Stilesy’s Late Mail – Round 14

I’M BACK. After nearly two months of Tim Hortons and poutine over in Canada I’m once again in the mail room. Unfortunately, I’ve got to shake the rust off fast because my return coincides with the post-Origin nightmare round where it looks like nearly every single player has been named to back up and likely none of them will, knowing our luck in SuperCoach. There will be plenty to keep an eye on and unfortunately I’m sure there will be a few unpleasant surprises as the round unfolds.

As with every round, but even more importantly this week, remember to put your players in the early games in your active side and the reserve on the guys who play later in the round, even if the reserve is better than the starter. This means if they are a late out, you can pivot to another warm body in any position and not be stuck with an AE or worse, multiple non-players. Keep in mind as well that the first game is Friday night and the round runs through to Monday evening.

Lastly, a massive thanks to Lakey and the boys for holding the late mail fort while I was gone. I’m sure they’ll enjoy watching the games this weekend without an alarm going off every few hours for Twitter updates, which I’ll again be pumping out @AStilesAuthor

COWBOYS V DRAGONS, FRIDAY 7:55PM

COWBOYS: Reuben Cotter and his 51 Origin tackles on debut are not going to be a late inclusion on game day seeing as his partner is due to give birth this weekend. Jeremiah Nanai looked like he would never walk again after picking up an ankle injury in the first half of Origin. He was able to return later in the game, however he too has been ruled out for this week and probably the next 1-3 as well. Valentine Holmes has been confirmed to back up for his 150th game which likely sees Brendan Elliot drop out and Hammer swap to the wing – the position he now has his sights set on for Game Two after Coates’ injury. Tom Dearden, who was always likely to play, is a confirmed starter and replaced Ben Hampton at five-eighth when first cuts were revealed.

24 Hour Cuts: Hampton, Nanai, Bradley, Cotter, Frei

DRAGONS: Tariq Sims and Ben Hunt have both pulled up OK after Origin but their availability hinges on their medical assessments and how they feel on Friday morning. Josh McGuire and Jaydn Su’A both survived first cuts which could point to Sims being rested.

24 Hour Cuts: Reuben, Jaiyden Hunt, Kerr

TITANS V RABBITOHS, SATURDAY 3:00PM

TITANS: No news yet on the availability of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui after his 53 minute Origin stint, but that could be good for his outlook given he seemed to get through the game unscathed. No changes expected at this stage.

RABBITOHS: Neither Damien Cook or Cameron Murray took part in captain’s run on Friday but coach has confirmed that both will play. I suspect this will be on restricted minutes but with the Bunnies struggling to stay inside the 8 they will likely need big games from both Origin players.

ROOSTERS V STORM, SATURDAY 5:30PM

ROOSTERS: James Tedesco is traditionally named and rested following Origin matches, however as with Souths they are just inside the top 8 and the chance at having a crack against a potentially understrength Storm outfit could see him roll out. Daniel Tupou and Lindsay Collins also had big performances for their respective states but they don’t seem in any doubt at this stage.

STORM: There’s a lot of moving parts at the Storm but outside of Xavier Coates – whose ankle injury will keep him out 6-8 weeks according to NRL Physio – all Origin players (Munster, Grant and Kaufusi) will meet up with the squad ahead of the match. While that does not necessarily mean they won’t be rested, it is a positive sign. In a big boost, Harry Grant is confirmed to be playing. He may revert to the bench but he will be there.

BRONCOS V RAIDERS, SATURDAY 7:35PM

BRONCOS: Patrick Carrigan is rumoured to still be taking hit-ups at Accor stadium but he should back up to play in this one, as will Selwyn Cobbo who is also fresh off his maiden Origin win. Kotoni Staggs left the field with a shoulder injury and is unlikely to play, with Brenko Lee or Delouise Hoeter the likely replacement. Payne Haas was also apparently carrying a shoulder complaint but he fortunately will back up according to Kevvie. In bad news for Tyson Gamble but great news for potential Ezra Mam owners, Gamble is set to miss the next “few weeks”. According to Gamble himself, the lower leg injury is more of an annoyance than anything else and he hopes to slot back into the side when he comes back. 3-4 weeks out casts doubt on Mam’s bye round availability, though a month is a long time in footy and he could cement his spot with some strong play. The risk is there nonetheless.

RAIDERS: Josh Papali’i didn’t get much of a run on Wednesday night so should backup, and it’s likely Jack Wighton does as well. No other changes expected at this stage.

TIGERS V SEA EAGLES, SUNDAY 2:00PM

TIGERS: According to NRL Physio, Jackson Hastings will likely see out the season despite battling an ongoing foot issue that isn’t getting worse, but isn’t getting better. The rest of the side appears as-is, with Adam Doueihi appearing more likely in a couple of weeks after the rumour he would suit up this round.

SEA EAGLES: DCE is another player likely to backup from Origin, with Taniela Paseka also possible to return from injury. No other changes appear likely at this stage.

KNIGHTS V PANTHERS, SUNDAY 4:05PM

KNIGHTS: Both Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga made it through Origin unscathed and are likely to back up.

PANTHERS: Isaah Yeo will be ruled out after his HIA controversy in the opening moments of Origin. Nathan Cleary appeared banged up after the match and while Crichton, Luai and Martin appeared fine it seems the call won’t be made until captain’s run on Saturday, which is a long time to wait for information in SuperCoach land. However, according to Peter Lang the club believes that none of the Origin cast picked up anything major so (outside Yeo), there is a slim chance that everyone else is good to go.

WARRIORS V SHARKS, SUNDAY 6:15PM

WARRIORS: Hard to know what to expect out of the Warriors this week given the coaching upheaval, so I can only assume they’ll run out as named until we get news otherwise.

SHARKS: Wade Graham is lurking on the extended bench and could come into the side, though with Nicho Hynes fine to play after his 18th man role in Origin.

BULLDOGS V EELS, MONDAY 4:00PM

BULLDOGS: Tevita Pangai scorched owners last week who brought him in early for the bye, and his presence on the extended bench means he could be in line for a return right after owners needed him most. Such is SC.

EELS: Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard all played under a half each on Wednesday night so I’d assume they will all be good to go by Monday afternoon. The side should be 1-17.

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Trade-a-holic

Welcome back Stilesy. Love your work.

AJW

Yeah welcome back Stilesy – it may be difficult to go cold turkey from that staple diet of Poutine, Horton’s doughnuts and Moosehead brews mate, but just stick with it!
Is it true that the national dish (Poutine is a national junk food dish I guess!) is actually a mix of hot chips, melted cheese and gravy??? How much extra weight are carrying mate? Anyway, good to have you back mate – even though you’ll have Lakey breathing down your neck – he was pretty much on the ball!

See you round! 😉

Seagles

Nothing on Brimson being out with covid ?.Posted on Titans site 15 hrs ago ?