Lakey’s Teams Analysis – Round 21

Oh boy, I hope you’ve saved some trades. We strive all year to get our best teams on the park as soon as possible only for suspensions and injuries to ruin everything we’ve worked towards. And there are plenty of them heading into round 21.

Strap yourselves in. It’s not pretty.

Let’s look at the teams.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS v BRISBANE BRONCOS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

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. Ben Thomas 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Adam Keighran 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Kevin Naiqama 21. Renouf Atoni 22. Siua Wong

Changes: Ben Thomas, Terrell May in
Lindsay Collins, Egan Butcher out

Winner: It looks like my “choice” to let Joseph Manu ($879k / 101 pts / BE 17) be one I missed continues to be a wrong one. He posted another ton in what was a tougher game for the Roosters than many were expecting.

Loser: My thoughts are well and truly with Lindsay Collins ($411k / 25 pts / BE 79). Take the time to get your head and health right and all the best.

SuperCoach Talk: The Roosters tough draw starts now. Broncos and Cowboys over the next fortnight, a suddenly resurgent Tigers team, and finishing it off with the Storm and Rabbitohs.

For this week, they’ll have to do it without Collins and also Egan Butcher ($403k / 25 pts / BE 39) who’s been suspended for a careless high tackle. He’ll miss a week.

Matt Lodge ($419k / 33 pts / BE 49) gets the start and Terrell May ($175k / BE 30) and Ben Thomas ($205k) come onto the bench.

Brisbane Broncos

1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 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. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Corey Jensen 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Te Maire Martin 19. Zac Hosking 20. Xavier Willison 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Cory Paix

Changes: Jake Turpin, Rhys Kennedy in
Patrick Carrigan, Cory Paix out

Winner: In a huge boost, Selwyn Cobbo ($622k / BE 97) is back from a long concussion layoff. It’s not only great for the Broncos but for the NRL and for the fans. And most of all, for the kid himself.

Loser: Patrick Carrigan ($523k / 40 pts / BE 67) has been sent to the judiciary for an alleged hip drop tackle which ended Jackson Hastings’ season. He’s looking at an extended suspension.

SuperCoach Talk: The Broncos will be smarting from the embarrassment of their loss to the Tigers and will be eager to make amends on Thursday night.

Kobe Hetherington ($349k / 24 pts / BE 73) starts at lock in Carrigan’s place, and Rhys Kennedy ($327k / BE 20) has been brought into the 17.

Deine Mariner ($175k / 39 pts) showed enough to hold his spot in the centres but that means Delouise Hoeter ($332k / 23 pts / BE 35) drops out of the squad.

MELBOURNE STORM v GOLD COAST TITANS

Friday, 6.00pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Melbourne Storm

1. Tyran Wishart 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Grant Anderson 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. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Chris Lewis

Reserves: 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Cooper Johns 20. Xavier Coates 21. Jordan Grant 22. Young Tonumaipea

Changes: Brandon Smith, David Nofoaluma, Chris Lewis in
Nick Meaney, Justin Olam, Alec McDonald out

Winner: David Nofoaluma ($489k / BE 58) debuted in 2013. The Tigers haven’t played finals since 2011. But now, in his 10th season, Nofo will get to play in his first post-season football thanks to a late season transfer to the Storm.

Loser: I had a conversation last week about my scepticism around Nick Meaney ($579k / 50 pts / BE 82) for the rest of the season, but I didn’t expect him to be taken out the way he was. It was a scary fall but he’s largely avoided any major injury.

SuperCoach Talk: The Storm finally got back into the winners circle but it was far from convincing.

The return of Brandon Smith ($378k / BE 5) could and should help. He’s served his three game suspension for the referee spray so take his place on the bench. Although, he was previously being started at lock in a swap with Josh King ($317k / 42 pts / BE 38) so watch out for that on game day.

Tyran Wishart ($175k / 9 pts / BE 38) starts at fullback for Meaney.

Xavier Coates ($398k / BE 88) is back on the extended reserve as well, having recovered from the ankle injury he suffered in Origin Game 1. So with both Coates and Nofo in on the wings, that would likely spell the end of Grant Anderson ($255k / 54 pts / BE -19) and Dean Ieremia ($285k / 20 pts / BE 25). Both have been named though for now because of Justin Olam ($374k / 48 pts / BE 51) not making the squad this week thanks to COVID.

Speaking of, if you’re looking for a VC option this week, it will be hard to go past Cameron Munster ($650k / 74 pts / BE 92). Munster has averaged 89.3 PPG at home this season (against 62.3 PPG away) and add to that, the Titans allow 64.7 PPG to left halves this year, including a last five of:

  • Round 20 – Jack Wighton – 88 points
  • Round 19 – Matt Burton – 126 points
  • Round 18 – Ezra Mam – 55 points
  • Round 16 – Anthony Milford – 70 points
  • Round 15 – Matt Moylan – 90 points

Gold Coast Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Aaron Booth 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Isaac Liu 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Corey Thompson 20. Toby Sexton 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Paul Turner

Changes: Greg Marzhew in
Toby Sexton out

Winner: If there was any winners from the Titans it had to be Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ($567k / 88 pts / BE 42). He moved into the front row rotation, but kept his minutes steady and upped his workrate. Hopefully we can get him as a dual forward next season.

Loser: Goddam David Fifita ($564k / 49 pts / BE 80). I’m looking forward to the day he’s either signed elsewhere or Holbrook moves on. Something needs to happen to unlock this man again.

SuperCoach Talk: The Titans are heading towards their third wooden spoon in franchise history, the last being in 2019. It’s a horrible result from a club that played finals just last year and looked like they were on the way up. Unfortunately, there’s no concrete answers to stop the rot at the moment. At least not until they play the Knights in four weeks time.

In teams news, Jayden Campbell ($437k / 60 pts / BE 60) is back in at fullback, AJ Brimson ($527k / 40 pts / BE 86) goes into the halves with Tanah Boyd ($297k / 88 pts / BE -16) which means Toby Sexton ($392k / 21 pts / BE 48) has officially been scapegoated. What a joke.

Greg Marzhew ($543k / BE 59) is the new name but on the bench as utility.

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES v PARRAMATTA EELS

Friday, 7.55pm, 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. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Martin Taupau 17. Morgan Boyle

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Kurt De Luis 21. Kaeo Weekes 22. Brad Parker

Changes: Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula, Ben Trbojevic, Toafofoa Sipley in
Alfred Smalley, Pio Seci, Ethan Bullemor, Kurt De Luis, James Segeyaro, Zac Fulton out

Winner: Just a quick shoutout the Jake Trbojevic ($424k / 59 pts / BE 50). Not for anything SuperCoach related, but because that man bleeds for Manly. It’s evident every time he takes the field or conducts an interview. He deserves better than what he had to deal with last week.

Loser: I honestly think the young guys who showed up to play last week, and gave their all when the team needed them, deserved another chance. Reward for those deserving of it.

SuperCoach Talk: I might be one of the few, but I was very impressed with Manly’s efforts in their loss last Thursday night. Down seven regular first graders, the patchwork team showed guts and grit to only go down by 10 points. It was a danger game for non-Roosters SuperCoach managers, but Manly held most of the strike weapons in check.

But they’ll get most of their full complement back this week to face the Eels. Except for Josh Aloiai ($492k / BE 38) who’s still struggling with an injury.

Parramatta Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jakob Arthur 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. Bryce Cartwright 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Hayze Perham 20. Brendan Hands 21. Sean Russell 22. Elie El Zakhem

Changes: Jakob Arthur in
Mitchell Moses out

Winner: Isaiah Papali’i ($667k / 101 pts / BE 60) is proving why he’s the premier front rower in our game. Enjoy it while you can. He’s likely to be 2RF only in 2023.

Loser: More injuries and team shakeups. Mitchell Moses ($587k / 76 pts / BE 89) fractured his finger and is looking at an extended stint on the sidelines.

SuperCoach Talk: Last weeks game against the Panthers was the one major danger game I had for the Eels but they dominated from the outset and as such, SuperCoach scores were up across the board.

Without Moses though, Dylan Brown ($581k / 80 pts / BE 62) will be the man to run the show. Clint Gutherson ($536k / 88 pts / BE 33) had been training in the halves this week as a contingency plan but Jakob Arthur ($200k / BE 62) has returned from injury at the perfect time to come into the halves.

The rest of the team remains unchanged.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v THE WARRIORS

Saturday, 3.00pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

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. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Davvy Moale 16. Siliva Havili 17. Mark Nicholls

Reserves: 18. Izaac Thompson 19. Dean Hawkins 20. Richard Kennar 21. Shaq Mitchell 22. Josh Mansour

Changes: Mark Nicholls, Taane Milne, Blake Taaffe in
Jed Cartwright, Tom Burgess, Kodi Nikorima out

Winner: It was a tough night out for the Bunnies by large, but Cameron Murray ($586k / 83 pts / BE 54) showed what he’s capable of with a big game. His 83 points came courtesy of 75 base+power points. That’s an incredible floor for a man in such an attacking team.

Loser: Tom Burgess‘ ($436k / 47 pts / BE 63) high tackle not only cost the Bunnies the game, but has cost him a week too. He’ll spend this week watching on.

SuperCoach Talk: Souths were very unlucky to lose that one against the Sharks. It was only because of three missed Latrell Mitchell ($774k / 52 pts / BE 121) field goals and then the Burgess infringement that the Sharks were able to get the chocolates.

Mark Nicholls ($339k / BE 48) has been chosen to cover Burgess and Jed Cartwright ($272k / 14 pts / BE 38) wasn’t able to finish last weeks game due to a hamstring injury so he’s out too. I’m personally glad they’re not risking him as the Latrell move to the centres wasn’t fun for SuperCoach managers and I don’t want to experience it again.

There’s also been a swap of Blake Taaffe ($341k / BE 86) and Kodi Nikorima ($257k / 26 pts / BE 68) as the benchie.

The Warriors

1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Euan Aitken 5. Edward Kosi 6. Wayde Egan 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Tohu Harris 11. Bayley Sironen 12. Jack Murchie 13. Aaron Pene

Bench: 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Josh Curran

Reserves: 18. Jackson Frei 20. Dunamis Lui 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Adam Pompey 23. Viliami Vailea

Changes: Jack Murchie, Aaron Pene, Bayley Sironen, Taniela Otukolo in
Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jazz Tevaga, Adam Pompey, Jackson Frei out

Winner: Tohu Harris ($610k / 66 pts / BE 88) looks better and better as the season goes on. He isn’t breaking any records for scoring but is giving me confidence to seriously consider him as a starter in 2023.

Loser: Chanel Harris-Tavita ($256k / 27 pts / BE 27) season, and subsequently his NRL career for now, could have been ended by a knee injury. He’s said to have an MCL strain and may struggle to recover in time to play any more part of the Warriors 2022 campaign. I wish him nothing but the best in whatever he chooses in life.

SuperCoach Talk: Wayde Egan ($416k / 43 pts / BE 59) suffered some fractured teeth in what was deemed fair play from Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Go figure. And a day after Jared Waerea-Hargreaves received a fine for dropping an elbow on Zac Fulton. The NRL are setting a very dangerous precedent if you ask me. Anyway, Egan has been named at five-eighth to replace Chanel. Freddy Lussick ($210k / 27 pts / BE 41) is the new hooker.

Jack Murchie ($366k / BE 17) missed last game through daddy duties but is back in here. He’s been a regular starter and is straight back into that role. He’s one of an all new second row for the Warriors with Jazz Tevaga ($478k / 55 pts / BE 63) out of the team, Euan Aitken ($479k / 47 pts / BE 87) in the centres and Josh Curran ($421k / 29 pts / BE 95) benched. Bayley Sironen ($326k / BE 67) starts on the edge and Aaron Pene ($229k / BE 34) is at lock.

CANBERRA RAIDERS v PENRITH PANTHERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

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. Adam Elliott

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

Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Corey Horsburgh 22. Semi Valemei

Changes: Jordan Rapana in
Albert Hopoate out

Winner: Hudson Young ($558k / 125 pts / BE 36) is quietly have a breakout season. He’s averaging 62.6 PPG, but that’s gone up to 71.2 PPG since round 10. He’s got a couple of quiet games in him but is performing almost every week.

Loser: I’ve thought that Albert Hopoate ($218k / 36 pts / BE -24) has been good for the Raiders in this recent stint. But he’s a casualty of incumbency.

SuperCoach Talk: Canberra have made no other changes than Jordan Rapana ($317k / BE 38) coming back from suspension however there are some question marks over Adam Elliott ($584k / 51 pts / BE 88) who hurt his hip and failed to see out the round 20 win.

The Raiders made short work of the Titans last weekend. In doing so, Joe Tapine ($699k / 113 pts / BE 59) kept his domination up. He was sin-binned for striking David Fifita, meaning he lost points and time, and he still managed to score a ton. An incredible effort from the big man.

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Sean O’Sullivan 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. Spencer Leniu 17. Charlie Staines

Reserves: 18. Sunia Turuva 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Chris Smith 21. Kurt Falls 22. Lindsay Smith

Changes: Stephen Crichton, Mitch Kenny in
Nathan Cleary, Robert Jennings out

Winner: Sean O’Sullivan ($501k / 70 pts / BE 26) is the clear winner here. His spot is locked in until the end of the season now.

Loser: Already down one playmaker, Penrith will now be without Nathan Cleary ($691k / 4 pts / BE 170) for the rest of the SuperCoach season (or regular season for the normal football fans). He’s accepted the five week suspension levelled at him after that ugly spear tackle.

Excavation works at Commbank Stadium have already begun in order to locate Dylan Brown

SuperCoach Talk: All hell has broken loose at the foot of the mountains. Penrith’s success can be linked to their team consistency but that will be tested over the next month.

Coming in for Cleary is Jaeman Salmon ($190k / 33 pts / BE 32) who will pick up his combination with SOS from earlier in the season.

And both Stephen Crichton ($505k / BE 105) and Mitch Kenny ($306k / BE 27) are back. But neither man needs to be rushed back in with such a commanding lead in the minor premiership race so any issues and they’ll be pulled.

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS v St. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Saturday, 7.35pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

1. Kade Dykes 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. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Braydon Trindall 15. Aiden Tolman 16. Teig Wilton 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Miller 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Royce Hunt 21. Matt Ikuvalu 22. Thomas Hazelton

Changes: Kade Dykes, Braydon Trindall in
Will Kennedy, Royce Hunt out

Winner: Cameron McInnes ($530k / 85 pts / BE 48) is the clear winner of the Dale Finucane ($390k / BE 35) suspension. He was huge in the Sharks win. He won’t play those minutes each week but will be a big factor every time he’s on.

Loser: Jeez. How many injuries did we see last week. Will Kennedy ($426k / 33 pts / BE 85) is the Sharks offering. He suffered a syndesmosis injury midway through the second half but played the game out, plus extra time, in a stunning display of grit and toughness.

SuperCoach Talk: While SuperCoaches were planning for a Lachlan Miller ($205k) call up, Kade Dykes ($175k) came from the clouds to be named for debut so he will take up the custodian role for now.

In other news, Wade Graham ($281k / 55 pts / BE 15) just ruins Siosifa Talakai ($481k / 59 pts / BE 69) and Ronaldo Mulitalo ($439k / 40 pts / BE 86) in SuperCoach. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard SuperCoaches lament that Talakai hasn’t performed since his 165 point game in round 7. Well, Graham’s first game for the year was round 8. Coincidence?

St George-Illawarra Dragons

1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 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. Tariq Sims

Bench: 14. Tyrell Sloan 15. Aaron Woods 16. Francis Molo 17. Josh Mcguire

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Tyrell Fuimaono 22. Jackson Ford

Changes: No changes

Winner: What do I do here? Do I just remove this section for the Dragons?

Loser: Tyrell Sloan ($350k / 3 pts / BE 80) finally played his first game since round 10 but was used off the bench. He only got 11 minutes on the afternoon. It was a weird role to have him in but appears to be the plan as he’s been named there again.

SuperCoach Talk: The Dragons embarrassed a full strength Manly side in round 19, while the Tigers arguably should have beaten the Cowboys. But then the Cowboys just destroyed the Dragons on Sunday afternoon because football.

Despite that result, Hook has opted to run out the same side against the Sharks. This could be another long evening for Dragon fans.

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v Nth QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Sunday, 2.00pm, Salter Oval, Bundaberg

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. Jackson Topine 13. Tevita Pangai Junior

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Joe Stimson 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Chris Patolo

Reserves: 19. Declan Casey 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Changes: No changes

Winner: Honestly, Jacob Kiraz ($504k / 144 pts / BE -20) coming to Newcastle and absolutely slapping the sh*t out of the club who deemed him “not ready” for first grade is both poetic and a scathing indictment of where the Knights are as a club right now.

Loser: On the other hand, Matt Burton ($645k / 45 pts / BE 55) wasn’t what new owners were hoping he’d be as he didn’t even crack a half century against the hapless Knights.

SuperCoach Talk: The Dogs got through Sunday unscathed so have no need to make any forced changes. Although Raymond Faitala-Mariner ($431k / BE 39) is back on the extended bench after missing the weekend with cracked ribs. It’s just a pain tolerance thing from now on so the man will need to get needled up in order to play.

Debutant Harrison Edwards ($175k / 36 pts) is the likely man to make way if RFM returns.

Nth Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Reuben Cotter 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Griffin Neame

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

Changes: Jake Granville in
Kyle Feldt out

Winner: In a conversation about rest of season 2nd rowers on the podcast, we spoke about Lane, Murray and Crichton. But it turns out the right answer was Jeremiah Nanai ($709k / 158 pts / BE -13). The kid is a try scoring machine.

Loser: Kyle Feldt ($457k / 44 pts / BE 79) is looking at a couple weeks off after straining a hamstring on Sunday afternoon.

SuperCoach Talk: With Kyle Feldt sidelined, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($240k / 23 pts / BE 53) comes onto the right wing and Jake Granville ($200k / BE 7) has been brought in as the utility. That poses a small concern for Reece Robson ($584k / 57 pts / BE 70) managers. He averages 72 PPG this year without Granville in the team, but only 55.8 PPG with him.

No other changes for the Cowboys as they look to cement their spot in the top four but Jordan McLean ($372k / BE 45) is pushing towards a return in the coming weeks.

Jason Taumalolo ($542k / 76 pts / BE 39) got cited for a shoulder charge but took the early guilty plea and $3000 fine. He was facing a two week suspension if he fought the charge and lost.

WESTS TIGERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers

1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Zane Musgrove 15. Austin Dias 16. Thomas Freebairn 17. Tyrone Peachey

Reserves: 18. Junior Tupou 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Brandon Tumeth 21. James Roberts 22. Justin Matamua

Changes: Thomas Freebairn in
Jackson Hastings out

Winner: Adam Doueihi ($573k / 122 pts / BE 28) already got a boost with Luke Brooks ($443k / BE 26) ruled out for the foreseeable future but now the Tigers mounting injury toll mean he’s the man in the middle once again.

Loser: One of those injuries is to Jackson Hastings ($481k / 61 pts / BE 46) in that Patty Carrigan tackle. He’s fractured his leg then walked off the field. Jeebus. In any case, Hastings has been fantastic for the Tigers this year and didn’t deserve to go out this way.

SuperCoach Talk: How about that Tiger fans? Just desserts? It was a resounding victory on Saturday night, and not one that anyone saw coming. But maybe we should have. Their past two games especially look like the new structures and game plan are starting to click. Unfortunately, some injuries are starting to pile up so the Tigers have to make a few changes to that successful team.

Fonua Pole ($249k / 36 pts / BE 24) starts at lock to replace Hastings so Joe Ofahengaue ($573k / 65 pts / BE 66) stays at prop. Thomas Freebairn ($175k) comes onto the bench.

Newcastle Knights

1. Tex Hoy 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Mitchell Barnett

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Adam Clune 21. Kurt Mann 22. Hymel Hunt

Changes: Bradman Best in
David Klemmer out

Winner: Bradman Best ($464k / BE 78) comes back in once again. Hopefully for more than one week this time.

Loser: Edrick Lee ($634k / BE 94) was a late withdrawal last week but has been named to return for this one. He’s been on fire lately. In the five games around his 172 point explosion (the outlier), he’s still averaging 64.4. The Knights are missing him.

SuperCoach Talk: Sunday afternoon football. Tigers vs Knights. Maybe plan a family picnic instead.

Best comes into the outside backs for Simi Sasagi ($189k / 50 pts / BE 3) in one change for the Knights. The other is David Klemmer ($534k / 55 pts / BE 77) who’s out this week after being chased by Parramatta during the week. I don’t think it’s related.

It reeks a bit of giving up on the season to just name the same team who were woeful against the Dogs but here we are.

Kurt Mann ($435k / BE 82) has spent a couple of weeks being named in the extended reserves but dropping out by game day, so should be getting close to an actual call up. Other than that, I’m not expecting much to change.

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Mr Perfect

just a note the dogs v cows game is listed as “newcastle” probably leftover from last week. Its a bulldogs home game in Bundaberg.