The A to Z of the NRL – I is for Interchange Players

The A to Z of the NRL continues, and so far is has been a mix of beards, broadcasters and Bears; now it’s time for the bench – with ‘I’ being brought to you by the ‘Best of the Interchange Players.’

Interchange players can be the unsung heroes of the NRL; either with a short, sharp impact, or as the ultimate team player giving their all, knowing they’ll get less attention than others.

Or it could be a massive game-winning moment from an unlikely source.

Or they could be rising stars biding their time.

Either way, we have a sample of all of the above for this edition of the A to Z of the NRL: I is for Interchange Players.

But we’ve given only a sample, so feel free to comment about your favourite below.

 Here’s our three best players currently off the bench in the NRL.

BRANDON SMITH

The Melbourne Storm’s advantage over most other teams in recent years has been their full squads, and their ability to turn overlooked players into superstars. 

But with that comes a price: certain positions are hard to get into given the superstars that are already there.

NZ international Brandon Smith would be starting hooker at every other professional rugby league club in the world, but for now has to bide his time behind his namesake Cameron.

His impact when on the field in undeniable, but how long will he have to be understudy for an arguably increasingly selfish Cameron Smith?

IOSIA SOLIOLA

The former Roosters star returned to the NRL in 2015, joining Canberra in 2015 after a five-year stint with St Helens.

Since then he has been a valuable asset off the interchange bench.

And at 33, many would argue that it is the twilight of Soliola’s career time, but he was one of Canberra’s best in one of the opening games this season against the Warriors, proving there’s still plenty of impact left from the interchange bench. And he is loved.

Sia has an amazing connection with the fans. After every win, he walks over the fans and leads an impromptu Viking Clap, usually banging superfan Simon Tayoun’s drum.

JOHN ASIATA

Asiata has been the Cowboys’ Mr Fixit during their injury-plagued seasons, having covered positions in the pack and in the halves.

The big man does have plenty of skills, and he was a decent fill-in last season in the halves. 

With a full squad available, he returns to the bench, where his impact as an interchange player is at its maximum. And the positions he can cover make him extremely useful as the number of interchanges reduce.

As for now, we think he is worth including as one of the great current interchange players in the NRL.

Here’s a few players who we think will star off the interchange bench this season, if the season ever gets started, andthen go onto better things from there.

BILLY MAGOULIAS

The man who stole the NRL State Championship for Newtown in 2019 got his chance off the bench for Cronulla-Sutherland against the Storm this season, and he does seem to be a player to make magic happen. He is our number one interchange player to watch in 2020.

TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI

The Gold Coast Titans have already seen the value in big Tino, signing him for next season from the Melbourne Storm; but we think he will provide plenty of value for his current club this season.

ALEX JOHNSTON

If the South Sydney Rabbitohs persist with Latrell Mitchell at fullback, keeping Alex Johnston on the bench will be important for them. His impact so far this season has been a vast improvement on what the regular number one has been offering; although that isn’t hard, Johnston has still been great.

 And now, some of the best interchange player feats from back in the day…

WILLIE MINOGA

The man who came off the interchange bench to win the Queensland Intrust Super Cup for the nation of PNG, sending many of the seven million-plus population into celebrations.

As ever, the Mack Truck of Wapenamanda offered plenty in his stints off the bench, but saved his biggest impact for the nation’s biggest day of rugby league.

In his early days, when the PNG Hunters were new to the Intrust Super Cup, his arrival off the bench was always eagerly anticipated by most fans, as was his potential impact on the game.

And talk of impact, he looked capable of hurting players in both attack and defence.

He did eventually become a regular starting player, but our favourite early memories and grand final heroics all came as an interchange player, hence his inclusion here.

MATT BOWEN

Matt Bowen was a brilliant player, but with Billy Slater ahead of him in the Queensland pecking order, it was hard for the North Queensland fullback to get a go in his chosen position.

He made his mark on State of Origin though, as he won the first game of the 2005 series: coming off bench to steal the win with an intercept off a Brett Kimmorley pass. Neither Bowen or Kimmorley contributed as much to their states afterwards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2atmBmPX6I

STEVE JACKSON

Perhaps saving the best for last?

Although the 1989 interchange was different to today’s version, you can’t argue about Steve Jackson’s impact off the bench in one of the greatest grand finals in Australian rugby league history.

His try is still remembered 30 years later: he’s certainly worthy of being in the best three interchange player moments of all time.