Wenin’s Teams Analysis – Round 6

Haha, let’s just forget about this season, ok?

“He who shall not be named” scorched any SuperCoach dumb enough not to own him and I was certainly one of those idiots.

I actually don’t blame you if you were to stop reading now and move on to someone who is actually good at SuperCoach, but hang in there with me. We can get through this together.

Where to from here? Well in the great words of Kevin Garnett, “anything is possible”.

To change things up a bit, I will now be adding a match-up grading under the analysis of each team based on how I see the outlook of their SuperCoach players against the opposition for the round.

As per usual, there’s plenty to discuss, so let’s get into it!

Subscribe to our podcast channel on any one of the major streaming services including, iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcast, just search The NRL SuperCoach Talk podcast. That way you will get the latest episodes to your phone as soon as they are released.

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KNIGHTS VS BRONCOS

Thursday, June 18th, Central Coast Stadium, 7:50pm

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Sione Mata’utia, 13. Herman Ese’ese

Interchange: 14. Tex Hoy, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Tim Glasby, 17. Aiden Guerra

Reserves: 18. Gehamat Shibasaki, 19. Pasami Saulo, 20. Phoenix Crossland, 21. Starford To’a

Injuries/outs:

• Connor Watson (syndesmosis, round 9-11)
• Mitch Barnett (shoulder, July)
• Jayden Brailey (knee, season)

Lachlan Fitzgibbon returns from injury and takes his place in the second row with Aiden Guerra dropping to the bench and Brodie Jones out of the side in the only change.

Kalyn Ponga was relatively quiet last weekend, which is not good news for the Broncos. The loss of Kotoni Staggs will see the Broncos right edge feature the very inexperienced combination of Herbie Farnworth and Xavier Coates, so Ponga could have a field day. However, he’s got options on both sides given that the left edge features the great, Darius Boyd.

Match-up rating – Good (Almost Great!)

A week ago, this would have been one game that Ponga owners everywhere would have pencilled in their diaries as a straight-up captain job. However, the Broncos are welcoming back both Tevita Pangai Jr and Alex Glenn, which adds some much-needed experience and they were much better against Manly last weekend. With that being said, the Broncos centre/wing combinations are both dicey, with the right edge, in particular, being very inexperienced. Ponga is a definite VC play and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went big (Broncos have conceded over 80 PPG to fullbacks this year), but I think there is enough risk here to prevent a straight-up captain play. Bradman Best shapes as a definite start (as if you weren’t) coming up against a Broncos right edge that has conceded over 60 PPG this year and has been weakened this week with Staggs now missing as noted above.

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Broncos: 1. Jamayne Isaako, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Herbie Farnworth, 4. Darius Boyd, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Brodie Croft (c), 8. Matthew Lodge, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Tevita Pangai Junior, 13. Pat Carrigan (c)

Interchange: 14. Tesi Niu, 15. Ben Te’o, 16. Joe Ofahengaue, 17. Thomas Flegler

Reserves: 18. Issac Luke, 19. Rhys Kennedy, 20. Tom Dearden, 21. Jamil Hopoate

Injuries/outs:

• Kotoni Staggs (hamstring, round 8-9)
• Jesse Arthars (knee, round 9-11)
• Jake Turpin (leg, July)
• David Fifita (knee, June-July)
• Jordan Kahu (shoulder, mid-season)
• Sean O’Sullivan (knee, mid-season)
• Keenan Palasia (knee, late season)
• Jack Bird (ACL, season)

Staggs is a massive loss for the Broncos and he will be sidelined for a few weeks with a hamstring injury. This sees Herbie Farnworth move to right centre to cover Staggs and Corey Oates shifting back to the left wing. Alex Glenn and Tevita Pangai jnr are welcomed inclusions to the back row and this sees Joe Ofahengaue move to the bench, with Rhys Kennedy out of the 17. Issac Luke has been named in the reserves.

Anthony Milford returned to the form that he had shown over the first two rounds of the season and is very cheap for those looking to take a bit of a gamble at five-eighth. I will be personally targeting him as a downgrade from Scott Drinkwater next week before the Broncos encounter with the Titans. After that they face the Warriors and the Bulldogs in a very enticing three weeks for SuperCoach. With that in mind, Pangai Jr also appeals and many would have forgotten that he scored 88 points in 80 minutes to open the season. At $540k, he is an option. Xavier Coates looks to have his spot locked in until Staggs return and therefore that makes him one of the better cheapies available given the favourable draw ahead.

Match-up rating – Average

The Broncos were much more competitive last round and the additional few days rest when compared to their opponents, coupled with the return of some big names should see them push the Knights. I can see the likes of Payne Haas putting up another solid performance but he’s unlikely to play the full 80 minutes with Pangai Jr and Glenn returning, so straight-up captain pick is a slight risk. Milford and Jamayne Issako are better starting propositions than they were a week ago, but an element of risk associated with each given that the Knights have conceded very few points at both fullback and five-eighth.

For you degenerates – I actually like the Broncos at the line given the difference in turnaround time and wouldn’t be surprised at all to see this tighten up before Thursday night.

RABBITOHS VS WARRIORS

Friday, June 19th, Bankwest Stadium, 6:00pm

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. Campbell Graham, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Alex Johnston, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Jaydn Su’A, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Liam Knight, 15. Patrick Mago, 16. Tom Amone, 17. Bayley Sironen

Reserves: 18. Mark Nicholls, 19. Corey Allan, 20. James Roberts, 21. Keaon Koloamatangi

Injuries/outs:

• Hame Sele (hamstring, round 8-9)

Souths are unchanged, which means that James Roberts remains outside the 17 on the extended bench.

It was so very predictable wasn’t it? Latrell Mitchell with a 112 against the hapless Titans. He faces the Warriors this round, and it will be interesting to see if they can produce a similar performance to last weekend. Still, a betting man would back Mitchell in for another SuperCoach friendly game as I can see this being quite an open affair. He shapes as a solid buy for your CTW and as a direct replacement for Staggs or Capewell; however, as JT pointed out in his article yesterday, that base is very low.

Damien Cook looks cooked or at least a tad underwhelming. He produced just 66 points and is currently well below Cameron Smith as the game’s top hooking option.

Match-up rating – Good

Over the past three weeks, the Warriors have conceded plenty of points to forwards and the second most amount to CTWs. While the Warriors were good last weekend, was it more a case of how poor the Cowboys were? Despite the strong win, SEVEN Cowboys players scored over 60 points including Kyle Feldt, Jason Taumalolo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Reece Robson, Justin O’Neil, Josh McGuire and Francis Molo (tries inflated some of the forward’s scores here). My conclusion here is that there are plenty of points to be had in this game, and it shapes up as a good matchup for both sides.

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Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2. Patrick Herbert, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Gerard Beale, 5. Adam Pompey, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Blake Green, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Lachlan Burr, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Adam Blair

Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton, 15. Poasa Faamausili, 16. King Vuniyayawa, 17. Jack Murchie

Reserves: 18. David Fusitu’a, 20. Agnatius Paasi, 21. Channel Harris-Tevita, 22. Isaiah Papali’i

Injuries/outs:

• Nathaniel Roache (knee, July)
• Jazz Tevaga (calf strain, round 8-10)
• Leeson Ah Mau (pectoral, season)
• Adam Keighran (knee, July-August)
• Taane Milne (knee, season)
• Jackson Frei (knee, season)
• Bunty Afoa (knee, season)
• Ken Maumalo (hamstring, round seven)

No changes for the Warriors, with David Fusitu’a, Isaiah Papali’i and Channel Harris-Tevita named in the reserves.

Kodi Nikorima has assumed the goal kicking duties and also impressed since taking over the five-eighth role from round three with scores of 98, 28 and 110. It screams POD (2% of teams); however, he’s no longer that cheap, priced at just under $500k. Apart from a matchup against the Storm in Round 7, the next month of fixtures look appealing with games against Souths, Broncos, Titans and the Sharks.

Tohu Harris has once again been named to start on the edge but played through the middle last week and his base remained very solid at 65.

I feel that until we have the cash to upgrade him, Eliesa Katoa is a must start almost every week. He plays a similar role to Viliame Kikau on that left edge and is therefore a chance for a try basically every game.

Match-up rating – Average  

Souths have been quite difficult to score against since the break but if you own Katoa you’re playing him with South’s conceding 55 PPG to left edge second rowers this year. Harris is an automatic start, and if you’ve jumped on the Nikorima train them you’re playing your POD every week.

PANTHERS VS STORM

Friday, June 19th, Campbelltown Stadium, 7:55pm

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Matt Burton, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Billy Burns

Reserves: 18. Mitch Kenny, 19. Brent Naden, 20. Jack Hetherington, 21. Caleb Aetkins

Injuries/outs:

• Kurt Capewell (knee, round 17)
• Pat Hollis (abdominal strain, indefinite)

Dylan Edwards returns from injury at fullback, seeing Caleb Aekins dropped to the reserves. Liam Martin replaces the injured Kurt Capewell (out for 10 weeks) in the back row and Billy Burns joins the interchange.

With Capewell unfortunately out of the picture now, it’s likely to be smooth sailing for Isaah Yeo owners as he should continue to rack up big minutes in the back row. Jerome Luai retains his starting spot from Matt Burton, but he is unplayable in your 17 at the moment given that they are sharing game time in the halves. However, with a BE of 15, he can be held until he maxes out in price.

Nathan Cleary produced an unusually quiet SuperCoach game against the Eels and this matchup against the Storm doesn’t appear to be any easier. With a BE of 85, as a non-owner, I will be bidding my time now until the favourable fixtures start from Round 9.

Match-up rating – Bad

The Storm continues to be one of the most challenging matchups in SuperCoach with only the Roosters and Eels proving more difficult since the break. With that said, if you own Cleary, it would be a brave decision to not play him – but, he has a career average of just 41 against Melbourne…

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Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Ryley Jacks, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Tom Eisenhuth, 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Max King, 19. Marion Seve, 20. Jahrome Hughes, 21. Paul Moirovski

Injuries/outs:

• Tui Kamikamica (back, indefinite)
• Jahrome Hughes (broken hand, round 7-8)

No changes for the Storm; however, Brandon Smith replaced Christian Welch before kick-off last weekend and could do the same here.

Isn’t Cameron Smith the one that got away so far this year? He has a season average of 82, which is simply incredible.

I will be selling Ryan Papenhuyzen this week. Enough is enough and he could start leaking more cash with a current BE of 77. I also don’t like the Storms upcoming fixture starting with this game against the Panthers and then the Rosters and Raiders before they face the Titans in Round 10 (all is forgiven then :)).

Match-up rating – Average  

Penrith haven’t conceded many points to hookers since the break and this included a 60 to Cook in Round 4, so is this the week that Smith finally slows down? Outside of this, I can’t see the Storm racking up too many points here against a side that has conceded just 72 points all year.

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TITANS VS DRAGONS

Saturday, June 20th, Suncorp Stadium, 3:00pm

Titans: 1. Corey Thompson, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Young Tonumaipea, 5. Philip Sami, 6. Ashley Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Sam Lisone, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Tanah Boyd, 15. Jaimin Jolliffe, 16. Keegan Hipgrave, 17. Tyrone Peachey

Reserves: 18. Beau Fermor, 19. Jarrod Wallace, 20. Jai Whitbread, 21. Tyrone Roberts

Injuries/outs:

• Dale Copley (ankle, round 7-8)
• Tyrone Roberts (ankle, round six)
• Beau Fermor (knee, mid-season)
• AJ Brimson (back, indefinite)
• Ryan James (knee, season)

Corey Thompson starts at fullback to make his debut for the Titans, seeing Phillip Sami move to the wing, Brian Kelly to centre and Dale Copley out injured.

Little to no SuperCoach relevant players in this Titans side outside of Jai Arrow who continues to frustrate owners. Despite playing 65 minutes on the weekend he could produce just 54 points. He’s suffering from ongoing rib issues which saw him leave the field early, only to come back on and have to spend most of his time in the second half twiddling his thumbs out in the centres covering for Copley. Yuck.

Thompson’s shift to the Titans is unlikely to be SuperCoach relevant given that he has averaged 50 PPG in 24 games at fullback over the past three seasons.

Match-up rating – Average  

Despite being very disappointing up until last weekend since the break, the Dragons haven’t conceded too many SuperCoach points – but one game was against the Dogs….

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Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Adam Clune 8. Josh Kerr, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tyrell Fuimaono, 13. James Graham

Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Trent Merrin, 16. Blake Lawrie, 17. Jacob Host

Reserves: 18. Jackson Ford, 19. Jason Saab, 20. Korbin Sims, 21. Tristan Sailor

Injuries/outs:

• Jack de Belin (stood down)
• Brayden Wiliame (calf, round 10-11)
• Tariq Sims (wrist, round 9-11)

James Graham replaces Trent Merrin in the starting side in the only change.

This is the one we’ve been waiting for Zac Lomax owners. He’s flirted with a big score this year but failed to score over 60 yet, despite a very respectful base of 33. If he can’t produce this weekend then I struggle to see when it’s going to happen. Lock him into your 17.

Tyrell Fuimaono has been named to start on the edge once again but owners will be hoping for a much better performance than just 26 points in 57 minutes against the Sharks.

Cameron McInnes is a must. The fact that Ben Hunt will come on and play hooker for a large part of the game is a massive plus as it is resulting in McInnes taking more runs, which has been the key ingredient missing in his game from a SuperCoach perspective over the years. You just can’t beat a base output of 73 PPG and I will be trading him in this round.

The other player of interest for me is Matt Dufty. While in any other season this would be a classic case of “chasing last weeks points”, 2020 is different. Following his massive 120 point score against the Sharks last weekend, he now has a BE of -8 and is set for a couple of very solid price rises. If the matchup against the Titans wasn’t there then I’d probably be advocating you to move along, but it’s extremely tempting to trade him in for the week with the matchup, the fullback job seemingly locked in for at least the short term and $100k to be made. Beware, you can’t play him next weekend against the Roosters but assuming you have another player in your squad that you can bring in, then you can bench him for that week, take the cash and then sell him before Round 8. Since Round 3, fullbacks have averaged 93.6 PPG against the Titans – if you can’t afford one of the big three, then why not?

Match-up rating – Great

It’s the Titans. Since Round 3 they have conceded more SuperCoach points than any other side. If you own a Dragon, you’re starting them.

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TIGERS VS COWBOYS

Saturday, June 20th, Campbelltown Stadium, 5:30pm

Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Joseph Leilua, 4. Moses Mbye, 5. Robert Jennings, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Zane Musgorve, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14 Matthew Eisenhuth, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Sam McIntyre, 17. Michael Chee Kam

Reserves: 18. Benji Marshall, 19. Chris Lawrence, 20. Billy Walters, 21. Reece Hoffman

Injuries/outs:

• Jacob Liddle (knee, indefinite)
• Luciano Leilua (ankle ligament strain, named this week)
• Tommy Talau (hamstring, indefinite)
• Russell Packer (suspended, round 8)

Robert Jennings returns on the wing for Tommy Talau (injured), while Luke Garner replaces the omitted Chris Lawrence in the second row. Matt Eisenhuth and Sam McIntyre replace Alex Seyfarth and the suspended Russell Packer on the interchange. Luciano Leilua has been named to play but is battling an ankle injury and is a big watch (make sure you have him in your reserves). Benji Marshall remains out of the 17.

Harry Grant got the full 80 minutes last round but failed to capitalise with a disappointing 48 points. With that bench, he should get the full game time this round once again.

That’s now two impressive performances from Adam Doueihi from fullback, but at $427k, he’s too awkwardly priced now to probably consider. Alex Twal played 80 minutes again and produced a ridiculous 80 points from base + power, while the injury to Tommy Talau reduces one of the cheapies that will be on the bubble next week.

Match-up rating – Average

The Cowboys were disappointing last weekend but they’re not conceding too many SuperCoach points since the break. One player that shouldn’t be disadvantaged is Alex Twal, given that they’ve conceded over 65 PPG this year to locks. My boy, David Nofoaluma is up against rookie Connelly Lemuelu, so it’s a little bit of an unknown but given the lack of experience, Nofo could be licking his lips here.  

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Cowboys: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. Connelly Lemuelu, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Josh McGuire, 11. Mitch Dunn, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton, 15. Corey Jensen, 16. Peter Hola, 17. Gavin Cooper

Reserves: 18. Tom Opacic, 19. Shane Wright, 20. Reuben Cotter, 21. Emry Pere

Injuries/outs:

• Michael Morgan (shoulder, round 8-9)
• Valentine Holmes (ankle, round 7)
• Jordan McLean (calf, round 7)
• John Asiata (meniscus, round 9-11)

Valentine Holmes (ankle) and Jordan McLean (calf) are both out injured, while Tom Gilbert is suspended. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will start at fullback after impressing there last weekend once Holmes left the field. Connelly Lemuelu comes into the side on the wing, as does Francis Molo, who starts at prop. Ben Hampton, Corey Jensen and Peter Hola join the interchange with Reuben Cotter dropping out of the 17.

The injury to Holmes is massive for the Cowboys given how instrumental he has been in setting up their attack with Michael Morgan absent. It’s time for Scott Drinkwater to step up and owners will be hoping that there is at least one or two more big scores left in him. However, with a BE 76 and a price that is quickly falling, it is time to sell.

Tabuai-Fidow (HTF, The Cheetah, HammerTime, etc.) was super exciting in that second half from the fullback position and it looks like the Cowboys are on a winner here. Therefore, I think it’s pretty safe to go a week early on him if you need to and given he is starting at fullback, he is an option for your starting 17 this round.

Match-up rating – Average

The Tigers haven’t been conceding too many SuperCoach points since we resumed and despite Jason Taumalolo, this appears to shape up as an average matchup for our Cowboy’s players. However, HTF could be a play with the Tigers conceding close to 65 PPG to fullbacks this year, which includes an 82 from Kalyn Ponga in Round 2 and a 64 against Philip Sami in Round 4.   

ROOSTERS VS EELS

Saturday, June 20th, Bankwest Stadium, 7:35pm

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. Angus Crichton, 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Sam Verrills, 15. Isaac Liu, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Sitili Tupouniua, 19. Mitchell Aubusson, 20. Ryan Hall, 21. Lachlan Lam

Injuries/outs:

• Billy Smith (knee, season)

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returns at prop, seeing Lindsay Collins drop back to the bench and Sam Verrills replaces Mitchell Aubusson on the interchange.

We do not speak of “He Who Shall Not Be Named” in this weekly post.

The omission of Aubusson is great news for Angus Crichton owners as he should continue to play 80 minutes on that right edge. He is also eligible to play this weekend following an early guilty plea.

I’m genuinely excited for this game as it will be interesting to see just how good the Roosters are. They’ve looked like rock stars over the past two weeks and SuperCoach points have been produced in their plenty but now is their test.

Match-up rating – Bad

The Eels and Roosters just eclipse the Storm as the two hardest teams to play in SuperCoach, so I am tipping some underwhelming scores in this match and a tight contest. It’s not as if you’re going to be benching “He Who Shall Not Be Named” and Crichton but you may want to think twice about them as captains.

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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

Interchange: 14. Ray Stone, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Peni Terepo

Reserves: 18. Brad Takairangi, 19. David Gower, 20. George Jennings, 21. Jai Field

Injuries/outs:

• Kane Evans (suspended, round 7)

Kane Evans is our through suspension and has been replaced by Oregon Kaufusi on the bench.

Refer above, just how good are the Eels? Well, we are just about to find out.

Ryan Matterson has been basically unstoppable this year but faces his toughest test to produce attacking statistics; however, with a base output of 54, it’s unlikely to be all doom and gloom.

Nathan Brown played his first game since Round 2 and was very impressive with 69 points in 59 minutes, 41 of which from base. He’s a player to monitor over the coming weeks.

Match-up rating – Bad

Refer above.

I have genuine concerns for both Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown this round and if I owned both Moses and Cleary then I’d consider benching Moses.

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RAIDERS VS SEA EAGLES

Sunday, June 21st, Campbelltown Stadium, 4:05pm

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. Josh Hodgson, 10. Sia Soliola, 11. Elliot Whitehead, 12. Joe Tapine, 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Ryan Sutton 17. Hudson Young

Reserves: 18. Dunamis Lui, 19. Bailey Simonsson, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Tom Starling

Injuries/outs:

• John Bateman (shoulder, indefinite)
• Sebastian Kris (extended sick leave)
• Andre Niko (knee, season)

Corey Horsburgh returns with Dunamis Lui dropping out of the 17. Hudson Young returns from suspension and replaces Bailey Simonsson on the bench.

Jordan Rapana has officially won the left wing position over Bailey Simonsson and given his pedigree he is another player to keep a close eye as his price continues to plummet. The Raiders have a more attractive draw from Round 11 onwards.

Match-up rating – Bad

This shapes as another challenge for the Raiders after their hard-fought win against the Tigers last weekend. The Sea Eagles may have just scraped across the line against the Broncos but they are a genuinely good side and it’s evidenced by the low amount of SuperCoach points that they’ve conceded since the hiatus.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tevita Funa 3. Brad Parker 4. Brendan Elliot 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Taniela Paseka 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Jack Gosiewski, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Morgan Boyle

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley, 19. Abbas Miski, 20. Haumole Olakau’atu, 21. Cade Cust

Injuries/outs:

• Martin Taupau (thumb, round 6-7)
• Moses Suli (finger, round 7-9)
• Albert Hopoate (knee, June)
• Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder)
• Jorge Taufua (quad, round seven)

Martin Taupau and Moses Suli are both out injured, with Brendan Elliott coming into the 17 at centre and Addin Fonua-Blake at prop. Curtis Sironen returns from injury in the back row for Corey Waddell and Morgan Boyle joins the bench.

The injury to Taupau will hurt the Sea Eagles, as will Suli’s but there is not too much on a SuperCoach front outside of the ever present Tom Trbojevic and his brother Jake, who has now produced back to back 65+ games with all points coming from base.

Match-up rating – Average

This shapes as a tough scoring week for the Manly players and you’d think that you’d be a brave man to put the captain armband on Turbo this round – however; fullbacks have averaged 84 PPG against the Raiders this year. This is skewed somewhat though thanks to Ponga’s 150+ against them in Round 4.

SHARKS VS BULLDOGS

Sunday, June 21st, Bankwest Stadium, 6:30pm

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Mawene Hiroti, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Jack Williams

Interchange: 14. Toby Rudolf, 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 16. Siosifa Talaki, 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Scott Sorensen, 19. Connor Tracey, 20. Bryson Goodwin, 21. Matt Moylan

Injuries/outs:

• Matt Moylan (hamstring, round six)
• Bronson Xerri (suspended)
• Cameron King (ACL, season)
• Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee, round nine)

Jack Williams returns to the starting side at lock with Toby Rudolf dropping to the bench, while Siosifa Talakai and Royce Hunt replace Connor Tracey and Scott Sorensen also on the bench. Bryson Goodwin and Matt Moylan have both been named on the extended bench.

It’s only lasted one week, but Rudolph’s stint as the starting lock comes to an end and perhaps it’s a good thing with him seeing just 39 minutes compared to over 40 in all but Round 1 this year.

Matt Moylan seems likely to come into the 17, so keep your powder dry, William Kennedy owners – or will it be Shaun Johnson to make way? Assuming it is Kennedy, then Johnson appears to be one of the buys of the week this round with his price flatlining and a very appealing set of fixtures ahead.

Speaking of Johnson, I am interested in the entire Sharks right edge given what we saw on Monday night and the amount of points scored down that side by the Roosters. I want as many shares as I can get here and it is looking like I will be owning Johnson and Sione Katoa. Britton Nikora is the other player that I would like to add to my side if I had one more trade, but can’t quite fit him in. For all the degenerates out there, lock Nikora in for all the try scoring betting categories this weekend.

Match-up rating – Great

The Bulldogs are a very average football side, as was evidenced last night and this shapes as a very appealing matchup for the popular SuperCoach options from the Sharks. Up until last night they had conceded on average 55 PPG to right edge players and that got one hell of a boost last night. That right edge for the Sharks includes Johnson, Nikora, Jesse Ramien and Katoa. I want some of that action!

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SuperCoach news: It’s a settled Sharks lineup with the only changes being Connor Tracey and Scott Sorensen shifting from the bench to the reserves in favour of Royce Hunt and Siosifa Talakai. There are big names luring in the reserves though with both Matt Moylan and new recruit Bryson Goodwin named there and every chance to be promoted to the 17.

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Christian Crichton, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 5. Jake Averillo , 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Renouf To’omaga, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Kerrod Holland, 15. Dean Britt, 16. Sauaso Sue, 17. Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves: 19. Sione Katoa, 20. Brandon Wakeham, 21. Morgan Harper, 22. Jack Cogger

Injuries/outs:

• Marcelo Montoya (hamstring, round 9-11)
• Chris Smith (knee, July)
• Joe Stimson (shoulder, season)
• Kerrod Holland (ribs, round six)
• Aiden Tolman (out, COVID-19 protocols)

Reimis Smith replaces Nick Meaney in the backline after a very lacklustre performance, seeing Jake Averillo move to the wing. Renouf To’omaga starts at prop with Sauaso Sue dropping to the bench and Kerrod Holland replaces Morgan Harper also on the interchange. Aiden Tolman is again unavailable for selection due to the NRL’s COVID-19 protocols.

Congratulations Jake Averillo, you’ve entered the rare list of Bulldogs players that are relevant in SuperCoach. Your 54 point performance against the Roosters and your dual positioned flexibility sees you as an intriguing cheapie proposition for 2020.

He joins William Hopoate, who was clearly the best Bulldogs player last night and will go big soon.

Match-up rating – Good

The Sharks proved last weekend that they also aren’t very good. Can Hopoate reproduce what Dufty dished out?