Top five play-offs

A play-off structure involving the top five teams was used to determine the winners of the Super League competition in British rugby league from 1998 until 2001. A top six play-off system was then introduced. Apart from the Grand Final all matches are staged at the home ground of the team placed higher in the final league table.

The same system was used in the NSWRL's Sydney Competition 1973–1994, the Super League in its only season 1997, the VFL, 1972–1990 and New Zealand's Lion Red Cup, 1994–1996, and Bartercard Cup, 2000–2006.

From week two on the Top five play-offs system reflects exactly the Page playoff system.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

This is considered a good playoff system, as while it allows fifth place to take part, it is incredibly difficult for them to be crowned champions as they must beat every team from above them at some point.

In elite Australian Rules Football, the only team to win from fifth under this system was Norwood in the SANFL in 1984. No AFL/VFL team won from fifth under this format (1972-1990), and no WAFL team has won under this format as of 2016.

The 1994 NSWRL finals occurred as follows:

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