At the back end of 2015 our forwards were being dominated. They were being dominated in tackles, getting slow play the balls and generally being out enthused by their opposition. It's hard for any halves to perform under them kind of conditions.
The reduced interchange is thought to be in favour in 'jack of the box' type halves like milford, but i think it's going to make the game manager halves, guys like cronk, reynolds, widdop or even robson more important to their team. Repeat sets (and not giving away 7 tackle sets), field position, working to specific game plans and playing smart footy will become vital. The last time we saw a reduction in interchange, in 2008, it gave rise to heavily structured teams being successful, from. Melboure, des hasler coached manly and bulldogs teams, Bennetts incredibly boring dragons teams and eventually Maguire's souths.
The proposed changes to the interchange rules are said to bring fatigue, make space more open etc, yet the same could be said about 9s. It was supposed to favour niopy running halves, the excitement machines, it certainly wasn't expected to favour a halve like Reynolds 2 yet not only was Reynolds effective, he was completely dominant, by far the best player in last year's tournament with smart intelligent play and accurate kicking.