Women’s State of Origin out-rates AFL on free-to-air, eye gouging complaint dropped

Women’s State of Origin continues to be a television juggernaut, out-rating Thursday night’s AFL clash between Essendon and North Melbourne by almost double on free-to-air.

Women’s State of Origin continues to be a television juggernaut after out-rating Thursday night’s AFL clash between Essendon and North Melbourne on free-to-air.

Almost one million Aussies tuned in to watch the Suncorp Stadium showdown, extending the momentum garnered from last year’s game one television ratings.

Channel 9’s coverage of the series-opener drew in a total national audience of 927,000 viewers, down from 941,000 in 2024.

But it still over double the 455,000 people who tuned into the AFL last night on free-to-air.

It is also the most watched rugby league fixture on Channel 9 so far this year.

The Blues will look to lock up the series in Sydney. picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

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The Blues’ comprehensive 31-12 win over Queensland also had a national reach of over two million people.

The blockbuster dominated its evening time slot with total people and across all key demographics in Sydney and Brisbane as the no.1 program of Thursday night.

It also earned top billing across the country with people aged 16-39 and 25-54 years old.

Viewership was also up a huge 16.2 per cent on Channel 9’s video on demand platform, attracting an audience of 172,000 people.

“Women’s Rugby League continues to break records,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

“The highest ever crowd for a Women’s State of Origin game was complemented by a really strong viewership.

“Thursday night’s game was the highest rating free-to-air rugby league game this year.

“The players keep producing great football and the fans are responding.”

A record crowd of 26,022 went through the turnstiles at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night, eclipsing last year’s crowd of 25,782.

NSW captain Isabelle Kelly sent a call to arms for Blues supporters to break the attendance record yet again at Allianz Stadium on May 15, when the Blues will be looking to seal the series on home turf.

“I think Allianz is the Stadium to do that (break the record),” Kelly said.

“It’s in Sydney, where a lot of people love to watch rugby league.

“I think after the game that was just displayed (at Suncorp Stadium), there will be a lot of people who will want to come watch that one.”

Game 1 broke the record for most fans through the gates. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Blues hooker Keeley Davis said a record turnout in back-to-back series openers shows Aussie sports fans are fully invested in women’s rugby league.

“It’s awesome, the Origin arena has just grown every year,” she said.

“There have been so many loyal supporters and spectators. It’s awesome to see that people are still continuing to come and watch.”

In a further endorsement for the appetite for women’s rugby league, the Jillaroos clash against England attracted over 800,000 viewers despite the blowout score in Las Vegas.

Surprise judiciary twist in Origin eye gouge complaint

The alleged eye gouging saga that rocked women’s State of Origin has not been referred to the judiciary after NSW hooker Keeley Davis refused to proceed with her on-field complaint.

While a player cannot be compelled to follow through with an official complaint or even give evidence at the judiciary, the NRL’s match review committee has the power to refer a player to the judiciary if an act of foul play has been identified regardless of a player’s willingness to proceed.

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But this masthead understands the match review committee, after reviewing footage on Friday morning, found no conclusive evidence against any Queensland player.

Davis had doubled on the allegation immediately after the match.

NSW hooker Keeley Davis decided not to pursue the complaint. Picture: NRL Photos

But when contacted by the NRL over the incident on Friday morning, Davis did not wish to take her on-field allegation any further.

Speaking after NSW’s 32-12 win at Suncorp Stadium, Davis said she was shocked that the alleged incident had occurred.

“Any time you get eye gouged I think it’s a surprise,” Davis said.

“I’ve never felt (anything like that) before in the game. But I felt an eye gouge.”

NSW Skipper Isabelle Kelly made an official complaint against a Maroons player, alleging star Blues hooker Keeley Davis was the victim of an eye gouge.

Footage showed Davis and Kelly making a complaint to referee Belinda Sharpe after one of the Blues’ first half tries.

After conferring with the NSW duo, referee Belinda Sharpe placed the incident on report.

Davis also confirmed that she had been bitten in last year’s Origin series, an incident that went unreported at the time, but felt Thursday’s act of alleged foul play warranted an official complaint.

“You know what, it’s the Origin arena and things happen,” Keeley said.

“There is a difference between (something) being incidental or on purpose. You hope it doesn’t happen, but it is what it is.”

NSW thoroughly disposed of Queensland in the first game. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

While the women’s game is yet to have an eye-gouging incident, the NRL has come down hard on player’s guilty of the foul act in the NRL.

Star Canberra forward Hudson Young was whacked with an eight-game ban after he was found guilty of eye-gouging Warriors back Adam Pompey in 2019.

Former South Sydney forward George Burgess was hit with two separate bans, a total of 13 weeks, over eye-gouging incidents against Robbie Farah and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Originally published as Women’s State of Origin out-rates AFL on free-to-air, eye gouging complaint dropped