Now that the 2025 State of Origin series is in the books, it’s time to confront the hard truth: while Origin remains a marquee event on the rugby league calendar, its current format is doing more harm than good to the NRL season. And the fans are noticing.
Using data from the Fans Have Your Say app, it’s clear that a significant portion of rugby league supporters believe the State of Origin fixture is having a detrimental—and inflectional—impact on the NRL competition. In an era where club loyalty is king, the game must evolve or risk losing its most loyal base.
The Disruption Is Real
The Fans Have Your Say app asked users how they think Origin affects the success of NRL teams during a season. Here’s how they responded:
- 36% said Origin significantly alters the competition, affecting teams’ chances of making the finals.
- 32% highlighted player fatigue, injuries, and the loss of key players as major issues.
- Only 21% believed teams can effectively manage their rosters to reduce damage.
- Just 11% thought all teams are impacted equally—meaning fans overwhelmingly view the current system as unfair and unbalanced.
This mid-season drain is bad for business. Teams lose momentum, stars get sidelined, and fans are served diluted contests. The competition that matters most to most fans—the NRL—is directly compromised.
The Loyalty Lies with Clubs
The most damning stat comes from a straight-up loyalty test:
94% of fans on the app said they would choose their NRL club winning the Premiership over their state winning Origin every single year.
That should send shockwaves through league headquarters.
Origin was built in an era where State vs State meant everything. But in 2025, fans identify far more with their clubs—where they buy memberships, wear the jersey, and follow week-in, week-out.
Put simply: the NRL’s most devoted audience would rather see their club thrive than see another Origin trophy lifted.
But… Fans Still Love the Spectacle
Here’s the catch. Despite all this, 71% of fans still support the current format—three Origin games spread throughout the middle of the NRL season. Why? Because Origin is entertaining, high quality, and full of passion. It’s not the existence of Origin that’s the problem. It’s when and how it’s played.
However, attitudes are starting to shift. A growing number of fans are calling for innovation.
- 21% support shifting Origin after the Grand Final.
- 51% favour a dedicated 3-week Representative Period in June, where Origin and international Tests would be played—pausing the NRL season to protect club competition integrity.
- Another 39% still support keeping the NRL running during Origin, but that number is shrinking.
These numbers suggest fans are open to change, especially if it means a stronger and fairer NRL season.
What If Clubs Voted?
If the clubs—who lose their best players, suffer costly injuries, and miss the finals by narrow margins—were allowed to vote on the Origin format, would the numbers be even more against the current system? Most likely. But the NRL listens to sponsors and broadcasters, not the people in the trenches.
Here’s a thought: if fans truly put their money where their mouth is—cancel memberships, tune out broadcasts, stop buying merch—would TV networks and sponsors push for change? Probably. Because ultimately, rugby league is a business. And when customers start walking away, the business listens.
Time for Action
The writing is on the wall. The NRL needs to rethink the structure of its season:
- Consider a standalone Origin and Rep window.
- Stop devaluing club games with weakened rosters.
- Give fans the best of both worlds—Origin and a full-strength NRL.
State of Origin will always have a place in rugby league. But its current placement is hurting the competition that fans care about most.
It’s time to protect the product, listen to the people, and make changes that respect both tradition and evolution.
Because if 94% of your fans are saying “club over state,” it’s probably wise to listen to them.
Have your say!
What do you think is best for the future of Origin and the NRL?
Vote now in the Fans Have Your Say app:
- How should Origin be scheduled?
- Club or State: Who comes first?
- Should the NRL introduce a 3-week rep window?
Your voice and vote could be the one that sparks real change.
