As I look through our team list this week - and also other teams - it strikes me, as to whether the traditional Rugby League model of having your second-stringers play week-in, week-out in a tough NSW Cup competition may be a little out-dated.
As we've seen with Jarryd Hayne for example, in the NFL you go back to a practice squad. There they can keep you sharp, but it is a far more controlled environment where you can minimise injuries. Now, I'm not saying this guarantees your players are going to stay uninjured. Injuries happen in training, too. But you should be able to drastically reduce the number of second-string players getting injured so that you are better able to cope with injuries. For mine, most clubs cope ok with first drop players, but the real injury crisis kicks in, when you lose your second-string players as well. We're essentiallly down to our sixth-choice half at this point.
This is not to say that you don't field a reserves team - young and emerging players need to develop their games, and they need to play to do so. But a practice squad of a half-dozen experienced players, who you essentially keep on ice until their needed, may be the best way of minimizing overall injuries across the squad. Also, introducing a bit of rotation, so that you can freshen up your first-string roster, while keeping your practice squad sharp, would help on both counts.
Thoughts?
Replies
I recon we need to bring back reserve grade back with no age limits that play before the first graders every week, agree the system at the moment isn't designed as well as it could be, players are struggling to bridge the gap.
I think the NFL practice squad has merits in that you can hone your skills without having to worry about the rigours of week to week games, but RL is different I feel in that you also need to be match fit. How to get the reserves/backups ready to step up to 1st grade is the key. Ideally firsts and reserves would train as one (don't know if they currently do this).
From what you are saying Phil, you could have players such as Wicks and Gordon (if they weren't selected for first grade), ie players near the end of their career with limited chances to develop their skills, sit on these practice squads ready to step up. This might be beneficial as it would extend their careers - a bit like Brett Lee only playing 20/20 cricket. They would still need regular rotation in and out of games to keep match fit, but perhaps not every week.
Very good blog and something I've been thinking about for a while as well. There's not much point in having a reserve grade team if a) they get injured and then can't play when required in first grade and b) cannot make the transition to first grade. From what I've seen of the NSW Cup games this year I'd be surprised if crowd numbers ever got as high as 1000, meaning the transition to first grade in front of 10,000+ can be fairly daunting.
I don't believe the current structure is effective in recognising those that are ready to take the next step. Case in point is Ryan Matterson. Maybe his head wasn't in it but he was hardly a stand out performer for us last year in NSW Cup but is making every post a winner for Roosters. Recognised as a junior with a tonne of potential that did very little in NSW Cup and couldn't justify a position in first grade. Daniel Alvaro-outstanding performer in NSW Cup but certainly not an impact player in first grade ( not this year anyway).
The Intrust Super Cup in QLD actually attracts fairly decent crowds and the Sunday game is generally televised before the Sunday first grade game in QLD. I think this is a huge reason why a lot of the clubs have strong backup options from these feeder clubs and in my opinion when they are required to step up to first grade they generally do.
The only issue with that I think is the salary cap. You have fit players sitting on the sidelines and their replacements have to be paid so you have the chance of affecting your second-tier salary cap. I guess you could draw another comparison with EPL sides who might field a player in the U21s or only play them in closed practice matches to limit the chance of injury like Liverpool did with Sturridge last season for a week or two before he returned to the EPL.
Only thing is with the NFL, is that they basically have an unlimited interchange on their game days. They have two primary teams, being offense & defense & bring them on at the appropriate time, think that the part of the 50 or something team they take to each match. The amount of protective uniform gear also helps them a lot from injuries compared to RL, where its rare to see any player these days wearing headgear let alone shoulder pads that were very common.
We have a top 25 NRL set up, with a number of others on the fringe in ISP meaning an overall squad of 34 are needed for the 2 teams each week. The reduction in interchange for RL players also adds to the stress aspect of possible injuries. Removal as such of the reserve/ISP game could have a worse affect than it does now.
My opinion is that with a further reduction in the interchange still to come a real look at options is needed, especially with main game day teams that play, I am in favour of having 3 games NYC, ISP, (lets call it reserve,) & NRL on the same day. Each team is to have 19 players available for the game, each are to have 1-17 as the primary team players for the interchange. 2 spots to be available for game ending injury including concussion rule.
Starting with the NYC is to have 19 players named in the program, 17 for the interchange & 2 fresh for the injury/replacement.
Reserve 1-17 as per NYC, however the replacement players 18 & 19 should be ones that have played at least a full first half in the preceding grade, NYC.
NRL, same as for Reserves. with the 18 & 19 having played the first half of reserves.
That should allow for all teams to be at full strength for most of the time in all games, it also allows for players to be given a bit of elevation & experience in the immediate game above them thus helping with their development. I would prefer to see the 18 & 19 comprise of one back & one forward, rather than 2 forwards. Once they are used for injury including concussion & end up staying on, they cannot be used in the interchange, unless the injured player leaves in the first half.
Apologies as I only just read the title, but, do you really believe that promoting drug use within our club is such a good idea?
Oh well whatever works I guess ; )
Ive heard worse ideas than suggesting the club makes all our juniors take drugs but i must admit I'm surprised to hear it coming from Phil.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next