So many stars unavailable for so many reasons, the NRL need to decide if they want to continue with this game and if they want to be serious, it should be played during the Origin period because pre-season isn't working and end of season no player will be interested.
The concept changed when Bennett was able to choose non-Broncos players due to player burn out for his club
God no, keep it the f**k away from Origin period. Clubs get antsy about putting players up mid season for internationals let alone mickey mouse games like this.
There's 2 problems here.
1) The Gold Coast is a sporting deadzone. They have shown time and time again. And again. And again. That they struggle with long term support of anything. It's a soulless shithole which despite it's population has no real identity or passion for a sporting team or event to latch onto long term.
It need's to rotate around Rugby League's regional centres and non-heartland areas. Townsville, Newcastle, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide.
2) The concept itself is struggling. At it's best, only one side had any real passion for it, but at least the All Stars got to vote and feel engaged. Now the fans don't even get a vote in the All Stars. It rates somewhere below a trial match including Blake Ferguson on 2015s footy calender. It is the non-event of the year.
Engage the fans in the concept, or let it die.
EDIT:
A third point which has been mentioned - ticket prices. They're charging event prices for a complete non-event.
