The Broncos’ 2024 campaign has been labelled a “disaster” amid rumblings NRL powerbrokers are plotting a shake-up to the current State of Origin schedule.
As it stands, Kevin Walters’ outfit sit in 13th place on the ladder and are on the brink of having their finals chances dashed only a season after being 20 minutes away from a premiership.
For veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield, Origin has been the major factor in Brisbane’s downfall with four key players being taken away from the club this season.
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He also pointed to the Bulldogs and Storm, who he believes have avoided their key players being sidelined because of the representative showcase.
“What I’m saying with Origin is they’ve (Storm) only had two players picked, Grant and Coates, Brisbane have had so much of their salary cap,” Rothfield said on NRL360.
“(Pat) Carrigan, (Payne) Haas, Reece Walsh and (Selwyn) Cobbo. I’m starting to talk about the integrity of this competition right, when Brisbane give up $3 million of their salary cap.
“For such an extended period of the comp. Look at Canterbury, they’ve been on fire and they’ve had one player.
“It is due to Origin (the Broncos’ slump). What I’m saying is Melbourne are on fire because they’ve only had two players (in Origin), Canterbury have only had one.
“It’s cost Brisbane a spot in the eight.
“I’m going to the fact that Origin takes away from the integrity of the NRL competition and it’s got to stop because it’s not a fair comp.”
Rothfield went on to reveal NRL powerbrokers are set to table a new representative schedule to the ARLC during the off-season.
That schedule could be set to include women’s Origin games as well as Test matches, with the NRL competition potentially being put on hold for three weeks.
“I know for a fact they are scheduling it and wsome options will go to the commission at the end of the year,” Rothfield said.
“I think there will be a change in some capacity. It will either be stand-alone Origin, we could look at Monday Origin.
“Three weeks ago, about 20 players couldn’t back up. You play it Monday they have a week to recover.”
However, for The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read, the Broncos have “deeper issues” and suffered yet another loss to the Dragons in Round 19.
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Walters was also seen delivering an all-time spray to his disappointing outfit following the clash which marked their sixth loss in a row.
Should the Broncos make the finals they need to win six of their final seven games, but Read cast doubts on their ability to make a charge into the top eight.
“It’s been a disaster Braith to be honest, you could blame Origin with the players that are out but you look at a team like Melbourne or Penrith,” Read said.
“They’ve managed to keep winning without those guys so I don’t think that’s a fair excuse.
“I’m befuddled by it, I can’t put my finger on it. It’s more than Origin that’s affected them.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta also echoed Read’s opinion and slammed the idea Origin had had a negative impact on the Broncos and the overall competition.
“Until the weekend, the quality of the competition has been outstanding. I go back to Melbourne, no (Cameron) Munster and no (Ryan) Papenhuyzen,” Anasta said.
“They’ve had Origin players out and numerous injuries. Look at Penrith, they haven’t had Cleary in there, players coming in we haven’t even heard of.”