Has the NRL butchered the Magic Round fixture?

Women's State of Origin needs to be dropped from Magic Round in 2027, according to Greg Alexander and Jimmy Smith.

With the NRL's 18th franchise the Perth Bears entering the league next season, magic round will consist of nine matches across four days meaning the curtain raising women's origin clash should be allocated a standalone spot in the calendar.

Debating the strength - or weakness - of the fixture for this weekend's Magic Round, Alexander pushed back on those suggesting the NRL has got it wrong before turning his attention to how the iconic weekend will look in 12 months time.

"What about the match ups?" he asked Smith on SEN Breakfast. "Speculation that they could do this better. Should the Broncos be playing the first game?

"Do we care as fans about the fixture? 150,000 people going to Brisbane, do they say ‘I'm not booking tickets until I see who plays who'. No!

"Sharks v Dogs, Souths v Dolphins, that will be a cracker. Roosters v Cowboys – very good, 3rd v 7th.

"There are teams smashed by injury, you cant help that. Warriors v Broncos crowd will be massive.

"We can’t help it that the Dragons are there against the Panthers. When the decision was made in November it wasn’t looking as bad as it does now.

"The Dragons can’t miss out again."

Asking his co-host what happens when the Bears play a part in the league and whether the Women's game becomes a curtain raiser to a Thursday night blockbuster, Smith delivered an emphatic no.

"Women’s Origin is strong enough to be standalone, the TV numbers will be superb. leave it out of Magic Round altogether I think they can do it elsewhere."

The saving grace that could keep Magic Round in Brisbane

The NRL’s Magic Round has been exclusively held in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium since its inception in 2019.

But could the festival of Rugby League be on the move?

Taking inspiration from the Super League’s Magic Weekend, the three-day event, which now features a women’s State of Origin match on Thursday, has proven to be a popular hit with fans.

It’s also been a roaring success financially, with the 2023 edition bringing in $41.1 million to the local economy, according to the Queensland Government.

With its success and the existing contract between the Queensland Government and the NRL expiring in 2027, there is already speculation about the event’s future.

Already, Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski said on SEN he’d be open to the concept moving to Victoria.

But as SENQ's Peter Fegan notes, the NRL may look to move the event to Western Australia to help generate interest in the newly established Perth Bears.

“I think the issue Brisbane has is that the NRL has made a significant investment in Western Australia (and) the Perth Bears,” Fegan explained on SENQ Breakfast.

“I don't see how Perth is going to be successful, but if there's one way that they can make it successful and invite people to follow rugby league over there is to host Magic Round in Perth.

“So, I think Perth is the big risk, and that's where we may lose it.”

With the contract nearing expiry, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has already entered into talks about extending the deal.

But as Fegan added, there could be another reason as to why they might stay in the Sunshine State.

“It's also worth noting what did the NRL do?” he continued.

“They made a significant investment here in Brisbane and bought a pub called Gambaro's, which cost them $50 million.

“Now, you don't have to be a genius to figure out that if you buy a pub for $50 million, you have to pay it off.

“So that may be our saving grace, and the fact that we are about to become the Olympic city.

“This all comes down to (Queensland Premier) David Crisafulli, over the weekend, with Peter V'landys and what he can throw at them.”

Magic Round starts on Friday with the Sharks taking on the Bulldogs.

And SEN will be in amongst the Magic Round festivities with various live broadcasts at The Star Brisbane, Winghaus Bowen Hills and Piksie’s Bar throughout the week. 

CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE HERE