I completely agree with this statement. I would actually prefer us to drop a couple of games over the origin period. A team that peaks early almost never wins the premiership.
Can't remember whether it was Bennett or Bellamy that I heard talking about this a few years ago but it was one of them...
Basically said that they divide the season into 4 parts.
1. Round one up to Origin
2. Origin period
3. Post Origin up to finals
4. Finals
First period you work as hard as you can to establish a good ladder position and set yourself up for the other three periods.
Period two, you basically just do your best with what you have available. Hope that your key players stand up to Origin without any major injuries.
Period three is all about consolidation and making sure you reach the finals in best possible shape
Then obviously you leave nothing in the tank during the finals.
Period one we get an A+
This has set us up nicely for periods two and three.