Origin rivals united in support for three-game ‘no brainer’

A spectacle built on fierce rivalry, it’s not often that New South Wales and Queensland share common ground, but the women’s State of Origin stars were united in the push for a three-game series.

With the match-winning Sky Blues and series-winning Maroons admitting to a 'strange feeling' after the final siren of the 2023 two-game series, both teams called for the women’s competition to be extended to three matches.

And when NRL CEO Andrew Abdo confirmed a historic three-match State of Origin series on Monday, Blues forward Kennedy Cherrington believes the women’s game took another big step forward.

“Both teams have been the driving force for this result, it wasn't just New South Wales advocating for three games, it was Queensland as well,” Cherrington told pan66.com.

“I know we're quite competitive against each other and then there's always going to be that rivalry, but we did share that common goal.

“There was a lot of like awkward energy after the game, it just felt a bit odd with us winning the second game but I think it's a big step forward for our game.”

After the Sky Blues won the series final but lost on points aggregate, Cherrington quickly took to social media, encouraging the NRL to “GIVE US 3 GAMES”.

The 24-year-old Jillaroo said she knew the push for the series to match the men's three-game structure had to be driven from the players themselves. 

“It definitely had to be us advocating for this because people care about what the players want and if they're hearing it directly from us, we've got to be that driving force and speaking up for what we actually want," the Eels lock said.

“We've got a few big profiles in Origin and we know that when push comes to shove, we have to be the ones speaking up and advocating for our own game.”

Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw made it clear talking to media after the final in Townsville that she would like to see the game expand to three games. 

A proud Queenslander, having capped nine games for the Maroons, the Broncos veteran was also particularly excited to hear the new series will kick off on the eve of Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.

"After the result of last year and how many viewers we had and how many fans showed up to Townsville, it was pretty much a no-brainer that they had to go to three," Brigginshaw told pan66.com.

"It'll be amazing leading into Magic Round, I can just imagine the buzz that's going to be around it, so I think they put it the best place it possibly could be.

"Hopefully down the track with a full programme of women's footy it will just slot in like the men’s does...but three games is the way forward."

The NRL also announced its 2024 NRLW schedule alongside the men’s competition for the first time this year which Cherrington said will also help players plan ahead for their representative commitments and manage their season. 

"Having a draw seven months prior to the season, I think we can be more organised with what the year approaching looks like," she said.

"This year we didn't have our draw until a few weeks before we didn't have things in place.

"I also think the more organised we are, the better quality our game can be because then we can get dates in place and prepare for what's coming up."