The dust has settled from the release of the NRL draw, and while fairness is never possible, the Origin period is always a bug bear of fans.
Zero Tackle have analysed the strength of every team's schedule during the Origin period to determine just how bad your team has it.
For the purposes of this, we are stating that the Origin period starts in Round 13 (the round leading into Game 1 of the series when players will sit out and teams have byes) and concludes with Round 20 (the round after Game 3).
In that period, the rounds are as follows.
Round 13: Before Origin 1, five games, seven byes.
Round 14: After Origin 1, seven games, three byes.
Round 15: Full round between Origin 1 and 2.
Round 16: Before Origin 2, five games, seven byes.
Round 17: After Origin 2, seven games, three byes.
Round 18: Full round between Origin 2 and 3
Round 19: Before Origin 3, five games, seven byes.
Round 20: After Origin 3, seven games, three byes.
Use the drop down menu below to navigate between each club.
Melbourne Storm
Fixtures: Bye, Knights (home), Warriors (away), Dolphins (away), Raiders (home), Tigers (away), Bye, Roosters (home)
Number of byes: 2
The Storm have byes before Game 1 and 3, which is certainly a boost for a club that often provides plenty of players to Origin, although, it must be said, that count has been getting smaller in recent years.
That said, they won't be untouched by Origin, so the two byes help.
They play the Dolphins in their only game without Origin players which is a favourable match-up given how tough the Dolphins' schedule during this period is, combined with the fact they will likely have a number of representatives.
That could be balanced out, though by tough games after Origin 1 against the Knights and Origin 2 against the Raiders, while the Roosters could also be a different beast during the Origin period in 2024 if James Tedesco is overlooked.
They also play the Warriors during the Origin period on the road, with a trip to Auckland never favourable at this time of year.
Difficulty: 6/10
I think if I were Wayne, I would concede that the chances of winning the three pre-Origin games is zero. Having done that, I would give most of my non-Origin players some Rest & Recovery time and field a Queensland Cup side.
That will make no difference to the outcome of each match, but will leave the squad a whole lot less battered for the run in from the end of the Origin to the end of the season.