What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

NRL 14th Man Award

Grapple

Bench
Messages
4,609
I'd like to see something like the NBA's 6th man award. Best bench player of the year. Award the hard work or game changing ability of guys like Mateo, Gillett, Segeyaro, Hinchcliffe or James Graham.

Thoughts?
 

Grapple

Bench
Messages
4,609
Well, the idea of the name is that in Basketball it's stating that he's basically considered an extension of the starting 5. So 14th man would be the obvious name, probably better than Best Bench Player of the year for mine.
 

Grapple

Bench
Messages
4,609
Yeah that's a good idea to do it that way, votes per round. Most Valuable Bench Player (MVBP) is probably too close to MVP.
 

Bman26

Juniors
Messages
1,539
Shouldn't we just call it the Kurt Gidley award in recognition of his godlike utility value that we always hear about?
 

Cowboys woo

Juniors
Messages
454
A massive fan of this actually. Most of the best players who are on the bench actually do start a few games too so there would have to be some sort of criteria. Maybe play at least 12 games off the bench for your club?
 

ANTiLAG

First Grade
Messages
8,014
Don't like it. Club teams invariably find a starting position for "super utilities" in the run on side. It is impressive that the likes of Cronk, Gillett, Wing, Blake, Brandy, Hasler, Berrigan, Gidley, even Inglis can perform admirably in many positions, but the reality is when they were consistenly on fire, they invariably force their way into the starting XIII somewhere/anywhere: ala Barba 2010. Unless they're younguns being blooded in a good team and trying to break into a competitive starting lineup- SBW in 04 and Cronk in 04/05.

And should a specialist prop/second rower who has a great year from the bench as an impact player - eg Sonny Bill in 2004 - really be in line for this award? At the end of the day - he was merely a second rower with some spurts at centre. Same with other bench forwards in teams with strong packs - eg Mannah in '09/'10. In a lesser quality team, they would have been starters in their respective positions. Ditto for Cronk trying to compete with the Orford/Hill combination for a starting spot.

I say this jokingly, but why not have a Chris Flannery award - too crap in every position to make the starting team barring injury...
 
Last edited:

Cliffhanger

Coach
Messages
15,228
When did Anti-Lag start posting again:nwave:

We don't have proper awards thing unfortunately, but this is a pretty good idea.
 
Top