The Importance of Experience

We can all agree on the wealth of talent available in our forward stocks next year. So much so, that it may be possible for BA to employ a rotational policy with his selections or play "horses for courses" with his teams, based on who we are playing or the conditions.An important factor that cannot be overlooked is the value added to the team through the addition of experienced players.Let's look at three players that most of us want to see in the top 17 - Tepai, Manu and Kenny E. All of these blokes are very inexperienced players, having played less than 50 first grade games. They are still relative novices despite their talent. Not only that, they are not big talkers. This is a major factor in both attack and defence.Last year we were forced to play Sandow, a noted individual player who was not a great organiser, beside inexperienced players. Choc made the decision to play busted because his experience was needed on the field.So in recruiting Foran, we do need to give these inexperienced players the opportunity to hit the line off his passes and benefit from his talents, thereby realising their potential and becoming senior players of the future. However, we must make maximum use of the experienced players to lessen the burden on Foran. Both Scott and Watmough must play significant minutes.Gordon too will be invaluable. His ability to position himself in defence and communicate to the team will add more to the team than Robinson did. Robbo was dangerous in attack but really only a stop-gap fullback after the failure of Hoppa to offer anything in that position.I've already had some feedback about the early impact of our new experienced recruits. Foran, Scott and Gordon have turned up at training in great physical condition and are already setting standards that have made their new team mates take notice. The message that is sent by such players with regards to personal preparation and responsibility cannot be underestimated.The more that our inexperienced but talented players learn from our seasoned players, the better they become as the future mainstays of our team. As they continue to develop alongside such professionals, their abilities are better harnessed and they also become our team leaders of the future.

Whilst we may be able to play horses for courses based on the number of players we have in a certain position, we still have to consider and comply with the salary cap.

The salary cap has to cover the entire season. Whilst many players may be uninjured at the start of the season, injury and suspensions can add up towards the end of season. When you replace a player, another player's bonuses per game may be activated.

We have to also consider the second tier cap for those positions where backup players are not in the top 25. As pointed out in the various "signings" blogs, most of our depth is in a couple of positions, injuries to other positions is most likely to affect this.

What I see as being most likely is that forwards are going to be constantly battling to make the top side. It is these players who are most likely to change. It is also the forwards who are most likely to be affected by the new interchange rules.

What I am hoping for this season is that the experience in the training and medical staff comes to the fore. We need to cut down on the number of injuries incurred.

I am pleased to hear about the standards that the new signings are bringing with them.

"Wow, what a flog. I reckon even if he was to want to take it up now, following the head knock, they would not even be interested...... Please just mediacally retire this clown"

"I just don't get Ryan Matterson. Let's be frank. He is 6'2 and 105kg, and it's basically all lean muscle judging by his modelling/training photos. He also has some 5/8 skills, playing juniors and lower grades in the halves or centres (helping…"

Replies

slip November 7, 2015 at 9:29am

Watmough copped a lot of criticism from our supporters though.
- sixtiesboy > slip November 7, 2015 at 9:40am
  
  His early season games had a few uncharacteristic errors. However, few supporters knew just how busted he was or the influence that he had on the younger players at training. One thing that I wouldn't question about Choc last year was his toughness or his dedication.
shane November 7, 2015 at 10:11am

Great read sixtiesboy and agree 100%. With Scott and Watmough the young guys will learn lots as they both are very competitive and leaders in their own right.
- sixtiesboy > shane November 7, 2015 at 3:45pm
  
  Cheers Shane.
Yobz November 7, 2015 at 10:29am

Whilst we may be able to play horses for courses based on the number of players we have in a certain position, we still have to consider and comply with the salary cap.

The salary cap has to cover the entire season. Whilst many players may be uninjured at the start of the season, injury and suspensions can add up towards the end of season. When you replace a player, another player's bonuses per game may be activated.

We have to also consider the second tier cap for those positions where backup players are not in the top 25. As pointed out in the various "signings" blogs, most of our depth is in a couple of positions, injuries to other positions is most likely to affect this.

What I see as being most likely is that forwards are going to be constantly battling to make the top side. It is these players who are most likely to change. It is also the forwards who are most likely to be affected by the new interchange rules.

What I am hoping for this season is that the experience in the training and medical staff comes to the fore. We need to cut down on the number of injuries incurred.

I am pleased to hear about the standards that the new signings are bringing with them.
- Poupou Escobar > Yobz November 7, 2015 at 1:28pm
  
  You can play any top 25 player whenever you want with zero effect on the salary cap. Bonuses are based on the previous season so the cap value in the current season is fixed. The only time bonuses interfere with the cap is where players are on multi year contracts with bonus components in the earlier years. In that case the number of games played in one year affect a player's cap value the next year. Which is just poor management at the time of signing.
1ee November 7, 2015 at 11:56am

Hi sixties hope you're well mate,
When will you start your pre season training blogs up again? Really looking forward to them.
- sixtiesboy > 1ee November 7, 2015 at 3:49pm
  
  Cheers mate. Back at work now after a ridiculously long recovery period. I will start reporting in January when the combinations start to show themselves.
- 1ee > 1ee November 7, 2015 at 11:02pm
  
  Thanks mate, glad your keeping well now!
  One thing I've learnt about you is if you do something, you do it properly! Write a blog,
  or break a leg for another example.
  
  Please try not to do it again! Can't imagine it was much fun. Hope your enjoying your weekend.
- 1ee > 1ee November 8, 2015 at 1:39am
  
  Hahaha I'm sure the wife wouldn't have minded picking up the extra slack around the house...
  You just have to be careful mate. Completely sucks when your out of action and for such a long time. At least we know you're a guy who's prepared to put his body on the line.

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