LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Corey Parker has raised significant concerns regarding the NRL's management of player workloads following the State of Origin series.
He warns that the short turnaround between representative games and club matches is putting star players under intense pressure.
Reports from zerotackle.com indicate that out of the 34 players who participated in Game II in Perth, only four sat out Round 16, highlighting the strain on the remaining 30 players.
During an appearance on SEN, Parker questioned the effectiveness of current strategies in addressing the demanding Origin-to-club cycle, suggesting players are facing increased hardships compared to previous generations.
He remarked, "When I was playing, it was a badge of honour, you wanted to do it.
There wasn't 27 rounds in the competition, so the games were less.
There [weren't] pre-season comps." This statement reflects his belief that the current structure may not prioritize player well-being as effectively as it should.
Parker's insights shed light on an ongoing issue within the league concerning player health and performance sustainability.