Captains Call: Round 21
Welcome to another edition of Captains Call.
Last week was an abomination, kickers and keepers in some leagues going down left, right and centre. James Maloney, Sam Burgess, Clint Gutherson, Trent Merrin, Tohu Harris, Matt Moylan were all very big injuries but none bigger than Cameron Smith. The ever reliable and rarely injured Smith came off a few minutes into the second half and didn’t return. This did affect his NRLCEO output as all he could manage was the two goals. The good news for a few of these players is the length of time they will be out for with Gutherson really the only one out for an extended period of time after rupturing his ACL.
A bloke who had no excuse was Josh McGuire who managed just 23 involvements in 49 minutes – that’s putrid. His only saving grace is he scored a try off a McCullough grubber.
The halves I chose were pretty ordinary to be honest with Michael Morgan coming up with another donut. Not the output many CEO’s would have hoped for.
Mitchell Pearce fared a little better although against Newcastle you would be forgiven for expecting more. A try and line break assist were his only stats.
The best of the week was Ash Taylor with a try assist and two line break assists, only marginally better than Pearce.
If you did pick a half last week I hope you picked different ones like Widdop, Sezer, Austin and Keary.
Lets preview five more for this week, lets hope we can find some that arent injured.
Dont forget to vote or leave a comment below.
Andrew McCullough (safe bet)
McCullough has been super consitent all year. He only has one score in double figures but besides one zero when he went off due to HIA he hasnt returned less than four points in a game. Against Parramatta expect pelnty of the same from McCullough, plenty of tackles with a few runs and maybe a try assist.
Ryan James (safe bet)
Coming off the back of his second double workhorse of the year I cant see James slowing up now. Against the Tigers I cant see a double coming, although it wouldn’t surprise me if he crossed for a try or two. He made an easy work horse earlier this season when the two teams met, expect a little more form him this week.
Jason Nightingale (risk and reward)
Last time the Dragons came up against the Knights, Nightingale had a field day scoring a hat trick. If last weeks game against Manly are anything to go by Dragons could score 80 this week. On the flip side it could be one of those games where Nightingale does absolutely nothing.
Joey Leilua (risk and reward)
On a good day Leilua is the most devastating centre in the game, on his worst day he is the worst player in the game. With not much more to play for this year and his partner in crime Rapana out this week, watch for BJ to get some early ball and wreak havoc on the Bunnies left edge.
Cody Walker (risk and reward)
The Raiders can be weak defensively up the middle and if they’re the same this weekend Walker could have a field day. Can be one of the most explosive fullbacks in the game on his day. With nothing but pride to play for it could be a massive game for him.
JB
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