LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Calls to suspend the NRL competition during the State of Origin series are gaining traction as the Penrith Panthers face significant challenges in Round 16.
The Panthers, impacted by the absence of five NSW players-Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards, and Brian To'o-must travel to Auckland to face the Warriors without them.
The ARL Commission has hinted at a standalone State of Origin series commencing with the 2028 broadcast deal, but many believe action is needed sooner.
Currently, the NRL continues during the State of Origin, posing difficulties for clubs with multiple players participating.
These teams cannot field their NSW or Queensland players on the weekend before an Origin match, leading to tough decisions regarding player management for subsequent games.
Coach Ivan Cleary's hands are tied as his Origin stars are unable to join the team due to travel constraints and recovery requirements after State of Origin Game 2 in Perth.
Adding to the Panthers' woes, Lindsay Smith has been named the 19th man for NSW and will remain in Perth until after the game.
While he may travel to New Zealand for Saturday's match, the Panthers are cautious about risking injury to their key players due to the intensive travel schedule.
Cleary voiced his frustration, stating, "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."
This predicament forces Cleary to send a largely inexperienced side to face the Warriors, drastically lowering the Panthers' chances as they go into the match amid astronomical odds.
This situation is especially disheartening for the four-time defending champions, who have fought their way back from the bottom of the ladder to ninth place before Round 16.
Fans and analysts alike are questioning the fairness of the current NRL schedule during the State of Origin, urging a reevaluation of how the competition is managed during this critical period.