it was but your talking a generation ago now and its a different sport, with less 'top level' players in your squad to compensate.

Back then you didn't have the car crash collisions you do now, plus everyteam had an alliance side as well as the juniors, so it was easier to put out hookey weakened teams when cup games came a calling

Fair enough, but it shouldn't be easy to win both. Back when Wigan won seven leagues and eight Challenge Cups in a row they were by far and away the best side. Now its a more even competition and managing your squad is an important part of that. Winning the double is still achieveable - Saints did it five years ago, and Wigan could yet do it this year let's not forget (although obviously I hope they don't) - but it should be a remarkable feat. Leave the Challenge Cup Final where it is in my opinion.

I am not too sure that finances come into it that much. doesn't the gate money get pooled and then split up between the teams depending on final standings after the play offs. Ok the club will get a slice of the bar takings and money from the corporate stuff and programmes but it is not mega money. In terms of motivation for the players I am pretty sure that bonus payments to the players based on the money that the club gains from it's final standing does not count on the salary cap. Can anybody clarify that? If that is the case then that is all the motivation I would need if I were a player.

Correct on the allocation of monies allocated and it being pooled dependent on final positions AFTER the play offs. Prize money can be paid to players outside the salary cap.

Now that is interesting. I didn't realise that. Rogues, is it the same with the RL Cup?

The prize money can be paid to the players outside the salary cap, but the gate receipts are not pooled in the Challenge Cup.

Yes, and it's 100k for the challenge cup and 300k for the SL Grand Final. So winning would mean extra payments on national insurance as well for the club for paying the bonuses.

I am pretty sure that in the past at Warrington, any prize money from the play offs has mostly been paid straight to the players in bonuses, and before anybody says, some of our longer serving players are £11.42 richer due to the play off system. But in all seriousness it is easy to see why players move to clubs with a better chance of silverware and it is not all to do with a ring / medal in a box stuffed at the back of a man drawer.

the club call is a farce that brings nothing to the game, the sooner its scrapped the better i say

Are you sure about that? When saints got done for salary cap breaches a few years back wasn't it as a result of bonuses paid to the players for a successful season? (which I would have assumed had been their share of the prize money)