Ivan Cleary Supports Standalone State of Origin Schedule
Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has expressed support for the idea of the NRL considering a standalone State of Origin schedule. This comes after he chose to rest several NSW stars in his team’s recent defeat. Cleary opted to leave out three of his representative players following the NSW Blues’ 44-24 loss to Queensland in a tough Origin clash.
Cleary had hoped to secure a win against the Titans without Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Brian To’o. However, the Titans proved too strong, showcasing their growing momentum in the game.
The Panthers are fortunate to still hold a four-point lead at the top of the table, which made Cleary’s decision to rest his rep players slightly easier. A victory against the Cowboys this weekend would be crucial, especially as they will be missing their Origin stars in Round 18. Calls have once again grown for the NRL to halt competition for three weeks during the Origin period.
The Panthers are among the teams most affected by the absence of key players, with the Dolphins and Roosters also suffering significant losses. Cleary has backed these calls for a reevaluation of the Origin schedule.
“I think that’s got merit. At the end of the day, I think the game has got to consider whether the NRL is still a good product during the Origin period,” he said ahead of the Cowboys game. “There is a lot of media around Origin… it’s worth considering, but I don’t know the answer.”
When asked about his decision to rest his representative players after both games, Cleary mentioned there were multiple factors involved. “There is a lot of factors that go into these decisions… some short-term, some long-term. But not necessarily for this game,” he explained.
Cleary joins a growing number of fans and experts who believe the current schedule favors certain teams over others, creating an unbalanced draw. What should have been a high-stakes match between the Roosters and the Dolphins—two top-four teams—ended up with 12 players missing due to Origin commitments.
NRL Considering Changes to State of Origin Schedule
Recent reports suggest the NRL is looking into moving the State of Origin series to a standalone window. Last week, reporter Travis Meyn of The Courier Mail claimed changes might be on the horizon. The NRL has reportedly taken fan complaints into account and is considering scheduling State of Origin over three consecutive weeks while suspending the NRL competition.
This potential change comes at an opportune time, as the NRL is set to have a new broadcast deal from next season. Implementing this shift would ensure club teams are not disadvantaged by having players in Origin, and fans would not miss out on quality matches.
The idea of a standalone Origin schedule aims to address concerns about the current structure, which often leaves teams with fewer players and affects the overall competitiveness of the NRL season. With the right adjustments, the league could maintain its appeal while providing a more balanced playing field for all teams.
