Best Bench for the New Game

[marshall stalin]

Over the past few years with the rule changes the game is faster and the ball is in play longer. Many teams are also ditching the structured play of multiple hit ups, out the back with decoys and kick on the last and are moving the ball more and more in attack with limited initial hit ups - 1 to 2

As a result the traditional bench of 2 props, second dummy half and utility player or outside back needs to be looked at.

Certainly the days of 120 kg plus mobility, agility challenged props is on the way out as is replacing props after 20 or so minutes -Props need to be more mobile, agile and play longer minutes with 105 kg to 115 kg the most likely ideal playing weight.

With that being the case it could be possible for back rowers to fill in at prop when the props have a spell as most backrowers would be around the 105 kg mark resulting in a different bench being required.

A Bench could consist of the following

14- Second Dummy Half
15. Utility Player- one that can play a range of backs and forward positions i.e Fullback/Centre/Halves/ Lock and Hooker
16 -Utility Forward- one that can play lock/backrow and even prop if required
17- Third Prop

What are your thoughts of the ideal bench makeup under the current game and with teams moving away from the over structured way of playing ( multiple hit ups/ out the back with decoy and kick on the last)

 

[Ghostface Killah]

More players with ball playing skills

 

[Munky]

Cushioned or not?


Heated like the NFL?

 

[nick87]

I think we're headed to more hybrid players
With concussion rules being what they are, and then add in the increase in sin-bins (if that holds) you really need to have bench coverage across the 13

- Easy one first, you definitely need a pure 3rd middle forward. Big motor, can play HUGE minutes if needed due to concussion/injury. And is a good defender. Not looking for impact here, it's a holding the floor position, not raising the ceiling. Best Example: For the Raiders, it's Ryan Sutton, but every club shpuld have 3 middles they feel good about

- Second easy one too, a tweener... You want a guy who is a mobile middle, mobile enough that pending the need he could defend reasonably well if he's needed out wide, not a huge strike player but you're banking on your backrow playing 80mins most weeks. You want someone who will do a job out there, but all things being equal is a short stint energy middle. For the Raiders, this is Hudson Young IMO. But again, most clubs have someone that fills this brief.

- I dont really think a specialist back is needed, unless its plan specific. I think most teams have enough versatility to cope with an injury in the back 5 as long as they have enough versatility to shoe horn an agile backrower into centre and get through a game. But it's a backrower who can play in the backline if needed, probably the hardest spot to account for. For the Raiders, this is Seb Kris (I think), Kurt Capwell is the ideal mould.

- back up hooker/half... ideally one who plays hooker mostly but can be servicable in the halves... if they can play a little middle forward too, so much the better. For the Raiders, this will be Starling, but Sam Verrills/Brandon Smith are dream

 

[Smug Panther]

With the way concussion protocols are now (and will expand) I think a larger bench might be the go moving forward. Same amount of interchanges though

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

1 utility, 2 props (one mobile defender and one pure metre eater) and a 2nd rower/Lock hybrid that can play long minutes would be the ideal.

 

[nick87]

With the way concussion protocols are now (and will expand) I think a larger bench might be the go moving forward. Same amount of interchanges though

100% agree
The sooner they move to 6 man benches the better IMO

Keep the interchange the same, but it allows more flexibility in terms of game strategy, and allows teams to carry specialist backs and halves so that clubs and players are not resistent to having those hard to replace players "play on" with injury and make them worse

You'd be able to carry a specialist back, specialist half, a utility and 3 forwards... who and how you use them is entirely up to the coach. I think it would help bring different styles of players into the game too, a Dave Taylor 20-30 minute wrecking ball has limited value in the game anymore because of limited interchange the nature of the game... you might have that guy on the bench that is your ace up the sleeve if you need points quickly, he might not play every week, but when you need him, he might swing 1-2 games a year for you

 

[Munky]

Not much to add since Nick pretty much nailed it.

However I'll raise a beer tonight to Craig Bellamy as we usher out 2021 for taking two small men onto the bench in the preliminary final.

I think Penrith had the starch to win that game anyway but boy did Craig give us a little push.

Weird decision since the Storm saw what happened in the 2017 GF when the Cowboys lost a prop in the first minutes. The Cows were already a hundred to one but had no f**king chance losing a middle against such a beast pack.

Quick edit, also a salute to the number one coach for his bench usage in the 03 GF. Penrith might have won without Sticky refusing to use the bench but it sure didn't hurt us.

 

[THE CHAMP]

Not much to add since Nick pretty much nailed it.

However I'll raise a beer tonight to Craig Bellamy as we usher out 2021 for taking two small men onto the bench in the preliminary final.

I think Penrith had the starch to win that game anyway but boy did Craig give us a little push.

Weird decision since the Storm saw what happened in the 2017 GF when the Cowboys lost a prop in the first minutes. The Cows were already a hundred to one but had no f**king chance losing a middle against such a beast pack.

Quick edit, also a salute to the number one coach for his bench usage in the 03 GF. Penrith might have won without Sticky refusing to use the bench but it sure didn't hurt us.

I’m going to watch that game again now I’ve read that

 

[Perth Red]

Who knows what Vlandys will decide for this season and how the game will be played and reffed. Sped up more, back to slowing down or something all together new. We await Vlandys ball ‘22 to find out And will adjust the bench accordingly.

 

[hardbaby]

I see no reason to increase the number of players on the bench. They want fatigue. They want space. They want speed. They want athleticism. The want more skill and less size on the bench. Zero chance it increases. Nor should it.

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

The only change I’d make is the 18th man can be used once 2 HIA’s have been failed….still gives you a 3 man bench if two are ruled out.