Workhorse Watch Round 8
Workhorse Watch 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 64 players who scored a WH in Round 8, with 1 DWH this week.
WORKING HARD
Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
46 tackles, 18 runs for 174m in 65 minutes – DWH (0.98 spm)
He missed a couple of weeks with injury but has found his groove now, notching his first DWH for 2023. Recent strategy from coach Payten is to play him from the bench and bring him on after 15 minutes to play out the match. Good news for Cotter owners if this continues.
Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
50 tackles, 14 runs for 129m in 80 minutes – WH (0.980 stats per minute)
Has become a real Mr. Reliable! Whilst lock is one of the lowest scoring positions in CEO, Yeo makes it look easy, scoring a WH in 6 out of 7 of his matches this season. No attacking stats to speak of this year though which has been disappointing.
Josh King (Storm)
51 tackles, 12 runs for 107m in 67 minutes – WH (0.94 spm)
Another player who has become very consistent with his work rate. However we should remember that last year after Round 11, King only managed 3 WH’s for the rest of the season. I would consider a mid season trade based on last year’s stats in case of another fade out.
Jack De Belin (Dragons)
47 tackles, 14 runs for 90m in 68 minutes – WH (0.90 spm)
He really looks like a premium forward to have coming into the big bye rounds. His dual position Front Row/Lock is more than handy to navigate through Origin.
HARDLY WORKING
Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers)
25 tackles, 14 runs for 146m in 80 minutes (0.49 spm)
I am being a little harsh here as he only missed a WH by 1 involvement, however hist stats have definitely dropped off from 2022. Attacking wise he has been made ineffective in a Tigers side lacking a quality half. He should still get a WH in most of his matches but there is cause for concern if he is your #1 Back Rower.
Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
25 tackles, 6 runs for 57m in 65 minutes (0.48 spm)
Nanai only has 1 WH in 2023, which is not that surprising considering he only managed 6 in 21 matches in 2022. Given the Cowboys struggles to start the year, he really should not be considered as a starter in your CEO team. Put him on the bench and hope he can catch a few bombs.
Jordan Riki (Sea Eagles)
23 tackles, 9 runs for 85m in 77 minutes (0.42 spm)
Can someone please give Riki a mirror. This guy is 190cm tall and weighs 105kg, he could be so much more than what he is currently. Only 2 WH’s so far this year which is just not good enough for CEO. The Broncos have talent across the park but they are lacking in a quality back rower.
SPUD POOL LOOKOUT
Toby Couchman (Dragons)
37 tackles, 9 runs for 61m in 56 minutes – WH (0.82 spm)
I am really liking this young Dragon. He came up with an error on the Dragon’s last attacking play on the weekend when trailing by a point and he was absolutely filthy with himself. This is a great sign from a young player and I think we will see him starting in the not too distant future.
Michael Chee-Kam (Rabbitohs)
38 tackles, 12 runs for 93m in 80 minutes – WH (0.63 spm)
He is sitting in the spud pool in one of my comps and if I did not already have 4 strong back rowers I would pick him up. I like Jai Arrow playing in the middle so job security for Chee-Kam could be good. When Keaon returns I think Chee-Kam takes the other edge spot over Host.
Bunty Afoa (Warriors)
48 tackles, 10 runs for 96m in 56 minutes – WH (1.04 spm)
Afoa played the most minutes he has in a quite a long time due to the huge injury toll at the Warriors. He gets the start this week and he is a good WH chance over the coming weeks. Barnett’s return has been delayed so keep an eye on the Warriors injury toll.
Jack Gosiewski (Cowboys)
32 tackles, 13 runs for 118m in 80 minutes – WH (0.69 spm)
Played the 80 minutes and looked decent. He has been around for a while in NRL, switching clubs a few times, but he may have found himself a home on the Cowboys edge. Payten seems to be a fan and given the Cowboys are missing a few forwards to injury, Gosiewski could be a starter for a while yet.
WORTH MENTIONING….
Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
39 tackles, 18 runs for 157m in 70 minutes – WH (0.81 spm)
I have to give a shout out to AFB after I punished him on here a few weeks back for being lazy. Yes they had no players left on the bench so he had to stay out on the field, but he was 3 involvements short of a DWH so I must tip my hat.
Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles)
38 tackles, 11 runs for 109m in 45 minutes – WH (1.08 spm)
2nd WH in three weeks for Paseka, he looks to be a player on the rise for CEO. Huge work rate of 1.08 spm as he smashed out a WH in only 45 minutes on the field. The only negative here is the 4 forwards currently sitting on Manly’s bench for this week which could mean less minutes for him. Watch this space!
Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)
34 tackles, 12 runs for 135m in 51 minutes – WH (1.06 spm)
Keeps his spot in the starting lineup even with Kenny Bromwich returning this week. Scored his 3rd WH of the year in 7 games and his CEO score is starting to climb.
David Fifita (Titans)
37 tackles, 19 runs for 187m in 80 minutes – WH (0.70 spm)
Stop the presses!! Fatfita was only 4 involvements shy of a DWH? Could it be that the penny has finally dropped and his motor has found another gear? If you had faith in him after a lazy year in 2022 then you are salivating at what he can achieve for the rest of this season.
WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK (most involvements by eligible position)
8. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys) – 64
9. Freddy Lussick (Warriors) – 59
10. Jack De Belin (Dragons) – 61
11. David Fifita (Warriors) – 56
12. Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs) – 56
13. Isaah Yeo (Panthers) – 64
Adz
NRLCEO Commish
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