Workhorse Watch Round 3
Workhorse Watch is back for 2023!
CEO’s don’t win premierships without a hard working forward pack. Each week we will highlight the players that are must have’s in your pack, whilst also help identify the players to be on the lookout for. There were 55 players who scored a WH in Round 3, with one player managing a DWH.
WORKING HARD
Reece Robson (Cowboys)
55 tackles, 7 runs for 90m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.78 stats per minute)
Robson was a revelation in 2022 and seems to be continuing on that form this season, scoring his first DWH for the year. Whilst he may not challenge Harry Grant for the MVP title, he is now worthy of a 1st round draft pick.
Tom Gilbert (Dolphins)
43 tackles, 19 runs for 140m in 59 minutes – WH (1.05 spm)
Gilbert is the engine that fuels the Dolphins machine. He is not far away from a DWH, only needing to improve his running metres to get there. One of the premium locks in our competition.
Leo Thompson (Knights)
50 tackles, 11 runs for 73m in 63 minutes – WH (0.97 spm)
He was mentioned here as a potential pick up from the spud pool but by now I would suspect he has been snapped up in most comps. Has a great work rate and now has some job security with the Knights losing Jacob Saifiti to suspension and brother Daniel to injury.
Tom Starling (Raiders)
53 tackles, 5 runs for 52m in 78 minutes – WH (0.74 spm)
We have been calling for Sticky to start Tom and finally (albeit through injury) he will get his chance to prove he can be an 80 min player. His running game will come on as he has always had that ability and he will score a few Try Assists along the way, making him starting quality in NRLCEO.
HARDLY WORKING
Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
21 tackles, 16 runs for 153m in 57 minutes (0.65 spm)
Limited to 57 minutes due to a niggling injury he was unable to maintain his usual high work rate. He would have let down a few CEO’s who chose to captain him last week. I feel bad calling him out as he did run for 153m, but in 57 min he should be able to get a WH.
Marata Niukore (Warriors)
25 tackles, 11 runs for 76m in 66 minutes (0.54 spm)
As an owner of Niukore in a lot of my comps, I have been rather disappointed so far. I know he is playing on an edge but he needs to get more involved. He has a strong running game that is under utilised by the warriors halves. If you own him in a comp I would stick with him for now as he should play 80 minutes barring HIA or injury and that is enough time to get the WH.
Junior Paulo (Eels)
23 tackles, 13 runs for 108m in 66 minutes (0.54 spm)
Well down on his stats last week, even RCG managed a WH playing less minutes. He has always been considered a second or third string prop in terms of draft selection. The Eels need him to lift if they have any hopes of playing in September.
SPUD POOL LOOKOUT
Francis Molo (Dragons)
26 tackles, 15 runs for 138m in 55 minutes (0.75 spm)
At 28 years of age he is in his prime as a front rower in the NRL. Unfortunately his job security is potentially low if Jack De Belin comes back into the front row when he returns from injury. Certainly one to watch in terms of starting selection and minutes played.
Fonua Pole (Tigers)
25 tackles, 13 runs for 109m in 52 minutes (0.73 spm)
In a Tigers pack stacked with players with high work rates, he will no doubt be unnoticed by most. It looks like the Tigers are going to give him a decent chance to nail down the lock spot so keep an eye on his minutes.
Tui Kamikamica (Storm)
25 tackles, 7 runs for 70m in 41 minutes (0.78 spm)
Making his way back from a pre-season foot injury, big Tui will be churning out a WH most weeks from here on in. With Nelson AS out for a couple of months, Tui will be a regular starter up front. He doesn’t offer a lot in attack but he is a great back up front rower in your squad who will get you a WH. If he is in your spud pool he is definitely worth picking up.
WORTH MENTIONING….
Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
24 tackles, 12 runs for 131m in 41 minutes (0.88 spm)
Despite only playing limited minutes he almost smashed out a WH. This is a good sign from a player who has been labelled lazy in the past.
Teig Wilton (Sharks)
39 tackles, 16 runs for 168m in 80 minutes (0.69 spm)
For those CEO’s who invested in Teig Wilton this season, particularly if you are in a keeper league, you will be loving these stats. For too long Wade Graham stood in the way of Wilton’s CEO greatness.
Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
30 tackles, 10 runs for 89m in 50 minutes (0.80 spm)
Its hard not be a huge fan of Big Red. Just scraped in for a WH in only 50 minutes but he crashes over for two tries as well in a dominant performance for the Raiders. For those in keeper or contract leagues, I would be sitting on this guy long term as once he gets a starting spot he will be a huge asset.
WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK (most involvements by eligible position)
8. Leo Thompson (Knights) – 61
9. Reece Robson (Cowboys) – 62
10. Joseph Tapine (Raiders) – 56
11. Egan Butcher (Roosters) – 56
12. Teig Wilton (Sharks) – 55
13. Tom Gilbert (Dolphins) – 62
Adz
NRLCEO Commish
NRLCEO Live Scoring Team
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