Buzz Rothfield: Successful clubs punished during State of Origin in NRL draw farce

The NRL playing schedule during Origin has again been exposed for being unfair and lacking integrity with the Roosters, Bulldogs and Sea Eagles the only clubs without a bye before a game.

The NRL playing schedule during State of Origin has again been exposed for being unfair and lacking integrity during the six weeks that players will be unavailable for their clubs.

The Sydney Roosters, Bulldogs and Sea Eagles have been heavily penalised in a farcical situation as being the only three clubs that lose all their Origin players before the three Origin games.

The Roosters have the equal most Origin players with five – Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Robert Toia and Lindsay Collins.

They play Cronulla (no Origin players), the Knights (one player) and the Wests Tigers (no players) with their five stars in the NSW and Queensland sides.

James Tedesco’s Roosters will have a difficult Origin period. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Roosters chairman Nick Politis has questioned the integrity of the schedule.

“It’s hard for us to understand,” he said.

“Normally we get at least one or two byes to soften the load of having Origin players.

“We’re going to feel the impact this year more than any other club.

“There has got to be a fairer system where the byes are shared around more evenly during the Origin series.”

While the Roosters, Manly and the Bulldogs have been harshly treated, seven clubs get two byes before Origin games – the Broncos, Storm, Titans, Wests Tigers, Eels, Panthers, Warriors.

It is hugely beneficial to the Panthers, Storm and Titans, who have a combined 12 players.

They will be missing their stars for only one game.

Originally published as Buzz Rothfield: Successful clubs punished during State of Origin in NRL draw farce