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A fix to the NRL's wrestling phenomenon

Roar Rookie
28th August, 2014
16

Thursday night footy is the platform for Gus Gould to climb up on his soap box and lament one of rugby leagues many flaws – on Thursday night it was ‘the wrestle’.

No doubt the wrestle is a blight on the game. Gould is entitled to criticise to some extent. But as one of the game’s great thinkers he has an obligation to put forward a solution also. Ray Warren prompted him for a remedy and Gould in his wisdom grumbles ‘its too late, the horse has bolted.”

That is not good enough. Here is a solution.

The current interchange is 10/4 system. 10 changes – 4 subs. That system should be changed.

1. Forwards currently play in short spurts. They carry more than 120 kilograms of weight around the paddock because they don’t need any endurance;
2. These big forwards take two and three defenders to bring down;
3. In this context, a culture of wrestling has emerged. As Gus correctly points out, its a blight on the game.

Teams prioritise gang tackling and attack according to set structures. There is less of a place for the little man and ad-lib football is on the endangered species list.

If the NRL placed greater emphasis on a player’s endurance, players would have to slim down as a consequence.

There’d be fewer Sam Kasianos and more Preston Campbells. The balance of the game is too far in favour of the big man in 2014.

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I propose replacing the 10/4 system with 6/3 + 1 approach as of 2015. What is 6/3 + 1?

It means six interchanges during the match, with three nominated bench players. There would be one reserve player who would be introduced as a permanent replacement for a starting player – much like the green vest in the AFL.

What benefits does this bring? More fatigue among players, less wrestling, quicker play-the-balls and more ad lib play.

The one reserve is required because with a 6/3 interchange system, a side runs the risk of being undermined if a starting player is injured early and can’t continue. The green vest gives the team the luxury of permanently replacing that injured player and not being significantly disadvantaged.

Critics of this proposal will say I am speculating as to the effect it will have. To an extent I am. But to consider it from another perspective, imagine what would happen if the four Burgess brothers had to play 80 minutes each match instead of 40?

They would tire and Michael Maguire would start to think his bench would be better served with a Preston Campbell-type, who can take advantage of the space between the big-boppers who are suddenly struggling to move off the defensive line.

The game is clearly favouring the big man at the moment. This change will rectify the imbalance and put a stop to the wrestle. One of rugby league’s great flaws is that it shoots itself in the foot more often than it gives itself a leg-up.

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Last night’s soapbox episode from Gus Gould is sadly just another example

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