I'm actually not phased by the sub rule at all on that front. Others have said it but they'll likely sub out the 2nd ruck leaving Marshall effectively one out in the most important minutes. I don't expect they'll sub the 2nd ruck in blowouts either.
Basically it helps him if they do pick two rucks, which I don't think will be most weeks personally.
The FWD part is the much bigger problem as I do think that's possible. Campbell vs Marshall as rucks isn't a huge variance but as forwards it's enormous. Same would apply with the other non-Hayes options.
Honestly we have no idea how Lyon will structure up either. With all of Howard, Cordy, Battle, Wilkie, Highmore and Van Es capable of playing KPD, does one of them perhaps go forward (Battle seems the obvious) to cover the injuries? Sharman and Membrey are both capable. Keeler another who probably has the athletic skills to play straight away for them and could act as the 2nd ruck also (was shocked he fell so far in the draft).
I think I'll start Witts, it could fail miserably but to me it makes the most sense, there's just no good reason he can't back up last year in my mind. Not saying he will just that there's no good reason he shouldn't. Kind of reminds me of when Gawn went to 102 and I remember many didn't like him to start 2016 and then he improved further. Honestly, I think I can make as good a case for Witts at 120 as Witts at 95, not that I expect either.
English is one of the many high upside bad durability plays this year. Seem to be absolutely loaded with them. We've really been spoiled by the Grawndy starting picks in the past!
I think you've nailed the logic for why teams might be more likely to pick two rucks.
I'm not sure I buy it.
Firstly you aren't going to pick them unless they can play 4 quarters, injuries too common to risk that. So effectively the 2nd ruck would still have been picked last year if you'd pick them this year.
I do think we'll see the 2nd ruck subbed out more commonly though, teams who get to late in the third with no injuries I dare say will often sub the 2nd ruck. I actually see this is as a benefit to those who are the clear #1 rucks as they'll get the heavier workload in the prime of the game. Probably favours the fitter rucks who run out games well as they're more capable of being left one out.
Basically it helps him if they do pick two rucks, which I don't think will be most weeks personally.
The FWD part is the much bigger problem as I do think that's possible. Campbell vs Marshall as rucks isn't a huge variance but as forwards it's enormous. Same would apply with the other non-Hayes options.
Honestly we have no idea how Lyon will structure up either. With all of Howard, Cordy, Battle, Wilkie, Highmore and Van Es capable of playing KPD, does one of them perhaps go forward (Battle seems the obvious) to cover the injuries? Sharman and Membrey are both capable. Keeler another who probably has the athletic skills to play straight away for them and could act as the 2nd ruck also (was shocked he fell so far in the draft).
I think I'll start Witts, it could fail miserably but to me it makes the most sense, there's just no good reason he can't back up last year in my mind. Not saying he will just that there's no good reason he shouldn't. Kind of reminds me of when Gawn went to 102 and I remember many didn't like him to start 2016 and then he improved further. Honestly, I think I can make as good a case for Witts at 120 as Witts at 95, not that I expect either.
English is one of the many high upside bad durability plays this year. Seem to be absolutely loaded with them. We've really been spoiled by the Grawndy starting picks in the past!
I think you've nailed the logic for why teams might be more likely to pick two rucks.
I'm not sure I buy it.
Firstly you aren't going to pick them unless they can play 4 quarters, injuries too common to risk that. So effectively the 2nd ruck would still have been picked last year if you'd pick them this year.
I do think we'll see the 2nd ruck subbed out more commonly though, teams who get to late in the third with no injuries I dare say will often sub the 2nd ruck. I actually see this is as a benefit to those who are the clear #1 rucks as they'll get the heavier workload in the prime of the game. Probably favours the fitter rucks who run out games well as they're more capable of being left one out.
