Although no kid grows up dreaming of being a bench player, the impact that they can have on the game is just as significant.

Case and point the NSW Origin team for 2018, although Jack De Belin started at lock for the Blues, Jake Trbojevic is a far superior player in terms of his tackling and running output.

However, Brad Fittler thought that Trbojevic had greater potential to change the game off the bench than De Belin, so he made the selection accordingly.

So take a look below at who we think are the best bench players in the NRL.

2. Leeson Ah Mau

Following an outstanding season for the Dragons, 29-year-old Leeson Ah Mau has returned home to the Warriors on a well earned three-year deal.

Although Ah Mau has displayed a capability to start having cemented himself on the edge for the Dragons under Steve Price, it is off the bench in which he has had the most impact.

Having previously represented Samoa at the international level, Ah Mau's output off the bench for St George Illawarra was so good in 2018 that it resulted in a maiden call up to the Kiwi's squad.

Ah Mau practically forced coach Kiwi's coach Michael Maguire into picking him through his weekly performances, which included an average of 111.8 running metres per game, a 94.5% tackle efficiency (the 3rd highest in the NRL) and an impressive 21 offloads.

Ah Mau is similar to the aforementioned Joe Ofahengaeue, in that he possesses good late footwork at the line but can also drag players with him after the initial contact, averaging 42.3 post contact metres per game.

One of the finest compliments that could be paid to the Otahuhu Leopards junior is that following the initial 20-minutes of the game in which Ah Mau would normally come on to replace either Paul Vaughan or James Graham, the Dragons would still regularly win the middle and fans weren't yearning for the return of their two-starting front-rowers.

After returning home back across the ditch, look for Ah Mau to make a big impact for the rejuvenated Warriors in 2019.

TOOWOOMBA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Leeson Ah Mau of the Dragons takes on the defence during the round three NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Clive Berghofer Stadium on March 25, 2018 in Toowoomba, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

2 COMMENTS

  1. I thought when Sims came off the bench for NSW at Origin time he was like letting a Pitty off its leash. Masterstroke. Same with Hunt (at hooker) and Ponga coming off the bench for QLD. Back in the days the best guy off the bench was Ifeka Paleasena (probably spelled wrong). Just came on for 10-20 mins and turned it up for the Warriors.

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