Monday Buzz: NRL seriously considering changing State of Origin from Wednesday to Monday

It’s the biggest proposed change to State of Origin in years that could help alleviate the brutal toll on players and clubs, and it has the overwhelming support of fans. HAVE YOUR SAY NOW.

Nicho Hynes missed his team's clash against the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

The NRL will consider switching State of Origin to Monday nights in a move to protect the integrity of the competition and the welfare of elite players.

And the idea has the support of fans, who have overwhelmingly got behind moving the game’s showpiece event from its usual Wednesday night time slot.

The proposal would reduce training camps to seven days and then allow the 36 Origin players an extra 48 hours for rehab treatment before backing up for their clubs the following weekend.

In a poll conducted by this masthead, 64 per cent of fans were in favour of playing Origin on Monday night as opposed to Wednesday.

Origin I was a brutal affair with Reece Walsh (head knock) and Liam Martin (foot) injured, Nicho Hynes not named to back up, while Murray Taulagi and Reece Robson were late withdrawals from the weekend after pulling up sore from last Wednesday night.

You don’t need to be a sports science expert to understand the benefits.

This masthead revealed last week that more than 100 players were missing from the competition last weekend because of Origin and an unprecedented injury crisis that has sidelined superstars Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Adam Reynolds and Ryan Papenhuyzen.

The Monday night option would at least ease some strain on the players and clubs between rounds 13 and 20 while the Blues and Maroons are doing battle.

Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys says the idea has merit.

“We’re always looking at ways to get through the Origin period that best suits fans, players and stakeholders,” he said.

“Any good ideas will be considered. This has got some merit and should be in the mix when we’re next discussing the schedule.”

The NRL is soon to start talks with the TV networks for the next broadcast deal and a number of scheduling options will be put to the market.

The argument that Monday night would be unsuitable for fans at the beginning of the working week has been blown away by the Matildas, who sold out Accor Stadium last week.

If you put on high-quality sport they will turn up any night of the week.

Look at the toll Origin took on the Cowboys and Broncos who between them had 11 players involved in Origin on Wednesday night. The extra 48 hours to recover would have been invaluable.

Liam Martin was out for the Panthers post-Origin. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

At the same time Souths and the Warriors, both without Origin players, had blowout wins.

Monday night Origin has the support of Penrith Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher and RLPA boss Clint Newton.

The Panthers have been hard hit in recent years and went into Sunday’s game without Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin and Nathan Cleary.

It was Fletcher who said last year: “Players are human beings, not robots.”

Now the Panthers boss is saying: “It makes a lot of sense giving players another 48 hours of rehab after an Origin game.

“It would make an enormous difference. I’d support it for sure.

“Ivan (Cleary) likes to rest them when he can but this would help enormously.”

As it stands now, Origin interferes most with rounds 13,14,16,17,19 and 20 with players unavailable or having to back up for their clubs.

Under the Monday night option players would have a much better chance of backing up in rounds 14,17 and 20 with the extra rest.

Newton says player welfare and workloads is a huge issue.

Tom Dearden was one of the Cowboys that backed up. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I don’t believe we’re acting in the best interests of the players,” he said.

“We’re of the view that the draw structure is not optimal.

“Players feel they have a psychological contract with their playing group and their fans that makes them feel compelled to back up and play. No other code would do it.”

He wants to urgently set up talks with V’Landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

“Monday is an option that should be on the table,” he says.

“There needs to be a robust discussion with all the stakeholders to come up with a package to suit the broadcasters, the players, the fans and the clubs.

“Players love playing in every game but they’ve never found it more challenging.”

Originally published as Monday Buzz: NRL seriously considering changing State of Origin from Wednesday to Monday