by multiple.scoregasms Thu May 21, 2020 4:04 pm
Milchcow wrote:
Speaking of re-asking questions.
How do people think coaches will handle not having match fit reserve graders to call on? Will we see more rotation then usual to make sure that everyone in their squad is getting game time.
If teams use the same 17 every week, could hurt them if they get a couple of injuries in the lead up to finals.
One thing is for sure, it's going to be the toughest rugby league season to win in a long time.
18 weeks straight of football, plus finals. Followed by 3 straight weeks of Origin with 7 day turn around
What I would do as a coach:
- First 5-7 weeks try to be full strength as much as possible. Use this time to gauge how good your team actually is and if you are finals shot
- Try to give players with 1 week niggles a rest rather than needling them up. It's going to be a long season, where possible you want fit and healthy players for the important games
- Rotate positions you have depth in. Roosters as an example with see Ikuvalu and Hall spend time in first grade resting the outside backs.
- Give the important players less minutes once games are over. If you are up/down 20 points with 20 minutes to go it's very unlikely you will come back. Bringing off your big minute middle forwards to save them for another day could do wonders at the back end of the year
- Once finals are sown up start giving important players the entire game off. This season it's much more important to be fresh than to play at "home" with no crowds
- Try to organise opposed sessions with your reserve graders against other teams. NRL will make some allowances in this space.