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In grand final week we are never going to hear from either camp about what’s missing – the focus is on what is present and available, as it should be.
Could haves, should haves and might have beens are worthless for those preparing for Sunday evening’s battle.
But for the rest of us, those thoughts are absolutely allowed.
A big part of the fantasy of sport is to wonder, discuss and argue all the possible outcomes of the many decisions made by those responsible for team performance.
The irony of sport sees both grand final teams facing a similar situation: facing the biggest match of the season with major disruption to the same key position, providing the most discussion fodder for us all.
What’s the odds of both sides losing their dummy halves for a grand final? Does it effect them equally?
The thought of the guy who touches the ball more than anyone not being there to control the attacking play is enough to put doubt into anyone’s mind. He is also the only guy in the middle of the defence not built like Adonis, yet required to tackle and sustain himself for 80 minutes of physical mayhem.
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How to replace such a key figure?
The confidence both Michael Ennis and Issac Luke generate within their teams is also under threat. They are just so robust and genuinely tough, there simply can’t be a replacement of the same quality – no club can afford two players on their roster with that experience in such a specialist position.
So how do they make the best of a bad situation?
For Souths it’s relatively easy. Apisai Koroisau played a dozen or so NRL games for them when Luke was unavailable. He did well, showing improvement in the defensive areas and his undoubted attacking talents from dummy half.
But he is unlikely to do what Luke does every week, play the full 80.
This means Michael Maguire has to refit his interchange to one of the following, less-than-favourable outcomes
If you think Souths have tough decisions, what about the Dogs?
They don’t have any young player of the same standard or experience as Koroisau in NRL dummy-half play. Using a rookie would be a huge gamble.
Switching Josh Reynolds, who has been as a pinch hitter at 9 occasionally, will cause issues to who then plays at 6. Not to mention his lack of extended experience in the position means he has relatively poor skills in dummy half play.
Reni Maitua does not appeal, even with his vast experience in the NRL playing him in an unfamiliar role doesn’t point to smooth play from the ruck.
This major disruption could happen to almost every NRL club any week. It is such a key position, with unique roles reading the game and skills in footwork and passing, yet almost no club has a high-quality ‘shadow’ for the regular 9. And that’s just the attack! Physically, the challenges in defence are enormous.
Jason Smith, a truly gifted footballer, with tremendous utility value to every club and rep team he played in, made me very aware of what’s involved in playing hooker during the late 90s.
Parra away to Broncos in a huge match with a bundle of injuries for the mighty Blue and Golds was the scenario. We decided to start Smithy at dummy half for 20 minutes or so. This was based on our need, and his amazing abilities and positive attitude, but he had no prior experience.
Post-game in a winning dressing room, completely exhausted after going much more than the planned short stint at 9, Smithy told me what I could do with that job should it cross my mind again. The toughest thing he had ever done!
Both teams will be aware that pressuring the opponent’s stand-in 9 is going to reap huge rewards. More pressure on that bloke, as he will know it too!
Pulling the right rein on how to cover this unique and vital role might be the difference between winning and losing the big one.
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