I'm not a footy brain, just a supporter. I asked this question in another thread on the same topic months ago but there was no discussion.
Ballin is massively fit, the linchpin of our defence but sometimes it looks like a spell would add to our attack. Buhrer is in limbo on our bench but coaches keep rating him & he does add the L'Estrange factor at dummy half.
Is there any reason Ballin couldn't be "rested" in the second row and JB played at hooker? MB could switch to hooker in defence and second row in attack; Buhrer plays hooker in attack, 2nd row in defence. Is this madness? Is Ballin fit enough to go 80 minutes if he has to spend 20-30 minutes running hitups? Is he the wrong build?
I'm pretty sure Cameron Smith occasionally plays 2nd row, others hookers have done likewise. My idea uses the strengths of both players...but I'm not sure of what disadvantages this would expose.