'Fix this': Calls for immediate change as Panthers caught in 'unfair' farce
NRL fans are once again demanding the competition be suspended during the State of Origin series, with the Penrith Panthers unable to have their five NSW players back up in Round 16 to take on the Warriors. The ARL Commission has flagged a standalone State of Origin series when the next broadcast deal comes into effect in 2028, but it can't come soon enough.
As it stands, the NRL competition continues during State of Origin, and has a detrimental effect on the clubs with the most players in the showpiece event. As well as not being allowed to play NSW or Queensland players the weekend before an Origin game, clubs are often forced to make difficult decisions for the games that follow.
This weekend, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary won't have son Nathan, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards or Brian To'o at his disposal when Penrith travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors. Because State of Origin 2 is in Perth on Wednesday night, the Panthers haven't found a viable way to fly their Origin stars to Auckland for Saturday's game (taking into account rest and recovery).
Adding to the frustrating situation is the fact Lindsay Smith is now the 19th man for NSW, meaning he'll have to remain in Perth until after Wednesday night's game. Smith is expected to fly to New Zealand and play on Saturday, but the Panthers aren't willing to risk injury to the other five with so much travel and a short turnaround.
Speaking last weekend, Ivan Cleary labelled the situation "unfair". He said: "The Origin players won't be playing because they can't. I don't think it's fair that we can't play... we should be able to make that decision. Through flights, we just can't get them there."
Cleary will roll with a largely second-string side to take on the Warriors, and the Panthers are astronomical odds to beat the home side. It's a hammer blow considering the four-time defending champs have battled back from last on the ladder to be ninth heading into Round 16.
As many fans have pointed out, the current system completely compromises the NRL competition. The ideal scenario would be to put the NRL on hold for three weeks and play all three Origin games on back-to-back-to-back weekends. The NRL has seemingly realised this is the way forward, but it looks like any change to the current Origin system won't come into effect for at least three years.
One person wrote on social media on Monday: "Standalone Origin would fix this. Unfortunately some people can't live without club footy for a couple of weeks so we are stuck with the current system."
Another commented: "The game should be rescheduled if there's a literal inability to get the players there - that's crazy." While a third added: "The NRL is trying to expand out of NSW and QLD but persists with allowing Origin to disrupt it?! Makes no sense."
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Others pointed out that Origin-affected games are a good opportunity for younger players or fringe-first graders to gain valuable NRL experience. While some suggested Cleary and the Panthers shouldn't be whinging considering they've won four-straight premierships.
Tellingly, a poll of over 20,000 Yahoo Sport Australia readers has a standalone Origin series as the preferred option. Over 60 per cent of voters believe the current system compromises the NRL competition.
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