NRL Fan Questions Origin Scheduling Impact on Club Teams
"How do I maintain faith in my club fielding its best team?"
An NRL fan recently raised a pressing concern with live blog host Michael: should the NRL adjust State of Origin scheduling to reduce the disruption caused to club teams during the Origin period? The fan expressed difficulty in maintaining faith in their club fielding its best team during this time.
Michael acknowledged the long-standing debate, noting that the NRL competition is significantly affected by Origin matches. He pointed out that some view the period as an opportunity for younger players to step up and gain experience.
However, he also recognized that fans attending games in June deserve to see top players. He considered a potential three-week pause for Origins but noted this would extend the season and risk clashing with end-of-year Test matches. Despite these drawbacks, he described the current model as a commercial success.
The conversation also turned to the women's Origin series. Michael highlighted that it currently occurs during the NRLW pre-season, which makes it challenging for players to showcase their talents. He questioned whether the NRL should move the women's Origin to August or adjust the NRLW schedule to better accommodate the players and fans.