The death of the 80 minute hooker
So many jokes…. So many innuendos… must resist….
All jokes aside though, this is possibly the largest issue facing serious NRLCEOs in 2015. Until now it’s managed to sneak under the radar for the most part.
The time of the 80 minute hooker is coming to an end.
With 16 teams lining up in 2015, only four of them look like they’ll run with an 80 minute hooker and two more teams are maybes at best.
The other 12 are almost a given to run with a second hooker/utility player on the bench who will definitely eat up the starting number 9’s minutes and put a serious dent in their workhorse scoring capability.
Cameron Smith
In 2015, the man commonly known as “CS9” or simply “God” is expected to miss the first few rounds through injury. Adding to the woes of NRL Fantasy coaches is the warning shots fired by Craig Bellamy late last year where he told various media that Smith will see more time on the bench in 2015.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 81% (it’s Cam Smith, he’s possibly the one player in the NRL who can pull rank on a coach and word is he still wants to play 80, we’ll just have to see how it plays out)
Jake Friend
Another who’ll be out through injury and while he scored a few 80 minute games last year, the Roosters have actively worked to reduce his load over the last few seasons. When he comes back it’s a very good chance he’ll be minute sharing with either Aubusson or McIlwrick.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 64% (too much time share in recent years)
Issac Luke
Many NRL Fantasy coaches are hanging on the hopes that Isaac Luke will play 80 with Apisai Koroisau having moved to the Panthers. But the Rabbitohs have young Cameron McInnes in the wings. Even if McInnes spends time in NSW Cup, Luke Keary started his time at the Rabbitohs off the bench as a hooker/utility player – with John Sutton still in the best starting 17 and having formed such a formidable pairing with Adam Reynolds, it’s not out of the question to see some form of rotation there. The early rounds may see good minutes for Luke in this scenario though assuming Sutton doesn’t recover from injury in time for round 1.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 79% (He can do it, he’s a key part of the Rabbitohs side and he wants to do it, but Souths have adopted a time share approach in recent years)
James Segeyaro
Kevin Kingston will play NSW Cup so unless both Segeyaro AND Koroisau get injured we won’t see him. But Segeyaro is an interesting possibility – albeit an unlikely one. He’s capable of playing 80 and cranking out big scores, but with Koroisau, a premiership winning hooker, coming to the club, it’s a big ask to think Api will spend his time in NSW Cup. Stranger things have happened, but they usually involved Des Hasler or Ricky Stuart and a 28man bench. It’s safe to say, Segeyaro will see 60minutes a game at best.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 50% (I just can’t see Koroisau playing NSW Cup having won a premiership with Souths last season)
Andrew McCullough
He’s definitely capable of playing 80 minutes and scoring well, but last year was the first year he consistently got near 80 minutes a game. In 2015, it looks like those minutes are about to return to his usual 55-65 with a couple of young hookers competing for the utility spot in Waddell and Parcell. Even Alex Glenn‘s name has been thrown around as a potential fill in for Macca. As much as we’d love to see Macca hit the 80 every game, history is against it happening with the Broncos, especially Wayne Bennett, favoring that utility player off the bench.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 58% (Wayne Bennett just loves his utility player too much)
Robbie Farah
NRL Whisperer, Wacko Jacko has a pretty good line on the situation at the Tigers with Farah a lock for 80 minutes a game until Origin. During the byes, the minutes are expected to be shared between young Luani and Cherrington during the State of Origin period.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 90% (I’m just not willing to put 100% on anything)
Nathan Peats
He performed well last year in a number of 80 minute games until a number of injuries made it difficult for him to tackle non stop for 80mins (lets face it, the Eels had no one else up the middle doing the tackling). But the word is he’s completed recovery, is back training and is ready to resume his tackle-machine status. The only threat facing Peats’ claim on 80 minutes is Isaac De Gois……..making him a huge risk.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 48% (Coming back from injury, Eels terrible last year without him, Isaac De Gois in the side, Brad Arthur won’t risk it)
Michael Lichaa
What about the young guns? Lichaa could get 80, but its more likely at least initially he’ll share time with Moses Mbye and lets not forget, Josh Reynolds has played at 9 for the Bulldogs when necessary. That said, Lichaa is a great pick as a mid-range if you’re looking for a backup hooker this year, as he pumps out a solid work rate.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 37% (Young, untested over 80 mins, plenty of forwards and utility players at the dogs, smart coach in Des Hasler – more likely to play 80 later in the year)
Beau Falloon
At the Titans? Well even when Falloon plays 80 minutes he only racked up two workhorse tries in 2014. Assuming he didn’t have any competition (which he does), you wouldn’t really see him as a draft pick well spent. Take into account Srama is determined to prove his worth to Neil Henry and then there is young Kierran Moseley with huge wraps on him. it doesn’t look good for Beau.
Chances of playing 80mins – 14% (So unlikely with the Titans bench strategy and Neil Henry’s bench strategy at the Cowboys – both involve a second hooker or utility player and the Titans have plenty of quality number 9s)
Matt Ballin
By now any Manly fans reading this will be screaming “What about Ballin!?!?” While any fantasy coaches who’ve done their research will be saying “DON’T TALK ABOUT BALLIN!”
Ballin is one of the few hookers who may just see 80 minutes a game in the early part of the season with Jamie Buhrer, Manly’s jack of all trades, out injured. More over when he plays 80, he does put up good numbers, regularly scoring above 50. It will only last until Buhrer is back but it’s definitely something worth considering.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 75% (Big chances early in the season, but less likely as Buhrer comes back)
Nathan Friend
If you’re wondering about the old workhorse over at the Warriors, it’s been a few years since he’s played 80 minutes consistently. He picks up the occasional game here and there but it’s nothing to take to the bank.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 43% (He’ll only do it when needed due to injury)
Mick Ennis
Even typing his name makes me feel dirty. He’s a really great chance of playing 80 mins at the Sharks, the question is, can you live with having Michael Ennis in your side?
Chance of playing 80 mins – 87% (He’ll do it, regularly and average high 40s, but picking him is like selling your soul)
Kurt Gidley
I’d mention Kidley as a possibility, but if I do, he’ll shatter like a crystal decanter dropped on your front driveway.
Chances of playing one game in any position and not getting injured – .06% (Not going to happen)
Mitch Rein
He scores at a reasonable pace but only averaged 67 minutes a game in 2014. He’s worth consideration depending on team lists, but if you’re looking for that gun hooker, he unfortunately doesn’t fit the bill.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 69% (If he does, he’ll score very well! watch those team lists!)
Raiders
The Raiders will likely start the season with new English import Josh Hodgson in the starting position, but unless he proves his worth he will always have a utility backing him up on the bench. Unlike props, there has yet to be an English hooker really stamp his mark on the NRL in my lifetime.
Chances of playing 80 mins – 22% (more chance of Ricky Stuart playing 80 himself)
Cowboys
Truth be told they’ve tried a lot of hookers up north and none of them have proven to be 80 minute keepers since Aaron Payne. Broncos recruit Jake Granville will look to unseat the incumbent Rory Kostjasyn as the #1 rake, but neither are likely to play 80 minutes unless they really shine.
Chances of playing 80 minutes – 39% (both players are too good to leave out)
The pickings are slim in 2015 for 80 minute gun hookers and it will have a long lasting effect on the game. As the days of stacking your hooker position with two guns look to be fading into the annuals of history.
This article was originally published for Over The Line Sports, which delivers an engaging online sporting experience to fans in Australia and around the world and has created an online experience that brings concise and in-depth information on a differing array of sports and fantasy sports all in the one place.
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- The death of the 80 minute hooker - February 5, 2015
