As I stated above, I reckon most clubs, including ours, will just use their existing "who is the sub" logic for that 5th bench spot. At most, I think maybe some clubs might include a 2nd ruck if they were going in with a ruck that was underdone, but most clubs will have a 2nd/relief ruck in the team already (we do).I think it is a good change to go straight to a five man bench. I think what makes it work is that the interchange cap will still apply, so if a team suffers and injury early, they still have four players who can rotate through without too much impact. The change also gets rid of teams rorting the injury sub, which was clearly happening at times this year.
I think the change could open up the opportunity to have one key ruck and a couple of second rucks. We could potentially keep them fresher and have more outlets down the wings.
The other option is having another out and out mid. Geelong did really well by keeping their mids fresh through games (giving them two resta per quarter). I think other clubs will be looking at how they could achieve similar outcomes.
I get the thinking of two first rucks but I’m not sure it is the best idea. In essence you only have one on the field at a time and and have rucks that are probably over rested. That, or you have first rucks resting up forward but not being entirely effective. I didn’t find Hickey or Ladhams very appealing as forwards this year, so I reckon we only want one or them at a time.
I can see some more games as the 23rd man for Gould, future-HHK types who can play small or tall. But not generally.