With the off-seasis on comes the usual troupes.
Talk of expansion, the divisions talk, player movements and of course post-season rankings.
Today we're here to focus on the rankings. More specifically, the NRL bench specialists and their rankings from 2023.
Please keep in mind that these rankings are based only on 2023.
To qualify, a player must have played off the bench on a majority of appearances. They also cannot appear anywhere else in the rankings. i.e. Cam McInnes ranked in the top locks and thus won't be seen here.
Before we start, I'm going to take a moment to answer some of the usual questions to appear in the comments to any sort of rankings.
Do I even watch football? Yes, every game.
Are my eyes painted on? No. That would be funny though.
Who am I? Just a fan.
With that said, below are the top ten NRL bench specialists based purely and totally on 2023:
Honourable mentions: Wiremu Greig, Bronson Garlick, Emre Guler
3. Lindsay Smith
Lindsay Smith's name is one most NRL fans probably wouldn't have been too familiar with heading into 2023. I promise you now that they very much are.
The Panthers big man was a monster off the bench for his side across the season. He even started three games in the middle of the season ensured Penrith didn't miss anything.
23 games, 20 of which came off the interchange bench, saw him average just under 95 metres per game, tackle at almost 95% and make just under 10 hit ups per game.
A workmanlike bench forward, Smith was impeccable in his role. Every team in the game needs a Lindsay Smith.
Interesting, Dan
I’d have liked to see when each of these guys comes off contract.
I could look it up, but I’m just lazy !