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During the past three seasons, there have been 1278 18th men named by NRL clubs, but only 32 have been activated and actually got onto the field. They are activated when there have been three concussions or a player has been forced out of a game due to foul play. Of those 1278, 196 had played a NSW or Queensland cup game on the same day (15.3%).
NRL clubs will now have to find the balance between having an insurance policy on the bench and not exposing players to workloads that are too light or too strenuous. For instance, one challenge will be getting the right amount of game time for a back-up half. If the first-choice playmakers remain injury free, there is the risk of going weeks – or even months – without any football.
“This rule change looks good on paper for a single game, but the cumulative effects will have significant and foreseeable unintended consequences for players,” Rugby League Players’ Association chief executive Clint Newton said. “Particularly around injury risk, loss of meaningful game time and overall game and development opportunities.
“There is a high likelihood that young halves who need game time will be put on ice and not risked in State Cup because they’re always on an extended NRL bench.
“We understand the game strategy elements, however the likelihood that some players will consistently miss match-day and development opportunities, second-tier selection and match payments is real. Others could be left inactive for long periods throughout a season, and the fourth player consistently used only at the end of games. That’s when injuries have historically happened.
“We will consistently engage club coaching staff and players to ensure we stay on top of how the change impacts the game.
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“We’ve advocated for years for a more sensible 18th player relaxation, a practical fix to allow teams to activate the 18th player after just a single failed HIA [head injury assessment].”
There are also differing views in club land about whether utility players such as Tyran Wishart and Connor Watson will become more or less valuable under the change.
“It’s going to be fascinating because it’s another form of strategy for a club,” Abdo said. “I don’t think it will have a one-size-fits-all [outcome]. I don’t believe it will have an impact on any position for players. It’s about the right squad for the right game at the right time of the season.
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