Number of Injuries in 2011

[blades1964]

On the back of our horror injury toll so early in the season, and that experienced by several other clubs (Knights and Souths), I can't seem to recall so many players being on the sidelines so early on in the season. Several of the injuries seem to be the result of landing awkedly(beau Henry) and players are now being ruled out for indefinte periods.
I am not a doctor, but is the changing physique of today's player making them more prone to serious injuries from what to the naked eye look like something minor?

 

[system]

I think it has alot to do with the wrestling holds and tactics involved in the game. Than of course there are the freak ones where a boot grips at the wrong time or a body gets in the wrong position

 

[Peaches]

The game is faster. Human body can only take so much.

 

[happy_tiger]

I think it has alot to do with the way tackles are made in 2 ways .In the past you went round the legs and probably only 1-2 in tackle 1 high 1 low . Now it is going high gang tackles stopping ball movement and the lower half of the body is having too much stress and pressure applied and somethings got to give . Personally blame this on the dominant tackle and wrestle .Don't agree with it and remember the rule changes for this year. Players were going to be rewarded for low one on one tackles Still see penalties being given for not releasing on low one on one tackles .You should not be penalised for making a 1 on 1 tackle

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Pretty scary but its all apart of a collision sport… The pace of the game is ferosious and the impact is greater.

I'd like to see the NRL attempt to slow the game a little. I hate it when we need to look elsewhere to find ideas in the game, but from an NRL perspective, I'd like to see a 6 man bench. 2 Replacement and 4 Interchange (limited to 6)... Some might say Fatigue can cause more injuries, but looking at the majority of injuries we are seeing, they are based on the collision.

On a side point, the NRL must scrap its silly rule of not changing a player at a scrum. Richard Fa'iaso (to hard to spell) knocked out senceless, but being forced to pack into a scrum is a perfect example how this rule is wrong...

 

[jirskyr]

In the old days the game was a much slower pace and teams were only 5m apart, so the collisions were simply less forceful.

So I would say it is almost entirely due to the high speed and fitness in today's game. Players train full-time, hit hard all game and do it for 26 weeks.

I watched the Chooseday Night game last week Steelers vs Broncos 1998 and was surprised by how less dynamic it was cf modern games, even with the Broncos team full of superstars and Steelers with half the St G-Illa mainstays.

 

[Marshall_magic]

I agree a lot is to do with the speed of the game. Time to drop the interchange limit to 8.

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

I think should have 2 fresh reserves that are allowed 4 interchanges. If other players are injured of buggered they can be replaced (not to come back on) by a player who has played at least half of an earlier game on the day ( I would limit this to 3 replacements and only allow greater than this when a neutral doctor makes a decision based on player welfare). This would bring more fatigue back into the game and allow the smaller/skilful players to dominate more especially near the end of matches.

 

[happy_tiger]

Ricky Stuart had an idea last night about Interchange cut to 6 overall and if required after that for serious injury you have to choose and u20 player . His believe is that players are getting injured because fresh players are taking advantage of 80 minutes players . Wasn't a bad argument (For Ricky That is )

 

[Marshall_magic]

I would go one of 2 ways with interchanges
1\. limit it to 8 per team max
2\. no limit, but starting players are only allowed 2 stints on the field. once they've been replaced twice they can't go back on. Bench players get one stint.

number 2 in practise
We have Fifita and Galloway starting this week, with Woods on the bench

If Woods comes on for Fifita, Fifita is ok to go back on. If Fifita goes back on for Galloway, Galloway is allowed back on the field again. If either Fifita or Woods are subbed of for Galloway, that's it, they can't come back on later, Woods' as a bench player would have completed his stint, Fifita as a starter would have completed both of his.

This would result in coaches being smarter with their changes, players will have to play longer minutes as they have limited stints which will slow the game down a little, and coaches aren't as impacted by excessive injuries as they have no limit to how many subs they can make.

 

[mike]

I would go one of 2 ways with interchanges
1\. limit it to 8 per team max
2\. no limit, but starting players are only allowed 2 stints on the field. once they've been replaced twice they can't go back on. Bench players get one stint.

number 2 in practise
We have Fifita and Galloway starting this week, with Woods on the bench

If Woods comes on for Fifita, Fifita is ok to go back on. If Fifita goes back on for Galloway, Galloway is allowed back on the field again. If either Fifita or Woods are subbed of for Galloway, that's it, they can't come back on later, Woods' as a bench player would have completed his stint, Fifita as a starter would have completed both of his.

This would result in coaches being smarter with their changes, players will have to play longer minutes as they have limited stints which will slow the game down a little, and coaches aren't as impacted by excessive injuries as they have no limit to how many subs they can make.

Sounds good but how do you police it. We don't even get the simple rule we have now right 100% of the time. Not sure who is currently responsible for keeping track of the current interchange but with your excellent suggestion I would have to think it would need to be an independent official.

 

[Marshall_magic]

Pretty easy, fine clubs (and dock points if they win) if they breach the rules. Players know how many stints on the field they've had (even the stupid ones like Bird and Chocmong could work it out). Coaches will also know who has been on and off. The onus is on them to get it right.