No

I prefer top-6. NBL are too stubborn changing anything like usual.

NBL had a top-6 format for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003. That format worked with eleven teams. I can't see why not the NBL could just bring back the elimination finals they used in 2009.

Only thing I would change would be having best-of-3 rather then one game or aggregation (2 games). Then the top-2 go straight to the semi-finals (best-of-5). Grand Final (best-of-7).

This season may get boring because many teams will be out of playoff contention midway through the season.

Like the NBL said "Next Level!" Not...

Elimination games were the most hype games of the entire season. No matter what teams were playing, the feel was immense.

I'll add that that's what makes Game 7s so hype, is the do-or-die/this-is-it nature

So true. I'll never forget Rillie going off from the three point line and Homicide acting as if it was all about him when the Crocs beat us at Challenge in a one-off elimination game. Prick but what entertaining memories.

I think we should take a leaf out of the NBA's book by having a play-in involving teams that finish regular season #4-6, with the winner filling out the final playoff spot.

1st play-in game
6th @ 5th, elimination

2nd play-in game
Winner of 6th v 5th @ 4th, elimination

*With the 2nd game, we need to give some love for the accomplishment of finishing 4th, so either a best-of-three series or perhaps a +5 handicap situation in the elimination game. I'm not averse to the handicap, don't think it's unprofessional.

And yeah, that was top notch from the Crocs back in the day. Some of the 3s Rollie hit were unspeakable. Pretty sure B-rad Williamson cut sick in that game too

I like your idea with the one-off elimination final for 5th vs. 6th.

Personally I would only like two games for 5th/6th vs. 4th. Just have aggregate score line. Best points for and against in the two games goes through. I think the best-of-3 format may stretch the finals series for the three teams waiting for their semis.

But, I know the NBL use to have the best-of-3 elimination finals which were 3rd vs. 6th and 5th vs. 5th. Top-2 teams have byes.

They also had all teams playing in the 3rd round and the three winning teams go through, plus the lucky loser with the highest seed.

Pretty sure B-rad Williamson cut sick in that game too

I would rather that then have Perth, Melbourne and New Zealand winning all the time.

"Will the fans of 3rd placed team pay to go watch their team beat the scrubbers in 6th?"

TBH, this season, and hopefully from now on, the league looks so competitive from 1 through to 8, as repeatedly expressed here and several others reports, 6th-place-getter won't be a "scrubber".

Naturally, with hindsight, when the season-proper is up and running, we will all have a better idea on all that.

First seeds have lost to sixth seeds before. Titans lost to Adelaide 2-1, 2001 and Melbourne 2-1, 2002.

I agree, league is that close now that anything can happen.

I would rather that then have Perth, Melbourne and New Zealand winning all the time.

First seeds have lost to sixth seeds before. Titans lost to Adelaide 2-1, 2001 and Melbourne 2-1, 2002.

No it was a 3-way Head-to-Head between Wollongong Hawks (4-2), West Sydney Razorbacks (3-3) and Melbourne Tigers (2-4).

Victoria finished on top with a 21-9 record. First always plays sixth.