The Canberra Raiders prop overhaul has given young forwards Mitch Barnett, Luke Bateman and Rhys Kennedy a golden chance to kickstart their NRL careers, with coach Ricky Stuart expecting the reduction in interchanges to have a big impact on games.
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With experienced front-rowers David Shillington (Gold Coast), Dane Tilse (Hull KR) and Mark Nicholls (Melbourne) gone, the young trio are fighting for the "five-six" spots in the prop rotation.
Bateman, 20, and Barnett, 21, have played most of their football in the back row but their versatility and agility is a bonus given interchanges have been cut from ten to eight.
A Queensland under-18 and under-20 representative, Bateman played six games in his debut NRL season this year. Barnett was blooded in two matches, and won the NSW Cup player of the year award.
Kennedy is the younger brother of Raiders back-rower Jarrad Kennedy, and played for Mounties in his first season with Canberra since his shift from Melbourne Storm.
Many NRL coaches don't believe the reduced interchanges will have a significant bearing on tactics until it goes down to six, which could happen as soon as 2017. But Stuart said he's already planning for the adjustment next year and players who can fill a number of positions and play big minutes will be a bonus at the selection table.
"Young Bateman, Barnett and Kennedy have got a great opportunity to put their hand up for number five or six front row," Stuart said.
"There's a great opportunity for those young boys to get some good first grade time this year, and I couldn't be happier with the way they've trained.
"Barnett's just got his plaster off his thumb so he'll be in full contract in four weeks' time and the three of them are really fighting for those spots."
It is confirmation the Raiders hierarchy hold no grudges against Barnett, who threatened to walk out on the club despite having two years left on his deal after a contract wasn't lodged with the NRL.
Bateman possesses strong footwork and a big motor, and it is hoped he will join fellow youngsters Shannon Boyd and Paul Vaughan as a front row success story.
Queensland Origin back-rower Josh Papalii began last season at prop, but Stuart has already confirmed he will be playing in his preferred right edge spot.
"The game's going to change," Stuart said.
"There's some people who think the eight interchanges won't have much bearing on the game, [but] I'm not one of those.
"You only have to get an injury or two and you're in trouble, and I've been going through it with our analysts and different strategies at planning the eight.
"There's going to be times when you need tough attitude and character to play under a whole heap of fatigue."
Stuart expects playmakers to have a bigger impact late in halves against tiring defences.
It's good news for Dally M five-eighth of the year Blake Austin, whose dangerous running game could wreak even more havoc.
"For the forward pack it's going to be important to have balance in the six who are on the field, because of the attacking flair we have in the competition," Stuart said.
"The halves, hookers and fullbacks are going to have more opportunity now, playing against more tired players.
"Through certain parts of the game, when decisions about replacements are taken out of our control with injury, that's when attacking players will have a greater advantage.
Stuart said he may consider shifting players to different positions during games to provide more options.
"[Back-rowers] Jarrad Kennedy and Sia [Soliola] are going to be very valuable because they can play centre, and Sia can play middle as well," he said.
"There'll be different ideas for every coach's line of thinking, but it [eight interchanges] is going to have a bearing on the game."
