better than Hunslets in the event of points difference being a tie. Unless Hunslet score lose but score a boat loads. For example of we win 30 - 0 and Hunslet lose 31-61 theyd stay above us)

I'm having trouble with the 'quote' button - it gives me a blank screen - but with reference to Geoff's post, I can't see the RFL allowing the season to be extended for this match. I reckon they'll make it 48-0 to Rochdale as seems to the precedent when teams can't fulfil a fixture.

Half-time:

Oldham 22, Workington 12.

Latest Oldham 34 Workington 12

Final Score: Oldham 40, Worky 24.

The quote button was broke yesterday, but seems fixed now.

I think the RFL will give the points to Rochdale but it;s not as straight forward as our game with West Wales. If I were London I would be saying "we were available and could field a team when the game was originally supposed to be played but Rochdale called it off"