Rugby league's controversial McIntyre finals system is dead and buried.
Just hours before the new season is launched, the Australian Rugby League Commission announced the convoluted and inequitable McIntyre top-eight model is to be punted to make way for a more even-handed top-four, bottom-four format.
In a back-to-the-future move, the finalists will split into two separate groups in week one of the finals for the first time since the old ARL competition in 1996.
Team one will meet team four and second will play third, with the winners advancing to week three including home region hosting rights and the losers receiving a second chance in week two when they will host the match in their own city.
In the other pool, the fifth-ranked side will take on the eighth-ranked team while six plays seven.
The winners survive into week two while the losers bow out.
The McIntyre system has been used since 1999 but attracted controversy every year due to the lack of reward for teams finishing in the top four and potential 'leg-ups' for those clubs ranked further down.
Clubs ranked one to four have found themselves playing away to a lower-ranked team in week two after losing in the first week.
And last season the sixth-placed Warriors were smashed by Brisbane in week one but recovered to win their next two games and reach the grand final.
"As the competition has become closer and the impact of 'home-and-away' finals matches even more significant, the system has become a source of increasing debate," ARLC chief executive David Gallop said on Wednesday.
"The allocation of 'home venues' in the second week of the McIntyre system has been a particular concern."
"After going through a thorough process we are confident that this is the right time for this change."
The decision to return to revert to the old ARL system - and one which the AFL adopted for the 2000 season after using the McIntyre system between 1994 and '99 - was done after extensive consultation with club bosses.
"Over the past few months we have been conducting a review with clubs and with the recently formed Competition Committee," ARLC general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk said.
"An overwhelming majority of clubs have shifted their support away from the McIntyre system and to one where the top four teams play each other in week one."
"It offers greater protection for the top four teams and the possibility of even closer matches."
"Each of the top four teams needs only to win two finals matches to reach the grand final, while the bottom four ranked teams must win three."
"The minor premiers and team two are each guaranteed two home (city) games."
The finals system will continue to be played on the basis of 'home city' venues in weeks one and two and 'home region' venues in week three.