Captains Call: Round 3
Welcome to week three of Captains Call.
What a start to the season we’ve had. Tigers and Knights undefeated, Eels and Sharks yet to win a game. Before we all start going crazy about the results, lets remember we are only two rounds in.
I’m very concerned for the Eels though. Who in their coaching staff had the brilliant idea of warming up in the 39-degree heat for half an hour? No wonder they had no energy. To be held to zero is deflating although the warm up, the heat and the fact they had to do an enormous amount of defending early on all contributed to this. It will turn around though, their back line is too good to not score points.
How about the West Tigers? What a surprise packet they’ve been so far! They have conceded the fewest points and what makes it more remarkable is they’ve played the two teams tipped to be there at the end of the season. The Knights have also started really well. Although their defence hasn’t been as strong, they’ve found an ability to win the tight games, something I wish my team knew how to do.
Let’s review last week’s picks.
I’m going to start with the most disappointing of the lot and maybe the most concerning, Paul Gallen. For the second consecutive week Gallen has missed out on points – unheard of I know. On top of that, he also played less minutes than both starting front row forwards and what’s even more alarming is he’s played the least minutes out of all the Sharks starting pack. 33 involvements in 56 minutes is a very low output for Gallen, however he did pump out 35 in 46 minutes the week before so it’s a very real chance his low output last week was a one off, his minutes are the concerning aspect though.
Has the once NRLCEO God finally become mortal?
Bevan French, who also scored a duck, hasn’t had the best start to the season. Fullback hasn’t suited him yet so far this season although that can change if the Eels forwards start laying a platform for the backs to work off.
In a game where Melbourne only scored one try which is rare in its self, of course it had to be Suliasi Vunivalu to produce the goods. To be honest I expected about five tries from the Storm in this game but a try and line break from your captain is better than a zero.
Jake Friend managed to get that attacking stat I was talking about with a try assist and line break. He got his customary work horse which included four runs. Yes you read that correctly. Something to keep an eye on is his minutes – he dropped to 57 minutes, down from 67 minutes the week before, that was even with the game ending injury to Tupou.
The best of the week came from another hooker, Andrew McCullough. Its exactly what the Broncos needed. Two try assists, two line break assists and a very tidy double work horse. I can’t see McCullough missing another minute unless due to injury, complete contrast in teams when he plays 80.
Lets preview another five. Don’t forget to vote or leave a comment below.
Damien Cook – safe bet
He was bound to be added this week. Regardless of Souths first two results, Cook has stood up and produced big numbers. Two doubles work horse tries in a row and also picked up a try and line break last week. Those of you who looked closely would have noticed he was just one nine meter run of the first ever triple work horse. If he continues at this rate he could very well be the highest scorer ever in a season.
Josh Jackson – safe bet
Jackson had a very quiet season last year but has started in red hot form this season. Two easy work horse tries, two line breaks and a try. The fact he has played all but two minutes this season has helped his cause greatly and with new coach and being captain it’s hard to see his minutes drop at all.
Ryan James – safe bet
James has started very steady this year posting two easy work horse tries. He has added one line break but expect his attacking stats to start building once Ash Taylor is back. Too good a forward not to cross the line on the edge. I was worried about in involvements being on the edge but that’s hasn’t made any difference to the point where he was five involvements off in the first week of getting a double work horse.
David Fusitua – risk and reward
What a start to the season the Fus has had. Two games, four tries. The Warriors look like a new team and Fusitua is reaping the benefits. He doesn’t have a great record against the Raiders scoring only two tries in four games and has never beat them but as we have seen so far this year nothing is going to script. The fact Raiders have conceded 60 points so far this season makes it a real possibility that Fusituta could score another double.
Nathan Cleary – risk and reward
Cleary has been one of the most dominant half backs so far this season. He has three try assists, a line break and two line break assists. He also seems to be running the ball more which bodes well for his try scoring ability. Coming up against a Bulldogs side who has leaked the second most points, it could be a day out for Cleary.
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Adam Hewat
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