​ Hookers are set to play 80 minutes, front rowers may need to be five kilograms lighter and utility players will become more valuable.

Those are expected to be the major changes caused by the NRL's decision to reduce the number of interchanges from 10 to eight per team next season and introduce a shot clock for goal line dropouts and scrums.

Busy man: Bulldogs' five-eighth Josh Reynolds will benefit from an eight-man interchange. Credit:Getty Images

The move is designed to encourage a more entertaining and attacking style of play, and should result in more emphasis on the development of footballers rather than athletes.

From a purely mathematical point of view, the loss of two interchanges may not seem like a change that would have a big impact on games, particularly as many teams do not use all 10 interchanges each week.