INTERVENTION: The Versatility Manifesto
Luke Lewis played at least 6 different positions at NRL level and he's sick of being labelled a "utility." Write a 200-word passionate defence titled "Luke Lewis: Master of All Trades" covering every position he played and why being versatile is HARDER than being a specialist. Must reference his Sharks partnership with Carney and his Panthers origins.
Fine if refused: $175,000
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Luke Lewis was born 11 August 1983 7 pounds and 3 ounces (some license taken here). Little did his parents know at the time what greatness had entered the world.
His NRL career lasted a remarkable 17 years and he hung up the boots as a 35 year old.
What made him remarkable was that he was a Master of All Trades
In First Grade he played:
- 51 games at wing
- 63 games at centre
- 21 games at 5 8th
- 14 games at halfback
- 109 games at second row
- 52 games at lock
- And 14 off the interchange
That is 6 different positions he played with two in the forwards, two in the outside backs and two in the halves.
He debuted with the Penrith Panthers as an 18 year old and three years later he played on the wing in the Grand Final where Penrith became the Premiers.
He would go to play both Origin and for his country.
In 2013 as a 30 year old he joined Cronulla where he would form a potent partnership with Todd Carney.
Carney played Stand off and Lewis played on his edge in the second row number 11 jersey. Lewis would finish with a solid but unspectacular 4 tries in the 2013 season.
Being versatile, like Lewis was, is way harder than being a specialist for three reasons:
- It is incredibly difficult to build up combinations and benefit from knowing your team mates instincts who are inside of you and outside of you both from a defensive perspective and offensive perspective. Lewis had to learn quickly the idiosyncrasies of his playing partners and be adept to making changes mid game. He is remarkable for being able to do this.
- Conditioning and preparation become ten time more difficult To play in the forwards requires bulk and work in the weight room. To play in the backs requires being svelte and light weight. The diets Lewis had and strength and conditioning programmes were not consistent from year to year placing his body under duress and exposing muscles not used to stress to fatigue and potential injury during pre-season preparations. Again he is remarkable for enduring this. No pre-season is easy and he went through 17 of them requiring different demands on his body.
- In game repetitions and shape recognitions again from a defensive and offensive perspective look different and are different in each different position he played. This makes it a million times harder to learn to be elite over your career as a master of all trades. The fact Lewis reached Origin level and the Kangaroos is a testament to his extreme talent and versatility.
His parents didn’t know what they were signing up for back in 1983 but I am certain they grew to be proud of their son’s exploits both on and off the field.
INTERVENTION: Energy Management Program
Your club must prove they can harness Isaac's... enthusiasm. Write a 200-word "Isaac Luke Energy Management Plan" outlining how your club will channel his hyperactivity into on-field productivity. Must include at least one team-building activity, one dietary restriction, and acknowledge his role in Warriors-Rabbitohs history.
Fine if refused: $125,000
Isaac “Bully” Luke played in a remarkable 43 tests for his country of New Zealand and played with distinction. However he earned his highest acclaims with the Rabbitohs especially on their path to the premiership in 2014. For a brief period, Isaac Luke was the form hooker of the entire comp.
Later he would join the warriors in 2016 and in 2017 to the extreme excitement of Warriors fans who thought finally “It is the warriors year” he was part of an NRL equivalent to a Fab Four spine.
RTS, Foran,
SJ, and Luke looked on paper as world beaters however didn’t quite deliver. The team did make the finals the next year but Isaac soon after was on the decline in his final years with the warriors form wise. But he is back in this competition and ready to make a resurgence. All he needs is a little energy and a plan.
ISAAC LUKE ENERGY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Team Building Activity: Isaac is a great cards player. For team building the team will have a Euchre tournament. Isaac will be paired with
SJ given they spent many years in the spine together. Isaac is expected to gain much enthusiasm from this tournament and also teach him to be calculating so he knows how to deploy his energy on the field.
Dietary Restriction: Isaac will not be allowed to eat shell fish. The reason for this is that Wrighty is allergic to shell fish so if I can’t eat them he isn’t allowed to either. Secondly I want him eating as much red meat as possible for energy and for him to sustain his energy through out the match instead of starting strong then fizzling.
Hypnosis: Isaac will under go hypnosis to calm down and utilise his hyper activity on tackling and running hard vs fidgeting and talking compulsively.
Wrestling marathon vs
Morgan Gannon: Much has been made of the need for
Morgan Gannon to improve at wrestling and it will be mutually beneficial for Isaac to have an outlet for his hyper energy. A 24 hour wrestling marathon will take place between the two of them with a ten-minute break every hour for ablutions.
Sedating medication: What energy management plan can be complete with out prescribed medication from a dodgy doctor who is a cousin of the coach. Isaac will be pumped with both appropriate and inappropriate medication and it is expected this will result in an afternoon nap each day from 1pm to 5pm.
With this energy management plan it is hoped the Isaac can once more be at his best.
Caveat Emptor Clause: Please note the author of this plan accepts no legal liability and you waive all rights and legal address remedies should you wish to use it.
www.abc.net.au
