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Captain's Call 

Captains Call: Round 17

Adam Hewat

Welcome to week 17 of Captains Call.

Winning is a much a physical thing as it is mental and when your team is in a rut its very hard to come out of it. Some teams just lose that ability to win games even if they’ve been the better team. Raiders are one example who blew a 16 to zero lead at half time and it’s not the first time they’ve blown a lead this season. Another is the Tigers who at the start of the season were world beaters, now they sit 10th after losing eight of their last ten. The team I feel for the most are the Eels who were the better team for most, if not all their match on Thursday and still couldn’t come away with the win. Sometimes it’s very hard to break that trend regardless how good you team is playing they manage to find a way to lose. It’s always heartbreaking but it doesn’t last forever.

Let’s review my five tips from last week:

  1. Cameron Smith – 8 ✅✅
  2. Andrew McCullough – 4 ✅
  3. Josh Papalii – 4 ✅
  4. Ash Taylor – 5 ✅
  5. Robbie Farah – 14 ✅✅✅

It’s always good when your players perform as was the case this week.

McCullough and Papalii both managed their workhorse but that was it and the less we talk about that game the better, I’m still devastated. Ash Taylor may not have added to his try assist column but did add to his try column with his second of the year. Smith’s run of form continues with another big game in a low scoring contest. A workhorse, field goal, try assist and line break assist is a very good return. The best of the week was Robbie Farah with a massive game on his return to Tiger land. A try assist, line break, line break assist and a double workhorse was a great return for the once NRLCEO machine and to top it off he ran for over 140 meters.

Remember its Origin bye round, the last of the year so be sure to pick your captain wisely. Let’s preview five for the week.

 

Simon Mannering – safe bet

Since coming back from injury, Mannering hasn’t skipped a beat. Has managed a workhorse for the last 10 weeks and only missed out in his first game back from injury. In an Origin week he is a safe bet for eight points.

 

Josh Jackson – safe bet

Another one of those guys who is unlucky not to be playing Origin, Jackson has been very consistent. Has only missed three workhorses for the year and the only way he will miss this week is if it’s a high scoring game.

 

Ryan James – safe bet

If James doesn’t come into the Origin side for Cordner, James is the safest bet of the lot. His ability to play front row for 80 minutes is the reason for this increase in points and consistency. If you have him, captain him but keep an eye on him that he doesn’t play Origin.

 

Jamayne Isaako – risk and reward

The last time Broncos and Titans met the Titans came away with the win and Isaako was only four games into his NRL career. He has since improved greatly and has eight tries next to his name. Against a Titans team whose defence can go missing at times, expect a big game from the big Kiwi.

 

Shaun Johnson – risk and reward

Johnson averages five points a game, imagine what he could do if he played a full, uninterrupted season. Coming up against a team in a slump and missing a host of Origin players, Johnson could have a field day.

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Who will you captain in Round 17?

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Adam Hewat

Adam Hewat, coach of the mighty Pest Control. Playing NRLCEO has become an obsession more than a hobby. He's either ingesting as many stats as possible or carefully monitoring each play of each game. Obsessed? Maybe just a little.

Latest posts by Adam Hewat (see all)

Adam Hewat

Adam Hewat, coach of the mighty Pest Control. Playing NRLCEO has become an obsession more than a hobby. He's either ingesting as many stats as possible or carefully monitoring each play of each game. Obsessed? Maybe just a little.