Lakey’s Teams Analysis – Round 19

There it is. We’ve got through all the Origin and bye round adversity and we’re back to regular scheduling. I don’t know about you but there’s something comforting about knowing exactly when games are going to be without worrying about who’s in and out due to Origin selections and subsequent restings.

Don’t get me wrong. I know there will still be COVID and injury issues. Hell, there have been some of them this week already. But the comforting consistency will help me sleep a little easier as far as SuperCoach choices are concerned.

With seven weeks to go, trades are getting light and teams are being finalised. Getting your team right is the biggest concern right now. Troops are coming back and I’ll hopefully have some good news for you here.

PARRAMATTA EELS v BRISBANE BRONCOS

Thursday, 7.50pm, 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. Ryan Matterson

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore

Reserves: 18. Ky Rodwell 19. Ofahiki Ogden 20. Bryce Cartwright 21. Tom Opacic 22. Sean Russell

Changes: Ryan Matterson in
Ky Rodwell out

Winner: After so many weeks off, Ryan Matterson ($678k / BE 115) is finally set to return to the field on Thursday night….. for now.

Loser: I don’t know who still needs to hear this, but trade out Will Penisini ($389k / 25 pts / BE 89) now! The kid has hit a rookie wall as far as SuperCoach scoring goes. He’s sure to get one or two more big scores but with a very tough closing draw and the Eels going left more often that not, Penisini is heading towards AE territory.

SuperCoach Talk: The Eels have had one of the most consistent sides all season as far as injuries go. They’ve had very little movement on a week-to-week basis and with Matto back, are at pretty much full strength as we head into the final run.

Those who play along at home know about my affinity for Dylan Brown ($585k / 70 pts / BE 77). And while I still personally see him as a top three five-eight heading home, the Eels run home is brutal so I probably wouldn’t brig him in if you didn’t already have him. You should also look at both Burton and Drinkwater with far easier runs.

Brisbane Broncos

1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Zac Hosking 20. Rhys Kennedy 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Te Maire Martin

Changes: Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Corey Oates, Kurt Capewell, Cory Paix, Corey Jensen in
Zac Hosking, Delouise Hoeter, Billy Walters, Rhys Kennedy, Ryan James, Tyson Gamble out

Winner: Payne Haas ($482k / BE 59) comes back in from a short lay-off to get his body as healthy as possible for the run home. He’s had a down year but remember, last year he averaged 82 PPG across seven games before getting hurt in the final round and in 2020 he played the second half of the year with a 75.9 average.

Loser: There’s no doubt that Zac Hosking ($175k / 68 pts / BE -70) is going to be a star in the NRL. It was evident from the minute Newcastle let him walk. It’s what we do. But he’s got a tough roster ahead of him to break into and needs to bide his time. He’s out this week.

SuperCoach Talk: The Broncos have got their Origin reps back after they were given round 18 off to recover from the decider.

Delouise Hoeter ($276k / 59 pts / BE -55) and Jordan Pereira ($337k / 79 pts / BE -14) both make way for the Queensland wingers.

Tom Flegler ($421k / 40 pts / BE 72) and Kobe Hetherington ($367k / 41 pts / BE 8) go to the bench to accommodate Haas and Pat Carrigan ($564k / BE 100), and Tyson Gamble ($365k / 65 pts / BE 42) drops off. Which is fantastic news for anyone planning on holding Ezra Mam ($413k / 55 pts / BE 20).

Billy Walters ($354k / 29 pts / BE 71) is out with a hip injury meaning Cory Paix ($259k / BE 70) and Jake Turpin ($248k / 22 pts / BE 55) will share hooking duties.

St. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES

Friday, 6.00pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

St George-Illawarra Dragons

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

Bench: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Tariq Sims 16. Francis Molo 17. Josh Mcguire

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

Changes: Tariq Sims, Jayden Sullivan in
Moses Suli, Aaron Woods out

Winner: In a well beaten side, Ben Hunt ($510k / 69 pts / BE 74) played some good footy until he, and the rest of the side, ran out of steam. He was a big week for the Dragons half.

Loser: Moses Suli ($512k / 15 pts / BE 89) has had a solid month of footy, averaging 71.5 PPG against the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Raiders and Broncos. But injury got him on Saturday afternoon and he’s out for the time being.

SuperCoach Talk: Looking at the final score, it’s hard to believe now that the Dragons were on top at halftime, and level after 50 minutes. The final half hour of this game was one to forget for the red V.

With Suli out, the Dragons are really struggling with their outside back stocks. So Moses Mbye ($177k / 12 pts / BE 36) has been moved into the centres and Tariq Sims ($414k / BE 59) returns from suspension on the bench.

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. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Toafofoa Sipley

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

Reserves: 18. Ben Trbojevic 19. Kurt De Luis 20. Ethan Bullemor 21. Kaeo Weekes 22. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega

Changes: Taniela Paseka in
Jake Trbojevic out

Winner: We spoke on last week’s podcast about how good Daly Cherry-Evans ($658k / 111 pts / BE 0) is post Origin, and he then destroyed the Knights as if to prove my point. Manly has a very favourable run over the final seven weeks and DCE good be a pivotal pod.

Loser: Giving Manly a thank you shout out here for absolutely ruining Josh Schuster ($234k / 9 pts / BE 70) in 2022. He should be super cheap when given the starting #6 jersey next season.

SuperCoach Talk: Not much need to make changes to this side. They’re on a roll at the moment beating some genuine contenders and then putting the Knights to the sword (no pun intended) last weekend. However, Jake Trbojevic ($435k / 40 pts / BE 73) has been ruled out with COVID so that’s forced a change. Toafofoa Sipley ($299k / 43 pts / BE 44) gets called up at lock and Taniela Paseka ($404k / BE 55) is the man on the bench.

Haumole Olakau’atu ($663k / 82 pts / BE 67) continues his impressive year. He’s currently fourth in both total points and average in the second row and doesn’t look like slowing down.

Tolutau Koula ($478k / 83 pts / BE -16) put in another strong game which has pushed his breakeven back into the negatives. He gets a couple more weeks before you can move him on, or just hold him for a bench CTW as his scoring is good enough to take as an AE if needed.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Friday, 7.55pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Newcastle Knights

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

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Leo Thompson 19. Phoenix Crossland 20. Tex Hoy 21. Dominic Young 22. Jake Clifford

Changes: Hymel Hunt, Pasami Saulo, Kurt Mann in
Dominic Young, Simi Sasagi, Leo Thompson out

Winner: Kalyn Ponga ($490k / 69 pts / BE 16) has hit some form of late. Not enough to make him a serious consideration mind you, but scores of 79, 72, 86 and 69 around an early injury exit are somewhat encouraging. And he appears to be goal kicking again if last week is to be believed.

Loser: The Knights had both Tyson Frizell ($447k / 28 pts / BE 66) and Dominic Young ($495k / 32 pts / BE 67) fail to finish last weeks game with rib injuries. Frizell has been named for now but Young is out.

SuperCoach Talk: The Knights round 1 win over the Roosters feels like a lifetime ago now. But anyway….

Kurt Mann ($435k / BE 81) comes back in on bench, withMitch Barnett ($518k / 38 pts / BE 45) still at lock and Lachlan Fitzgibbon ($433k / 59 pts / BE 29) is retained on the left.

The Knights, like the Dragons, are scraping the bottom of the barrel for CTW options. So their new winger is Hymel Hunt ($315k / BE 37).

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Adam Keighran 21. Ben Thomas 22. Kevin Naiqama

Changes: Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Terrell May in
Sitili Tupouniua, SioSiua Taukeiaho, Billy Smith out

Winner: There’s a clear round 18 winner and it’s Joseph Manu ($800k / 191 pts / BE -9). If you didn’t have him, you took a massive hit against those that did. He broke out for a personal career high and 2022 SuperCoach high score. I did say he scores better on the ball, but never expected that explosion. Wow!

Loser: The Roosters injury curse has continued with all of Sitili Tupouniua ($454k / 29 pts / BE 111), Billy Smith ($297k / 14 pts / BE 64) and SioSiua Takeiaho ($548k / 14 pts / BE 72) suffering significant injuries. Tupouniua and Smith’s seasons are done thanks to ACL tears, with TKO fracturing a eye socket so he should return by finals time. Spare a particular thought for Billy Smith as it’s his third such rupture of his four year career.

SuperCoach Talk: Luke Keary ($449k / BE 108) is finally back from concussion, along with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($467k / BE 50) in a timely boost to the Roosters engine room. Nat Butcher ($398k / 34 pts / BE 60) goes to the right edge.

In last weeks win, James Tedesco ($675k / 99 pts / BE 70) had his third best score of the year, and that’s good. But he failed to crack a ton in a Roosters 54 point game. That’s bad. He did get back into the scoring column though. That’s good. But the two tries made up a third of his total score. That’s bad.

I’ll also be loading up on Daniel Tupou ($420k / 35 pts / BE 84) and Joseph Suaalii ($489k / 50 pts / BE 84) try ladders (i.e. anytime, 2+, 3+) against this Knights defence.

CANBERRA RAIDERS v THE WARRIORS

Saturday, 3.00pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Canberra Raiders

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

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Emre Guler 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Adrian Trevilyan 19. Elijah Anderson 20. Brad Schneider 21. Ata Mariota 22. Peter Hola

Changes: Nick Cotric, Elliott Whitehead in
Jordan Rapana, James Schiller out

Winner: I just can’t go past Joe Tapine ($683k / 74 pts / BE 70) yet again. I keep waiting for it to dry up but its not.

Loser: Jordan Rapana ($317k / 44 pts / BE 37) is back in trouble with a double charge that sees him suspended for the next couple of weeks.

SuperCoach Talk: It was a big win for the green machine who are quickly becoming the Storm’s bogey side. They’re still in the finals hunt and are welcoming back Elliott Whitehead ($373k / BE 51) and Nick Cotric ($352k / BE 56).

Unfortunately, James Schiller ($214k / 81 pts / BE -10) suffered a bad ankle sprain just as he had his best game at senior level. He’s out with Albert Hopoate ($189k / 6 pts / BE 38) his replacement from last weeks bench.

The Warriors

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

Bench: 14. Reece Walsh 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie

Reserves: 18. Eliesa Katoa 20. Edward Kosi 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Jackson Frei

Changes: Daejarn Asi, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in
Freddy Lussick, Edward Kosi out

Winner: Tohu Harris ($567k / 96 pts / BE 9) had his best game since his return, and just a game after his previous season high. So that’s back-to-back 90’s now for the Warriors leader. Is he 100% back now?

Loser: A huge shock in the list today. First thing you’ve probably noticed is that Reece Walsh ($507k / 30 pts / BE 72) has been ousted from the starting side. Is this retribution for defecting back to the Broncos?

SuperCoach Talk: I can’t say I would have ever predicted that. It’s thrown me. Chanel Harris-Tavita ($239k / 22 pts / BE 6) gets the #1 jersey with Walsh supplanted to the bench. Daejarn Asi ($358k / BE -8) comes back into the halves.

Addin Fonua-Blake ($443k / 51 pts / BE 42) is a chance at going back to the bench despite being named to start here. It was the same last Tuesday but AFB was switched to the bench for Tohu by kick off. This week, he’s partnering Tohu for now so we’ll see how it plays out.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ($412k / BE 71) is back on the right wing so Edward Kosi ($260k / 68 pts / BE 19) makes way.

Ronald Volkman ($175k / BE -7) was removed due to COVID protocols but hasn’t been recalled now that he’s able to be. Tough break that.

PENRITH PANTHERS v CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS

Saturday, 5.30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Charlie Staines 19. Spencer Leniu 20. Chris Smith 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Sean O’Sullivan

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

Winner: Nathan Cleary ($793k / BE 91) is back which is a welcome relief to the 40% of SuperCoach sides relying on him as their #1 halfback.

Loser: I know it was a depleted Panthers side last week, but Taylan May ($514k / 47 pts / BE 82) was still disappointing against the Tigers. Izack Tago ($543k / 82 pts / BE 21) and Viliame Kikau ($594k / 102 pts / BE 39) both scored very well on that left edge but May couldn’t get involved.

SuperCoach Talk: For the Panthers, their ins and outs list is just a reverse copy of last week. That is, all their Origin players who were rested for round 18 are back this weekend and the Panthers are back to full strength (I’m not going to name them all. They’re up there ^). So there’s not much here to report on as far as team lists go.

But I am looking forward to this game probably more than any other this weekend. It should be a cracking matchup.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

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

Bench: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Aiden Tolman 20. Kade Dykes 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Matt Ikuvalu

Changes: Siosifa Talakai, Briton Nikora in
Sione Katoa, Jesse Colquhoun out

Winner: When choosing which Shark to run with for round 17 and beyond, Jesse Ramien ($596k / 99 pts / BE -24) was at the bottom of everyone’s list. But he’s gone 133 and 99 in the two games and is putting his teammates scores to shame.

Loser: Sione Katoa ($562k / 59 pts / BE 82) made an incredible run to seal the Sharks win last week, but in scoring he broke his collarbone and tore the ligament. He is now set for season ending surgery.

SuperCoach Talk: Siosifa Talakai ($534k / BE 93) returns to left centre after his Origin break. Big for those who have held. And with Katoa out, Connor Tracey ($504k / 37 pts / BE 83) moves from left centre to right wing and the rest of the side remains unchanged.

I’ve had my reservations about Cam McInnes ($528k / 54 pts / BE 58) since he was moved back to the bench but he’s averaged 63 points in roughly 55 minutes the past two weeks. He comes on early and Dale Finucane ($372k / 58 pts / BE 19) spells the front rowers so both guys can fit in and play big minutes.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v MELBOURNE STORM

Saturday, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jed Cartwright 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. Davvy Moale 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess

Reserves: 18. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 19. Josh Mansour 20. Richard Kennar 21. Ben Lovett 22. Blake Taaffe

Changes: Cameron Murray, Damien Cook in
Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Taane Milne out

Winner: With all other hookers really struggling at the moment, it’s a welcomed sight for Damien Cook ($699k / BE 60) owners that he’s back in this week. He’s got a 5RA of 83.2 PPG which is 8 PPG more than the next best over that time. There’s a very good chance he ends as the number 1 hooker this season.

Loser: Jed Cartwright ($205k / 52 pts / BE -30) is in the centres for the Bunnies. He’s played very well over the last two weeks but will likely see limited minutes behind their first choice second row.

SuperCoach Talk: Cameron Murray ($583k / BE 63) and Cook are huge inclusions to a side that’s already starting to make amends on the first three quarters of the season.

However, the main reason for the form turnaround is Latrell Mitchell ($698k / 136 pts / BE 14). It’s a team game and no one man makes a team, blah blah blah, but tell me that this isn’t a completely different side over the past three weeks with Latrell at fullback again. He has been incredible. Previously, he’s been accused of drifting in and out of games, this year he’s looking far more intense and focussed.

Melbourne Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Tyran Wishart 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. Grant Anderson 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Alec MacDonald 17. Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18. Chris Lewis 19. Cooper Johns 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Tom Eisenhuth 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Changes: Grant Anderson in
Ryan Papenhuyzen out

Winner: The big winner this week is Nick Meaney ($601k / 71 pts / BE 85). After a tough opening month where he was trying to establish his role in the team, Meaney has averaged 69.6 PPG. Now he’s the starting fullback and goal kicker. If only he weren’t already over $600k.

Loser: The pain. Ryan Papenhuyzen ($823k / 34 pts / BE 204) has fractured his kneecap, is getting surgery and is gone for the season. And now all of those who broke their teams to get him get to now look for a replacement with substantially less money.

SuperCoach Talk: With Meaney moving off the wing, Tyran Wishart ($183k / 12 pts / BE 36) has been chosen to take up a wing position.

Grant Anderson ($214k / BE 46) gets another shot after recovering well enough from his elbow sprain, but only as far as the bench. It’s the worst possible news for those with him in their CTW bench who were hoping he’d fade away and never be an AE worry.

Surprisingly, that’s the only change to a Storm team who have just lost their third straight game.

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v GOLD COAST TITANS

Sunday, 2.00pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Canterbury Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Declan Casey 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. Aaron Schoupp 20. Matt Dufty 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Jackson Topine 23. Chris Patolo

Changes: No changes

Winner: Raymond Faitala-Mariner ($408k / 69 pts / BE 11) is getting back on track with two 60+ scores on the trot while playing a limited bench role. It’s good to see this man at full health.

Loser: Similar to Volkman above, Aaron Schoupp ($397k / BE 31) was withdrawn late last week with COVID and his replacement had a massive game so Schoupp is hasn’t been recalled yet. I worry for Jurbo.

SuperCoach Talk: The Dogs were unlucky to run into the Trell train last week, but played a pretty good game in the loss. So they haven’t made any changes to that side.

Josh Addo-Carr ($505k / 34 pts / BE 118) didn’t see out the game, leaving with a variety of leg concerns. He was in a moon boot and on crutches after the game but that was precautionary and he’s been named to play so far. That could change though.

I mentioned Matt Burton ($597k / 83 pts / BE 97) earlier as a five-eight pod move. He’s owned by just 7% of teams but has averaged 72 PPG since round 9 and has the Titans and Knights over the next fortnight. He’s killing it.

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. Jayden Campbell

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kevin Proctor 20. Paul Turner 21. Brian Kelly 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Changes: Jayden Campbell in
Paul Turner out

Winner: Did you jump on board the David Fifita ($576k / 75 pts / BE 77) train again? I’ll admit, it was a very ugly watch. There were some classic Fifita moments, by which I mean decoy running and walking around looking unfit but he somehow still produced a 75 point game. If that’s his low games, I want to be on when he does go off.

Loser: He started last week and really, Erin Clark ($416k / 84 pts / BE 26) was the BOG for the Titans. The man run with anger and played a large part in the game being as close as it was. Unfortunately, he’s back to the bench this week.

SuperCoach Talk: There’s only one major change for the Titans and that’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ($602k / 49 pts / BE 126) starting at lock again. He was brought off the bench following Wednesday’s Origin decider and his minutes limited but he’ll be bac to regular programming this week.

I say “one major change” but it is notable that Jayden Campbell ($484k / BE 75) has been named on the bench. How he’s used in the actual game is anyone’s guess.

Nth QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v WESTS TIGERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Nth Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Luciano Leilua 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Jake Granville 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Connelly Lemuelu 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Riley Price 21. Tomas Chester 22. Taniela Sadrugu

Changes: Valentine Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Tuilagi, Tom Dearden in
Ben Hampton, Brendan Elliot, Tom Chester, Connelly Lemuelu out

Winner: Fresh from Origin glory, Valentine Holmes ($596k / BE 23) returns to the fold for the Cowboys and becomes a serious buy contender for the back end of the season. Games against the Tigers, Dragons, Dogs, and Warriors on the run home set him up for some big SuperCoach weekends.

Loser: Luciano Leilua ($394k / 82 pts / BE 27) looked very good for the Cowboys last weekend. His 82 points was his best SuperCoach score of the year. But with the Origin reps back, Lucy goes into prop and won’t play nearly the minutes he saw last week.

SuperCoach Talk: As mentioned, Jeremiah Nanai ($597k / BE 61), Tom Dearden ($393k / BE 76) and Murray Tuilagi ($589k / BE 47) are back in from Origin duties (yes, I’m including Tuilagi even though he didn’t play with COVID). Ben Hampton ($283k / 26 pts / BE 43), Tom Chester ($175k / 13 pts) and Brendan Elliot ($240k / 22 pts / BE 46) are out and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($243k / 59 pts / BE 21) goes to the bench alongside Lucy.

Jason Taumalolo ($522k / 56 pts / BE 70) was cited for a shoulder charge, but it was a low grade charge and he’s free to play with a fine.

Wests Tigers

1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Luke Garner 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jackson Hastings

Bench: 14. Fonua Pole 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Tyrone Peachey

Reserves: 18. Austin Dias 19. Jock Madden 20. Justin Matamua 21. James Roberts 22. David Nofoaluma

Changes: Brent Naden, Tyrone Peachey, Alex Seyfarth in
Justin Matumua, Jake Simpkin, Jordan Tupou out

Winner: One game in the halves, and a big SuperCoach score for Adam Doueihi ($530k / 87 pts / BE 71). He was good for the Tigers and while the shuffle didn’t result in a win, they’ve stuck with the same configuration as last week. Available as a CTW, it’d be very poddy to take the punt here.

Loser: Unfortunately, Alex Twal ($478k / BE 96) has been ruled out for the season with concussion issues. But with the Tigers season essentially over, it’s best to shut Twal down in an effort to get his health right.

SuperCoach Talk: The Tigers should welcome David Nofoaluma ($489k / BE 57) back after he missed last week with illness. He’s only made the extended squad so far but should return.

Round 18 gun, Junior Tupou ($243k / 67 pts / BE -17) has already dropped out and AJ Kepaoa ($313k / 76 pts / BE -2) would likely join him.

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Professor Fate

Pereira is in Semi, Cobbo still out !

Mobile Chicane

Thanks Lakey.
Another correction. Schiller was replaced by Albert Hopoate. Valemei isn’t in the 22 man squad.

Echelon

Terrific write up, love the work

AJW

Thanks very much Lakester! Gonna have to find a few pods myself if I wanna get the AJW plane out of a spin! Getting in Teddy, Holmes and Tupou for Papz, Mam and someone else (maybe Tago or MKing), money pending! See you mate and keep up the good work! 😉

AJW

😉

tigershark

Anyone else having an issue with a DPP switch trade? I’m clicking the S but nothing happens. On a mac laptop

BxnB

Reboot mate

hasbeens

switch to list mode, s works there and switch back to team layout once done

The Duke

Thanks for the extensive write up, Semi. Tempted to bring in Doohicky as a POD move.

The Duke

Swings and roundabouts, Semi, swings and roundabouts.