Editorial: Watch league’s littlest men fly

Forward-thinking and innovative ideas such as giving smaller kids a fair go may end up having a far greater positive ­impact on rugby league than even the most impressive tackle.

More so than every other body contact sport, rugby league is a game of big impacts.

It’s one of rugby league’s great attractions. At the highest level, players must combine extraordinary athletic skills with the ability to dish out and cope with crushing physical force.

At junior levels, however, the rugby league can be difficult to live with if you are a player of slight build lining up against others of greater body mass.

Junior rugby league players John Chalouhi, 7, Christian Makhoul, 7, James Ghanem, 6, from St Johns Eagles at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence in Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In that circumstance, a slightly-built boy will usually be at a significant disadvantage. This isn’t tennis we are talking about, where a smaller and more nimble competitor may actually have an edge over heftier rival.

Rugby league officials have tried several strategies over the years to solve the age versus weight debate. Some of these strategies proved extremely useful. And officials now believe they have come up with something that should further attract youngsters of slight builds to our greatest game.

Next year, in junior league from the under 13s up, teams will be granted only 10 interchanges per game from their seven-player bench.

The logic here is that smaller players will come into their own late in matches once larger ­players begin to flag.

“I think it will definitely help the little halfbacks, being able to run around the bigger guys later in the game when the big guys get tired,” St Christopher’s coach Grant Hanratty told The Saturday Telegraph.

“It’s a positive move. Instead of being able to roll on big guy after big guy, it will bring all players back into it.”

In fact, this new interchange rule might allow a rapid but slender player to be a powerful influence during a game’s final stages. Big players can’t tackle you if they can’t catch you.

“Rugby league has always been an inclusive sport,” NSWRL general manager of football Barrie Jon-Mather said. “And we want to make it available to all children.”

Good call. This initiative joins several other recent concepts, such as the tackle-free Blues Tag program, the Try League program intended to give children from diverse backgrounds a go at league and also the weight dispensation scheme, which ­allows smaller players to drop down an age group.

These forward-thinking and innovative ideas may end up having a far greater positive ­impact on rugby league than even the most impressive tackle.

BRINGING BROTHERS TOGETHER

Twins share a special bond, so you can only imagine how stressful it must be for Mt Druitt youngster Giles Connor to be separated for much of his life from brother Lleyton.

It’s a stress shared by the entire Conner family. Born at just 500g, Lleyton has endured 65 surgical procedures to combat difficulties arising from his premature birth.

The Children’s Hospital Westmead is doing its very best for Lleyton, and this month you too can pitch in.

The Bandaged Bear appeal — call 1800 770 122 — is open for donations.

Just think of an amount and then double it. Twins are involved.

THE BIGGEST RACE IN NSW

Readers may have heard of a certain race being held today. It features a range of mares, fillies and geldings all charging towards the finish.

For a time it looked like an outside chance might win, but the latest betting suggests a ­victory for the current leader.

Whatever the result, some punters will be distraught and some overjoyed. And some will wonder why one particular runner appeared to think he was competing in a hurdles event.

But enough about the state election. Let’s instead consider today’s Golden Slipper. This race presents a terrific challenge for students of form, because the 2019 Golden Slipper field is the most evenly matched for years.

As well, favourite Cosmic Force gives us a fascinating story within a story.

The two-year-old colt is vying to become the first horse since 2005 to take out the Pago Pago-Golden Slipper double.

“He’s a kind horse with a good temperament and demeanour,’’ says trainer Peter Snowden, seeking a third Slipper title. Sometimes even a nice horse finishes first.

The Daily Telegraph, printed and published by the proprietor, Nationwide News Pty Ltd A.C.N. 008438828 of 2 Holt St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, at 26-52 Hume Highway, Chullora. Responsibility for election comment is taken by the Editor, Ben English.