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Canterbury players believe a reduction in the number of interchanges from 10 to eight will benefit them but are bracing for a tough off-season of training under coach Des Hasler to adjust.
The NRL is set to confirm the cut on Wednesday, along with the introduction of a shot clock for goal-line dropouts and scrums in a move aimed at increasing fatigue to encourage more entertaining and attacking football.
While players such as Newcastle back-rower Tariq Sims and St George Illawarra centre Peter Mata'utia expressed concerns that the change would drive big players out of the game, Canterbury forwards Aidan Tolman and Josh Jackson welcomed the move.
Despite having one of the biggest forward packs in the NRL, containing the likes of Sam Kasiano, David Klemmer and Tony Williams, the Bulldogs believe they are well equipped to adapt to the change.
"It will suit us because we've got guys who can play big minutes. James Graham, Josh Jackson's an 80-minute player ... Shaun Lane and Tony Williams can play 80 minutes as well," Tolman said.
"I don't know if it will speed the game up or slow it down, but those bench players – and we're lucky here we have some big bodies coming off the bench who can play big minutes as well – is where it will be won more often than not.
"For us, the players that play long minutes, we will probably just have to play a bit more but you're still going to have those impact players, those guys coming off the
bench and impacting the game. They'll probably dominate more in what they do because there are going to be fatigued players as the game moves that way."
Jackson added: "We've got a few guys in our team who can punch out pretty big minutes. Aiden Tolman, James Graham, they could play 80 if they wanted to and Dave Klemmer is another one that can punch out big minutes as well, so can't see it being too much of an issue. Dessie will have something up his sleeve".
Dragons lock Trent Merrin, who is joining Penrith next season, was also in favour of the change.
"I'm happy it's going down to eight," Merrin said. "It gives us big boys a chance to play under fatigue, and the little boys will probably enjoy it even more. I think it's something that should happen, it's going to open it up a bit more for points to be scored."
However, Mata'utia said the game would be poorer for the anticipated loss of some of the NRL's bigger players, such as St George Illawarra teammate George Rose.
"Everyone will be playing 90kg next year," he said. "I know the NRL wants to see the halves get in the game more, but the fans want to see those big hits from the big guys."
Sims also said he hoped the new rule did not harm the welfare of heavyweight forwards. "Obviously it will make it a bit tougher on the bigger boys of the game," Sims said.
"I think player safety is probably the most important thing. You make some silly decisions under fatigue, and a big bloke moving at 120 kilos at full pace trying to change on a dime under fatigue is not going to go down too well on his knees and joints.
"I think it will open up the game and make it a bit more entertaining, but we've got to make sure that we're looking after the players' safety."
Veteran Knights lock Jeremy Smith believed the rule would benefit teams like Newcastle whose packs contained smaller, more mobile forwards. "I suppose it will quicken the game up and make the game a lot different ... There will probably be a lot more two-man tackles coming out of it," he said. "It should be better for the fans, and having a mobile team will help – big boys who can play more minutes."
The NRL is set to confirm the cut on Wednesday, along with the introduction of a shot clock for goal-line dropouts and scrums in a move aimed at increasing fatigue to encourage more entertaining and attacking football.
While players such as Newcastle back-rower Tariq Sims and St George Illawarra centre Peter Mata'utia expressed concerns that the change would drive big players out of the game, Canterbury forwards Aidan Tolman and Josh Jackson welcomed the move.
Despite having one of the biggest forward packs in the NRL, containing the likes of Sam Kasiano, David Klemmer and Tony Williams, the Bulldogs believe they are well equipped to adapt to the change.
"It will suit us because we've got guys who can play big minutes. James Graham, Josh Jackson's an 80-minute player ... Shaun Lane and Tony Williams can play 80 minutes as well," Tolman said.
"I don't know if it will speed the game up or slow it down, but those bench players – and we're lucky here we have some big bodies coming off the bench who can play big minutes as well – is where it will be won more often than not.
"For us, the players that play long minutes, we will probably just have to play a bit more but you're still going to have those impact players, those guys coming off the
bench and impacting the game. They'll probably dominate more in what they do because there are going to be fatigued players as the game moves that way."
Jackson added: "We've got a few guys in our team who can punch out pretty big minutes. Aiden Tolman, James Graham, they could play 80 if they wanted to and Dave Klemmer is another one that can punch out big minutes as well, so can't see it being too much of an issue. Dessie will have something up his sleeve".
Dragons lock Trent Merrin, who is joining Penrith next season, was also in favour of the change.
"I'm happy it's going down to eight," Merrin said. "It gives us big boys a chance to play under fatigue, and the little boys will probably enjoy it even more. I think it's something that should happen, it's going to open it up a bit more for points to be scored."
However, Mata'utia said the game would be poorer for the anticipated loss of some of the NRL's bigger players, such as St George Illawarra teammate George Rose.
"Everyone will be playing 90kg next year," he said. "I know the NRL wants to see the halves get in the game more, but the fans want to see those big hits from the big guys."
Sims also said he hoped the new rule did not harm the welfare of heavyweight forwards. "Obviously it will make it a bit tougher on the bigger boys of the game," Sims said.
"I think player safety is probably the most important thing. You make some silly decisions under fatigue, and a big bloke moving at 120 kilos at full pace trying to change on a dime under fatigue is not going to go down too well on his knees and joints.
"I think it will open up the game and make it a bit more entertaining, but we've got to make sure that we're looking after the players' safety."
Veteran Knights lock Jeremy Smith believed the rule would benefit teams like Newcastle whose packs contained smaller, more mobile forwards. "I suppose it will quicken the game up and make the game a lot different ... There will probably be a lot more two-man tackles coming out of it," he said. "It should be better for the fans, and having a mobile team will help – big boys who can play more minutes."
