Is it just me, or is there anyone else out there who kind of can’t wait for the 2017 State of Origin series to end?
Game 3 is being billed as the most anticipated game in the concept’s history, but for me, the drawn out nature of the series – Game 1 was way back on May 31, and Origin has overshadowed the NRL rounds ever since – has me looking ahead to when the NRL gets back to business in the run up to the finals.
My team, the Dragons, have bumbled along for the last couple of months, and with Tyson Frizell and Josh Dugan struggling for fitness, the last thing I want to see is them going down with a season-ending injury in a game that will likely be forgotten about in a few weeks anyway.
If Jack De Belin gets picked and then suffers a serious injury, that’s unlikely to go down well with Dragons fans.
I’ve long thought that the best way to do Origin is three games over three weeks, allowing the series to be done and dusted in a reasonable amount of time, while the break affords teams the chance to head to junior clubs and schools for promos, and emerging nations can play some rare international matches.
Surely this is a better idea than the watered down games we are force fed around the middle of the year. Some may argue it gives youngsters the chance to play first grade, which is true, but it also punishes the successful teams, who lose their best players while the lower ranked teams are given a boost.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see New South Wales get up next Wednesday night. But part of me, the selfish, Red V part, would also prefer to see my team’s two best players focused on getting the Dragons back into form and climbing the ladder.
Mantra
Guest
SOO 3 weeks in a row - SOO 3 would be between the reserve graders. The fallout from this series has meant players aren't backing up as well because it is the toughest game on the planet apart from the NFL and they play less minutes. BTW SOO fatigue there are only 10 articles on SOO today on Roar and Channel Nine has plugged SOO everywhere as SOO TV numbers are slowing though still good.
Swanny
Guest
The all blacks just played British lions there Saturday in a row . Kept the momentum of the series going . Absolutely brilliant. Origin. Same 2 teams every year over 7 weeks . Needs to played 3 weeks in succession. Just drags out thru boring media tripe every year Just my thoughts after 30 odd years of watching it .
Justin Kearney
Guest
I was pretty much over origin but this series has been a ripper. Three games over three weeks and a bunch of internationals as well is the way to go. Good article mate.
nopuritan
Guest
I'll bet Liberace never said "it's too long for my liking"
Michael Clare
Guest
I agree, Adam. Liberace once famously said, "Too much of a good thing is wonderful" but I have to disagree with him after sitting through another year of poor scheduling by the NRL. The gap between these games is way too long for my liking. I just feel it's too drawn out for three games of football. Still, sadly I am certain nothing will change in the short term.
Kreig
Guest
I agree. 7 weeks is too long. Especially with all the BS that's carried on about it! 3-week mid-season break is the best way to go.
Jimmmy
Guest
Origin is a just a wonderful thing. Why would anyone want it to end ?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Was okayish with Origin 1 as Storm had 3 players playing, Origin 2 had 5 Storm players and now Origin 3 has 6 Storm players + Kaufusi 18th man....that's half the starting lineup of the Storm including the whole spine! Got everything crossed next Wednesday that they get through unscathed and yes, as much as I love watching Origin I can't wait for Game 3 to be over and we can get back to the competition proper. At least Storm have a bye the following week so the boys can get a rest. This week though has a decimated Storm side playing a full strength Eels....not exactly fair on the rest of the teams trying to get in the 8 but that's the rules as it stands.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I get your point, but NRL teams have to cover injuries, week to week, so I'm sure NSW and QLD could handle bringing in a player if needed, they could also select bigger squads initially to cover injuries. The current format is wrong and cannibalises the NRL for half the season. As for player burnout, these are professional athletes, some on a million a season, they should be prepared for a heavy workload
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
I think the problem with three straight weeks is; what happens when there are injuries or poor performances in either team? This year it was QLD, but, it has been NSW predominantly in the past decade. So, trying to make team adjustments in 7 days, to me, makes it very difficult. However, player burnout is also a major issue. I think they need to have bye rounds the week before, with some depleted (or unaffected) teams playing each other, but, there should never be a back up game the weekend following. Leave those weekends for 2nd tier Internationals, women's marquee games, perhaps even some nines (open to suggestions). But, at least this way, the players who play state of origin only miss 1 club game (per Origin), don't have to back up a few days later, and the Clubs won't suffer quite as much. Just some thoughts...
The eye
Guest
Probably general agreement amongst New South Welshmen,far prefer success and a full and healthy list for the premiership..
joe
Guest
At least the 3rd game has something on the line.The worst is when its a 2-0 series & they still play whats essentially a meaningless 3rd match.But yes,agree the way its set up does drag on a bit.
Nat
Roar Guru
I think you are right Steven. SOO has been such a monumental spectacle and cashcow for such a long time he administrators have had little reason to change the format. Keep in mind that it was changed many many years ago and it flopped. Wednesday night attracts a national audience, whereas, only QLD and NSW (and PNG) will watch a weekend series, decimating revenue. The 2nd fair point written above is that the series will be forgotten by August and the focus back on club round so they bank on the 'disruption' being forgotten about until G1 next year. I love Origin but it does make the NRL redundant during this period.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Adam Bagnall, you're making too much sense and that is a thing that is and has been so lacking in the NRL administrators. I've been saying this for years but no one is listening. The NRL comp is completely depleted and decimated and no wonder fans are not turning up to games. The NRL comp is a 'hot and cold' affair that surely is affected by SOO every year. We can complain all we wan to the NRL, but who is listening??? The power of TV and money is far greater and more powerful, than common sense or what is good for the game!!!
Jon Dibble
Guest
You make a good point. As much as I enjoy the SOO & the Blues, when your team is in the 8 or on the fringe all I really want is to see my team get through the SOO period unscathed etc etc. in the end it's for the NRL Premiership. I think the current models for the NRL rounds is not a fair system & with the time that SOO takes it can't be, so there in lies the justification for change.
Wild Eagle
Guest
Way too long for me , the games have been great this year and NSW has got the attack to blow the Banana benders away which has been great viewing most of the time. I don't make too many predictions about NRL because I haven't got a clue in general about the outcome but sometimes I do have a strong notion and my strike rate is pretty bloody good in those cases. Before this series I had NSW winning 3-0 and while this is looking a bit shaky my gut feel had some bite to it. One other prediction I made this year relates to the article above also. I as talking to a mate about 6 weeks ago when Saints were almost certain to finish in the top 4 and told him that they would swap places with the Panthers on the table. A fairly outlandish claim at the time but not without some merit. I don't know why but watching Saints play I could see the opposition being able to work them out pretty soon and the spiral begin out of the eight. Sounds obvious now but my mate was quite shocked when I said it. Saints had decimated my Eagles outfit earlier in the season but I think their lack of attacking players is terminal. The dogs look worse but I've also been shocked before when teams like this stop plodding and start attacking so I'll keep a partially open mind. The Eagles have shocked me many times this year with some outlandish wins and play with a confidence at times which is great to watch.
Emcie
Roar Guru
It's going to be different next year anyway isn't it
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Cue to begin endless debate about when to have State of Origin. It will all be forgotten in 3 weeks and we will all focus on the premiership.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I love Origin, but seven weeks is a bit of a slog for three games. And having what passes for the media in the NRL milking every second of it just amplifies the age between each game for me. The extended window can't be doing much for player burnout when players are forced to back up days after a game and end up playing the same amount of games they would have played anyway as well as opposed sessions.
Jeff dustby
Guest
Some clubs get it easy during this period Get 2 byes and only play 3 games in 5 weeks, 2 of them probably against severely weakened opposition in front of no crowds