Wenins Teams Analysis – Round 17

Another round is done and we have some big ins and outs to get through once again.

Sonny Bill headlines the Fox Sports inclusions for Round 17, but it’s likely that his teammate, Luke Keary will have a bigger impact for us SuperCoaches. We welcome back Payne Haas, but the outs including Isaah Yeo, Dylan Brown and the continued absence of Shaun Johnson will no doubt be causing headaches.

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BRONCOS v PANTHERS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Richard Kennar 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Tom Dearden 8. Payne Haas 9. Issac Luke 10. Rhys Kennedy 11. David Fifita 12. Ben Te’ o 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Corey Paix 15. Jordan Riki 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Jamil Hopoate

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Pride Petterson-Robati 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Brodie Croft

Injuries/outs:

• Ben Te’o (wrist, round 17)
• Joe Ofahengaue (suspension, round 18)
• Alex Glenn (knee, round 18)
• Xavier Coates (foot, round 18)
• Thomas Flegler (shoulder, round 18)
• Jake Turpin (hand, round 20)
• Anthony Milford (hamstring, indefinite)
• Keenan Palasia (knee, indefinite)
• Tevita Pangai jnr (stood down, season)
• Tesi Nui (wrist, season)
• Matt Lodge (leg, season)
• Jack Bird (ACL, season)

Payne Haas is back following a two-week suspension, while Issac Luke and Corey Oates also return. Herbie Farnworth shifts to centre with Jordan Kahu dropping out and Cory Paix drops to the bench. Brodie Croft has been omitted, and Joe Ofahengaue is out suspended.

David Fifita should be on most people’s shopping list, and with a BE of 63 you can wait until next week if need be. The Panthers are a tough match-up, but I am not sure if that impacts him too much given he scored 94 against the Roosters last weekend and put on 80 and 79 against the Raiders and Rabbitohs respectively earlier this year.

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Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Brent Naden 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Moses Leota 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. James Fisher-Harris

Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Kurt Capewell 17. Zane Tetevano

Reserves: 18. Api Koroisau 19. Billy Burns 20. Matt Burton 21. Pat Hollis

Injuries/outs:

• Api Koroisau (calf, round 17)
• Isaah Yeo (head knock, round 18)
• Dean Whare (toe, round 18)
• Charlie Staines (hamstring, indefinite)

The big out here for SupeCoach is Isaah Yeo, with the forward set to miss this round due to concussion. Viliame Kikau comes back into the side and is a POD option, while Moses Leota starts at prop with James Fisher-Harris at lock. Kurt Capewell will make his first appearance in months from the bench, and Apisai Koroisau has been named in among the reserves.

I’m all aboard the Brian To’o train from this week. That 97 against the Tigers sees an end to his price drop but is still available for less than $500k, which for a Panthers outside back is a steal given their run home.

Put the straight C on Nathan Cleary this round. As I said to a well known SuperCoach pundit last weekend when he was trying to figure out if he should VC Teddy or not – “it’s the Broncos, don’t overthink it”.

KNIGHTS v SHARKS

Friday, 6pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

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

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Herman Ese’ ese 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Texy Hoy 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Tautau Moga 21. Chris Randall

Injuries/outs:

• Daniel Saifiti (knee, round 18)
• Sione Mata’utia (ankle, round 18)
• Pasami Saulo (suspension, round 18)
• Bradman Best (ankle, round 19-20)
• Edrick Lee (arm, round 19-20)
• Tim Glasby (concussion, indefinite)
• Andrew McCullough (hamstring, season)
• Connor Watson (Achilles, season)
• Jayden Brailey (knee, season)
• Blake Green (knee, season)

Phoenix Crossland replaces Chris Randall and Brodie Jones comes in for the suspended Pasami Saulo.

It was a sad state of affairs last weekend for the Knights with not one player scoring over 60 against a resurgent Warriors outfit. With that said, Kalyn Ponga very rarely plays poorly in consecutive games and needs to be trusted, particularly against a Sharks side that has only beaten three of the worst sides in its past five games.

Mitch Barnett has been named despite an injury last weekend kept him to just 54 minutes.

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Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Jack Williams 19. Bryson Goodwin 20. Teig Wilton 21. Andrew Fifita

Injuries/outs:

• Jesse Ramien (eye, round 17)
• Josh Dugan (knee, round 17)
• Chad Townsend (calf, round 17)
• Shaun Johnson (groin/hamstring, round 18)
• Jackson Ferris (knee, round 18-19)
• Matt Moylan (hamstring, indefinite)
• Bronson Xerri (stood down)
• Cameron King (ACL, season)

Chad Townsend returns, with Connor Tracey dropping to the bench and Andrew Fifita omitted to the reserves.

No Shaun Johnson once again with a hamstring injury keeping him sidelined. There’s no guarantee that he will be back next round and with matches ahead against the Roosters and Raiders, I will be trading him out this week (to find out who, read on).

Siosifa Talakai played a large portion of the game in the centres with Jesse Ramien injured in the 26^th minutes. Fortunately for the Talakai owners this then led to a try and 76 points. However, with another bench role looming thanks to Ramien recovering and named, I will be looking to ship Talakai out for To’o with the Sharks utility facing a BE of 66.

RABBITOHS v STORM

Friday, 7.55pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Corey Allan 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Jaxson Paulo 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. Jed Cartwright 19. Steven Marsters 20. Troy Dargan 21. Ky Rodwell

Injuries/outs:

• Jack Johns (finger, round 19)
• Hame Sele (shoulder, finals)
• James Roberts (pectoral, finals)
• Ethan Lowe (neck, season)
• Tom Amone (knee, season)
• Braidon Burns (knee, season)
• Latrell Mitchell (hamstring, season)

Alex Johnston returns at fullback with Latrell Mitchell gone for the season due to a severe hamstring injury. Dane Gagai also returns at centre with Steven Marsters making way.

I don’t know how much you can read into last weekends match and certainly wouldn’t be jumping on any of their players as a result of it. They face the Storm this round, and you’d think it will be a tough test for them, but the Eels were considered premiership contenders. Following this match Souths play the Tigers and Bulldogs, which should be easier encounters but then finish the season against a Roosters side that will be likely fighting for a top four spot.

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Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Isaac Lumelume 3. Brenko Lee 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Chris Lewis 13. Tino Faasuamaleaui 

Bench: 14. Nicho Hynes 15. Ryley Jacks 16. Albert Vete 17. Darryn Schonig

Reserves: 18. Sandor Earl 19. Max King 20. Aaron Pene 21. Kenny Bromwich

Injuries/outs:

• Kenny Bromwich (calf, round 17-18)
• Tom Eisenhuth (calf, round 18)
• Nelson Asofa-Solomona (calf, round 18-19)
• Brandon Smith (jaw, finals)
• Suliasi Vunivalu (jaw, finals)
• Dale Finucane (calf, finals)
• Tui Kamikamica (lower back, finals)
• Paul Momirovski (finger, finals)
• Marion Seve (knee, season)

Brenko Lee replaces Marion Seve at centre, while Chris Lewis starts in the back row, seeing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui shift to lock and Nelson Asofa-Solomona out injured. Ryley Jacks has been added to the bench.

Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith should both see some price drops over the coming week or two, particularly Smith given his BE of 169. I will be targeting Munster next week before their match-up against the Cowboys.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has a 3RA of 85, but you’d be a brave man/women to bring him in for the likes of Ponga.

BULLDOGS v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Nick Meaney 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Aiden Tolman

Bench: 14. Jake Averillo 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Matt Doorey 17. Luke Thompson

Reserves: 19. Sauaso Sue 20. Jack Cogger 21. Reimis Smith 22. Tim Lafai

Injuries/outs:

• Luke Thompson (rested, round 17)
• Jake Averillo (rested, round 17)
• Joe Stimson (shoulder, season)
• Adam Elliott (shoulder, season)

Luke Thompson and Jake Averillo return on the bench with Sione Katoa and Dean Britt making way.

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Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Corey Thompson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ash Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Sam Stone 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tyrone Peachey

Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Mo Fotuaika 16. Keegan Hipgrave 17. Sam Lisone

Reserves: 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Jai Arrow 20. Anthony Don 21. Jai Whitbread

Injuries/outs:

• Moeaki Fotuaika (suspension, round 17)
• Jai Arrow (shoulder, round 17-19)
• Anthony Don (rib, round 17)
• Nathan Peats (calf, round 17)
• Kevin Proctor (suspension, round 19)
• Ryan James (knee, season)
• Dale Copley (pectoral, season)

Moeiaki Fotuaika returns from suspension with Jai Whitbread making way.

It’s been a while since we’ve been able to get excited about a Gold Coast Titan’s SuperCoach prospects but with a 3RA of 82, AJ Brimson has undoubtedly thrown his hat into the ring. Congrats to those who jumped on a few weeks ago and if this form holds out, then he still offers some value at $540k. Should you be looking to move SJ on then, Brimson could be your man. The Titans have a good run home too with games against the Bulldogs, Broncos and Manly before finishing off the seasons against the Knights in Round 20.

SEA EAGLES v TIGERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Lottoland, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Tevita Funa 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Abbas Miski 6. Cade Cust 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Morgan Harper 20. Morgan Boyle 21. Haumole Olakau’atu

Injuries/outs:

• Reuben Garrick (shoulder, TBC)
• Dylan Walker (foot, round 18-19)
• Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 19-20)
• Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder)
• Joel Thompson (ankle, season)
• Brendan Elliot (knee, season)
• Moses Suli (foot, season)

Reuben Garrick and Joel Thompson both appear done for the season due to injury. Abbas Miski comes into the side on the wing, while Jack Gosiewski stars in the back row and Corey Waddell comes onto the bench.

With Garrick injured, this should open the door for Daly Cherry-Evans to take over the goal-kicking duties and with Tom Trobjevic out still, I am backing the Manly skipper in to finish the season off with a bang. It all starts this Saturday night at Brookvale against a Wests Tigers side that looks at a point of almost self-destruction if you can believe what you read in the media. Following this game, they face the Bulldogs, Titans and the Warriors. At under $500k, I will be trading SJ to him and making $130k along the way.

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Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joey Leilua 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Asu Kepaoa 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Thomas Mikaele 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Luke Garner 13. Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Matt Eisenhuth 15. Elijah Taylor 16. Jacob Liddle 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Chris Lawrence 19. Tommy Talau 20. Josh Reynolds 21. Russell Packer

Injuries/outs:

• Michael Chee Kam (concussion, round 18)
• Zane Musgrove (foot, round 18)
• Billy Walters (knee, season)

Adam Douehi shifts to centre with Moses Mbye the new fullback, while winger Tommy Talau has been dropped for AJ Kepaoa. Josh Aloiai returns at prop, Matt Eisenhuth drops to the bench and Shawn Blore has been omitted.

Luciano Leilua is bleeding cash now after two poor scores and with a BE of 124 that is unlikely to stop this round. However, with injuries afloat, I like many will be forced to hold him one more week to maintain a strongish 17. If you are in a more fortunate position, then look to upgrade him to a Fifita or John Bateman.

This could be David Nofoaluma’s last chance of a big score with matches against Souths, Storm and the Eels to finish the season. However, we said that last weekend didn’t we?

RAIDERS v ROOSTERS

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. Ryan Sutton 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joe Tapine

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Hudson Young 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Matt Timoko 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Semi Valemei

Injuries/outs:

• Curtis Scott (leg, round 17)
• Emre Guler (ankle, round 18-20)
• Michael Oldfield (thumb, round 20)
• Sia Soliola (facial fracture, finals)
• Sebastian Kris (personal leave, indefinite)
• Corey Horsburgh (foot, indefinite)
• Andre Niko (knee, season)
• Josh Hodgson (knee, season)
• Bailey Simonsson (shoulder, season)

Josh Papalii and Siliva Havili return to the run-on side with Dunamis Lui and Tom Starling back to the bench (but we could be set for yet another late switch). Corey Harawira-Naera returns in place of Matt Timoko.

My boy, Jack Wighton has been outstanding over the past two weeks, scoring four tries and taking his 3RA average since the acquisition to over 80. However, I would not be playing him this weekend if I had another option at 5/8 with a tough match-up ahead against the Roosters and certainly wouldn’t suggest buying him. I will ride his price rise for one more week and then trade him to Munster next round.

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Nat Butcher 17. Sonny Bill Williams

Reserves: 18. Angus Crichton 19. Mitchell Aubusson 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Drew Hutchinson

Injuries/outs:

• Jake Friend (head knock, round 17)
• Angus Crichton (knee, round 17-18)
• Matt Ikuvalu (ankle, round 18)
• Mitchell Aubusson (wrist, round 17-finals)
• Lachlan Lam (ankle, indefinite)
• Victor Radley (knee, season)
• Sam Verrills (knee, season)
• Billy Smith (knee, season)

Luke Keary has been named to return with Drew Hutchison out. Sonny Bill Williams will play his first NRL game since 2014 from the bench, while Angus Crichton has been named among the reserves.

Daniel Tupou looms as another great POD option for the run home following a 95 in his return from injury. He has quite possibly bottomed out in price, and with the Roosters starting to welcome back their stars, points should be there for the taking. Brett Morris is also back to a somewhat reasonable price and has a BE of 53 this round.

WARRIORS v EELS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Adam Pompeye 3. Hayze Perham 4. Peta Hiku 5. Gerard Beale 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Adam Blair 16. Josh Curran 17. Isaiah Papali’i

Reserves: 18. Paul Turner 20. Tom Ale 21. Adam Keighran

Injuries/outs:

• Nathaniel Roache (knee, round 17)
• Adam Keighran (broken nose, round 17)
• Patrick Herbert (hamstring, round 18)
• Jack Hetherington (suspension, round 18)
• Eliesa Katoa (hand, round 19)
• 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)

George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro have to sit this one out against the side that they are contractually bound too. Eliesa Katoa is out injured and will miss the next two weeks with Jack Murchie starting in the back row. Gerard Beale comes in on the wing, and Josh Curran and Isaiah Papali’i join the bench.

Jazz Tevaga has averaged 70 PPG since returning from injury in Round 9 and looks a great buy at still under $600k.

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Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jai Field 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. Haze Dunster 19. Andrew Davey 20. Brad Takairangi 21. Stefano Utoikamanu

Injuries/outs:

• Marata Niukore (suspension, round 17)
• Dylan Brown (ankle, finals)
• Peni Terepo (personal leave, indefinite)

Jai Field replaces Dylan Brown in the halves, who will miss the remainder of the regular season. Marata Niukore returns from suspension on the bench in place of Andrew Davey, who has been omitted.

With Brown set to miss the rest of the SuperCoach season, I am somewhat interested in Mitchell Moses at a massively discounted price. He will assume the main playmaking role and with the Eels facing the Broncos and Tigers to finish the season. The injury to Brown also dampens my interest in Maika Sivo at a massively discounted price, and the Eels face the Panthers next weekend.

COWBOYS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 6.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Esan Marsters 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Francis Molo 9. Reuben Cotter 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Josh McGuire

Bench: 14. Daejarn Asi 15. John Asiata 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18. Shane Wright 19. Jake Granville 20. Peter Hola 21. Ben Hampton

Injuries/outs:

• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring, round 17)
• Peter Hola (wrist, round 17)
• Coen Hess (suspension, round 18)
• Murray Taulagi (knee, round 18)
• Jason Taumalolo (calf, round 20)
• Michael Morgan (calf, round 20)
• Reece Robson (hamstring, season)

Massive changes here. Jake Clifford replaces the injured Michael Morgan at halfback, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is back from injury on the wing with Valentine Holmes shifting to fullback. Scott Drinkwater shifts to five-eighth and Daejarn Asi drops back to the bench with Jake Granville dropped. Esan Marsters is also back, coming into the side at centre for Connelly Lemuelu. Gavin Cooper rounds out the changes as he starts in the back row due to Coen Hess being out suspended.

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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. Jacob Host 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Billy Brittain 15. Jackson Ford 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Kaide Ellis

Reserves: 18. Eddie Blacker 19. Tristan Sailor 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Max Feagai

Injuries/outs:

• Billy Brittain (head knock, round 17)
• Tyrell Fuimaono (suspension, round 17)
• Paul Vaughan (suspension, round 18)
• Trent Merrin (hamstring, round 18)
• Tariq Sims (shoulder, round 20)
• Jack de Belin (stood down)
• Korbin Sims (calf, season)

Tyrell Fuimaono returns from suspension in place of Trent Merrin on the bench in the only change.

Zac Lomax should bounce back this week against a struggling Cowboys side.