Lakey’s Teams Analysis – Round 18

This is it. Round 18 is the final hurdle (excluding COVID) for the SuperCoach season before we get back to the comforting monotonous of the weekly NRL schedule. Before that though, we have to navigate just one more week of the “will they / won’t they” questions regarding Origin participants involvement for their respective club sides just days after bashing each other in the name of State pride.

For now, all we can do is go off the word of coaches as they drop the team lists. But we know some of these sides named are as trustworthy as catholic priest so keep your twitter notifications for Stilesy on and be diligent. Good luck.

Nth QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS

Friday, 6.00pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Nth Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Peta Hiku 5. Brendan Elliot 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Ben Hampton 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Tomas Chester 19. Emry Pere 20. Kane Bradley 21. Ben Condon 22. Riley Price

Changes: Brendan Elliot, Coen Hess, Connelly Lemuelu, Ben Hampton in
Valentine Holmes, Jordan McLean, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Tuilagi out

Winner: This will be a good game to judge whether Scott Drinkwater ($632k / BE 78) is worth keeping around as a back up five-eighth in this post-Origin and bye period.

Loser: Despite missing the next three or four club games, the true disappointment for Jordan McLean ($372k / BE 40) came from missing his NSW debut. That interview was heartbreaking.

SuperCoach Talk: The Cowboys have four Queensland representatives in Valentine Holmes ($596k / BE 17), Tom Dearden ($393k / BE 72), Tom Gilbert ($462k / BE 73) and Jeremiah Nanai ($597k / BE 56). So far, two of the four have been named but with a post-season berth all but certain, you’d think all of the Origin reps would be withdrawn by game day.

Their replacements are set to be Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($245k / BE 59), Ben Hampton ($283k), Connelly Lemuelu ($322k / BE -11) and Luciano Leilua ($396k / BE 81) by the looks of the teams list here.

On top of that, would be Queenslander Murray Tuilagi ($589k / BE 42) is only due to come out of COVID protocols on Friday. As such, he’s been omitted for Brendan Elliot ($258k / BE 44).

Starting for McLean is Coen Hess ($374k / BE 68) who’s been named to return from injury. Although we’ve seen plenty of Payten switches in the final team lists so anything could happen.

Cronulla Sharks

1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Teig Wilton 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Kade Dykes 21. Siosifa Talakai 22. Lachlan Miller

Changes: Nicho Hynes, Toby Rudolf in
Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora out

Winner: It was a rollercoaster week for Nicho Hynes ($706k / BE 48) owners last week. But he’s been named to return from COVID and we really need it too. But more on that in a bit.

Loser: Siosifa Talakai ($534k / BE 88) hasn’t been named to back up from Origin, instead being listed among the reserves. But like his NQ counterparts, it will depend on how he gets through the Wednesday showcase. Connor Tracey ($529k / 56 pts / BE 67) is there for the time being.

SuperCoach Talk: Along with Hynes, Rudolf is also back from COVID at front row. That moves Andrew Fifita ($260k / 34 pts / BE 30) back to the bench. Braydon Trindall ($191k / 65 pts / BE -7) makes way for Hynes and Briton Nikora ($481k / 55 pts / BE 31) has been suspended for the week so Teig Wilton ($389k / 22 pts / BE 93) gets the start on the right edge.

Cam McInnes ($537k / 72 pts / BE 62) continues in his bench role where he performed pretty well last round. But with Dale Finucane ($352k / 53 pts / BE 28), Royce Hunt ($292k / 31 pts / BE 41), Braden Hamlin-Uele ($294k / 15 pts / BE 67), Aiden Tolman ($327k / 51 pts / BE 23) and Toby Rudolf ($439k / BE 33) also in the middle, his ongoing minutes are a real concern.

PARRAMATTA EELS v THE WARRIORS

Friday, 7.55pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

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. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Marata Niukore

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ky Rodwell

Reserves: 18. Tom Opacic 19. Elie El Zakhem 20. Nathan Brown 21. Ofahiki Ogden 22. Hayze Perham

Changes: Junior Paulo, Jakob Arthur in
Nathan Brown, Tom Opacic out

Winner: Isaiah Papali’i ($636k / 90 pts / BE 88) scored a try and 90 SuperCoach points this past weekend to get back into the good books. The week after I captained him for a 38. D*ck.

Loser: It’s now been three weeks since Ryan Matterson ($678k / BE 109) injured his ribs against the Roosters in round 16. But this time, he’s not even been named. It’s a classic Matto stitch up.

SuperCoach Talk: Junior Paulo ($490k / BE 35) in for Nathan Brown ($376k / 31 pts / BE 57) and a bench swap of Jakob Arthur ($269k / BE 47) for Tom Opacic ($334k / BE 86) are the only changes to the side that unconvincingly beat the Tigers last weekend.

Seeing as this is the second game played for the week, guys like Mitchell Moses ($602k / 115 pts / BE 56) and Dylan Brown ($603k / 57 pts / BE 90) make really good vice-captain plays. This year, the Warriors have given up 62.75 PPG to right halves and 59.19 PPG to left halves.

They’ve been even worse against fullbacks with 68.31 PPG allowed in case there’s any Clint Gutherson ($526k / 59 pts / BE 47) owners still around.

The Warriors

1. Reece Walsh 2. Marcelo Montoya 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Euan Aitken 12. Josh Curran 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie

Reserves: 18. Eliesa Katoa 20. Rocco Berry 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Pride Petterson-Robati 23. Jackson Frei

Changes: Reece Walsh, Jack Murchie, Edward Kosi in
Ronald Volkman, Dallin Waitene-Zelezniak, Bayley Sironen out

Winner: Addin Fonua-Blake ($445k / BE 49) is back in the starting side. He scored 61 in just 40 minutes against the Tigers in round 16, and last year steamed home with a 60 PPG average across his final 11 games.

Loser: Reece Walsh ($510k / BE 29) returns to action after a COVID withdrawal in round 16. He’s lucky this is an away game I think. I’m looking forward to seeing how he’s received at his next home game.

SuperCoach Talk: Walsh back moves Chanel Harris-Tavita ($222k / BE -3) to the halves and Ronald Volkman ($175k / BE -8) drops out with a virus. Dallin Waitene-Zelezniak ($412k / BE 68) and Bayley Sironen ($326k / BE 64) are also out.

Tohu Harris ($519k / BE 26) has moved to partner AFB at prop and Jazz Tevaga ($446k / BE 34) is the new starting lock.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS v St. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Saturday, 3.00pm, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Joseph Manu 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Nat Butcher 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Reserves: 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Matthew Lodge 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Fletcher Baker 22. Kevin Naiqama 23. Adam Keighran 24. Terrell May

Changes: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Paul Momirovski in
Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Drew Hutchison out

Winner: With Luke Keary still out, it means Joseph Manu ($709k / BE 59) stays in the halves. He’s been a star all season but has been better in an “on the ball” role.

Loser: It looks like Coach Robinson has cut the shenanigans by not even naming Drew Hutchison ($231k / BE 37) this week. But I’d still expect some other late changes.

SuperCoach Talk: All eyes will be on James Tedesco ($688k / BE 111) from Wednesday night in the hopes that he can get through the game fit and healthy. Angus Crichton ($550k / BE 96), Daniel Tupou ($467k / BE 96) and Lindsay Collins ($423k / BE 36) are also in line to back up on Saturday afternoon and seeing as the Roosters are fighting hard to get into the eight, I can’t see these men being rested unless they absolutely have to be.

With Paul Momirovski ($370k / BE 52) back, Sitili Tupouniua ($492k / BE 77) is back on his right edge and Nat Butcher ($444k / BE 94) is relegated to the bench. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($467k / BE 45) returns from injury and Matt Lodge ($462k / BE 40) pops up in the extended reserves.

St George-Illawarra Dragons

1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Josh Kerr 16. Aaron Woods 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Tyrell Sloan 21. Billy Burns 22. Josh Mcguire

Changes: Ben Hunt, Tautau Moga, Aaron Woods in
Mikaele Ravalawa, Tariq Sims, Jayden Sullivan out

Winner: I’ve had interactions with three Dragons fans in the past few days: my dad, one of my closest friends, and site contributor Alex. Believe me when I tell you there are no winners in this side.

Loser: Mikaele Ravalawa ($346k / 22 pts / BE 68) pulled a hammy whilst chasing one of the many Broncos tries on Sunday. He’ll miss a few weeks but at least you don’t have to worry about his AE scores now.

SuperCoach Talk: Mika is replaced by Tautau Moga ($205k / BE -7) on the right wing. He’s cheap enough but I wouldn’t be rushing to bring in any Dragons players at this point. Especially ones that will be reliant on attacking stats.

Tariq Sims ($414k / 27 pts / BE 56) is out for the week after being cited for two separate incidents. Jack de Belin ($509k / 56 pts / BE 72) gets the start at lock and Aaron Woods ($329k / BE 42) comes back onto the bench.

Ben Hunt ($516k / BE 72) has also been named as he aims to back up as he did after game 1.

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Saturday, 5.30pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Schuster 16. Martin Taupau 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Josh Aloiai 19. Ben Trbojevic 20. Ethan Bullemor 21. Kurt De Luis 22. Kaeo Weekes

Changes: No changes

Winner: Thanks to a ton in his last game (the first of his young career), Tolutau Koula ($425k / BE 6) has kickstarted another price rise. Perfectly timed for picking off those returning Origin stars.

Loser: Morgan Harper ($405k / BE 11) has come a long way since that bath back in round 7 but not enough, it seems, to stave off the rumours of being cut when Brad Parker ($308k / BE 55) eventually makes his injury comeback.

SuperCoach Talk: The Sea Eagles had yet another fadeout in round 16, but were up enough to hold onto the win in the end and have opted to keep the same 17 this weekend.

The Sea Eagles will be sweating on the availability of Daly Cherry-Evans ($587k / BE 8) and Jake Trbojevic ($452k / BE 60) from Wednesday though, with both men having found some solid form of late. DCE from a SuperCoach standpoint in particular, as he’s scored 73 and 118 in his last two games against the Cowboys and Storm respectively.

Newcastle Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Simi Sasagi 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Leo Thompson 19. Chris Randall 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Jake Clifford

Changes: Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai, Simi Sasagi, Jacob Saifiti, Brodie Jones in
Tex Hoy, Bradman Best, Chris Randall, Leo Thompson, Mathew Croker out

Winner: Jayden Brailey ($519k / 47 pts) made his return from an achilles injury last week and is now back starting for the Knights. That’s good news all around…..

Loser: …except maybe for Chris Randall ($427k / 49 pts / BE 55) who’s time in SuperCoach is now over.

SuperCoach Talk: Knights Origin trio (yes we have three guys playing) of Kalyn Ponga ($499k / BE 76), Dane Gagai ($392k / BE 45) and Jacob Saifiti ($375k / BE 47) have all been named so far. JSaif would be the most likely to play as he’s unlikely to play a huge amount of minutes on debut for the Blues.

We also see Simi Sasagi ($176k / BE 28) and Brodie Jones ($345k / BE 40) in on the bench for Leo Thompson ($258k / 26 pts / BE 42) and Mathew Croker ($259k / 13 pts / BE 45).

And seriously. Bradman Best ($464k / 49 pts / BE 72) couldn’t last one game without getting hurt again?

Edrick Lee ($584k / 79 pts / BE -53) backed up his 172 point effort with a try and another 70+ score. It’s taken his price up to $584k with a huge negative breakeven. At this rate, owners will make money by trading him to Teddy. Imagine.

GOLD COAST TITANS v BRISBANE BRONCOS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Gold Coast Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Aaron Booth 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Paul Turner

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Jamayne Isaako 20. Greg Marzhew 21. Brian Kelly 22. Kevin Proctor

Changes: Phillip Sami, Aaron Booth, Jaimin Jolliffe, Sosefo Fifita, Corey Thompson in
Brian Kelly, Greg Marzhew, Jamayne Isaako, Sam McIntyre, Jarrod Wallace out

Winner: David Fifita ($582k / BE 79) is back in the starting side. He came back against the Knights two weeks ago, then got another week off with the bye and is now reportedly fit and firing heading towards the run home. You can wait a week with that breakeven of his but he’s definitely “one to watch”.

Loser: Titans assistant coach Jim Dymock has walked away this week after a horrible season to date for the Gold Coasters. It appears to be only a matter of time for Justin Holbrook too.

SuperCoach Talk: The Titans have reported that they’re getting close to full health, which is great news except that they’re quickly heading towards the dreaded “mathematically a chance” discussions.

Phillip Sami ($473k / BE 80) returns at centre at the expense of Brian Kelly ($364k / BE 43), while Holbrook has handed a debut to Sosefo Fifita ($175k) over Jamayne Isaako ($327k / BE 59), and a club debut for Aaron Booth ($205k). And Corey Thompson ($331k / BE 42) earns a recall too.

Note: Sosefo Fifita is listed as “Jojo” in the SuperCoach platform.

Brisbane Broncos

1. Tesi Niu 2. Delouise Hoeter 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Billy Walters 10. Ryan James 11. Zac Hosking 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Tyson Gamble

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Corey Jensen 21. Tyrone Roberts 22. Logan Bayliss-Brow 23. Corey Oates 24. Patrick Carrigan

Changes: Jake Turpin, Thomas Flegler in
Cory Paix, Xavier Willison out

Winner: Kotoni Staggs ($441k / 103 pts / BE 28) played just about his best game of the year and scored his third ton of 2022. If he can kick on from here he could be a great value for the run home, but do you trust him?

Loser: Debutant Zac Hosking ($175k / 63 pts) shone on debut for the Broncos which has earned him a second game this week. It’s bad for SuperCoach as he was supposed to be a “one-and-done” round 17 buy. Good for him though.

SuperCoach Talk: The baby Broncos did it again huh? I don’t know about you but it seems to me that some of the Broncos best football comes when all the bubs are lining up.

Brisbane have given their three Origin players time off, meaning Tyson Gamble ($369k / 20 pts / BE 67), Rhys Kennedy ($330k / 49 pts / BE 48) and bye round super gun Delouise Hoeter ($189k / 92 pts / BE -63) back out of the side. Gamble could yet come back in to the halves depending on the health of Ezra Mam ($398k / 69 pts / BE 30) who missed the end of last week due to a concussion.

Tom Flegler ($451k / BE 77) is back though to replace Xavier Willison ($205k / 22 pts), but Corey Oates ($544k / BE 16) and Pat Carrigan ($564k / BE 95) have been named in the extended squad just in case.

WESTS TIGERS v PENRITH PANTHERS

Sunday, 2.00pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers

1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. James Roberts 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Justin Matamua 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jackson Hastings

Bench: 14. Fonua Pole 15. James Tamou 16. Luke Garner 17. Jake Simpkin

Reserves: 18. Austin Dias 19. Jock Madden 20. Junior Tupou 21. Asu Kepaoa 22. Alex Seyfarth

Changes: James Tamou, Ken Maumalo, James Roberts, Jake Simpkin in
Stefano Utoikamanu, Junior Tupou, Jacob Liddle, Austin Dias out

Winner: Young Fonua Pole ($175k / 48 pts / BE -32) got the call up to the starting side late on Saturday night and he didn’t disappoint. He’s back on the bench this week but has surely proven that he deserves minutes.

Loser: Joe Ofahengaue ($601k / 64 pts / BE 53) has been thriving in the lock role this year. He’s in the midst of a career year, but has now been moved to prop to accommodate the other Tigers changes. He’ll likely play a similar style of game but may lose minutes. Not great news.

SuperCoach Talk: The Tigers have had a huge shake up in their named side this week. Adam Doueihi ($564k / 27 pts / BE 128) has been named to partner Luke Brooks ($431k / 57 pts / BE 57) in the halves. Jackson Hastings ($377k / 48 pts / BE 49) is in the #13 and I assume will be used as a ball-playing forward. And that’s the reason for the Joe O switch. Really, it’s just an attempt to fit their three halves pieces into the two spots. It’s going to be very interesting to see if (a) this is how they run out, and (b) how it all works. Doueihi watch starts now.

James Tamou ($436k / BE 31), Ken Maumalo ($465k / BE 91), Jake Simpkin ($328k / BE 51) and James Roberts ($285k / BE 53) come back in and rookie Justin Matamua ($175k / 15 pts) has been given a starting jersey.

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Robert Jennings 5. Charlie Staines 6. Kurt Falls 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Chris Smith 13. Matt Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Sunia Turuva 19. J’maine Hopgood 20. Lindsay Smith 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Christian Crichton

Changes: Robert Jennings, Charlie Staines, Kurt Falls, Sean O’Sullivan, Chris Smith, Matt Eisenhuth, Soni Luke in
Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Apisai Koroisau, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo out

Winner: Izack Tago ($526k / BE 55) and Taylan May ($530k / BE 65) continue to put up keeper numbers each game. Their floors are both roughly around 40 points and they have triple figure ceilings. No need to trade out either man if they’re still a part of your squad.

Loser: SuperCoaches. The Panthers are resting all of their Origin reps. Which means we’ll have no Nathan Cleary ($793k / BE 84) or Brian To’o ($675k / BE 68). Ouch.

SuperCoach Talk: This week, we’ll see a team line up not too dissimilar from the one that ran out in the round 13 bye week.

Sean O’Sullivan ($426k / BE 32) and Kurt Falls ($175k) will guide the team, Soni Luke ($175k / BE 15) is the back up rake, and Charlie Staines ($297k / BE 47), Matt Eisenhuth ($403k / BE 31), Chris Smith ($327k / BE 50) and Robert Jennings ($229k) all feature. Mitch Kenny ($279k / BE 26) has moved into the starting side.

This is going to be a crazy game.

MELBOURNE STORM v CANBERRA RAIDERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Dean Ieremia 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Alec MacDonald 17. Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18. Jayden Nikorima 19. Chris Lewis 20. Tom Eisenhuth 21. Young Tonumaipea 22. Bronson Garlick

Changes: Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Felise Kaufusi in
Brandon Smith, Chris Lewis, Grant Anderson out

Winner: Another win for SuperCoach purposes is this whole Cameron Munster ($681k / BE 101) debacle. It absolutely sucks from a Queenslanders point of view, but he’ll at least be uninjured from Origin and fresh from a week off he otherwise wouldn’t have got if not for the COVID diagnosis. He’ll be out of quarantine for two days by this stage so should take his place in the side on Sunday.

Loser: Brandon Smith ($378k / 62 pts / BE 0) is out following that spray.

SuperCoach Talk: The Storm will be very eager to make amends for their recent form slump. Big losses to Manly and then the Sharks, and the fashion in which those losses occurred, are not what the Storm are about.

Munster is a big in, but so is Harry Grant ($621k / BE 96) who is almost a certainty to back up now that the Cheese is maturing on the sidelines.

Felise Kaufusi ($490k / BE 11) is due back and Kenny Bromwich ($414k / 33 pts / BE 71) has been named even after he suffered a leg injury last week. He didn’t look comfortable at all so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him miss a game.

Grant Anderson ($214k / 17 pts / BE 44) suffered torn ligaments in his elbow so is set for a stint on the sidelines. Dean Ieremia ($308k / 17 pts / BE 84) survives on the wing and Nick Meaney ($609k / 53 pts / BE 77) will go out to the other wing.

I’m taking the naming of Ryan Papenhuyzen ($890k / 49 pts / BE 118) as a small win considering how he finished last week. That was tough to watch. But did anyone else tear their team apart to bring Papi in only for Melbourne to get towelled up and Papi to be injured? I’ve started planning for 2023.

Canberra Raiders

1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. James Schiller 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh

Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Ata Mariota 20. Corey Harawira-Naera 21. Emre Guler 22. Albert Hopoate

Changes: James Schiller in
Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad out

Winner: Joe Tapine ($671k / BE 52) has to be in the Most Improved Player discussion. He’s putting himself into ‘must have’ territory in the front row for SuperCoach.

Loser: It happened over the bye week, but Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad ($267k / BE 60) has decided to head home to NZ at the completion of the NRL season. He’s lost his starting spot to Xavier Savage ($470k / BE 32) so is opting for opportunity elsewhere.

SuperCoach Talk: Just the one minor change to this Raiders side from round 16 so it will all come down to how Josh Papali’i ($525k / BE 82) gets through Origin. He’s only played 48 minutes through the series so far so all signs point to him being relatively fresh for this game, but I’m not going to guess how Billy Slater will deploy the big unit in game 3.

Jack Wighton ($411k / BE 51) will also be there on Wednesday but isn’t likely to see the field as the 18th man.

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Sunday, 6.15pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Canterbury Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Waddell 13. Tevita Pangai Junior

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Joe Stimson 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 19. Matt Dufty 20. Declan Casey 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Jackson Topine 23. Chris Patolo

Changes: Braidon Burns in
Declan Casey out

Winner: Max King ($490k / BE 42) has been in beast mode of late. There’s no need to trade him out of your side now either.

Loser: I feel bad for Declan Casey ($175k). He had the worst possible debut. It was torrential rain and the kid dropped the ball almost every time it came near him, and then had his afternoon cut short by a heavy head knock from a rampaging Andrew Fifita. I hope he gets another shot in first grade soon.

SuperCoach Talk: The Bulldogs late season redemption tour looks to get back on track this week against the Bunnies but a lot of it will depend on Matt Burton‘s ($618k / BE 106) health following Origin 3. He’s gone a long way towards dragging the Dogs off the bottom of the ladder and they’ll need him if they’re any chance of another upset here.

Braidon Burns ($387k / BE 98) is back from his latest injury set back in the only change for the Dogs

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Jed Cartwright 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess

Reserves: 18. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 19. Richard Kennar 20. Davvy Moale 21. Shaq Mitchell 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Ben Lovett

Changes: Damien Cook, Cameron Murray, Alex Johnston, Jai Arrow, Mark Nicholls in
Richie Kennar, Davvy Moale, Shaq Mitchell, Michael Chee-Kam, Daniel Suluka-Fifita out

Winner: So that’s now two straight 90+ scores for Latrell Mitchell ($615k / 93 pts / BE 17) upon his NRL return. He’s putting his hand up to be your number 2 fullback over Teddy.

Loser: If anyone ended up holding Lachlan Ilias ($226k / 0 pts / BE 53) all the way through to round 17, you’d have suffered even more disappointment when he copped a cheekbone injury in the opening minutes and was subsequently pulled from the game.

SuperCoach Talk: For the Bunnies team changes, Kodi Nikorima ($298k / 37 pts / BE 58) is back at utility.

Alex Johnston ($696k / BE 94) is back on the wing, apparently just missing the one week in order to mess with SuperCoaches. Richie Kennar ($259k / 91 pts) filled in admirably but you can’t help but wonder what AJ could have done in that same spot.

Mark Nicholls ($338k / BE 14) is the other man to come back in after recovering from the concussion suffered in round 16. Plus of course their Origin players in Damien Cook ($699k / BE 53), Jai Arrow ($471k / BE 26) and Cameron Murray ($583k / BE 58).

Jed Cartwright ($205k / 49 pts) stays in for his second game (like Hosking) and has the potential to become an AE problem down the track (like Hosking).

And in a weird quirk, Daniel Suluka-Fifita ($179k / 36 pts / BE 3) gets the rare distinction of being omitted from two different team lists this week.

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Colossal Von Crumpet

“I’m seeing double, here – four Fifitas!”

Last edited 1 year ago by Colossal Von Crumpet
The Duke

Thank you Semi. But one thing.

“With Keary back and Manu in the centres, Sitili Tupouniua ($492k / BE 77) is back on his right edge and Nat Butcher ($444k / BE 94) is relegated to the bench. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($467k / BE 45) returns from injury and Matt Lodge ($462k / BE 40) pops up in the extended reserves.”

Keary isn’t playing this week. Manu is at 5/8th. I presume safely this is a mistaken cut and paste.

The Duke

You do great works, I won’t let them get undercut by an honest mistake.

pullingyaleg

Great write up as always Semi. Any idea how long Haas will be out for? No mention of him here and not sure whether you have any estimation on his layoff? Thanks again for all your hard work!