Dummy half is a weird position.

A team can benefit greatly from a dummy half who can have a big influence on the game and team's can also benefit greatly from a dummy half who does nothing more than a few core jobs. Their known for the ability to notch up the tackles, as well as their ability to get under the skin of everyone.

It's the position that varies the most between teams. Props do a pretty similar job throughout the NRL, so do back rowers and locks. Halves as well, while centres and wingers are all relatively the same. Fullbacks offer an opportunity for the most self expression, a bit of pizzazz but on the whole they are used in a similar way.

Some teams roll deep with one dummy half, this is usually because their 9 has the capacity to play 80 minutes at a high level. The important thing here is the 'high level' bit because it's cool to play 60 minutes like a man possessed but then go missing for the other 20? Dummy half isn't a position where you can hide, if you're tired you'll be missing a bunch of tackles ... given that you're tackling big blokes the majority of the time, it's a bit of an issue. Every pass needs to be on point while you're eyes need to be up, picking out opportunities to run and defenders to run at.

As you can expect, the 80 minute dummy half is usually reserved for the premier dummy halves, the king pins. But even amongst the king pins, there's plenty of variety. If you hadn't watched much league before, you might wonder why Cameron Smith is the best. His greatness lies in the subtle nature of his game as well as his somewhat genius footy brain. Compare him to Isaac Luke who is an awesome dummy half because he's all power, a nifty runner who is usually the man to set up line breaks through the middle for the Rabbitohs thanks to the threat he offers.

Robbie Farah is different to both of those two as well. He's more Smith than Luke, but he's probably near the middle. Jake Friend is also some where in the middle. There are obviously plenty of similarities between all these blokes - great runners, good passers and most importantly they can all execute a range of kicks whether it's a cheeky grubber in to the in goal or a 40/20.

While some teams are lucky enough to have a dummy half who can play 80 minutes week in week out, allowing their coach consistency in selection and a few less selection headaches, some teams are still trying to figure it out.

The Cowboys took plenty of time to settle on Rory Kostjaysn with Ray Thompson coming off the bench. Kostjaysn is a tough customer, you're typical gritty type of dummy halve while Thompson offers a bit of energy.

The Warriors are now in a tricky spot and have been trying to figure things out pretty much all season. With the return of Thomas Leuluai, coach McFadden has to fit him in somewhere and hooker is the most likely spot. Nathan Friend has drifted between being the 80 minute go to guy and sharing time with Saliva Havili for example. It's pretty late in the season and given how the Warriors looked against Newcastle with Leuluai starting and Friend off the bench, they have a lot more figuring out to do.

The Dragons, Knights and Titans have all tinkered with their dummy halves, opting for the two pronged attack the majority of the time. You'd have to think that their respective coaches would eagerly grasp the 80 minute hooker option, giving them an extra bench spot and allowing great consistency. It can definitely be beneficial though to have two 9's in your side, given that it's a consistent pairing which from a broad perspective hasn't really been the go this season. There's been a fair amount of chopping and changing for a variety of reasons, injury is obviously a big one, but I reckon a few teams are still trying to figure it all out.

Which brings me to two teams, two dummy halves, two interesting cases. If you were to name your top 3 dummy halves - Smith, Luke, Farah would be pretty hard to argue against. Michael Ennis and James Segeyaro are two very, very good dummy halves ... but they're not the best. They both play 80 minutes and both play for pretty good teams, but are very different.

Ennis, simply does everything well. He rarely plays a bad game, sometimes plays an exceptional game but is generally, solid. He gives Des Hasler the same skill set and effort each week which is all you can ask for.

Segeyaro, was pigeon holed as a bench dummy half. Now he's Mr 80 minute, offering the Panthers a dynamic option while doing his core roles well enough to demand 80 minutes.

You don't need to have an exceptional dummy half to have an 80 minute dummy half. It's a position that differs team by team and is dictated by circumstance, but it's hard to argue against seeking an 80 minute option. Sometimes seeking means just that, go out and find a bloke who can do that job or show some faith in a bloke.

Who knows whether the Panthers pursued Segeyaro with the idea of him playing 80 minutes for many years to come, or if it's a case of Ivan Cleary simply showing some faith in a talented bloke. It's a peculiar case, for a peculiar position.