JT’s Teams Analysis – Round 6

A few massive ins this week in the teams and some big trade out targets (HopGod no longer…).

There are also a handful of dual position updates that have been processed this week, with Kaeo Weekes (HOK & 5/8), Connelly Lemuelu (2RF & CTW), Seb Kris (FLB & CTW) and Nu Brown (2RF & HOK) having an extra position now. Of most interest there is obviously Lemuelu, who has been killing it at starting second row for the Phins and now can be used there in your SuperCoach side.

This Weeks Bye Team/s

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

MELBOURNE STORM VS SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Thursday, 7.50pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Melbourne Storm

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

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19 Tyran Wishart 20.Jordan Grant 21.Jack Howarth 22 Jonah Pezet

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Jahrome Hughes ($706.9k – HFB – BE 61) is a welcome return to the side this week after serving his suspension, which sees Jonah Pezet ($296.1k – HFB – BE – 3) back to the extended reserves after making nearly $100k in the space of a week. With another low breakeven he’ll just need to take the field eventually to make another nice price rise but the wait is likely too long in such a crucial position.

Courtesy of a try in his last two weeks, Cam Munster ($809.4k – 5/8 – BE 98) has managed to maintain his value after a chequered start to the year. He is comfortably the highest-averaging 5/8 across all categories and is carrying on his consistent form from last year without having yet gone truly ballistic.

Will Warbrick ($343.2k – CTW – BE -40) is finally finding some form after a slow start. A lesson to all SuperCoaches – never trade out a CTW who plays for a quality side who is near bottom-dollar. Almost 4000 coaches did last week and they’re now paying the price. With Ryan Papenhuyzen not due back for at least another month, Warbrick should time himself to be a perfect downgrade option by that time (when presumably Nick Meaney moves back to the wing to take his spot). George Jennings is no longer on the extended reserves so the only possible job security risk in the immediate term appears to be continued 18th man Grant Anderson.

The current forward rotation for the Storm with a bench utility (occasionally two) means good news for Josh King ($550.8k – 2RF – BE 0) who continues to find the occasional attacking stat in big minute performances. Few would have predicted him to be in the top 5 for 2RFs in total points at the start of the year but here we are. An absolute workhorse through the middle. Perhaps that dips when NAS returns, but that’s still a few weeks away.

Sydney Roosters

1. Joey Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Drew Hutchison 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. Terrell May 16. Corey Allan 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Junior Pauga 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Ben Thomas

JT’s Teams Analysis:

The fullback spot has gone to Joey Manu ($801.5k – CTW – BE 146) who missed last week through suspension. With a wealth of options at their disposal, there was some thought that the other Joseph (Suaalii ($587,200 – CTW – BE 66)) remaining at centres. Manu has had a slow start to the season, copping a suspension as well as a sinbin in his last game, so stands to lose a massive amount of cash this round. He would remain only a draft option for now but one to consider down the track once his pricetag reaches an affordable level.

Drew Hutchison ($246.4k – 5/8 / 2RF – BE 12) remains in the centres again this week with Manu’s move to fullback. A handy utility option so may be worth a look in a Draft league.

Jaxson Paulo ($626k – CTW – BE 6) cannot be stopped at the moment, piling on 5 tries in the last three weeks against opposition who are relatively defensively sound in Parra, Souths and the Warriors. Another test here against the Storm but Melbourne are giving up the 4th most points to CTWs this year due to their own new defensive combinations. At a low breakeven, he’s a costly option and doesn’t have a ton of history to support him being able to keep up the ridiculous run rate.

The only other change is swapping around Terrell May and Naufahu Whyte on the bench, while Corey Allan gets another game off the bench. That bench was somewhat interesting for Victor Radley ($489.1k – 2RF – BE 56) who is playing big minutes, though not quite the full 80. He should get another big game here but his PPM has been pretty ordinary so far this season so not expecting a great deal.

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS VS SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Friday, 4.05pm, Accor Stadium, 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. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards

Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Jayden Tanner 17. Jackson Topine

Reserves: 19.Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Reece Hoffman 23. Andrew Davey

JT’s Teams Analysis:

This could be a massive game once again for Jacob Kiraz ($739.7k – CTW – BE 61) who will be facing a new defensive combination on the wing now that Johnston is out. Despite a 3RA of 77PPG he has somehow only scored once in that run which is incredible for a winger.

The Bulldogs are scrambling for forwards once again this week, with Faitala-Mariner (head knock) and Franklin Pele (broken arm – 8 weeks) out, meaning Max King ($602.8k – 2RF / FRF – BE 55) should stand to play big minutes again despite picking up an eye injury last week. He has previously benefitted from a dual utility bench (Okunbor and Reynolds last round) which means plenty of work required for the big boppers, but the three forward bench could indicate some issues with the healthiness of the pack. Viliame Kikau ($581.7k – 2RF – BE 73) will again be sidelined through the mandatory concussion standown policy. The new face is Harrison Edwards who gets a surprise start at lock in his debut game. Not currently in SuperCoach but a quick check of his 2023 NSW Cup record shows he’s been punching out around 60MPG at lock and had four offloads in a single game.

Jacob Preston ($476.2k – 2RF – BE -3) is also named despite suffering a hand injury last week. Keep an eye on teams news throughout the week but being an early game definitely helps. Still no sign of Tevita Pangai, but Andrew Davey ($447.8k – 2RF – BE 46) sneaks his way onto the extended reserves for the first time after coming back through reserve grade last week for his first run of the season. He looks to be the only real danger to Preston’s spot in the side and is at least an experienced head in a very depleted Dogs pack. Keep watch on those first team cuts.

Paul Alamoti ($392.7k – CTW – BE 40) is probably close to his peak and with a run that includes Souths, Parra and the Sharks in his next three games, could be moved on this week or next.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Taane Milne 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Davvy Moale 17. Hame Sele

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee-Kam 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Ben Lovett 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Dean Hawkins

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Keaon Koloamatangi ($749.1k – 2RF – BE 102) looked like a tired player last week and will again have to front a lot of the workload with a stack of Bunnies forwards still gone. Ignore the breakeven – he still has season long keeper written all over him. Jacob Host ($295.9k – 2RF – BE 36) keeps his spot as the starting second row placeholder in Jai Arrow’s continued absence but there’s little to love for SuperCoach with some poor minutes and scoring.

Michael Chee-Kam ($381.3k – 2RF / CTW – BE 26) has been bumped back to jersey 18 so won’t be capitalising on the low breakeven for now. Davvy Moale ($246.5k – FRF – BE 27) is at least named in the 17 but isn’t moving anywhere given the consistently low scores, and is proving a pain point for owners who may be trying to use the VC loophole. We just need him to come on and score a meatie!

Alex Johnston ($582.4k – CTW – BE 99) misses this week through concussion protocols, giving Taane Milne ($453.6k – CTW – BE 47) his first run for the year on the wing.

Cam Murray ($669.3k – 2RF – BE 59) bounced back to form last week and without Havili, Knight, Arrow and Shaq Mitchell, will again be called upon for a big stint. We commented last week how his propensity to pass the ball was affecting his scoring but season-best busts and offloads (one leading to a try) meant the flow has been stopped for now. 13 runs last time was also a season-high, so maybe this is a sign that he’ll start redeveloping his run-first mentality particularly given the Dogs’ outs in their middle.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS THE DOLPHINS

Friday, 8.05pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium,, Townsville

Nth Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Brendan Elliott 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Mitchell Dunn 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Griffin Neame 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Tom Chester 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Riley Price

Reserves: 18. Ben Hampton 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Jake Bourke

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Another week, another makeshift Cowboys side. On the bright side, Scott Drinkwater ($746.6k – FLB – BE 171) is back but has a long way to fall with a massive breakeven, and pushes Tom Chester ($342.5k – FLB – BE -30) to the bench. Chester just needs to step out on the park, even if it’s for the 5 minutes or so that the Hammer averaged last season, and he’ll make thousands.

With Luki and McLean sidelined with hammy strains, another welcome return in the form of Reuben Cotter ($597.1k – FRF – BE 90) is named to start back at prop after missing a couple of weeks through a knee injury. The fact that both Chester and Granville are on the bench is a sign that they’ll need some big minutes out of the likes of Cotter and Taumalolo. He has been patchy this year but still has an 8% ownership stat.

Not sure why but apparently Mitch Dunn ($372.7k – 2RF – BE 43) is a prop for life now and they’re going to try Griffin Neame ($371.6k – FRF – BE 1) at the second row. Neame was very impressive last week in punching out almost an hour of gametime. 5 busts and an offload suggests there’s a handy edge game in him. It may just be for the one week with Nanai due back from suspension in round 7.

Riley Price ($200.8k – 2RF – BE 21) plays his second game in a row here and will be on the bubble next round. Needs to capitalise on the lack of forwards playing here.

The Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Edrick Lee 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiaya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe

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

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Isaiya Katoa ($285.8k – 5/8 / HFB – BE 21) has a huge role now in the side given the loss of Milford, but will at least have Kodi Nikorima ($286k – 5/8 / HOK – BE 40) alongside him to provide some experience. Katoa has actually had a try assist in every game he’s played so far but is yet to kick on and make a big score. With the reins now firmly in his hands he’s due one.

Jack Bostock ($200.8k – CTW – BE 22) looks like a one-game wonder, replaced by Edrick Lee ($591.9k – CTW – BE 61) who plays his first game for the Dolphins. What a hefty pricetag for the Maroons superstar. Tesi Niu remains sidelined with a knee injury. Bostock was bought by 2000 owners last week who’ll be very disappointed with that news.

Herman Ese’ese ($334.3k – FRF / 2RF – BE 42) remains at starting prop but a mediocre return last week means he’s off the watch list for now. Connelly Lemuelu ($425.6k – 2RF/CTW – BE 21) has another two weeks where you don’t have to worry about the headache of Felise Kaufusi’s return to the side (round 8), so he stands to make another couple of price rises before a call is made on his place in the side.

PENRITH PANTHERS VS MANLY SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18 Tyrone Peachey 19 Jack Cogger 20 Eddie Blacker 21 Kurt Falls 22 Tom Jenkins

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Zac Hosking ($458.8k – 2RF – BE – 55) has been great in Liam Martin’s absence over the last two weeks and gets rewarded with another starting spot here with Martin still missing through a hamstring strain (same with Luke Garner who’s still out through a rib injury). He stands to make a huge price rise here but with both Martin and Garner due back next week, will need another good showing to prove his worth. It’s a risk free play at such a huge negative breakeven though.

Scott Sorensen ($480.9k – 2RF – BE 17) also remains on the edge but didn’t play the full 80 last round while Hosking did, though was equally impressive in helping demolish the Raiders. For safety for Hosking owners, you’d prefer Sorensen kept it a little quieter here.

Soni Luke ($257.6k – HOK – BE 42) is finally back on the park and should be a hold for his owners despite the chance at losing cash this week. He’s shown some brilliant bursts in short stints on the park and has formed a partnership with Mitch Kenny ($333k – HOK – BE 46) where Kenny is being taken off relatively early in games.

Matt Eisenhuth ($464.9k – 2RF/FRF – BE 76) is named to start at prop for the injured James Fisher-Harris, who is still marked as TBC on their casualty list. Given the bench is made up of two utilities (though Salmon has spent time roaming between the edge and middle so far this year), he wouldn’t be a horrible draft pickup for at least a week or more.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 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. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Cooper Johns 20. Ray Vaega 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Aaron Woods

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Sean Keppie ($331.4k – 2RF / FRF – BE 17) has been defying his 17 jersey and providing plenty of points (relatively) off the bench and should see a couple more handy price rises given Manly’s forward pack is largely settled – that was my read from last week. Unfortunately, the sight of Aaron Woods on the extended reserves should be of some concern that they may bump him out for the veteran, though on form both he and Ethan Bullemor have been filling their bench roles very well.

Tom Trbojevic ($707.1k – FLB – BE 55) will have a familiar face outside him on the wing with Jason Saab ($404.4k – CTW – BE 42) named to make his return after missing much of last year through a knee injury. Tuipulotu is the one to miss out. While a pretty midrange pricetag for Saab could pique some interest down the track, many SuperCoaches will remember his horrible strike rate at being able to back up big scores. Under 25% of his games go for over 60 points the last two years – can go far too quiet!

Haumole Olakau’atu ($663.1k – 2RF – BE 60) has been building with each week but surprisingly hasn’t gone super large despite four tries in his last three games (admittedly just the one linebreak). In terms of looking great on the eye in NRL, he’s been top of the class lately, so one to keep in mind if you’re looking at an upgrade in your second row.

Ben Trbojevic ($219.2k – CTW / 2RF – BE 35) misses out this week with a hammy injury in a crushing blow to his 7000 owners.

BRISBANE BRONCOS VS CANBERRA RAIDERS

Saturday, 7.30pm, 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. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Corey Jensen 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Jordan Pereira 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Kobe Hetherington 21. Jock Madden 22. Xavier Willison

JT’s Teams Analysis: Another week, another game at ‘home’ and a settled Broncos lineup again. They’ve certainly been short on bad luck so far this year…

Canberra Raiders

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Trey Mooney 20. Peter Hola 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Clay Webb

JT’s Teams Analysis:

After a drubbing by Penrith last week, there are a few changes to the Raiders side but nothing to get you overly excited from a SuperCoach perspective. Though in a throwback to yesteryear, former gun Jarrod Croker ($279.9k – CTW – BE 29) gets a start at centre for Smith-Shields who is punted to the extended bench. He’s played just 13 games in two seasons so hopefully he can wind back the clock here.

Another week, another halves pairing with Jamal Fogarty ($563.6k – HFB – BE 81) joined by Brad Schneider ($483k – HFB – BE 50) for his first game of the year with Matt Frawley out with a hand injury. Jack Wighton will be sidelined another week while serving his suspension and throwing himself on the market in another hammer blow to Ricky’s poor, strained heart.

In an interesting swap, Ricky has punted Corey Harawira-Naera ($420.3k – 2RF – BE 43) from the lock position to the bench and replaced him with Corey Horsburgh ($535.5k – 2RF / FRF – BE 109) who you might recall had one massive game this year in amongst some mediocre ones. Let’s wait for that cash drop before doing anything rash there. CHN has been playing between the edge and middle so the inclusion of Horsburgh there suggests he wants a third genuine prop on the field.

GOLD COAST TITANS VS ST GEORGE/ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Sunday 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Gold Coast Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Toby Sexton 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Mo Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Joe Vuna 16. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Kleise Haas

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kruise Leeming 20. Jojo Fifita 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry

JT’s Teams Analysis:

A bit of shuffling around to be done here with both Brimson and Foran out, with Toby Sexton ($475.2k – HFB – BE 49) playing his first game for the year at five-eighth and Jayden Campbell ($437.5k – FLB – BE 56) shifting to fullback. Both Foran and Brimson are slated for returns in round 8 so this will not be the spine for very long.

David Fifita ($690.5k – 2RF – BE 68) looks to be building after finding himself a home on the right edge and has a massive average of 83PPG against the Dragons. In a daytime game on hopefully a dry track, this could be a big one for him, although the lack of Foran and the roaming Brimson to provide him quality ball here could stifle him somewhat. Jayden Campbell has just the one try assist this year (admittedly while playing mostly off the bench) and just 5 from his 14 games last season, so not a noted provider of quality pills (ironic that he’s on the Goldy…)

Ken Maumalo ($471.3k – CTW – BE 49) isn’t yet featuring as he makes a comeback from injury for his new side, but Kruise Leeming (not yet in game) makes his first appearance in an NRL squad in the extended reserves. He’s fresh off the plane from the UK so may need time acclimatising, but may be worth picking up on your draft waivers as he comes with quite the raps from his Super League career. He’ll provide some much-needed cover in Sam Verrills’ absence.

Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui ($200.8k – FRF – BE -3) plays his third game here and should make a couple of decent price rises. If you have someone like Moale you desperately want to get rid of to make a quick buck, this could be an avenue to do it, though I would advise against it if you have already blown through plenty of trades. With no other props due back from injury/suspension, he looks to have that bench spot sewn up for the time being so is relatively safe. He’s registered just the one bust so far in two games so reliant on a base game that will level out with a lack of minutes longer term.

St George-Illawarra Dragons

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

Bench: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Jack de Belin 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Tautau Moga 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Jayden Sullivan 22. Jaiyden Hunt

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Jack Bird ($548k – CTW / 2RF – BE 62) defied the return of JDB last week to pump out an 80-minute game and keeps the role again here with JDB again on the bench. It will be interesting to see whether that role keeps up as he’s been rotated out of games and dumped to the bench so is a little too risky in that uncertain role to trust for SuperCoach.

Ben Murdoch-Masila ($247.8k – FRF / 2RF – BE 6) finally got a decent score last week in playing the full game and maintains his starting second row spot to almost guarantee he’ll make some more cash with a breakeven of 6 (almost). Good sign for patient owners who have held firm on him, although it’s likely he only played the full game last week because Jaydn Su’A left the field with a calf strain. Might move back to the usual 40-50MPG if Su’A can make it through and play here.

The only other change is a swap of Mbye and Liddle between starting and bench hooker. To emphasise how much of an enigma this Dragons side is for SuperCoach, Blake Lawrie ($543.4k – FRF – BE 30) is somehow their second highest averaging player at 67PPG, a point behind Ben Hunt ($584.3k – HFB – BE 21) courtesy of a couple of tries. Strange year.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS VS NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Sunday, 6.15pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Newcastle Knights

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dom Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Phoenix Crossland 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Jack Johns

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Mathew Croker 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Thomas Cant 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Ryan Rivett

JT’s Teams Analysis:

The Knights are relatively consistent this week with the only changes being the moving of Phoenix Crossland ($289.1k – 5/8 / HFB – BE 53) into the halves to cover the loss of Tyson Gamble who’s out with a head knock, and the return of Kurt Mann ($507k – 2RF – BE 83) from concussion and into the 14 jersey. That surprisingly leaves Jack Johns ($234.8k – 2RF – BE -36) at lock where he has excelled last week and stands to make a stack of cash. Given a very hefty Knights’ casualty ward, and the chance Mann is swapped in on gameday, Johns is by no means an absolute must, but should make close to $100k over the next couple of weeks courtesy of that try-assisted 72 last round.

Lachlan Miller ($745.8k – CTW / FLB – BE 33) continues to shine but news that Kalyn Ponga is aiming at a return next week should have owners a little concerned. Just where they place him on return is still up in the air with many thinking they will move him back to fullback where he can try and avoid the defensive action. For now, the good times keep rolling for him but something to consider in the week/s to come given his low breakeven.

On the other hand, it’s raining points for the Knights’ wing pairing of Greg Marzhew ($581.2k – CTW – BE -44) and Dom Young ($602.8k – CTW – BE 13) who was a late inclusion last round on his way to a huge four tries. Of the two, Marzhew will definitely garner the most interest as he plays on the favourable left edge, has a low breakeven and won Young’s spot in the first instance, but Young should certainly be in the frame for the POD-hunters out there. Hymel Hunt is named on the extended reserves so it looks for now like O’Brien wants to go with this combination.

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18.Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21.Freddy Lussick 22. Ronald Volkman 23. Demitric Sifakula

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Tohu Harris ($636k – 2RF / FRF – BE 95) is a welcome return to the Warriors’ side after being scratched late for the last week, but has ready-made replacements in both Dylan Walker ($457.4k – CTW / 2RF – BE 25) and Jazz Tevaga ($555.2k – 2RF – BE 36) there who were massive last round in his absence. Will be another one to monitor this week for his owners, but given how close he was to playing last week, should be much likelier here.

Jackson Ford ($324.8k – 2RF – BE 22) gets another chance at the starting second row jersey with Niukore out through suspension and replaced by Bailey Sironen ($274.3k – 2RF – BE 40) who has played off the bench all year so far.

Wayde Egan’s ($591k – HOK – BE 19) just can’t stop scoring and made it through the game healthily last round. What a surprise packet he’s been at hooker so far this year. It looks as though he could be increasing his time on the field as well with an 80-minute effort against the Sharks and no one on the bench likely to pinch his minutes given how well Walker has been as a middle man. Great stuff for owners.

Te Maire Martin ($453.7k – 5/8 / FLB – BE 10) returns to the side in the only other change, pushing Volkman to the extended reserves.

Can anyone believe the run of form that Shaun Johnson ($598.2k – HFB – BE -20) is having right now? What a way to wind back the clock! Unsurprisingly, many have caught the fever, with SJ in the top 5 most traded in. I’d like to thank myself for inspiring his run of form, with SJ basically scoring 150 points since I made this comment halfway through his game against the Dogs:

WESTS TIGERS VS PARRAMATTA EELS

Monday 4:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers

1. Charlie Staines 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Brent Naden 4. Star Toa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16.Joe Ofahengaue 17. Shawn Blore

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Daine Laurie 22. Rua Ngatikaura

JT’s Teams Analysis:

Well after keeping the same spine for another week last time around, the changes have been wrung again here with Brandon Wakeham dropped, Adam Doueihi ($525.2k – 5/8 – BE 67) moved back into the halves and Charlie Staines ($359.7k – FLB / CTW – BE 51) given another trundle at fullback (Laurie still not breaking in from the extendeds). The only thing to make of that would be to say if you’ve still got Doueihi, just get off the ship now. A heavy breakeven, constant chopping and changing and still looking pretty fragile with every run he makes. It’s probably his turn for the bench next week, or maybe back to centres.

Brent Naden ($414.3k – CTW – BE 16) comes back into the centres after missing last week, and Asu Kepaoa ($465.4k – CTW – BE 58) goes to the wing. There’s really nothing to love about this Tigers side. At least Isaiah Papali’i ($721.3k – 2RF – BE 89) is continuing to drop in value despite scoring for the first time during the year last round, but at what point would he need to be priced at for anyone to pick him up? Even at $600k, a player of his standard would still be hard to trust in this team.

Parramatta Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson

Bench: 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Jack Murchie 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19 Matt Doorey 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Waqa Blake

JT’s Teams Analysis:

A massive in for the Eels with Shaun Lane ($724.1k – 2RF – BE 75) named to start for his first game of the season, which has big SuperCoach ramifications.

Matt Doorey is the one to make way and is pushed to the extended reserves, while J’maine Hopgood’s ($548k – 2RF – BE 45) goes to the 14 jersey and Bryce Cartwright ($415.1k – 2RF – BE 29) retains his spot in the starting side. Wow! Doorey has a breakeven of around 40 but isn’t an urgent sell given he won’t be scoring this week. That leaves SuperCoaches with a call to be made on Hopgood, who has slowed down a little of late after having a blistering start to the year. His frenetic style of play (1.16PPM!) means that even in low minutes, he’s still a chance of beating that breakeven, but this is too much cash to have tied up in a bench forward in a position with plenty of upside players in it. It’s safe to say he’ll be a huge tradeout target this round.

Ryan Matterson ($696.7k – 2RF – BE 79) is moved to lock in amongst all of that, and has been playing through there at stages throughout his big-minute stints so far. Whether those minutes come down with a timeshare expected with Hopgood is the question, and means you should probably hold off until we have an answer. He has been looking very handy out there in massive base point efforts (74 and 56 in base on an injury comeback – huge!).

Junior Paulo is still out for another week through suspension meaning Wiremu Greig ($215.8k – FRF – BE 16) has another chance at starting prop, though hasn’t really done much points-wise.

In another interesting shift, Waqa Blake has been moved to the extended reserves, with Sean Russell ($366.2k – CTW – BE 38) coming in for his first game to replace him, while cheapie Haze Dunster ($234.8k – CTW – BE 24) comes in to replace the suspended Bailey Simonsson. This is a huge chance for Dunster to come in and make the spot his own as Simonsson has been a bit patchy, and won’t be back until round 8. SuperCoaches should watch closely, as Dunster will be on the bubble come R8 TLT (assuming he plays this week and next).