Lakey’s Teams Analysis – Round 12

Round 12 is the final week before the true bye weeks hit. Yes, we’ve been dealing byes each and every week but for the next 8 rounds of NRL, you’re going to have multiple teams and huge numbers of players out from byes, Origin and resting. It’s going to be unprecedented SuperCoach pain. Hopefully you’ve prepared well enough and if not, it’s your last chance.

But more importantly, it’s Indigenous Round in the NRL. A week where we celebrate all of the Indigenous cultures in the game and the immense influence of players, officials, volunteers and extended family on the product we all love. Some of the absolute best of the best we’ve ever seen have been Indigenous players from around the world. I recommend taking a moment or two to go back and watch highlights of those players. The JT’s, GI’s, Presto’s, Artie’s, Benji’s, Hazem’s etc. Trust me. You won’t be disappointed.

This Weeks Bye Team/s

The Warriors
Aotearoa

The Warriors head off to their first bye and will then play every game through to round 21, with the one exception being the round 16 big bye week. It’s a great bye schedule, just FYI.

BRISBANE BRONCOS vs PENRITH PANTHERS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Home of the Yuggera & Turrbal Peoples

Brisbane Broncos
Yuggera and Turrbal

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

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Brendan Piakura 21. Xavier Willison 22. Jordan Pereira

Teams Analysis:

I know you’ll be surprised to see the Broncos this early in the round or with a game at Suncorp, but sometimes the battlers need to be looked after. To be fair, it’s the second game of a rough stretch for the OG Brisbane side that started last week against the Storm, then includes games against the Warriors in New Zealand sans Origin players (whoever they may be) and a round 14 matchup with the Sharks.

In potentially a first for the NRL, Pat Carrigan ($597.1k – 2RF – BE 62), who was sin-binned for a hip drop tackle, has been cleared and is free to play.

However, Adam Reynolds is out. He was deemed to have cat. 2 concussion symptoms after a nasty looking fall last Thursday and the Broncos have stood him down under the 11-day concussion policy. Instead, Jock Madden ($314.9k – 5/8/HFB) is the starting halfback.

Penrith Panthers
Dharug

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Martin 17. Jaeman Salmon 

Reserves: 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner 20. Thomas Jenkins 21. Chris Smith 22. Liam Henry

Teams Analysis:

Penrith will be eager to take revenge on the Bronx for their (at the time) huge upset loss in round 1.

And speaking of upset, this will cause every man significant sympathy pain. Spencer Leniu, who just returned from injury in week 10, subsequently missed week 11 because he suffered a ruptured testicle in a training incident leading up to that game. So of course he didn’t play and as such, he’s not technically an out this week, but damn man. Spare a thought for the big fella if you can manage to without crying.

For teams this week, it’s the same 17 for the Panthers as last week. Liam Martin ($485k – 2RF – BE 104) made a successful return from the bench last week but remains on the bench because of the monster game by Scott Sorensen ($636.2k – 2RF – BE -32) last weekend.

Zac Hosking ($547.4k – 2RF – BE 74) went off for a HIA last week and didn’t return despite passing the test. He’s been named though and will play.

St. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS vs SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Friday, 6.00pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Home of the Bidjigal and Bediagal Peoples

St George-Illawarra Dragons
Dharawal and Yuin

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

Bench: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Toby Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Josh Kerr 

Reserves: 18. Francis Molo 19. Moses Mbye 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Zane Musgrove 22. Max Feagai

Teams Analysis:

We’ve got an ANZAC day rematch here and if it’s anything like the first game, we’re in for a treat. The Dragons went down in that one as expected, but what was a surprise is that the loss came by the way of a very late Luke Keary field goal and the V were in the game all the way to the death.

The first omission for the Dragons came early in the week when Hook was hooked. It was a long time coming but the club decided enough was enough. But how does that affect team selections.

Interim coach Ryan Carr has started to right the wrongs, bringing Zac Lomax ($525k – CTW – BE 37) and Jacob Liddle ($345.2k – HOK – BE 68) back into the starting side. Moses Mbye and Max Feagai have been pushed to the extended bench.

Sydney Roosters
Eora and Gadigal

1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Billy Smith 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Nat Butcher 16. Angus Crichton 17. Matthew Lodge 

Reserves: 18. Sandon Smith 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Nathan Brown 21. Junior Pauga 22. Terrell May

Teams Analysis:

The Chooks may have taken that first matchup, but the one point win was more indicative of how this club is struggling in 2023 as opposed to how well the Dragons are playing. Tipped by many pundits as a premiership contender, Sydney has now limped to a 5-5 record, are sitting outside of the 8 and will really want to get a win on the board here before losing their Origin contingent over the next couple of months.

But the job gets tougher after Joey Manu suffered an ankle injury over the weekend. The Chooks have confirmed that it’s ligament damage and he’ll miss “at least one week”. And to make matters worse, Sam Walker suffered an injury last week so it’s Drew Hutchison ($200.8k – 5/8/2RF – BE 43) in to partner Luke Keary ($507.5k – 5/8/HFB – BE 46) in the halves.

Egan Butcher ($569.9k – 2RF – BE 93) returns from his concussion lay off and as such, there’s obviously a bit of forward stock shuffling but the personnel of the squad is largely unchanged other than the above.

Billy Smith ($289.5k – CTW – BE -62) is the odds on cheapie of the week. It might mess with your bye round plans as he misses out on round 13, but it might be too good an option to pass up. I’m sure he’ll be featured in the Buy, Sell, Hold to help you make the call.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS vs PARRAMATTA EELS

Friday, 8.00pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Home of the Gadigal and Bidjigal Peoples

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Eora and Gadigal

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jai Arrow 16. Liam Knight 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 

Reserves: 18. Ben Lovett 19. Richard Kennar 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Shaq Mitchell 22. Dean Hawkins

Teams Analysis:

The way these two sides are playing of late, this has to be the game of the round. Well it was looking that way until the Eels lost to the Raiders but they weren’t full strength. Anyway….

The Rabbits are chugging along almost unchallenged of late and they’ve had a clean bill of health for the most part.

Tom Burgess was named last week all the way up through the final team cuts, but then suffered a back injury in warm up and had to withdraw. He’s been kept out to deal with that, along with Jed Cartwright who failed a HIA.

Blake Taaffe ($400.9k – FLB – BE 115) was the man to replace Turgess last week and keeps his spot on the bench now. And Daniel Suluka-Fifita ($247k – FRF – BE 38) is the Cartwright replacement.

Parramatta Eels
Dharug and Burramattagal

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 

Bench: 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa 

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Haze Dunster 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Luca Moretti

Teams Analysis:

Big changes for the Eels. First the positives. Mitch Moses ($688.1k – HFB – BE 48) is back from his concussion layoff coming into the halves. This will definitely help.

Also, is you held Bryce Cartwright ($477.3k – 2RF – BE 57), he’s back to starting on the edge.

Now the negatives. Unfortunately, Carty is starting for Shaun Lane who will miss a few more months after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Ryan Matterson ($704.6k – 2RF – BE 77) remains on the bench which seems bad for SuperCoach but if we’re being honest, it won’t do much to his scoring. He was still averaging 70 in his two games off the bench and he’ll still play roughly the same minutes.

And for those that took the Haze Dunster punt, he’s lost $9.3k from his starting price and has now been dropped. PALAVI!!!

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS vs NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3:00pm, C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Home of the Gumbaynggirr People

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Dharawal and Gweagal

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 

Bench: 14. Braydon Trindall 15. Jack Williams 16. Wade Graham 17. Thomas Hazelton 

Reserves: 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Jayden Berrell

Teams Analysis:

Siosifa Talakai and Oregon Kaufusi ($324.9k – FRF – BE 40) were both withdrawn from last game but have been named to return. The main worry is with Sifa as Coach Fitzgibbon said he didn’t know how long Talakai would be out with his neck injury, so he could be out for a while yet.

Kaufusi back is perfect timing for the Sharks as Cam McInnes is out with a broken hand suffered midway through last game. And keep an eye out for a late Braden Hamlin-Uele inclusion who’s named in the extended reserves as he comes back from a knee injury.

It’s looking very likely that Nicho Hynes ($930.4k – HFB – BE 149) will be picked for Origin, or at least be in the squad, so enjoy his presence while you can. He’s had 95, 44 and 166 on the Knights in recent seasons and you should know, Newy give up 66 PPG to right halves this year, highlighted by Moses 147 before they went on bye.

Newcastle Knights
Awabakal

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

Bench: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker 

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Simi Sasagi

Teams Analysis:

If Friday nights game isn’t the game of the round, then it’s this one. Right? RIGHT???

The Knights rebounded from that awful Eels loss to put the Titans to the sword and got through the game without injury. As such, they’ve named the same 17 as last week.

Kalyn Ponga ($484.9k – 5/8/FLB – BE 20) put on a masterclass in the game and is super cheap right now. But with Origin teams named next week, his SuperCoach pedigree could be short lived.

WESTS TIGERS vs NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Home of the Wann-gal People

Wests Tigers
Dharawal and Eora

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 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. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Asu Kepaoa

Reserves: 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Shawn Blore 20. Justin Matamua 21. Daine Laurie 22. Aistasi James

Teams Analysis:

As with above, the Tigers have gone in 1-17. They got humbled by Souths last week but didn’t suffer any injury worries so have the benefit of naming the same side that ran out.

With Jahream Bula ($348.6k – FLB – BE 4) now having made close to $150k and the Tigers on bye next week, you’ve likely missed the boat on this young gun. And there’s not much else in the way of SuperCoach relevancy here.

Nth Queensland Cowboys
Wulgurukaba and Bindal

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Reuben Cotter 

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Riley Price 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 

Reserves: 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Ben Hampton 20. Sylvester Namo 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Sam McIntyre

Teams Analysis:

Just a minor bench swap for the Cowboys with no other changes to the side from round 11.

Heilum Luki ($523.4k – 2RF – BE 14) has been phenomenal of late playing on the edge for the Cows. With the side playing rounds 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18, he’s well worth having a close look at.

THE DOLPHINS vs MELBOURNE STORM

Saturday 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Home of the Yuggera & Turrbal Peoples

The Dolphins
Yuggera, Jinibara and Kabi Kabi

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Anthony Milford 16. Ray Stone 17. Herman Ese’ese 

Reserves: 18. Mark Nicholls 19. Kurt Donoghoe 20. Edrick Lee 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. JJ Collins

Teams Analysis:

The Fins are back from the bye fresh and ready to take on a hurting Storm side. It’s a frightening proposition against a formidable opponent.

The Fins welcome back Jesse Bromwich ($479.3k – FRF – BE 41) and Ray Stone ($344.9k – 2RF/HOK – BE 38) to the forward pack.

However, in a real killer, Valynce Te Whare has not been named. He was dominant ay Magic Round but it appears that didn’t matter as he was purely injury cover. Brenko Lee ($348.2k – CTW – BE 42) comes back in.

Like the Warriors (above), the Dolphins bye last weekend means they’ll only miss round 16 through this whole major/minor bye period. For me, Jeremy Marshall-King ($680.7k – HOK – BE 63) has put himself almost into must-have territory. He’s gone under 50 just once this year (a 33 in round 2 when he was sin-binned), plays 80 minutes and bases 45.9 PPG (including that sin bin game). He’s been huge. Get him in and forget your hooker worries for a while.

Additionally, if you have guys like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($509.7k – CTW/FLB – BE 66), Jamayne Isaako ($664.9k – CTW/FLB – BE 79), Isaiya Katoa ($383.5k – FRF – BE 26) or Tom Gilbert ($571.9k – FRF/2RF – BE 71), just hold on and enjoy the ride for a while.

Melbourne Storm
Wurundjeri

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

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Aaron Pene 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tui Kamikamica 

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Tariq Sims 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Tyran Wishart 22. Jayden Nikorima

Teams Analysis:

Melbourne would have been hurting after being embarrassed at Magic Round but exorcised some demons last week against the Broncos. It was a game that had they lost, could have put them outside the 8, pending other results. So with Cam Munster ($790.4k – 5/8 – BE 86) and Harry Grant ($696.5k – HOK – BE 82) missing chunks of time in coming weeks, they’ll want a big outing again.

No changes for the Storm but Nelson Asofa-Solomona ($561k – FRF – BE 113) went into round 11 with bruised ribs and a strapped up knee. He came out of round 11 adding extra bruising and and injured ankle. The man is tough as nails and has been named, but could be withdrawn. It wouldn’t surprise me at all.

CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS vs GOLD COAST TITANS

Sunday, 2.00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Home of the Burramattagal and Wann-gal Peoples

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Dharug, Bidjigal / Bediagal

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Karl Oloapu 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards  

Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 19. Blake Wilson 20. Jackson Topine 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Kyle Flanagan 23. Kurtis Morrin

Teams Analysis:

Just one main move made by Ciraldo this week with Josh Addo-Carr ($556.5k – CTW – BE 94) getting a second chance at a comeback. He dropped out last week when he didn’t feel comfortable on his ankle at captains run but is said to be confident on playing this week. He’s also gone for a bench swap which means Franklin Pele is out.

After stating last week that I didn’t think Harrison Edwards ($297.1k – FRF – BE -46) wasn’t worth a trade with his role and job security issues, in the end, I had to grab him to facilitate another trade and boy, didn’t it work out. The kid was promoted to starting #13 and then scored the Dogs opening try. 94 big points and a $96k price rise. And now that he’s starting, I hope you didn’t listen to me.

Meanwhile, Karl Oloapu ($219.8k – 5/8 – BE 27) is also getting his first start. It’s intriguing but I’m unsure what Josh Reynolds ($200.8k – 5/8/HFB – BE 38) on the bench means for both men playing time.

Jacob Kiraz ($496.6k – CTW – BE 61) has dropped under $500k again but with a breakeven of 61 and a bye next week, it could be worth waiting one more week.

Gold Coast Titans
Yugambeh

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 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. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna 

Reserves: 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Keano Kini 22. Ken Maumalo

Teams Analysis:

The Titans were rolling before running into a juggernaut in round 11, but they’ve not made any major changes here.

Erin Clark ($314.2k – 2RF/HOK – BE 49) is the sole exception, having had the week off to nurse some niggles but is back on bench, pushing Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui out of the side again.

CANBERRA RAIDERS vs MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES

Sunday 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Home of the Ngunnawal People

Canberra Raiders
Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri

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

Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Brad Schneider 21. Corey Harawira-Naera 22. Nick Cotric

Teams Analysis:

Zac Woolford was taken off with for a HIA after appearing to be hit in the ribs, but also it looks like he failed that HIA and was been ruled out here. Tom Starling ($359k – HOK – BE 53) is named as starter and Danny Levi ($320.5k – HOK – BE 40) returns from a broken jaw by way of the bench.

The rest of the team remains the same as last week, but keep a close eye on Joe Tapine ($619.4k – 2RF/FRF – BE 58). He was the victim of a cannonball tackle and had to have his knee strapped up to return to play. He did though, come back on, so it didn’t look like a bad injury but something to keep an eye on.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Cammeraygal / Gayamaygal and Garigal

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Samuela Fainu 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon 

Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Morgan Harper 20. Cooper Johns 21. Morgan Boyle 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Teams Analysis:

Jake Trbojevic ($525.7k – FRF/2RF – BE 53) makes a very timely return as Josh Aloiai and Kelma Tuilagi are facing long stints on the sideline through injuries suffered last week. Jurbo goes back to his preferred lock position and little brother Ben Trbojevic ($236.6k – 2RF/CTW – BE -3) gets the start on the edge.

Meanwhile, Josh Schuster ($271.2k – 2RF/5/8 – BE 36) has again been named to return from his injury/conditioning layoff but we’ll be watching Stiley’s mail to see if makes the final team lists. Starting to feel like I can copy/paste this section.