JT’s Teams Analysis – Round 3

Just the teams this evening with a look at captains coming later in the week. Huge moving week this one!

*To Note: All times listed are based on Queensland time.

This Weeks Bye Team/s

Penrith Panthers

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES v PARRAMATTA EELS

Thursday, 7.00pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Cooper Johns 20. Morgan Harper 21. Karl Lawton 22. Ben Condon

JT’s Teams Analysis: The gameday changeup of Josh Aloiai starting over Sean Keppie ($274,800 – 2RF/FRF – BE 13) back in round 1 has now been made official with Keppie moved back to the 17 jersey. Not a good result – this is the same forward rotation that was put out in that game where Keppie landed just the 39 minutes. Expect much of the same rotation this time around. Toa Sipley has again been named in the 18 jersey – given he has played 20 and 19 games himself over the last couple of seasons, Keppie’s spot in the side altogether surely remains in some jeopardy. At a pretty moderate breakeven and a potential for 40 minutes still there, it’s not the end of the world, but will make his eventual price rises a lot slower than first thought.

Josh Schuster ($241,200 – 5/8 / 2RF – BE 23) makes his first appearance for Manly this season after picking up that pre-season calf injury, pushing Cooper Johns out to the extended bench. Plenty of eyes will be on the cheapie, with expectations high on him to deliver after having bumped out Keiran Foran for the role.

While Jake Trbojevic ($528.7k – 2RF / FRF – BE 53) was disappointing in the first round, he was out there for the full 80 minutes and should continue that big minute output. Ben Trbojevic ($286.2k – CTW / 2RF – BE 43) is somehow owned by 6% of SuperCoaches. Barring an injury to either of Olakau’atu or Tuilagi (who he subbed on for in his 18 minutes earlier), he will continue to bleed value and has to be sold to the likes of a Jacob Preston this week.

Parramatta Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserve: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Haze Dunster 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Isaac Lumelume

JT’s Teams Analysis: With Ryan Matterson still to sit out the game, the same 17 has been rolled out yet again after going down to the Sharks last week. Sean Russell copped another cruel blow with a long-term shoulder injury picked up last week (after originally being named on the wing), so it looks like game-day replacement Bailey Simonsson ($394k – CTW / FLB – BE 43) has that spot to himself for the time being. Isaac Lumelume makes an appearance on the extended reserves after playing in the first game, but looks a way off in jersey 22. Haze Dunster ($234.8k – CTW – BE 23) is floating on the extended reserves as well – he was initially named in jersey 22 last week but has bumped up in the pecking order as a result of that Russell injury. At an almost $160k price difference to Simonsson – he’s the option SuperCoaches wanted to see there.

Brad Arthur’s decision to play only 16 of his full quota of players over the last two weeks (first Makatoa caught a cold from his zero minutes, then it was Greig’s turn last week) mean the starting pack should again have plenty of minutes between them. No utility on the bench again shows the Eels’ faith in Josh Hodgson ($385.6k – HOK – BE 16) being able to push out regular big games, having played two full matches to start his season. At 60 and 35 in his first two stints, he’d be pretty low on the list of players you should be moving Brandon Smith on to.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS VS THE DOLPHINS

Friday, 5.00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Newcastle Knights

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson

Bench: 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mat Croker 16. Jack Johns 17. Dylan Lucas

Reserves: 18. Enari Tuala 19. Greg Marzhew 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Ben Talty 22. Thomas Cant

JT’s Teams Analysis: It’s a makeshift side for the Knights this week after somehow scraping a win together against the woeful Tigers last time around. From that game, Kalyn Ponga (replaced by Gamble last week and in the side here), Jayden Brailey (replaced by Crossland), Jacob Saifiti (replaced by Hetherington) and Tyson Frizell (replaced by Brodie Jones) are the direct changes. Coming onto the bench are debutants Ryan Rivett ($200.8k – HFB – BE 23) and Dylan Lucas ($200.8k – CTW – BE 23). That bench is LIGHT on experience, and weight. Will either Rivett or Lucas get enough time in the side (and on the park) to make any cash? Doubtful.

Ponga and Brailey are going through concussion protocols, so it’s difficult to put a timeframe on their likely absences. However, the injuries to the pack put up at least one interesting SuperCoach proposition. Jack Hetherington ($266.6k – 2RF / FRF – BE 30) was a relatively interesting pre-season cheapie and he still has 5% ownership. Starting from the bench has done him no favours, but he now gets a chance at a starting role with Saifiti’s huge 5-game absence. A good chance to make some cash here and build on the 30 minutes a game he’s been getting, but based on history it’s likely to be a slow rise. Maybe $50k by the time JSaif is back if you’re absolutely lucky.

A more valuable SuperCoach option may have landed in the lock jersey, with Leo Thompson ($315.7k – FRF – BE 5) being named to start this week. Helping that cause is certainly the absences of Kurt Mann and Adam Elliott who are out for at least another month and will free that lock jersey up for Thompson’s for the next little while. With such a light on bench, Thompson could make some serious cash at a health career PPM of around 1.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon ($478.2k – 2RF – BE -8) is one of the few healthy forwards in the Knights squad at the moment and has scored twice on his way to a 74 and 72 recently. He looks a much improved prospect and will find himself a focal point close to the line given the lack of depth in the forwards. Without the tries he’s hitting pretty mediocre scores but he’s got history of finding the line. Brodie Jones ($392.6k – 2RF – BE 57) is less of an interesting watch for many reasons – with Frizell likely due back soon to bump him out and a lofty breakeven.

Greg Marzhew is still on the extended reserves. Hymel Hunt ($234.8k – CTW – BE -1) just doing the job for the time being. Would be too concerned by the more fancied Marzhew lurking to trust a punt on Hunt, as well as a 16 last round that will see his price rises stunted over the next couple of weeks. Though who knows, with this injury crisis at the Knights, Marzhew might shift into the prop rotation if needed.

The Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves: 18. Mason Teague 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

JT’s Teams Analysis: With Marshall-King gone for two games due to suspension, Kodi Nikorima ($286k – 5/8 / HOK – BE 27) makes his Phins debut in his place. There are again no backup hookers on the bench, with Kurt Donoghoe ($200.8k – HOK – BE 49) playing a handful of minutes in a roving lock role last week. Should mean big minutes for Nikorima but it won’t mean much with that limited time in the side. Ray Stone ($246.9k – 2RF / HOK) has returned from injury, pushing the impressive Mason Teague back to the extended reserves. For Stone, he’s still 13% owned, and looks to still have an injury curse and has fallen behind Gilbert in the pack as expected. It’s time to move him on to make some cash.

Tom Gilbert ($494.1k – FRF / 2RF – BE 12) and Connelly Lemuelu ($307.2k – CTW – BE 4) continued their rotation with each other again last week, with Gilbert helped along to a bigger stint on the park courtesy of a failed HIA to Lemuelu (that looks like he’s recovered from). Expect Gilbert’s minutes to dip slightly as a result should Lemuelu stay healthy, with Round 1’s 50 minutes potentially more of what you’ll see regularly from him.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS VS SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Friday, 7.05pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Noafahu Whyte 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Corey Allan 22. Siua Wong

JT’s Teams Analysis: In a huge boost, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($449.1k – FRF – BE 43) has been named for his first game after missing the first two weeks with injury, pushing Fletcher Baker ($300.6k – 2RF / FRF – BE 34) back to the bench. Victor Radley ($526.7k – 2RF – BE 77) also returns from injury, with his replacement at lock last week, Noafahu Whyte, dropping back to the extended reserves.

The combination of both Jake Turpin ($296k – HOK – BE 17) and Drew Hutchison ($234.8k – 5/8 / 2RF – BE -6) on the bench remains an interesting one. Turpin filled in directly for Brandon Smith last week, who has been named but must be under severe doubt given recurring back issues. Even if the injury was more long-term, Turpin’s not someone you’d rush to bring in given a PPM over his career that floats around the 0.6PPM mark and just the 25 in 53 minutes last round filling in for Smith. Hutchison played a roving role off the bench, as is becoming quite popular across the NRL these days.

If Smith is ruled out, you would expect Turpin and Hutchison to split the hooking duties, with both having some varying levels of experience/success there.

Egan Butcher ($482.1k – 2RF – BE 59) is being abandoned by a few thousand of his owners this week but he’s playing 80 minutes (when not sinbinned) and with no danger of that dipping with that bench, should be considered a hold unless you have absolutely no other fires to put out. He’s just been taking tough runs all season but has shown a great PPM in the past (1.15 in 2022 and 1.02 in 2021, when he was spending only half the game on the park). There’s a SuperCoach game in there, give it time to shine with the likes of JWH and Radley back to take on the heavy duty roles.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee-Kam 13. Cameron Murray.

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos

JT’s Teams Analysis: Tevita Tatola ($535.3k – FRF – BE 101) returns from a head knock to take his spot in the front row, pushing Davvy Moale ($234.8k – FRF – BE 0) back to the bench and last week’s surprise name Suluka-Fifita to the reserves. Jed Cartwright also drops back to the 18th spot with Hame Sele ($312.8k – 2RF / FRF – BE 30) taking over his role on the bench. Moale has been named on the bench and promoted to start on game day the last two weeks, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them make the same change given Tatola has played just one minute of football in the last fortnight. We expect to see Jacob Host back from next week, so it looms a challenge not just for Moale to stay on the park for long but to stay in the top 17 at all. For now with that zero breakeven, he’s a hold, and at least he’s been trusted to start twice now.

Taane Milne remains biding his time in reserve grade, with Izaac Thompson ($336.7k – CTW – BE 36) retaining his wing spot with Milne again on the extended reserves (dropping out to play NSW Cup last week). Unfortunately for Thompson he’s had no attacking stats, with the right edge flavour of attack in round 1 ending once it got to Campbell Graham, and Alex Johnston the tryscorer on the left edge last round. Michael Chee-Kam ($234.8k – 2RF / CTW – BE -28) remains as a starting edge forward where he played the full game last week with Jai Arrow still nursing a hamstring strain and not named. It’s tough to trust Chee-Kam given Arrow is looming, but then you think back to R1 when Arrow was bumped back to the bench for MCK the very first week. Long-term not a play but could make some nice cash rises if Arrow is out a while longer.

Blake Taaffe ($400.9k – FLB – BE 106) remains the emergency utility on the bench with just 7 minutes in both games this season. At $400k, he could be very handy should he continue to shed value throughout the season.

GOLD COAST TITANS VS MELBOURNE STORM

Saturday, 2.00pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Gold Coast Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Jo Vuna 17. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui

Reserves: 18. Sam Mcintyre 19. Kleise Haas 20. Toby Sexton 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry

JT’s Teams Analysis: With Brian Kelly ($491.4k – CTW – BE 47) coming back from suspension this week, it has fortunately (for SuperCoach purposes) pushed Jojo Fifita out of the side entirely. Khan-Pereira ($200.8k – CTW – BE 13) has had very limited involvements on the wing so far but looks to have that left edge spot sewn up on this news. Phillip Sami ($500.6k – CTW – BE 57) shifts from centres to the right wing.

Sam Verrills picked up a shoulder injury last week that sees Chris Randall ($493.3k – HOK – BE 68) come in to replace him in the starting side. Erin Clark ($494.5k – HOK / 2RF – BE 73) has played hooker before and is on the bench so will likely split minutes with him on an interim basis. Jo Vuna ($216.1k – 2RF – BE 21) and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui ($200.8k – FRF – BE 19) join the bench, with Tino’s bro making his debut at the expense of Sam McIntyre who’s been punted back to the bench. There’s never a lot of minutes for these Titans benchies despite Jayden Campbell there as a utility.

Joe Stimson ($316.7k – 2RF – BE 13) plays his third game on the right edge and is making David Fifita ($689.8k – 2RF – 46) look like a hitup machine which is a rare skill, with just 9 runs all season compared to 30 for Fifita. He also didn’t finish the game out last week so is likely to be spelled by Vuna.

Melbourne Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Bronson Garlick 22. Kane Bradley

JT’s Teams Analysis: A surprise early return from injury sees Justin Olam ($541.2k – CTW – BE 52) move back into the left centre spot, forcing Young Tonumaipea to the extended bench. Xavier Coates ($466.9k – CTW – BE 52) has also made a quick return, with Grant Anderson punted after a pretty scrappy last outing. The interesting name in the side is Tariq Sims ($470.4k – 2RF – BE 45), who has been named in the 16 jersey for his first game of the season. There has been talk about Sims playing a middle role given his ageing body, and having Jonah Pezet ($200.8k – HFB – BE 19), a halfback, named to make his debut off the bench suggests that could be the case, with McDonald and Jordan Grant the other props. Should be good news for Loiero ($365k – 2RF – BE 12) and Katoa ($411.1k – 2RF – BE -28) owners and their chances of regular 80 minutes, but definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Tui Kamikamica ($496.6k – FRF – BE 48) is the direct replacement for the injured Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who is out for the next 6-8 weeks with a knee injury. That again is probably good news for those hoping Sims lands in the middle rotation for a while.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS THE WARRIORS

Saturday, 4.30pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Nth Queensland Cowboys

1. Tom Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Heilum Luki 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Riley Price 22. Mitchell Dunn

JT’s Teams Analysis: A shake-up to the side has been required due to the suspensions to Drinkwater (3 weeks) and Hiku (2 weeks), meaning Tom Chester ($234.8k – FLB – BE 23) makes his first NRL game in the starting side at fullback after playing there in the first trial and performing impressively, and Gehamat Shibasaki ($315.7k – CTW – BE 30) makes his Cowboys debut after having not played an NRL game since Round 4, 2021. Somehow still $316k. There you go.

There was some talk about the Cowboys moving Valentine Holmes ($724.6k – CTW – BE 98) back to fullback given his obvious history at the role, but the naming of Chester there means that talk has been shelved and the young kid has plenty of wraps on him.

James Tamou remains on the bench after playing a full zero minutes last week, with young guns in Sadrugu and Riley Price lurking. Of most SuperCoach interest is the naming of Heilum Luki ($451k – 2RF – BE 43) on the extended reserves for the first time since suffering an ACL injury last year. He will likely be eased back into things, so could be a game-day promotion to the bench and working into a rotation with Coen Hess ($400.8k – 2RF / FRF – BE 57) on the edge who has been unspectacular as expected and should shift back to the middle when Luki is fully fit. Some low-minute games could get Luki’s price looking juicy for a mid season target.

The Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick 19. Viliame Vailea 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Jazz Tevaga 22. Rocco Berry

JT’s Teams Analysis: Unfortunately for the Warriors they are down on troops and it’ll be a battle of the rookie fullbacks with Taine Tuaupiki ($200.8k – FLB – BE 19) named to debut there in place of the concussed Nicoll-Klokstad. Other notable movements include Mitch Barnett ($536.6k – 2RF / FRF – BE 32) shifting from the middle to the edge where he has played the majority of his career (and is less valuable for SuperCoach), with Bunty Afoa ($391.5k – 2RF / FRF – BE 24) promoted to starting prop and Josh Curran ($568.2k – 2RF – BE 123) remaining on the bench.

It’s been an interesting start to the season for Curran, getting very few minutes in the first round and then getting thrust into the action early last week, only to come off the field with a hip injury. He may be in some doubt with Jazz Tevaga ($555.2k – 2RF – BE 53) floating on the extended reserves. Of importance is that all of these changes and even Tevaga looming don’t look like having any impact on Tohu Harris ($640.5k – 2RF / FRF – BE 24) and his 80-minute games.

Jackson Ford joins Nicoll-Klokstad in the head injury ward this week, not named after failing his HIA last week. Those holding onto him would hope that Barnett doesn’t kill it at the spot, as it may not be easy breaking back into the starting pack despite the early faith shown in him.

BRISBANE BRONCOS VS ST GEORGE/ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Saturday, 6.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Brisbane Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Delouise Hoeter

JT’s Teams Analysis: The Broncos’ side remains virtually the same except for Corey Oates being replaced by Jesse Arthars ($392k – CTW – BE 61), who filled in admirably when Oates went off with a broken jaw last round. Reece Walsh ($554.8k – FLB – BE 2) piqued everyone’s interest with a tremendous showing last round and gets another good chance against a Dragons side who do enjoy leaking points to fullbacks. Unfortunately amidst the Broncos’ great start, Selwyn Cobbo ($586.9k – CTW – BE 123) looks the forgotten man with no love yet either at fullback or back to the wing again now.

St George-Illawarra Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

JT’s Teams Analysis: The Dragons strong performance last week may have gone under the radar given it was the last game of the round and it was their first showing since a disastrous trial period. They retain the same 17 who performed against the Titans.

The interesting watch is Jack Bird ($573.2k – CTW/2RF), who remains at lock where he just seems to find ways to score big, landing another 70 points there last round out of nowhere despite just playing the 50 minutes there). As pointed out last week, he had some ridiculous scores of 88 and 131 playing at lock in 2022 and continued on his merry way. No sign yet of Jack de Belin – he is marked down for a return next week from a calf issue but looks to be a week-by-week proposition. You would imagine he fills in there on return, pushing Bird back to the second row spot currently held by Ben Murdoch-Masila ($234.8k – FRF / 2RF – BE 9). If he does, you can likely forget about either BMM or Bird. Another week to watch though and maybe TLT next week will throw up a surprise…

Jayden Sullivan ($319.2k – 5/8 / HOK – BE 41) performed strongly last week, again winning the starting spot over Talatau Amone who should be forced into another game in the NSW Cup.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS VS WESTS TIGERS

Sunday, 3.05pm, Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Fa’amanu Brown

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns 19. Karl Oloapu 20. Josh Reynolds 21. Jackson Topine 22. Jayden Tanner

JT’s Teams Analysis: Huge news for SuperCoach with Jacob Preston ($200.8k – 2RF – BE -51) retaining his role as starting second rower in this Dogs pack, keeping Faitala-Mariner ($471.9k – 2RF – BE 46) at lock and Nu Brown ($460.5k – HOK – BE 70) on the bench. He has been truly impressive in his first few games for the Dogs and is being rewarded by the coach as a result. While Tevita Pangai Junior is due back from a calf injury next week, his role in the side this year is to be a front rower, meaning the edge is safe for now. As a worst-case, he could push Faitala-Mariner to the edge and Preston back to the bench, but the faith looks strong in Preston for now. He would have played the full 80 last week but they gave Okunbor a 4-minute run with the game in hand. Great signs for his long-term future given no ready-made second rower on that bench for the time being.

Franklin Pele ($216.1k – FRF – BE 32) is a very popuar tradeout this week and for good reason given his spot is precarious with TPJ back soon and very poor minutes/outputs in his first two games. He’s owned by almost a quarter of SuperCoaches…

Wests Tigers

1. Charlie Staines 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Asu Kepaoa 12. Shawn Blore 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Brandon Tumeth

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. John Bateman 21. Rua Ngatikaura 22. Jahream Bula

JT’s Teams Analysis: Daine Laurie is out with a knee injury, meaning Charlie Staines ($378.8k – FLB / CTW – BE 43)shifts into the fullback role to start this game. The game last week ended up with Laurie moving to the wing (to fill in for Tommy Talau’s HIA) and Staines at the back, so whether this could be a more permanent shift remains up in the air.

Star Toa ($430.4k – CTW – BE 69) comes in for Tommy Talau who is out with concussion, and Junior Tupou ($334.6k – CTW – BE 32) onto the left wing. Tupou scored a double there in the trials so is coming in with some decent form.

A short-term shuffle in the second row this week with Asu Kepaoa ($455.3k – CTW – BE 31) replacing the suspended (for one week) Isaiah Papali’i, and Shawn Blore ($234.8k – 2RF – BE 34) taking back his spot on the edge after missing out last week through concussion. Fonua Pole ($420.9k – 2RF / FRF – BE 57) missed the game last week with a knee injury but is named at lock this week, pushing Ofahengaue ($644k – FRF / 2RF – BE 82) to the bench – the second time Joe O has been there this season. Not sure what to make of it there – given Sheens’ track record, expect that to revert on game day.

Brandon Wakeham ($234.8k – HFB / 5/8 – BE 23) is the replacement for the concussed Jake Simpkin, and Brandon Tumeth ($200.8k – 2RF – BE 24) gets a run on the bench for the second week in a row. Koroisau ($666.2k – HOK – BE 110) has been building minutes slowly after his shock round 1 benching, but that suggests he’s still not trusted to see the full 80 minutes out.

John Bateman has been named for the first time in jersey 20. A lot of talk about how serious the ankle injury is he’s meant to be carrying, so that could just be to quiet down some of the critics laying into the Tigers for the way he’s come into the country/team this year.

CANBERRA RAIDERS VS CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS

Sunday, 5:15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Canberra Raiders

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Zac Woolford 19. Matt Frawley 20. James Schiller 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola

JT’s Teams Analysis: Still no sign of Josh Papali’i with that calf injury, who is slated for a ’round 4-6 return’, so it’s much of the same in the starting pack for the Raiders. Trey Mooney ($234.8k – 2RF – BE 23) bumps Ata Mariota out of the side on the bench in the only change to last week. Pasami Saulo ($243k – 2RF / FRF – BE – 15) now gets his third game in the starting prop role after being a surprise addition to the pack from R1. He’s getting through a decent clip of work at around 1.15PPM in all base from around 35 minutes average from his two games. Even when Papali’i comes back, if he can hold onto those minutes (as we know Papa these days is only really good for 50-odd), he should keep the price rises going for a little while longer. Not the worst buy if you have every other good cash cow.

Again while they have been named in the 12 and 13 jerseys respectively, Whitehead (lock) and Harawira-Naera (edge) will play different roles for the majority of the game. It hasn’t yet translated into SuperCoach points – were it the other way around, it probably would.

Pressure still mounting on Danny Levi ($329.7k – HOK – BE 9) who has been okay to start the season, but has Starling and Woolford waiting in the wings to pinch his starting spot.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jack Williams

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Daniel Atkinson

JT’s Teams Analysis: Nicho Hynes remains a week-to-week proposition and he hasn’t been named here. The same squad except for Jack Williams in place of Connor Tracey to last week, and likely the same winning formula in terms of rotations as was on display last week. No one really to highlight here.