When the NRL announced in July the introduction of a shot clock and the reduction of interchanges from 10 to eight in the name of game continuity, immediate fears were raised over the future of the big men in the game.
Doubts over one pack in particular sprung to mind, with Des Hasler's Bulldogs forwards chockfull of hulking figures.
David Klemmer and Sam Kasiano are two of the heaviest forwards in the game – both men carrying hefty 120 kilograms frames – while Tony Williams, Tim Browne and Greg Eastwood range between 112 to a sizeable 118 kilograms.
However such fears have been allayed by teammate Pat O'Hanlon.
Speaking from his own perspectives of pre-season training, the Mackay Brothers junior said the Bulldogs over the summer months have adjusted to suit the NRL's new conditions appropriately.
"We've been out there in the heat the whole pre-season flogging ourselves for long extended periods of time. If [the big boys are] able to take that into games and fall back on it when the going gets tough, I reckon they'll be all good," O'Hanlon told NRL.com.
"It does make it difficult, but I think we have adapted accordingly. I honestly think with the way the big boys have been training they'll handle it pretty well.
"A guy like Greg for example has been around for a long, long time so nothing changes for him, it's all about his muscle memory and his experience. He'll do that great job he does for the team every week.
"Then there are others like Sammy who is probably one of the most skilful big guys to ever play the game. From the training we have done they can take a lot of confidence in their physical ability."
