Cameron Smith has suggested that the NRL should host two separate Magic Round events each year, effectively turning the one-off concept into a touring roadshow of rugby league.
The former Melbourne Storm captain noted how adding a second instalment of Magic Round would enhance the competition and serve as a great lead-in to finals football.
“What are your thoughts on having two per season?” Smith posed to co-host Denan Kemp on their SEN radio show The Captain’s Run.
“One has to be in Brisbane- that just does not leave. The home of rugby league,” he laughed.
“How about the second one later in the year. Maybe three quarters of the way through and held in somewhere like Sydney?
“Rotate it through Sydney, Melbourne and even somewhere like Auckland,” Smith said.
Last weekend’s event saw an estimated 130,000 fans flood into Suncorp Stadium to watch three days of action. The venture proving popular with fans across the country who descended on Brisbane.
“I reckon it would be great,” Smith continued.
“It’s got that feel about it. It was so good in Brisbane across the weekend.
“I was there for the Friday and Saturday matches- I got to see so many fans out there supporting their team while being there for every game.”
Kemp declared that he liked the idea, especially as it could be the catalyst for bringing fans of opposing teams closer together. However, this wasn't necessarily the case.
“When you go to Origin it’s very tribal. It’s a respectful hate between the two states,” Kemp said.
“Whereas in Magic Round, the vibe is almost like you’ve got people who would never usually cheer on another side, but they’re cheering for [Murray] Taulagi's flick or Selwyn Cobbo making a break and they don’t even support those teams.”
The idea for the Magic Round concept originated back in 2007 with the Super League, as 12 teams met in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium.
They have since taken it on the road, visiting iconic stadiums including Liverpool FC’s Anfield and Murrayfield up in Edinburgh. Yet the Super League still only hosts one Magic Round per year, over a decade since first introducing the concept.
“I think we may need to have a look at it,” Smith said.
“Having it twice may balance out the year,” Kemp agreed.
“That little lull between Origin and finals footy- you throw it in there.”
