Beating league players at own game
By Robert Shaw
July 5, 2006 Fox Sports
WE have seen a cross-pollination from the two rugby codes, but no players have moved directly from the NRL to the AFL or vice versa.
Pivot ... Adam Goodes could star in the No.6 jumper. Pic: Nick Wilson
In my mind, there is no doubt, given time and education, that AFL players far exceed their northern neighbours in the capacity to not only change codes but improve rugby league.
Here's how they could achieve an overall advantage.
Using superior aerobic capacity from players in all positions, the AFL team could sustain a higher intensity for longer.
The kicking skills of all players (not just selective kickers) would enable attacking launches from any point of the field where the AFL boys would control territory through precise accuracy.
The kicking game across the field to a wing would destroy the small rugby league fullbacks, with the AFL men controlling the air with their aerial skills. Constant aerial and kicking skills would be enough to keep the league boys on the back foot for 70 minutes.
Superior running skills, especially of our big men, would create more attacking options out wide.
And with the concept of "total football" the AFL players would have greater versatility in positioning.
Ball-handling skills across the players would enable the ball to be transferred through the hands of all, making a more expansive game plan possible.
Our second rowers and props could constantly adjust their positions due to their ball handling skills.
After the six-tackle count, the kicking could be done by any player due to the two-sided kicking skills of all players making defence against the kicking game difficult.
The similarities of AFL players would enable them to rotate positions constantly. AFL men are used to this and tactically it would be an edge.
They could also rotate players better through high demand positions to maintain intensity.
Any lack of size of AFL players would be nullified by increasing the intensity and running demands of the game through quick ball and hand movement.
Kicking effectively for touch or after penalties would decrease attacking distance for the AFL and increase it for league when they are in attack.
League players would counter strongly with their front-on assault and tackle count.
It is not unusual for a NRL player to make 30-35 full-on, front-on, tackles in a game; if an AFL player has eight tackles, he's been outstanding.
The league players have a lower centre of gravity and good pace so their ability to evade tackles, and lay off a punishing ball to their centres, would be critical.
AFL players would have great difficulty controlling this phase. The injection of players from rugby backgrounds such as Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Jason Akermanis would alleviate this somewhat.
Lower centre of gravity also allows for power in the tackle and the leg drive would be something the AFL players would find very uncomfortable, and they would find laying effective tackles an issue.
So who are our AFL players who could hypothetically convert to rugby league and take on the might of New South Wales or Queensland?
Fullback: Andrew McLeod Wings: Anthony Koutoufides, Matt McGuire Centres: Brendon Goddard, Lewis Roberts-Thomson Five-eighth: Adam Goodes Halfback: James Hird Props: David Hille, Barry Hall Hooker: Luke Ball Second row: Jonathan Brown, Mitch Hahn Lock: Dean Rioli. Interchange: Jason Akermanis, Quinten Lynch, Chris Judd, Brian Harris
