Wenin’s Teams Analysis – Round 14

We’ve been handed a relatively carnage free TLT, and don’t we deserve it. Let’s get into the teams.

Apologies for the late delivery this week, under the pump at work!

ROOSTERS v STORM

Thursday, 7.50pm, Sydney Cricket Ground

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Ryan Hall 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvala 6. Luke Keary 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchinson 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Nat Butcher 17. Daniel Fifita

Reserves: 18. Egan Butcher 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Max Bailey 21. Kyle Flanagan

Injuries/outs:

• Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (calf, round 15)
• Brett Morris (back, round 15)
• Angus Crichton (knee, round 15)
• Daniel Tupou (ankle, round 15)
• Boyd Cordner (head knock, indefinite)
• Victor Radley (knee, season)
• Sam Verrills (knee, season)
• Billy Smith (knee, season)

Josh Morris is back from injury, seeing Mitch Aubusson shift to the back row and Nat Butcher to the bench. None of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton or Brett Morris has been named to return, while Kyle Flanagan is among the reserves.

Captain Teddy hasn’t worked out as of late and it has somewhat corresponded with the mass outs at the Roosters. The match-up against the Storm makes it more of a difficult proposition but there’s zero risk to be had by putting the VC on him.

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Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Tom Eisenhuth 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 

Bench: 14. Nicho Hynes 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Albert Vete 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Sandor Earl 19. Chris Lewis 20. Cooper Johns 21. Brenko Lee

Injuries/outs:

• Brenko Lee (hand fracture, round 14)
• Max King (Achilles, round 15)
• Cameron Smith (shoulder, round 15-16)
• Marion Seve (ear, round 16-17)
• Cameron Munster (knee, round 16-17)
• Tui Kamikamica (lower back, finals)
• Paul Momirovski (finger, finals)

Ryan Papenhuyzen and Dale Finucane are back with Tino Faaasuamaleaui and Nicho Hynes reverting to the bench. Ryley Jacks starts at five-eighth for Cameron Munster.

Munster joins Cameron Smith on the sidelines and is a challenging hold for those who own both. I will, unfortunately, be trading him out but looking to bringing him straight back in on return. Faaasuamaleaui owners can look to cash him in either this week or next.

WARRIORS v PANTHERS

Friday, 6pm, Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Patrick Herbert 3. Adam Pompeye 4. Peta Hiku 5. George Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Adam Blair 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Isaiah Papali’i

Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 20. Gerard Beale 21. Adam Keighran 22. Josh Curran

Injuries/outs:

• Nathaniel Roache (knee, round 14)
• Leeson Ah Mau (pectoral, indefinite)
• Rocco Berry (back, indefinite)
• Leivaha Pulu (compassionate leave, season)
• Agnatius Paasi (compassionate leave, season)
• David Fusitu’a (compassionate leave, season)
• Ken Maumalo (compassionate leave, season)
• King Vuniyayawa (compassionate leave, season)
• Taane Milne (knee, season)
• Jackson Frei (knee, season)
• Bunty Afoa (knee, season)
• Selestino Ravutaumada (season)

Jack Hetherington’s is out with Lachlan Burr coming into the starting side. Isaiah Papali’i has been included on the bench.

Jazz Tevaga proved to be a very solid buy with 73 points in 49 minutes that was assisted by a linebreak. He remains a solid buy this week after just an $11k price rise. Tohu Harris could finish the season as the top-scoring 2RF and is just 6% of teams. I may be selling Eliesa Katoa this week after a cracking run in my side, generating over $300k – thank you, sir!

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Panthers: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone May 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brent Naden 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Api Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Moses Leota 17. Zane Tetevano

Reserves: 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Dylan Edwards 20. Matt Burton 21. Billy Burns

Injuries/outs:

• Dylan Edwards (hamstring, round 14-15)
• Brian To’o (ankle, round 15)
• Charlie Staines (hamstring, round 16)
• Kurt Capewell (knee, round 16)
• Dean Whare (toe, round 18)

No changes.

Nathan Cleary will be a popular captain option this round. He has scored under 80 just once in the past month. Josh Mansour and Stephen Crichton both shape as solid acquisitions for the run home, while Viliame Kikau is another to consider at a very cheap price.

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EELS v DRAGONS

Friday, 7.55pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Ray Stone 15. Marata Niukore 16. Kane Evans 17. Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves: 18. Andrew Davey 19. Haze Dunster 20. Stefano Utoikamanu 21. Brad Takairangi

Injuries/outs:

• Peni Terepo (indefinite)

Ryan Matterson is back with Marata Niukore dropping to the bench.

I’d hold off on adding Matterson to your side just yet. Let’s see how he goes getting through the game after a serious head knock and he could see a drop in price of almost $100k over the next fortnight, which may mean a lot given we are running out of cash cows.

Junior Paulo is definitely a guy that I am interested in. However, you’re buying him at top dollar and there may be better alternatives out there.

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Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Tristan Sailor 15. Kaide Ellis 16. Korbin Sims 17. Jacob Host

Reserves: 18. Brayden Wiliame 19. Eddie Blacker 20. Jason Saab 21. Jayden Sullivan

Injuries/outs:

• Paul Vaughan (self-isolation, round 16)
• Jackson Ford (suspended, round 16)
• Tariq Sims (shoulder, round 20)
• Jack de Belin (stood down)

Corey Norman is back, seeing Ben Hunt shift to hooker and Cam McInnes to lock with Jackson Ford out. Tyrell Fuimaono starts in the back row Tariq Sims out again, while Trent Merrin is also out with Korbin Sims and Jacob Host added to the bench.

McInnes shifts back to lock where he has scores of 63, 61 and 83 there this year. He’s the most traded in player this round, but to be honest (and if I was a non-owner), I’d be picking Apisai Koroisau over him at hooker with their run home.

Brayden Williame has been added to the reserves which impacts current owners (AE nightmare) and those possibly looking at Euan Aitken.

SHARKS v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Jack Williams 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Teig Wilton 19. Briton Nikora 20. Braydon Trindall 21. Bryson Goodwin

Injuries/outs:

• Scott Sorensen (head knock, round 14-15)
• Andrew Fifita (finger/round 15-16)
• Chad Townsend (calf, round 16-18)
• Jackson Ferris (knee, round 17-19)
• Bronson Xerri (stood down)
• Cameron King (ACL, season)

Jack Williams replaces Teig Wilton on the bench in the only change.

As a Sione Katoa owner the sight of him lining up at left wing last week was not fun. I’ll be trading him out after this round if that remains the same. An option could be the current right winger in Ronaldo Mulitalo given how dangerous that Sharks right edge has been for most of the season thanks to Shaun Johnson. He has scores of 72, 85, 20, 68 and 75 since the COVID hiatus and the Sharks have a nice run home with games against the Titans, Cowboys and Warriors.

Johnson shapes as a solid captain option this round with the afternoon match-up against the Titans.

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Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Dale Copley 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ash Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Nathan Peats 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow 

Bench: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Sam Lisone

Reserves: 18. Corey Thompson 19. Jai Whitbread 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Beau Fermor

Injuries/outs:

• Mitch Rein (knee, round 16-17)
• Jonus Pearson (pectoral, round 16-17)
• Ryan James (knee, season)

Analysis: No changes.

JT and I briefly discussed AJ Brimson on the POD tonight, he’s a fan but I am not convinced after battling injuries all year. However, at just $359k he could be worth a crack and is importantly available as a dual 5/8 – FLB.

COWBOYS v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 5.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tom Opacic 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Ben Hampton 7. Michael Morgan 8. Josh McGuire 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. John Asiata 16. Emre Pere 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Shane Wright 19. Jake Clifford 20. Corey Jenson 21. Esan Marsters

Injuries/outs:

• Scott Drinkwater (knee, round 14)
• John Asiata (knee, round 14)
• Valentine Holmes (ankle, round 18-20)
• Murray Taulagi (wrist, indefinite)

Scott Drinkwater returns at fullback, seeing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shift to the wing in place of Justin O’Neill. John Asiata replaces Tom Gilbert on the bench.

Apart from Lolo there’s nothing here. YEE-NAH.

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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Alex Johnston 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Liam Knight 16. Patrick Mago 17. Keaon Koloamatangi

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Corey Allan 20. Troy Dargan 21. Kurt Dillon

Injuries/outs:

• Hame Sele (shoulder, round 16)
• James Roberts (pectoral, finals)
• Ethan Lowe (neck, season)
• Tom Amone (knee, season)
• Braidon Burns (knee, season)

Jaydn Su’A returns from suspension, seeing Liam Knight drop to the bench and Jack Johns omitted.

Not grabbing Damien Cook proved to be a good decision with Cook scoring just 49 against the Bulldogs and seeing a price drop of $87k. Latrell Mitchell’s name keeps being thrown around but I am not interested. Sure he could have a solid game this weekend but Souths have a tough run home and he’s far too inconsistent for me.

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RAIDERS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 7.35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Siliva Havili 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Hudson Young

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Ryan Sutton 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Michael Oldfield 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Matt Frawley

Injuries/outs:

• Siliva Havili (triceps, round 14)
• Semi Valemei (knee, round 16-17)
• Emre Guler (ankle, round 17-19)
• Corey Horsburgh (foot, round 19)
• Sia Soliola (facial fracture, finals)
• Sebastian Kris (personal leave, indefinite)
• Andre Niko (knee, season)
• Josh Hodgson (knee, season)
• Bailey Simonsson (shoulder, season)

No changes.

The Raiders have had a really tough fixture of late but now face the Broncos, Titans and Bulldogs. I’m excited, are you?

My trades this week will include two Raiders players with Josh Papalii added and at this stage I am going to be taking a punt on Jack Wighton as a trade in for Munster. My logic is that with that draw he should hopefully go large in one or two weeks and then I can shift him back to Munster with a bit of the price gap made up. Papalii has been fantastic this year and is as good a chance as any prop to score a try, particularly against a Broncos side that has been consistently leaking points to middle forwards.

I also think it could be worth a punt on one of the likes of the outside backs but who? I don’t mind a Jarrod Croker play given that his floor should be relatively high if they score plenty of tries over the next three weeks.

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Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Richard Kennar 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Brodie Croft 7. Tom Dearden 8. Tom Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Ben Te’o 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Corey Paix 15. Jordan Riki 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Matt Lodge

Reserves: 18. Issac Luke 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Rhys Kennedy 21. Jesse Arthars

Injuries/outs:

• Alex Glenn (knee, round 15-17)
• Tevita Pangai jnr (self-isolation, round 16)
• Anthony Milford (hamstring, round 17)
• Corey Oates (leg, indefinite)
• Jordan Kahu (shoulder, indefinite)
• Sean O’Sullivan (knee, indefinite)
• Keenan Palasia (knee, indefinite)
• Tesi Nui (wrist, season)
• Jack Bird (ACL, season)

Tevita Pangai jnr is out maybe forever with Ben Te’o coming into the starting side and Jordan Riki to make his debut from the bench. Issac Luke has been dropped for Cory Paix joins.

Pangai owners must sell as the edge forward may have played his last game for the season. He may be sacked by the Broncos this week. This may see Patrick Carrigan as a hold for the remainder of the season despite a very disappointing sub 50 minutes last weekend. The inclusion of Matt Lodge and Joe O on the bench is not great for Carrigan but the loss of Pangai should see him get back to at least 60 minutes. David Fifita is a big watch after a solid return and now with Pangai out he will need to carry even more of the attacking load. However, with a BE of 60, he’s unlikely to see a major price spike this week and he is behind the likes of Bateman and Matterson for me.

KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To’a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Blake Green 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Josh King

Reserves: 18. Tex Hoy 19. Brodie Jones 20. Chris Randall 21. Mason Lino

Injuries/outs:

• Pasami Saulo (suspension, round 15)
• Sione Mata’utia (ankle, round 18)
• Bradman Best (ankle, indefinite)
• Tim Glasby (concussion, indefinite)
• Edrick Lee (arm, indefinite)
• Andrew McCullough (hamstring, season)
• Connor Watson (Achilles, season)
• Jayden Brailey (knee, season)

Daniel Saifiti returns from injury, seeing Jacob Saifiti drop to the bench and Brodie Jones omitted.

It was a Kalyn Ponga masterclass last weekend and he could be set for another big one this round with a day match-up against an injury-riddled Sea Eagles side. On the other hand, Kurt Mann could manage just 51 points in his first game at hooker.

David Klemmer is nearly back to his high season starting price and with a 5RA of 70 PPG, he is a definite FRF keeper once again.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cade Cust 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Sean Keppie 17. Haumole Olakau’atu

Reserves: 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Tevita Funa 20. Abbas Miski 21. Jack Gosiewski

Injuries/outs:

• Curtis Sironen (knee, round 14)
• Joel Thompson (ankle, round 14)
• Brad Parker (head knock, round 14)
• Martin Taupau (head knock, 14-15)
• Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 15-17)
• Dylan Walker (foot, round 17-19)
• Addin Fonua-Blake (knee, round 18)
• Albert Hopoate (knee, indefinite)
• Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder)

With Addin Fonua-Blake out injured, Taniela Paseka gets the starts at prop while Marty Taupau has been named despite failing an HIA last week and he must be in some doubt. Brad Parker is back from a HIA and he replaces Tevita Funa at centre. Curtis Sironen and Joel Thompson both return, seeing Haumole Olakau’atu and Corey Waddell drop to the bench and Morgan Boyle the player to be ommitted.

Jake Trbojevic has been on absolute fire of late with a 3RA of 85 and is no longer cheap, priced at over $600k. The attacking statistics that he has flowing with his high base is taking us back to times where he was considered among the top two or three 2RF’s.

TIGERS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joey Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Benji Marshall 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Russell Packer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Luke Garner 13. Matt Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Thomas Mikaele 15. Josh Reynolds 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Chris Lawrence

Injuries/outs:

• Alex Twal (sternum, round 14)
• Zane Musgrove (foot, round 16-18)
• Harry Grant (knee, round 17)
• Michael Chee Kam (concussion, indefinite)
• Billy Walters (knee, season)

Jacob Liddle returns after a long absence, seeing Moses Mbye return to centre and Tommy Talau to the wing with Asu Kepaoa dropping out. Luke Garner has returned to the edge with Chris Lawrence dropping to the bench and Shawn Bloredropped. Josh Reynolds comes onto the bench as a replacement for Billy Walters.

I know that I am not the only one who keeps saying that they are trading out Luciano Leilua only for him to cross for another try and produce another 80+ score. I sound like a complainer, but I am not – just grateful! However, he faces another tough assignment this weekend with a BE of 73 but has a tasty match-up. I am holding for one more week :).

David Nofoaluma will be a popular addition, but buyer beware – the Tigers have had a very soft draw and they face the Storm, Panthers, Eels and Roosters over the coming two months.

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Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tim Lafai 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jack Cogger 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Sione Katoa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson

Bench: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Aiden Tolman 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Reimis Smith

Reserves: 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Renouf To’omaga 21. Chris Smith 22. Matt Doorey

Injuries/outs:

• Jake Averillo (hip, round 15)
• Will Hopoate (ankle, round 15-16)
• Joe Stimson (shoulder, season)
• Adam Elliott (shoulder, season)

Kerrod Holland starts at centre for Jake Averillo, while Jack Cogger replaces Lachlan Lewis, who is out suspended.

Nope.