Reckon you’re overthinking the effect it has. They don’t wear numbers at training. BA just goes up to them and says (mutely) “Moses is chief playmaker”. These guys’ 9 to 5 job is training, no one gives a f**k want number they wear other than Dally M trophy hunters because for some reason they still split halfback and 5/8th.
Here’s a list of teams who’s chief playmaker isn’t their number 7:
Brisbane - although perhaps Croft is because Milf sure isn’t doing it at moment
Tits - Taylor is currently playing in the 6
Roosters - Flanagan wouldn’t even be second
Dogs
Sharks
Drags - although similar to Brisbane
Canbra
Scum - Hughes wouldn’t even be third in line
That’s half the competition, including the top 2 teams of the past decade who’s current number 7 isn’t even their playmaker understudy (f**k Hughes would be lucky to be 4th in line at times)
Think carefully of what you have written here and what I have posted. I have already covered most of what you are describing here. As for training and not wearing numbers, well of course, the players know who their primary play maker is and train accordingly.
But Taylor from the Titans is a perfect example of what the numbers mean to the players. Due to Taylors indifferent form over the last couple of years and his well documented psychological issues, the coaching staff have decided to move him to 6 and bring in Fogarty to take over the general and primary duties of steering the team around the park. So then all Taylor needs to do is take his opportunities when he sees them or when Fogarty is in trouble.
So if the numbers mean nothing as POU suggests because they play split on either side of the field, why bother moving a fragile player down on his confidence to 6 to play second fiddle to another player? Why not leave him there and just bring in the other player at 6?
Because as it was reported at the time, they wanted to reduce the pressure and expectation on Taylor's shoulders and hopefully with the less burden of being the primary play maker and the extra responsibilities that come with that he may start to find his best game again.
Numbers matter mate. It is a psychological thing. To some sure, they are so gifted and mentally strong in their play making capabilities or they actually prefer the 6, that it doesn't, but generally it does. Nothing has changed in the 125 years of RL that has me thinking differently, no matter what nouveau fans like Pou or fancy talking journos or supposed avant-garde coaches say to sound progressive.
What is old is new again.
