'Fix this': Calls for immediate change as Panthers caught in 'unfair' farce
NRL fans are once again demanding the competition be suspended during the State of Origin series, with the Penrith Panthers unable to have their five NSW players back up in Round 16 to take on the Warriors. The ARL Commission has flagged a standalone State of Origin series when the next broadcast deal comes into effect in 2028, but it can't come soon enough.
As it stands, the NRL competition continues during State of Origin, and has a detrimental effect on the clubs with the most players in the showpiece event. As well as not being allowed to play NSW or Queensland players the weekend before an Origin game, clubs are often forced to make difficult decisions for the games that follow.
This weekend, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary won't have son Nathan, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards or Brian To'o at his disposal when Penrith travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors. Because State of Origin 2 is in Perth on Wednesday night, the Panthers haven't found a viable way to fly their Origin stars to Auckland for Saturday's game (taking into account rest and recovery).
Adding to the frustrating situation is the fact Lindsay Smith is now the 19th man for NSW, meaning he'll have to remain in Perth until after Wednesday night's game. Smith is expected to fly to New Zealand and play on Saturday, but the Panthers aren't willing to risk injury to the other five with so much travel and a short turnaround.
Speaking last weekend, Ivan Cleary labelled the situation "unfair". He said: "The Origin players won't be playing because they can't. I don't think it's fair that we can't play... we should be able to make that decision. Through flights, we just can't get them there."
Cleary will roll with a largely second-string side to take on the Warriors, and the Panthers are astronomical odds to beat the home side. It's a hammer blow considering the four-time defending champs have battled back from last on the ladder to be ninth heading into Round 16.
As many fans have pointed out, the current system completely compromises the NRL competition. The ideal scenario would be to put the NRL on hold for three weeks and play all three Origin games on back-to-back-to-back weekends. The NRL has seemingly realised this is the way forward, but it looks like any change to the current Origin system won't come into effect for at least three years.
One person wrote on social media on Monday: "Standalone Origin would fix this. Unfortunately some people can't live without club footy for a couple of weeks so we are stuck with the current system."
Another commented: "The game should be rescheduled if there's a literal inability to get the players there - that's crazy." While a third added: "The NRL is trying to expand out of NSW and QLD but persists with allowing Origin to disrupt it?! Makes no sense."
RELATED:
Canberra Raiders 'fuming' after key figure signs with Roosters
NRL world sends flood of messages over news about Yvonne Sampson
Others pointed out that Origin-affected games are a good opportunity for younger players or fringe-first graders to gain valuable NRL experience. While some suggested Cleary and the Panthers shouldn't be whinging considering they've won four-straight premierships.
Tellingly, a poll of over 20,000 Yahoo Sport Australia readers has a standalone Origin series as the preferred option. Over 60 per cent of voters believe the current system compromises the NRL competition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NHL Rumors: Insider reveals likely cost to sign Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand in free agency
The Florida Panthers acquired Brad Marchand just ahead of the NHL trade deadline hoping he would give them enough of a push to win the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years. With Marchand making his case for the Conn Smythe Trophy, he's poised to cash in soon in NHL free agency. Chris Johnston of The Athletic believes the bidding war for the Panthers might get 'north of $8 million' annually. Not only is an $8-plus million AAV on the table, but Johnston also writes that Marchand will likely receive four-year contract offers. Advertisement Related: Latest on Florida Panthers' plans with Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand Brad Marchand playoff stats: 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists), 2 power-play points, 3 game-winning goals in 22 games Just over a month removed from his 37th birthday, Marchand made his debut in 2010 with the Boston Bruins. The 5-foot-9 center has played in nearly 1,300 career games, including the NHL Playoffs. Even before his postseason heroics this year, he was viewed as one of the 10 best players expected to reach free agency. The projected asking price could push him out of the Panthers' price range. Florida is prioritizing a lucrative eight-year contract extension with Sam Bennett and there is a desire to re-sign defenseman Aaron Ekblad. As a result, the Panthers are in serious risk of losing Marchand to the open market. Related: Insider sheds light on Sam Bennett's future with Florida Panthers Brad Marchand career stats (ESPN): 980 points (556 goals, 424 assists), 84 power-play goals, 82 game-winning goals in 1,100 regular-season games Advertisement The question then becomes what Marchand prioritizes in NHL free agency. Already a Stanley Cup champion, he would provide an excellent veteran presence for a young team and he remains a reliable points producer. However, the length of the contract and Marchand's age make signing with a rebuilding club less likely. Instead, clubs like the Toronto Maple Leafs ($25.71 million in cap space), Carolina Hurricanes ($28.42 million in cap space) and Los Angeles Kings ($21.71 million in cap space) could emerge as potential suitors. Read More: Reactions to Brad Marchand's heroics with the Florida Panthers Related Headlines
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
NRL fans all say same thing after Manly make 'sad' decision on Tom Trbojevic
The Manly Sea Eagles reportedly held mini-crisis talks on Monday after their latest shock defeat and it's been suggested star fullback Tom Trbojevic is set for a permanent move to centre. Manly were left stunned last Thursday having been humbled at the hands of the Titans to see them drop out of the eight and into 11th place. Manly have now lost three of their last four games and fans have been growing increasingly frustrated with the performances. The Daly Cherry-Evans saga could be starting to take its toll on the playing group with the halfback's next club still not announced. The drama appears to have finally unsettled the fan base with the halfback's form also dipping. But one of the major concerns across the last few weeks has been the fitness and form of Trbojevic. The star fullback is the highest-paid player at the club and was once considered one of the best fullbacks in the game. Although three separate injuries so far in 2025 appears to have hampered the 28-year-old who has looked a shadow of himself this year. And after Trbojevic spent some time at centre last year - when returning from injury - it appears the move could be his new home going forward. Coach Anthony Seibold is under immense pressure to turn things around and reportedly held a seven-minute session with each player over their performances. And in this meeting it was decided Trbojevic would move to centre having visibly lost his mobility and agility this year. This will allow Lehi Hopoate to remain at fullback with the Sea Eagles looking more threatening with his speed and athleticism at the back. And few Manly fans have disagreed with Seibold's move. Only a couple of weeks ago, Bryan Fletcher encouraged Manly to make the move as they waited for Trbojevic to return from injury. "He is way too good, it's clearly evident, he needs to be around the ball because things happen," Fletcher said on SEN Radio. "He is too valuable to this team to be playing on the wing. I know Tom is a terrific has to be in the centres. Things happen around Hopoate." SEN Radio host Jimmy Smith went further and said Trbojevic looked like a 'shell' of his former self. "He is a shell of his former self and it is so sad to see. He can't explode, he has no strength in his legs, he can't break a not Tom Trbojevic. Manly what do you do?" he said on Monday. "It is so sad to see..." The move is expected to see Jason Saab drop out of the backline as Seibold looks to reignite their season. The move could help boost Manly with Seibold facing pressure in the team's two next home games against the Wests Tigers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. As much as I want Turbo at the back.. this is a good move to, hopefully, give some consistency to our spine which we've lacked for years now.. and it shows in the year to year of yoyo be it mass changes to the spine mid-season is not ideal.. — Silvatails (@Goodsy2008) June 16, 2025 Yes there is Saab goes Garrick to wing and turbo to centre 🤷♂️ — Eaglesrule (@eaglesrule1802) June 16, 2025 I've been saying this all year. — UptheWahs 95 (@CharlieMetge) June 16, 2025 Despite the loss, the Sea Eagles were looking at another horror injury when Haumole Olakau'atu went off clutching at his shoulder. The big second-rower has been Manly's best forward this year and was looking at a season-ending injury. Although the star has avoided shoulder surgery in a welcome boost and could be back after four to six weeks. Another long-term injury would have rocked the club with Taniela Paseka (achilles) already missing from their forward stocks.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Given a directive': Stunning claims of NRL intervention that helps QLD in Origin 2
Matty Johns says he's got "no doubt" that referee Ashley Klein has been "given a directive" to let State of Origin 2 flow more - and it could be a huge advantage for Queensland. Game 1 copped a lot of flak for being a boring and dull affair, with journalist David Riccio declaring it the closest Origin game to NRL standard in a number of years. Klein was heavily involved in the early stages of Origin 1 in Brisbane, blowing a number of penalties that affected the flow of the game. Many agreed that the series opener lacked the usual atmosphere and hype of an Origin game, and there's fears the spectacle could be ruined again in Perth. And that's why Johns believes the NRL has ordered Klein to put the whistle away and let the second game of the series flow more. With the Perth Bears set to enter the competition in 2027 and the NRL desperate to win over the West Australian public, they can't afford a repeat of what we saw in Game 1. "This is a really important game for rugby league with the Perth Bears coming in, so we want this to be as good as rugby league can be," Johns said on the 'Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns' podcast on Monday. "I reckon the referee has been given a bit of a directive. Less penalties and let the game flow more." Johns, who played four State of Origin games for NSW, reckons it will play directly into Queensland's hands. The Maroons have been dominated in the middle for the last three Origin games, and the NSW forward pack was miles better in Game 1. But if the referee lets them get away with more in the ruck, it will help limit the Blues' attacking weapons. "It suits Queensland because they will multiply the pressure on the referee," he said. "They'll lie in the ruck, they'll stand a half a metre offside, they'll rush our playmakers." Johns' son Cooper said the Maroons players can "set the standard for the whole game" by flouting the rules from the get-go. And Matty added: "He's been told to blow less penalties. The bloke who's going to have the most pressure on him in this game is the referee. I've got no doubt he's been given a directive - and they won't admit to it - but it's a directive from the top." Speaking last week, leading journalist Riccio said the NRL will be desperate to avoid a repeat of Game 1. In days gone by, the referees would tend to put the whistle away in Origin games and officiate very differently to NRL level. But with more scrutiny than ever before - especially around foul play - that has changed. But Riccio and Johns both believe we could see a throwback to yesteryear with the way Origin 2 is officiated. "The NRL need to be careful with State of Origin, because what we saw in Origin 1 was the closest thing we've seen to an NRL game," Riccio said on SEN radio. "The media build-up and promotion is critical to the hype and excitement before the game, but it's become so boring and so vanilla. "We can't allow Game 2 to unfold the way the first one did. This game has to be an absolute spectacle to win over the West Australian public." RELATED: NRL fans react after Broncos sign forward from Melbourne Storm Fresh calls for NRL competition to be suspended as Panthers dudded Johns added: "If this is a dour and low-key game it will really be alarming. Queensland will come out blazing and they're going to have to let a little bit of stuff go (the referees). Unless it's something obvious, just let the players decide it."
