Penrith young gun Bryce Cartwright has urged the NRL to ensure the future of the NSW City v Country fixture by putting a stop to the usual raft of high-profile withdrawals.
This year's game, to be played in Tamworth on Sunday, has been hit by a string of stars pulling out and Cartwright says administrators need to step in to make sure it remains relevant.
"I think it needs a bit more support, especially when you see the people pulling out and NRL needs to step in and have a bit more a say to help out the concept a bit more," Cartwright said.
The clash is scheduled to be scrapped when the NRL's new TV deal comes in in 2018.
It is also facing increasing criticism about its relevance as an Origin selection trial after the likes of Adam Reynolds, Lachlan Coote, Blake Austin and Josh Reynolds all pulled out.
On the other side of the coin, Cartwright entered City camp on Monday with a spring in his step after earning his first representative jumper.
The 21-year-old has been one of the Panthers' star performers this year and is shaping as a bolter for Laurie Daley's NSW team.
Cartwright said talk of City-Country being ditched was short-sighted and it had proved an important stepping stone for emerging stars.
"It's pretty upsetting," Cartwright said.
"It's a great pathway for young fellas to come through before they make that step to Origin and I think it's just a good week to have, get in and around the boys and getting to know each other and fingers crossed it stays."
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