Should the NRL consider introducing a mid-season break to fight player fatigue?

BY this stage of the season, most NRL players are in good physical shape — but mentally, it’s a different matter. Giving them a post-Origin rest could be good for the whole competition, writes GORDEN TALLIS.

IF I was a coach in the NRL right now, I would not be pushing my players. I would be giving them a rest.

While it may not seem like the secret to finals success, this is the time of year that can make or break a player.

There are only eight weeks left of the regular season and the whips are cracking.

The natural instinct may be to push players right now, to get them to go harder than they have all year.

But mentally, I believe a lot of the players need a good break.

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The NRL season can be a hard slog. (Matt King/Getty Images)

They need to go away, get away from footy and training, and just have some time to themselves.

Physically by this stage of the season, they are in pretty good shape.

But mentally, it’s a tough time, especially for those who have played representative football.

One thing I know is that winning is all about attitude. The players know that, and you see it in State of Origin.

The push for the top eight is the same.

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Coaches must avoid mental fatigue among their playing group if they want to be in the finals mix.

If they keep on training and pushing themselves, it will take a toll.

But if they are given a break and the players use it for the right reasons, it could be the magic needed to get them to a perfect standard.

And I’m not just talking about Origin players, but the whole competition.

Origin affects the whole competition. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Everybody in the game is tired at this stage of the year. I know I am.

I travel a fair bit for work and it’s a long season, so imagine how the players feel.

It’s something I did go through as a player but I know now that how I manage my downtime is crucial to how I get myself right.

In that month after Origin every year, there is no doubt my form would drop.

Eventually it would turn around but given how close the competition is, coaches don’t want to wait for “eventually”.

They need things to be at the best level possible right now.

Brisbane had to cope with Origin as well as all the injuries. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

The Broncos are the perfect example.

They are sitting in seventh on the ladder with a real chance to make the top four.

They’ve had five players feature in State of Origin this year, with Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire and James Roberts taking part in the entire series.

If they want that top four spot, they have to make sure that trio in particular are mentally fresh.

Having two weeks off from training could do wonders.

Some may question what it will do to their fitness, but we are talking about Origin players.

To play in that arena you need to be the kind of player who does the extra work anyway.

This is a time to allow players to sharpen up and it’s also something I think the Rugby League Players’ Association should be mindful of too.

Look at the Warriors’ performance last week when they fell to an undermanned Penrith side.

It was two weeks after the representative round in which they had players who starred in the New Zealand, Tongan and Samoan teams.

We all bagged them for the way they played, but it would have been a big ask for a lot of those players.

There can be a badge of honour in backing up for your mates and some players may even try to overrule coaches.

But the true finals contenders this year will be the teams with the best mindset.

Originally published as Should the NRL consider introducing a mid-season break to fight player fatigue?