A year out of the loop is a long time in the NRL but incoming Panthers coach Anthony Griffin isn't concerned by the three new initiatives set to be introduced into the competition in 2016.
After a year in exile following Wayne Bennett's return to the helm at the Broncos, Griffin has seen a three-part strategy in the name of game continuity and expanding the fatigue factor slowly rolled out by NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg throughout the year.
In July, a drop from 10 interchanges to eight as well as the introduction of a shot clock for dropouts and scrums was implemented for season 2016.
Confirmation of the Central Command Centre in the NRL for video referee reviews soon followed in October – with the time spent deliberating over whether a try is to be awarded or not set to be halved.
Relatively nonchalant when discussing the new measures, Griffin only raised an eyebrow to how he'll manage the Panthers' interchanges once next year rolls around.
"Honestly there's going to be some change if you take two interchanges away but most teams I reckon get through a game using seven or eight from a fatigue point of view and probably use two tactically," Griffin told NRL.com.
"So maybe the tactics of the interchange will come into play more with the fatigue factor [the NRL is chasing]."
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Otherwise Griffin said the speed of the game has naturally progressed over the years and was under the belief there won't be too many outlandish differences in the style of play next season.
"The game is always changing every year. There's always a couple of new rules, though not to this extent, but the game is getting faster and the ruck is getting quicker. But I don't think they'll affect the game that much," Griffin said.
"The bunker might bring forward a better standard so to speak while the limited interchanges have been coming for a while anyway. The players these days can handle it.
"It'll keep the ball in play for longer but again I think it's something that's been evolving for the past three or four seasons. It's been getting that little better and faster each year and the performance staff and players always seem to meet that standard in the way they're prepared so I don't see a massive change."
"If you work hard enough and if you can stay healthy with a decent roster then I don't think the rule changes or anything else is going to get in your way."
Above all Griffin was excited to be back in the coaching loop, after signing a three-year deal at the Panthers on Wednesday.
"I'm excited about the opportunity and very grateful to be involved with a great club like this," he said. "I'm looking forward to starting work."
This article first appeared on NRL.com.
