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As the dust settles from the Lions’ crushing series win, my thoughts turn to rugby league and State of Origin.
The Lions series was a schedule of three games in two weeks. Bang, bang, bang.
No mucking about. High intensity, and sustainable interest the whole way through.
As the final Origin match awaits us, I feel decidedly flat. Not because I find Origin format boring now, but more that dreaded word, scheduling.
Origin is three games in six weeks, far too long. It reminds me of the one-day cricket World Cups of recent times, taking forever to reach the climax.
Well that is how I feel about State of Origin scheduling. It is over hyped, flat, not-exciting and tired.
Something needs to change. A solution needs to be found.
Stand alone Origin weekends or to have Origin wrapped up in four weeks, like the old school days of the 80s and 90s.
Can you imagine if the Lions series took 5-6 weeks to wrap up?
And State of Origin should do the same. The player welfare myth by extending the series length of time is just a myth.
Even as the series goes over six weeks, players pull out due to injury. And the same would happen if Origin were over in three games in two weeks.
There would be no more having to back up immediately for your club side 48-72 hours later, on stand alone Origin weekends.
There would be seven days rest between games. To bridge the gap, have maybe a pacific nations cup and some all-star matches in the UK.
Heck have a nines tournament, but make use of those three weeks productively.
Broadcasters worry about less club games per year and that is valid. But less is more.
Less club games would create more excitement; punish mediocrity as you have fewer games in year, so you must lose less to make the top eight
And each match would have higher TV ratings and larger game day crowd attendance.
So what about stand-alone State of Origin weekends with Origin played on a Saturday night?
I say bring it on.
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