Souths coach Wayne Bennett says NRL clubs need to start thinking about how they can guarantee some game time to squad members not picked in each club’s top 17.
Bennett wants more done for fringe players this season with a rising number forced to make their first-grade debuts without any real preparation.
Jack Johns became the fourth South Sydney player and 34th player across the board to debut this year on Saturday night, while there are many players getting call ups due to injuries.
All who have come in since round three having done so without reserve grade, with debutants this round having now gone more than four months without a game.
A second-tier competition during COVID-19 has been a talking point since the restart, but time is now running thin to get anything off the ground.
Clubs had played limited scrimmage sessions against rivals before matches last month, but that is now off the table with players back in hard bubbles.
Bennett says while the situation is no one person or organisation’s fault, something has to be done.
“A lot of these players haven’t played a game of football, they’ve got nothing behind them at all.
“No match condition or anything.
“All the clubs are facing the same problems, it’s not just us. But it is a problem.”
Of Bennett’s team to go down to Canberra on Saturday, he had four players playing in just their third or fourth competitive game this year in all grades.
That number includes the opening round of the NSW Cup that was played in March, before that competition was abandoned.
The Raiders meanwhile have a serious issue, with their casualty ward now including at least nine players who would normally be in their first-choice 17.
“I think there is a solution but none of the clubs have worked hard enough to get an outcome,” Bennett said.
“We have just all sat back and been passive about it.
“Our club has been in the same boat, so I am not criticising anyone for it.
“At an Apollo meeting some time ago I came up with some suggestions there, but no one ever seemed to be keen on it.
“We’re all paying a price for it, but some are paying a bigger price than others. Because you may have more players who have played so little football.”
© AAP
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
It had all been going so well. Canberra were by far the better side for ten minutes, with Jamal Fogarty giving the Brisbane back…
Simi Sasagi couldn't believe his luck as he strolled straight past Jaiyden Hunt, who should have made a better attempt at a tackle.
In wet conditions, the Broncos were making it extremely tough for 18-year-old Chevy Stewart in just his second game.
A hit in the face is not what the Brisbane fullback needed after recently returning from a broken cheekbone.
He was trying to slow the play the ball from Brian Kelly - and the look on his face showed he knew what he…
Manly have snuck home against the Titans in a wild game on the Gold Coast, running out 34-30 winners on a night in which,…
