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With at least 34 players unavailable for the round prior to Origin, and many in no position to back up the weekend after, the NRL is diluted for the entire period.
Crowds and ratings are generally lower during this period, as fans know they are seeing an inferior product.
Even coaches don’t seem as emotionally invested at the moment, with many not too concerned with results during the Origin period, instead focused on ensuring their squads get through it unscathed.
Options such as standalone weekends for Origin have been suggested, but despite the lower ratings, the networks and sponsors would not want to have three weekends without NRL teams being in action. Plus the AFL would have virtually uncontested coverage for most of these weekends.
The most frustrating part of Origin for fans is seeing under-strength teams missing out on valuable competition points to teams they normally would be much more competitive against. Teams such as the Warriors will never have high Origin representation, and most of the teams towards the bottom of the table are in a better position to win games they normally wouldn’t. Case in point was the Raiders running roughshod over the Cowboys.
One idea is to have a knockout tournament – similar to the FA Cup in England. With three Origin games it could work this way:
Origin Game 1 – Eight knockout games
Origin Game 2 – Quarterfinal
Origin Game 3 – Semi final
The final could be played mid-week after the final Origin game.
While there could be issues with scheduling in terms of playing it mid-week, with NRL games the weekend preceding and following, coaches would be forced to use their squad effectively. For some teams it would be balancing the opportunity to earn silverware versus potentially sacrificing points later in the regular NRL season.
The games themselves could promote the game, being played in centres such as Adelaide or Perth.
Teams in the FA Cup are often a balance of first-team players, and up-and-coming prospects. As such, this would be an opportunity to promote under-20 and NSW Cup players without competition points at risk. The Warriors, for example, may rest Shaun Johnson for a finals run, and promote Tuimoala Lolohea, who is banging on the first grade door but can’t break into the team.
In terms of an incentive to win the competition, a sponsor could be found, and with a current NRL project to have a competition between the top Super League and NRL teams, a spot could be opened for the winner, possibly along with the winner of the Challenge Cup in Super League. If both teams qualify through NRL finals, it could be the other finalist who qualifies.
Having a tangible reward at the end of the competition would ensure teams take it seriously, and fans would be keen to see their team holding the NRL Knockout Cup aloft.
While the concept may be met with a large amount of scepticism, prior to State of Origin many felt it was going to be a failure and flop, and now it’s the jewel in the rugby league crown.
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