Peter V’landys is flat chat.
Even in idle, the ARL Chairman with the slicked-back hair still looks fast. Probably even too fast to stop and have a laugh, unless he owns the joke.
Ripping the shackles off the game in lockdown then watching the unsuspecting wilt is up there with sending your best mate to your nan’s 80th in fancy dress.
Not that there’s anything wrong with warp-speed rugby league, but with players unconditioned to the shock, plenty will finish under the bus.
Only last week many experts attributed the demise of Manly’s injured trio to shoddy Campbelltown turf, but Daly Cherry-Evans was having none of it.
“Injuries are the unfortunate part of our game and based on how fast the game is at the moment I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t the last that we see this year with those sorts of injuries,” the Manly skipper said.
“It is a different game out there it is bloody fast. You only have to look at the cramps that people are getting to see that.”
Adam Reynolds knows the pain, with a hamstring hanging by a thread his Rabbitohs finished with 11 under a Panther blowtorch. Then on Friday at Bankwest, Victor Radley and Sam Verills suffered season-ending knee injuries.
Roosters officials were quick to blame the surface while plenty in the commentary box disagreed. But what can’t be doubted is the game’s post-COVID shift through the gears.
Last year’s premiers entered the Dragons clash already fatigued after ending Parramatta’s unbeaten run in a contest that rivalled Origin intensity. Compared to the average of their opening two rounds, the Roosters played 16 more sets at a ruck speed 0.3 seconds faster.
Put another way, that’s 14 per cent more footy condensed into a timeframe five minutes shorter than the stop-start pre-COVID grind.
And now with five weeks of the modified format under their belt, Trent Robinson, already known for resting his best, must be asking his team if additional measures are needed to manage compounding fatigue.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
But it’s not just hammies, knees and groins. With fatigue, technique is compromised and concussion risk increases.
And with just a third of the season complete, the impact of depleted rosters has barely scratched the surface. With no byes or Origin breaks, it’s inevitable the top sides, either through injury or roster management, will eventually come off the boil.
No doubt, every club irrespective of ladder position faces the same issue but as the top teams juggle their elite it’ll be up to those below to question their depth.
Already Paul McGregor’s under-fire Dragons have shown the under-strength Roosters are vulnerable while the early consistency of Newcastle is now on shaky ground.
V’landys’ sympathy for the wounded will be short-lived. Always a play ahead, from his eyes it’ll be collateral damage for a product left stagnant for way too long.
One thing’s for sure, despite the current revival the NRL’s best is still yet to come. With offseason training aligned to the revised format, 2021 promises to be next-level again.
Joister
Roar Rookie
Not sure Superspud ... I'm a chooks supporter and I would have been happy for saints to win. I enjoyed watching them play and thought they showed a lot of character especially after what's been going on for them the past few weeks .... and after what you say about people thinking the score was going to be a blow out. I believe the chooks showed character as well after losing key players so early on. As an arm wrestle I thought it was close and what pushed out the score was the brilliance of Keary in the 2nd half (and tired defence creating that hole for him to scoot through). Will be an interesting up against the storm up at suncorp and how Robbo manages his squad leading into that game.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Sounds like I could do with your help, what's the topic?
Bluester
Roar Rookie
Oh so now it's conspiracy theories the Roar publishes? Can't wait to read your next one.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Just because Robbo didn’t know doesn’t mean another in a Roosters tie dealt facts that you don’t care about.
Bluester
Roar Rookie
"Roosters officials were quick to blame the surface while plenty in the commentary box disagreed." No we didn't. This was confirmed in Robbo's presser right after the game and this article was published yesterday. C'mon Jason, get your facts right.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
All good. I love watching Easts too, entertaining and skilful.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeah it did come across a bit full on. Sorry about that. I'm not actually a Roosters supporter as such but I do enjoy watching them play. However I totally disagree about the contest. The only reason it appeared to be a contest is because it wasn't the blow out that was expected. If the Roosters played the Dragons another ten times this year they would be on another 20 premiership points.
Walter Black
Guest
"No one goes to watch the understudies play." You are right but the understudys come out every year during Origin.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Was it a beat up or another part of the club making claims out side the playing squad. Don’t under sell the Dragons here, they gave your guys a decent contest. Chill man, the three peat is still on.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
There are some claims here that are held together very tenaciously. First of all Roosters made no official complaint about the surface that was a Fox beat up. Second of all when you say the Dragons showed the Roosters were vulnerable. The Roosters played more than half the game with 14 players and still won by 14 points pulling away. An injury to Keary is what would test the Roosters.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Unfortuately yes...
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
And who’d seriously consider taking on the Warriors. Tooves is already mad, he’s probably the only serious candidate. But with a faceless CEO, everyone will always be looking over their shoulder.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I’m running with the Dr tag, kk. Pity my neighbours. Supercars, great summation. Parra v Raiders was ferocious, wouldn’t want to be Horsburgh’s little brother. Parra the real deal, I reckon they’ll cover Moses’ absence but have they got the bash until October.
Paul
Roar Guru
I can't think of a recent season where so many coaches are under huge pressure, this early in the season, to keep their jobs. MacGregor, Green, Seibold & Pay are all week to week, I'd reckon. Throw in Kearney and that's a lot of coaches wondering if/when they'll get the "don't come Monday" letter.
kk
Roar Pro
Dr. Jason Hosken's sporting insights always encourage us to think.This article is a well timed alert of the road ahead. It is certainly warranted given the casualties sustained in rounds 1-7 with two games to go. The top four is a slow setting jelly. The warp speed syndrome may help The Raiders claw their way back to form provided that a fully fit John Bateman returns to play. They also have to overcome the R/U curse. This will be their last chance to win the title. 2021 will be similar to Supercars with the addition of serious and sometimes legal body contact.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Cheers Nat. Will Seibold be choosing next week’s lineup???
Brendon
Roar Rookie
It really is an interesting time. Teams that "adjusted" to the new format and tool advantage are suffering with injuries that are burn out related with no external influence whilst clubs that were slow to "adapt" are at near full strength The Roosters are a concern really. They haven't had many hard games since we resumed (probably one of the easiest draw) yet with two hard games, they've been dealt massive blows. Flip side, Melbourne have played only 1 easy game, and if not for a few unfortunate accidents (knocks by other players) would be unscathed. We'll see how the season plays out but it certainly will be interesting down the stretch. Is a failure to "adapt" seen as poor performance or is it actually a great move?
Nat
Roar Rookie
I like your optimism Jason. I'm starting to get the feeling my team isn't copping well with the new format and there are inconsistancies all over the place. However, like you, I can see a better product overall as all clubs become more comfortable with the game.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Sustainability a massive issue. That said, it’s tough enough trying to score a gig to see any match.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
There’s merit in quarters for the remainder of 2020 but would you continue it in 2021 assuming the players are better prepared?