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State of Origin is in the rearview mirror and it’s time to get back to the actual point of an NRL season, making the finals and winning a premiership. Who will get the best position? Here’s your NRL preview talking points for round 21.
Every year round this time there’s discussions about how to best handle the disruption State of Origin has on the game. Usually it’s a small murmur which goes away, but this year the talk seems louder and longer.
Reports of big hitters at important clubs being unhappy with the Origin schedule are appearing everywhere.
It’s a vexed question with no obviously straightforward solution. Play it all post season? That messes with any international plans and contracted player leave. Shut down the comp for three weeks? Broadcasters wouldn’t allow it. An international tourney played alongside? That might mess with player availability.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Clearly what we have now is taking too much oxygen from the competition that matters. As the old saying goes though, the answer is money. So don’t hold your breath for anything radical to happen.
Never mind State of Origin robbing teams of their best – a few repeat offenders copped decent suspensions last week.
Parramatta winger Maika Sivo’s suspension went from three up to four weeks for a careless high tackle, the sixth time he’s been charged this year. God knows why he challenged it, cos he was stone cold cooked.
Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard got four weeks for some highly dodgy knees and Titans key Tino Fa’asuamaleaui got three for a shoulder charge.
Obviously it’s bad news for their teams but if Parra and the Titans can still keep in the finals mix, a couple of rested stars would be quite useful for the last month of the season…
Some sensational matchups abound in round 21, all set to snap us out of our State of Origin stupor!
It begins Thursday with the electrifying, monstrous contest between the Dragons and Tigers… ok, maybe not. But from here on in it gets much better.
Friday’s early game is a critical one in Auckland when the Raiders and Warriors face off. The winner will be in the top four, loser will be round the fringes of the eight.
The Rabbitohs understand the primetime assignment against Brisbane at Sunshine Coast Stadium, calling back their biggest names to take to the second placed Broncos.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The return of Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Jai Arrow and co will make South Sydney a much different proposition than they’ve been over the last couple of months. Reece Walsh is back for Brisbane but the Broncos will be asked many questions by the bunnies.
Saturday begins with the Gold Coast and Roosters at Robina and it’s almost certain a loss will end one of these club’s seasons.
The twilight game is Newcastle hosting Melbourne, with the Knights seeking to hang on the coattails of the top eight and the Storm looking to drop anchor in the top four. This one might well be fun.
Saturday night is a doozy. Parramatta head to Townsville, the scene of their great 2022 Preliminary Final heist against the Cowboys. both teams are on 24 points but Parra are sixth, North Queensland ninth. There’s plenty riding on this one.
Sunday sees Penrith hosting Canterbury with a swag of key players returning for the premiers, then Cronulla will try to get back on track against Manly Sunday afternoon.
The Dolphins have the bye.
What’s got you talking ahead of round 21, Roarers?