Or it’s a target on your back for up and coming players to aim for. The problem for young players is often that they don’t get a natural run of games so when they get an opportunity they have to really seize it.

Yes it's not easy to force yourself in when you haven't trained so much in that position & and the standard of defences is so different at Super League level than at Academy
or Reserve level.

The NRL never used to use squad numbers (not sure if thats still the case)
I remember watching games and the 1-17 was accurate to whoever was picked in those position. If Brad Fittler was playing 13 that day he wore 13 not 6. I like to know what positions theyre playing based on the number. However i understand having squad numbers is money driven and is extra revenue for the club.
As for the drinkwater example. i believe no player should be untouchable and a younger player should want to aim for the no 7 shirt regardless of whether another player has their name on the back.

Been a bit of talk of Hayes not being big enough. Not sure about this as Saints did there very best to trample all over him when they battered us for a full 40 minutes and I thought he stood up superbly in defence - won't get many bigger tests than that.

NRL still don't use squad numbers.

can you imagine the itching on here by the usual suspects if we did that.

jesus, i'd hand me cards in.

Australia did it in the world cup based on number of caps, didn't they, with the captain as 1.

So, Ratch can get his number 1 shirt back lol.

Who is our longest serving player after that? Currie?

Just go back to the days of match day 1 to 13, with subs of 14 to 17.

The problem previously was not squad numbers, it was the inability (or reluctance) to drop the 'big' players out of the side on form I am hoping this will not be the case with SB. i.e) if Drinkwater plays in 2024 as he did in 2023 then the '7' shirt won't protect him. Just like the '6' shirt did not protect Cade Cust for Wigan.

Some players have the number written into their contact before they sign, so the club honours it wether they perform or not I’m afraid.

I am sure the club would say that idea is nonsense.

Not Saying Warrington do, but some SL clubs do , especially regarding big money / marquee signings.