Team Talk with Marcho: Round 2
Welcome back to Team Talk.
While it was great to have the footy back, I can’t hide my disappointment in a few blokes; namely Peats, McGuire, Parker, Merrin and Josh Jackson who all missed out on a workhorse in Round 1.
I put it down to heat and humidity with three Queensland games and also the new ruck rule interpretation.
So onto this week’s games and the matters that will influence your NRLCEO side.
Dogs v Eels
Friday night sees the Dogs taking on the Eels. Hooker listed Moses Mbye comes into 5/8 to replace the injured and suspended Josh Reynolds, who is out for 6-8 weeks. Mbye will gain a 5/8 position on NRLCEO in a few weeks no problems.
The Eels also have one change with Junior Paulo facing a lengthy suspension 7-9 weeks. Danny Wicks is expected to make his NRL comeback via the bench. Also expect the Eels to announce the signing of Kieran Foran this week.
Sharks v Broncos
The Sharks have named the same team that was made to look fairly ordinary by the Raiders, which should give Andrew Fifita more minutes! That will make Sharkies fans happy and anyone who owns him in NRLCEO – like myself!!
Boring Wayne shared the minutes between all his forwards and Corey Parker even spend some time at hooker. With a new look bench and a night game in Sydney, I can see a few more WH’s. Add to that Kodi Nikorima as a back utility/hooker which should see more minutes to Parker, McGuire and co.
Panthers v Titans
Penrith name an unchanged team. Although Seggy got 6 points, it didn’t include a WH desoute playing 80 minutes. Other than that, all the forwards shared the work around. I can see bit Jamal causing havoc this week against his old club. Soward will go close to 20 points.
The Titans put up a brave showing in week one, but it could take a mental toll on them, playing away in Bathurst won’t make things any easier for the Gold Coast lads. The only change is Lachlan Burr switches with Matt Robinson on the bench.
Sea Eagles v Storm
Manly welcome back Steve Matai but Clint Gutherson has done his ACL and it looks like its curtains for his season. Cheyse Blair can find a meat pie and I picked him up as soon as Gutherson went down. Jack Littlejohn scored 12 points in 5 games last year so if you need to plug a hole throw him in, with Foran out. Jamie Buhrer is still not back and Manly need him big time.
The Storm look like they went back and worked on defence all off season and Harris and Finucane benefited, playing big minutes. They have named the same team as last week.
Cowboys v Knights
Great win by my boys the Knights over the Warriors last round. Snowden played some of his best footy in years and clocked up an easy WH, as did Clydsdale, Houston, Scott and young Stockwell!! Gidley is back which isn’t the greatest news and Sione looks like he will be named 18th man, hopefully he can force his way back into the starting 13 again.
Cowboys drop Glenn Hall and replaced him with Kelepi Tanginoa. I played against JT on the weekend and loved his donut, but I wouldn’t count on it happening again this year. O’Neill had a shocker and I don’t know how he held onto his spot for this week.
Rabbits v Roosters
The game of the round for me, Roosters looked like the best team for mine last weekend and I’m tipping them in a tight one. McQueen was one of my roughies in the draft but 27 minutes just doesn’t cut it and he is GONE now. Stewart and Lowe could get WH’s this game. Unchanged team again.
The Roosters also are unchanged and will score well again in NRLCEO terms. Ferguson looked good in defence and all the forwards killed it!
Raiders v Warriors
Raiders are another team with the same look as week one. Wighton looks deadly and dumb in the same game. I was really surprised by Soliola – a solid WH saw him picked up by many before the end of the game.
The Warriors get Tomkins back which reshuffles the entire backline from last week. Lolohea was impressive but unfortunately he is only listed as a 5/8. All three backrowers chalked up WH’s as well and if Mannering continues to play lock he will be in the team of the year. His work rate compared to running out wide goes through the roof and he runs a great line which equals tries. Trade him in if possible.
Tigers v Dragons
Farah spend time on the bench and only managed 40 involvements exactly. Martin Taupau played big minutes and could be good value if he keeps up his high work rate. Brooks, Moses and Tedesco all looked clunky but I expect them to gel by week 5 or 6. Lawrence is turning into one of the most injury prone and useless fantasy players going around – get rid of him, Better options are Roberts, Takairangi or even Beau Champion.
Dragons have named Dugan but he surely won’t play this week, it’s a total guess as to who will play Fullback. Merrin was disappointing, but not surprising. De Belin and Frizell looked great but the backs didn’t do much at all.
Well best of luck this week and keep an eye on any late mail.
Will Marchinton
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