YESTERDAY’S confirmation of the Super League play-off dates provoked an angry response from Saints fans on social media platforms – unhappy that the top-placed club has been handed the second semi date.

This represents a break with the customary position of the highest-placed team being rewarded with the earliest date.

Instead, runners-up Wigan have the Friday date with Saints playing the Saturday lunchtime (17 September).

The traditional practice in place was deemed to reward the League Leaders Shield winners with an extra day of recovery and preparation for the final – should they qualify.

It was considered as one of the few bonuses of finishing top – rewards that are quite marginal compared to the original top-5 system.

But there are off-field considerations too – with the dates being Friday and Saturday – there is also a financial disparity between the revenue generated from the games.

Not only is the attendance expected to be down for a game played on a non-traditional home matchday, so too will the revenue from the sponsors and hospitality boxes.

Although the standard process over the years has been to go on league table order, Sky – as the primary broadcaster – have the right to have first pick on fixtures ahead of secondary broadcaster Channel 4. 

Although Sky are broadcasting both semi-final games, they have to share the Saturday one with Channel 4.

They have chosen Wigan v Huddersfield (or the second lowest team remaining) as their exclusive Friday game instead of the defending champions and League Leaders.

All clubs and fans will now be aware of this broadcaster’s rights going forward – unless there is an announcement at the start of next year to the contrary - so will no longer expect to automatically league place to determine fixture order and avoid a repeat of this debate next year.

Much of the focus in the build up has been on the unavailability of Wigan’s DW Stadium for a Saturday semi given Wigan Athletic have a home game on 17 September.

When this same scenario occurred in 2008 Wigan had to take their play off game against Bradford Bulls to Widnes.

So this decision will have come as some relief to Wigan, who would have been looking at an alternative venue.

Less so for Saints who will no doubt feel that they are being denied the fruits of their investment – on and off the pitch.

But that is done now and the team must focus purely - first and foremost - on winning that semi final against either Catalans, Leeds, Salford or rank outsiders Castleford before even thinking about the break between the semi and final.