Cronulla captain Paul Gallen wants the Sharks to psychologically demoralise their NRL opponents this year by always keeping a star forward on the bench.
Gallen believes Cronulla’s stocks are so strong, they can break down opposition teams by saving their best for a second wave.
Last year a key reason for Canterbury’s success was their tactic of starting props Sam Kasiano and Aiden Tolman, before saving arguably their best front-rower James Graham for later in the match.
Gallen sees an opportunity for the Sharks to do the same, with their intimidating pack bolstered further for 2013 by the additions of Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington.
The game’s premier lock has even volunteered himself for the occasional role as interchange muscle.
“James Graham is one of the best front rowers in the competition. I know when you come up against a team like that and you see someone like that coming off the bench, you think, ‘shit, we’ve got to compete with him coming on,'” said Gallen.
“I think we’ve got the opportunity this year to do the same thing.
“Whether it be someone like Wade (Graham), (Anthony) Tupou, Heighington or even myself my times coming off the bench.
“I think it makes the team a whole lot stronger when you’ve got a really strong bench.”
Gallen, who will make a final decision this week on his availability for the All Stars match on February 9, is full of praise for the Sharks’ star-studded pack which also features the likes of Bryce Gibbs, Ben Ross, Andrew Fifita and Jayson Bukuya.
The 31-year-old rates Wade Graham as a future captain of the club and an Origin and Test backrower in the making.
And especially with Australian star Lewis and former Wests Tigers toiler Heighington in the mix, Cronulla have a surplus of second rowers at their disposal.
But Gallen doesn’t expect his role to change too much and has ruled out a move to prop – at least in name.
“I’m not a front-rower, I don’t consider myself to be a front-rower,” he said.
“In previous years I’ve always started on the edge and worked my way into the middle. I think with the team we’ve got this year, that’s still beneficial to the team.
“If I’ve got to pack into the scrum at front row, fine. But the middle of the field is the middle of the field (regardless what number is on your back).”
Gallen denied reports last week that star five-eighth Todd Carney had knocked back an initial contract extension offer from the Sharks.
Carney is coming back from a ruptured Achilles tendon and while running freely at training, Gallen says he’s no certainty to start the season.
“I don’t know if they’ll bother pushing him for round one.”