Could State of Origin provide the much-needed spark to an NRL season that seems to be faltering?
The recent showdown between Manly and Gold Coast, albeit lacking star players, offered a rare glimmer of respite in an otherwise struggling season.
The Sea Eagles' narrowly secured 12-10 victory on Saturday, while not the pinnacle of rugby league quality, showcased a match where scoring was hard-won.
The low score provided a refreshing change, contrasting with the typical high-scoring bouts we've seen in 2026.
With a tighter and more suspenseful atmosphere, this uniqueness is a notable aspect, especially as we are now nearing the season's midpoint, where the game seems inundated by set restarts.
Anticipate this trend to persist over the coming weeks as State of Origin drains the NRL of some of its star talent, a pattern observed annually.
As the series opener approaches in Sydney on Wednesday, a pivotal question lingers: can Origin revitalize a season that appears to be stumbling, likened to a disoriented person seeking their way home?
With the season nearly halfway through, early fears of reverting to the low-quality football seen in 2021 have regrettably come to fruition.
The NRL's decision to push the limits has led to unprecedented blowouts, chaotic scoring akin to Under 20s games, and an unmanageable pace that renders the play mind-numbing.
Currently, the top two teams, Penrith and New Zealand, are generating the fifth and sixth highest points-per-game averages in history, sitting just behind two teams from 2021.