Sydney Roosters coach John Strange has renewed calls for an overhaul of the NRLW finals series, insistent top-two teams should be given a second chance.
The Roosters were bundled out of the playoffs at the semi-final stage for the second straight year on Sunday, defeated 12-0 by Gold Coast after finishing second on the ladder.
It comes after the Roosters were unbeaten in last year's regular season, before being shocked by fourth-placed Parramatta in the grand-final qualifier.
While the men's system allows teams comprising the top half of the finals qualifiers to play a non-knockout match in the opening week of the playoffs, there is no such luxury for women's sides.
Instead, the top-four finals systems involves a straight shootout for the grand final, with first playing fourth and second facing third for a spot in the decider.
And after initially calling for the introduction of a three-week finals system last year that featured a second chance for the top two teams in week one, Strange remains adamant a revamp is needed.
"I thought after last year that, if they still wanted to go to top four, they would go top two play each other, with the winner going to the grand final," Strange said.
"I thought that would be pretty obvious. Obviously not.
"All that is creating one more week of footy for the girls. Hopefully they do that next year. Who knows?"
Gold Coast's win means they face minor-premiers Newcastle in Sunday's grand final.
The Roosters are not the first top-two team to be knocked out in week one, with Brisbane suffering the same fate in 2021.
Debate around the finals system comes as the NRL continues to weigh up whether to introduce two new teams next year, after going from six to 10 this season.
An AAP survey last week revealed seven of the current coaches were against the move, while only one of the 10 strongly believed there was enough depth for two new teams.
Meanwhile, Strange said Roosters fullback Corban Baxter had suffered a syndesmosis tear in the loss to the Titans.
The star No.1 left the field midway through the first half, and while she returned for 20 minutes after halftime she was left to play at centre before succumbing to pain.
"We went through five rounds last year without one injury. This year in five rounds, I think we have five season-ending ones," Strange said.
"Like the girls, I'm not happy we didn't win the semi-final, but it's been such a positive with the resilience these girls have shown and the character they have built."
