Round 4 Preview
Roosters v Sea Eagles
The Roosters look to be too good for an injured Manly side. Barring the unlikely late inclusions of Brett Stewart and Jorge Taufua or Shayne Hayne deciding a square up is in order after last year’s Grand Final; I think my beloved Sea Eagles are on track for a hiding.
In terms of NRLCEO value, props in both sides have been surprising dodgy this year. Both JWH and Lawrence were expected to step up with thinning front row stocks and both have been fantasy duds so far. Look to JWH to step up against his former club. I’d avoid Manly backs with Brett Stewart expected to be out, and Daniel Tupou should be in line for a field day against David Williams. If Kieran Foran is ruled out and Lyon moves in to five-eighth, I fear what Jennings and Tupou will do down the Chooks left edge.
Dragons v Broncos
A battle of teams no-one in their right mind expected to be good. Both forward packs have been strong for NRLCEO coaches and I see no reason this won’t be another good game to name big men from either side. I still don’t have a ‘feel’ for either side, but have more confidence in the attack of the Dragons. Their left edge attack with Widdop, Beale and Morris look good and I would be happy to have any in my squad. If looking for some value, Adam Quinlan has proven himself a bit of a try-sneak and is running some great support lines. He has positional versatility and might be a free agent in a few leagues.
Eels v Panthers
The Panthers have impressed so far this year, and the Eels were robbed of a victory in a hard-fought contest last week. If the Eels decide to show up this week, this should be an exciting contest.
Semi Radradra has been a revelation so far in 2014. The Fijian Flyer has done the previously unthinkable, managing to make even Willie Tonga a legitimate NRLCEO prospect. However David Simmons is no slouch defensively and I’ll be looking to Radradra’s new wing partner, Ken Sio in my side this week. Sio returns to first grade after a stint in NSW Cup, will be hungry to cement his place in the side, and comes up against the diminutive Kevin Naiqama. I love me some Kevvy, but a 5’6” winger has to have some limitations.
For the Panthers, Peter Wallace returns. Wallace is rarely flashy, but has a measured kicking game providing stability. The other notable difference last week was the swapping of the centres; in last week’s game Whare was moved back to the right edge, where he forged a threatening partnership with David Simmons. Look to the Panthers to go down their right edge more with the Whare/Simmons combo back together.
Bulldogs v Storm
The Storm are coming off a short backup and will have had a disrupted preparation after the tragic incident with Alex McKinnon in last week’s game. The Storm have squeaked out unimpressive wins in all three games this year, but with the players’ minds clearly elsewhere this week I expect the Bulldogs to pounce.
In terms of NRLCEO value, if anyone can let me know where Ryans’ Hoffman and Hinchcliffe have disappeared to, I’ll start readying the search party. Both have been utterly useless so far in 2014 and I can only be thankful my preseason trade offer for Hoffman was rebuffed.
For the Bulldogs, despite expecting a win I’m nervous about naming outside backs. The late withdrawal of Thompson last week, coupled with a questionable Mitch Brown injury and NSW Cup return of Inu has me concerned there might be a late change. Name them at your own risk.
Warriors v Tigers
The Warriors are favourites at ‘home’ in Wellington, but have lost all 6 matches they have played at the venue. The Tigers have definitely been the better of the two teams so far in 2014 and with two fairly unpredictable sides it should make for an exciting contest.
For NRLCEO coaches, Glen Fisiahi has been the only Warrior of great note. He has scored three tries in 2014, including two the week I dropped him from my line-up. In terms of the Tigers, the left edge has been potent. Everyone is talking about the Brooks/Tedesco combo, but the main beneficiary has been Pat Richards on the wing. I’d love to have any of these three in my squad.
Rabbitohs v Raiders
I simply won’t tip the Rabbitohs until I see something from them in attack. Surgess and Gurgess have been working consistently for NRLCEO coaches and remain threatening near the try-line, but I’m yet to see a discernible game plan aside from ‘throw the ball to Inglis’. Saying that, throwing the ball to Inglis might be the ticket against the Raiders. Has there ever been a more inept defensive fullback than Milford? If it comes down to him being the last man defending the line, bet your life on a Souffs try.
For the Raiders, Edrick Lee is out for the season after being shot by a sniper somewhere in the crowd last week. NRL fans are robbed of watching Nathan Merritt feebly attempt to defuse bombs all night as big Edrick ran riot. Bill Tupou gets another crack in first grade, which should excite no one.
Shaun Fensom returns to give the Raiders added defensive starch. If I were Ricky Stuart, I’d have him rove a little more in defence with the sole intent of stopping Inglis. But that’s why I coach fantasy teams and he gets paid a million a year to have teams competing for the woodware.
Knights v Sharks
Wayne Bennett has come and stated the Knights players’ mind isn’t on football this week and rightly so. Hopefully the Knights can band together and put a strong performance on the field this week. The last thing Alex needs is to feel like he has let his teammates down at a time like this.
The Sharks have been woeful in 2014 in large part due to injury and suspension ravaging their squad. Andrew Fifita is a key ‘in’ for the Sharks, and many NRLCEO coaches will be saddened to lose the value in late pickups Prior, Arona and Sopoaga. This is a danger game for the Sharks; if they want to be a hope of finals football in 2014 I see this as a must win game. It’s hard to work out if Sharks outside backs are worse in NRL or NRLCEO, but if you have any in your team; this might be the week this year they score points.
Titans v Cowboys
Every time I look at the ladder, I’m shocked to find the Titans have won two games. Nate Myles has been producing huge tackle numbers and remains the threat of a double workhorse for NRLCEO coaches, whilst Albert Kelly is a big point-scoring threat week-in week-out. Injury to Will Zillman sees Mead shifted to fullback and Anthony Don earning a recall on the wing. He should be an easy free agent pickup in most leagues worth a look.
The Cowboys have been one of the biggest disappointments so far in 2014. The Knights and Sharks have excuses for poor form, but not so the men from Townsville. I had a lot of optimism about the Cowboys after the Nines and expected some of the form to translate. It has not. I have now given up all hope of Kane Linnett or Brent Tate doing anything ever, which is surprising when Feldt and Winterstein are dynamic scorers on the wings. Last week saw a return to form for the Props, with Tamou and Scott both getting workhorses in a win. Look for this trend to continue in a big forwards battle between experienced representative packs.
Ryan
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