Calls grow for major changes to Women’s State of Origin: earlier kick-off time, 80-minute game

Australia’s top female rugby league players have called for two major changes to Women’s State of Origin ahead of the blockbuster Game III decider in Townsville. Read what they want.

Australia’s top female rugby league players have called for two major changes to Women’s State of Origin ahead of the blockbuster Game III decider in Townsville.

Coaches and players alike want to see an earlier kick-off time as well as a full 80-minute game to mirror other representative games such as international test matches.

All three captains – Queensland’s Ali Brigginshaw and Sky Blues co-captains Kezie Apps and Isabelle Kelly – threw their support behind Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans’ suggestions for a 6pm kick-off for Origin matches to allow more families to stay up and enjoy the spectacle.

“Some of the latest games that I’ve ever played have been Origin so I would love to play an earlier game,” Brigginshaw said.

“I have young kids and it’s a struggle for them to stay up and watch the game. I grew up watching the footy and I remember needing a day off the next day because I was so cooked, so I would absolutely love to see an earlier kick-off.”

Ali Brigginshaw has joined calls for an earlier kick-off time as well as a full 80-minute game for Women’s State of Origin. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Apps said she loved the idea of a 6pm kick-off for Origin.

“It’s such a long day waiting until 7.45 at night – I’m usually in bed by 8.30, the grandma that I am,” Apps said.

“I feel like for families as well, it’s quite late for young kids to stay up and watch the game.”

Kelly said an early start time would make game day preparation better for athletes.

“Prep-wise, I think as a player and an athlete it’s a bit easier when it’s a 6pm kick-off, but unfortunately that’s not what we’ve got right now,” Kelly said.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 26: Isabelle Kelly said an early start time for State of Origin would make game day preparation better for athletes. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

NSW Sky Blues assistant coach Kylie Hilder said the players were “100 per cent ready” for longer matches when it came to the Origin arena.

“I think everyone wants it now,” Hilder said.

“I know that they didn’t like it because they felt that the game sort of deteriorated in the last five minutes, but you’ve seen these girls are athletes now – they train hard, they’re ready for it and I think they deserve to have a full 80-minute game.”

The calls come after Sky Blues squad member Kirra Dibb opened the debate after Game II, suggesting it was the next step for the women’s game after being handed an Origin decider for the first time.

But Brigginshaw said there would have to be other changes to make an 80-minute game work.

“I think (we’re ready). This one’s a little bit clunky though, we’re in the middle of pre-season and we’re trying to play State of Origin,” Brigginshaw said

“Mentally I’d say a few girls are quite fatigued with the load of different teams and different structures, things like that.

“So I don’t know if that sets well right now, doing the 80 minutes, but I’d say it will be in the future.”

The Women’s State of Origin decider kicks off on Thursday night at 7.45pm.

Originally published as Calls grow for major changes to Women’s State of Origin: earlier kick-off time, 80-minute game