Wenin’s Teams Analysis – Round 21

How bloody good is Tommy Turbo!

Thankfully, the Wenin’s finally had the luxury of picking him as captain and ended up with a score of 1,536 and a new season rank just inside the top 4k.

From here on out, I am not going to bore you with the ins and outs from the irrelevant teams. I will be purely focused on the changes that impact our SuperCoach teams and potential acquisitions.

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KNIGHTS v BRONCOS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Kurt Mann 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson

Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. David Klemmer 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Phoenix Crossland 19. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 20. Starford To’a 21. Jack Johns

Wenins Analysis

Jayden Brailey has been rested, which hurts given that many were holding him for this fixture. I thought that Connor Watson may have been his replacement but he has been named at lock with Chris Randall to start at hooker. Watson went back to the bench and can’t be trusted for weekly output but many coaches will be forced to run him as their starting hooker this round. Don’t be fooled by the fact that he has been named to start this weekend.

Kalyn Ponga returned to form last weekend and now faces a side that has leaked plenty of points to fullbacks this year. While he has lost the goal kicking, I think that he is a must from here on given that he plays the Broncos twice, the Sharks, Bulldogs and Titans. There are surely a few massive scores there if he can stay fit. Lock him in at just $536k.

Bradman Best finally hit top gear last round after what has been a largely forgetable season to date. I will be bringing him into my side for all the reasons stated above despite him breaking my heart just a few weeks ago.

Mitchell Pearce is the only notable inclusion.

Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Brodie Croft 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Danny Levi 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Xavier Willison 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. TC Robati

Reserves: 18. David Mead 19. Albert Kelly 20. Anthony Milford 21. Xavier Coates

Wenins Analysis

Kotoni Staggs will miss the rest of the season, which is the only point of discussion here.

RAIDERS v DRAGONS

Friday, 6pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matt Timoko 5. Harley Smith-Shields 6. Jack Wighton 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Joe Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Emre Guler 17. Elijah Anderson

Reserves: 18. Sia Soliola 19. Dunamis Lui 20. Matt Frawley 21. Siliva Havili

Wenins Analysis

CHN has been dropped, which hurts given that most don’t have the trades to shift him and are likely running short of starting 17 options.

Jordan Rapana was great again despite suffering a nasty blow to his head. However, he is now priced at close to $540k.

Dragons: 1. Jack Bird 2. Mat Feagai 3. Cody Ramsey 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh McGuire 11. Billy Burns 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Talatau Amone 15. Jackson Ford 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Kaide Ellis

Reserves: 18. Matt Dufty 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Daniel Alvaro

Wenins Analysis

Ben Hunt will likely miss the rest of the season and that is where the interest ends here.

EELS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 8.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Oregan Kaufusi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Shaun Lane 16. Marata Niukore 17. Will Smith

Reserves: 18. Haze Dunster 19. Ray Stone 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Makahesi Makatoa

Wenins Analysis

Mitchell Moses has been named, which is good news for the Eels given their form of late.

The Eels face Souths, Manly, Melbourne and Penrith over the coming weeks and so Clint Gutherson should be sold given this draw and he will lose the goal kicking now iwth Moses back.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dane Gagai 4. Taane Milne 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Benji Marshall 15. Jacob Host 16. Tevita Tatola 17. Jaydn Su’A

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns 19. Patrick Mago 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Davvy Moale

Wenins Analysis

Cameron Murray returns from suspension and starts at lock with Jaydn Su’a dropping to the bench.

South’s are on fire at the moment but face their toughest test in a while. However, the Eels have been poor of late and so the relevant SuperCoach players may still go large. With that said, I would probably look at other VC/C options.

WARRIORS v SHARKS

Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Peta Hiku 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Josh Curran 13. Bayley Sironen

Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Kane Evans 17. Eliesa Katoa

Reserves: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 20. Edward Kosi 21. Jack Murchie 22. Adam Pompey

Wenins Analysis

Addin Fonua-Blake (hand) and Matt Lodge (suspension) are both back, which helps our FRF stocks.

CHT returns, seeing Peta Hiku shift to the centres and Adam Pompey drops out. Kodi Nikorima remains in the #14 jersey and can’t be started in your 17 with any great confidence. He played just 48 minutes against the Tigers last Friday night.

Euan Aitken has once again been named in the second row and is an interesting option now given that he is available at CTW. While he did score two tries last round, he also racked up 58 points in pure base!

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Connor Tracey 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Jack Williams

Bench: 14. Braden Hamlin-Uele 15. Royce Hunt 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Jonaiah Lualua 19. Luke Metcalf 20. Billy Magoulias 21. Matt Moylan

Wenins Analysis

Jesse Ramien has been named to start in the centres after being a late out last round.

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ROOSTERS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Adam Keighran 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dale Copley 6. Drew Hutchinson 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Lachlan Lam 15. Nat Butcher 16. Egan Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho

Reserves: 18. Ben Marschke 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Moala Graham-Taufa 21. Naufahu Whyte

Wenins Analysis

Dale Copley joins the Roosters as a replacement for Josh Morris, seeing Joey Manu shift to the centres. Manu fired on the wing last round, so the shift back to his normal centres position may see his output decline.

If you have trades up your sleeve, then Angus Crichton should be considered, particuarly with CHN being relegated to the bench. The Rosters face the Broncos, Dragons, Rabbitohs and Raiders to finish the season.

Ditto for James Tedesco, but personally, I’d rather take the punt on Ponga.

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Brent Naden 6. Matt Burton 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Api Koroisau 10. Liam Martin 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Tevita Pangai Jnr 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Izack Tago 19. Taylan May 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Nathan Cleary

Wenins Analysis

The big news here is the inclusion of Nathan Cleary on the extended bench. His inclusion would completeley change the dimension of this game. Api Koroisau and Isaah Yeo have also been named to return, while Tevita Pangai has been named to make his Panthers debut from the bench. He’s a watch this week until we see how he features into the rotation. Kurt Capewell has been named in the centres.

SEA EAGLES v STORM

Saturday, 7.30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Marty Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Josh Aloiai 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Moses Suli 19. Cade Cust 20. Curtis Sironen 21. Kurt De Luis

Wenins Analysis

I’ve run out of adjectives to describe Tommy Turbo. However, he comes up against the Storm this week and surely they are his kryptonite? He scored 22 points against them in round 1 last year. Perhaps we look elsewhere for our captain option this week.

Jason Saab could have cracked the ton on Monday if he didnt have butter fingers. Hold him for a couple of favourable match-ups ahead.

Storm: 1. Nicho Hynes 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Chris Lewis 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Harry Grant 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Jordan Grant 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Reserves: 18. Trent Loiero 19. Tepai Moeroa 20. Isaac Lumelume 21. Cooper Johns

Wenins Analysis

The team will lineup as per last week concerning the fullbacks and hookers.

What we saw last weekend at fullback was that Pappy replaced Hynes after 30 odd minutes, and Hynes came on later in the match for a utility style cameo. Papenhuzen played 45 minutes and is now priced at $551k with a BE of 149. I’d wait a week or two before bringing him in with Ponga and Tedesco ahead in the fullback power rankings. Hynes has a BE of over 200 and can be sold if you have trades up your sleeve. However, you could just as easily stick him on your bench as CTW cover if trades are short. He could also easily play in the halves this round should Jahrome Hughes miss.

Harry Grant was outstanding when he came on with 88 points in 58 minutes. Brandon Smith’s output took a hit with Grant back, with the utility playing just 55 minutes compared to 67 and 80 over the past two weeks. If you can move Smith to Grant this week, I would do it.

BULLDOGS v TIGERS

Sunday, 2pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Corey Allan 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Falakiko Manu 6. Bailey Biondi-Odo 7. Jake Averillo 8. Ava Seumanufagai 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Corey Waddell 12. Adam Elliott 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Dylan Napa 16. Chris Patolo 17. Matt Doorey

Reserves: 19. Tui Katoa 20. Joe Stimson 21. Kyle Flanagan 22. Jackson Topine

Wenins Analysis

Nothing here.

Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Michael Chee-Kam 4. Tommy Talau 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jacob Liddle 10. James Tamou 11. Shawn Blore 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Thomas Mikaele

Bench: 14. Alex Twal 15. Zac Cini 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Tui Simpkins 19. Tom Amone 20. Jock Madden 21. Jake Simpkin

Wenins Analysis

Moses Mbye performed well last weekend in Daine Laurie’s absence and he has been named to start the game at fullback, which is great news for Adam Doueihi owners. Mbye is avaialble for just $255k and available at both FLB and CTW. He’s not the worst crack at the stumps given the Tigers soft draw ahead.

TITANS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Ash Taylor 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Sam Lisone 16. Beau Fermor 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 18. Esan Marsters 19. Sam McIntyre 20. Anthony Don 21. Jamal Fogarty

Wenins Analysis

Tyrone Peachey is out suspended, while David Fifita has been named to start after being a late switch to the bench over the past two weeks.

Cowboys: 1. Val Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Connelly Lemuelu 4. Ben Hampton 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Tom Dearden 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Jason Taumalolo 12. Heilum Luki 13. Coen Hess

Bench: 14. Mitch Dunn 15. Ben Condon 16. Lachlan Burr 17. Jake Granville

Reserves: 18. Francis Molo 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Peter Hola 21. Shane Wright

Wenins Analysis

Valentine Holmes is back and could be a sneaky POD for the run home with games against the Tigers and Dragons in the run home.

WeninRome

Wenin is one of the founding fathers of the NRLSCTalk website who's Tuesday Teams Analysis has been a feature post on the site for close to a decade. He also loves a good steak bet!

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Trade-a-holic

Love your work Wenin.

trentmark

Best will be a popular trade in, but why not go Tuala instead? Has been scoring very average at centre, but now moved outside Ponga/Best, he could reap the rewards. Wingers score better than centre’s, it’s facts

Massive attack

Thanks Wenin
I moved to 1400th this week
Thanks to you Carlos Stillesy and J.T
Good luck for the rest of the year