Captains Call: Round 7
I’ll take three out of five any day but what’s disappointing is the two that were a miss I was confident in them doing well.
Let’s get into last week’s players. I think I put the mockers on Jarrod Wallace, easy workhorse every week, 39 involvements on the weekend. The two big factors were it was a high scoring game and Wallace only played 48 minutes which is massively down from his average of 65.
Whitehead missed his usual workhorse, however being on the edge with Leipana he managed to cross the line for a try and picked up a try assist along the way.
Thurston was a big disappointment. Cowboys at home against bottom on the ladder Tigers you could see a big score coming, it was not to be. Although Thurston did manage a try assist and line break you could be forgiven for expecting more out of Thurston. To top it off it looks like a stint on the sidelines for him with a calf injury.
Coen Hess, wow. Didn’t start the game but was on after 20 minutes which hampered his ability to get a workhorse but would you be complaining if he got two tries every week instead of a workhorse? I know I wouldn’t be. Coach Paul Green surely can’t start him on the bench much longer.
BJ Leilua was at his rampaging best on the weekend. He took full advantage of the depleted Titans team and provided two try assists, two line breaks and a try. I wonder how many of you actually named Leilua as captain.
Let’s get into the five this week and don’t forget to vote or leave a comment below.
James Graham (safe bet)
I know I reviewed him earlier in the season but how can you go past his current form. Running of the back on his second workhorse in as many weeks and with Klemmer possibly out for a few weeks it could mean big minutes for the workhorse god.
Simon Mannering (safe bet)
I can’t believe I missed him for earlier editions on Captain Call. Take the first round out where he got injured he’s been in some great form. Has a try and two line breaks for the year but has managed two double workhorses and three singles. A lock playing 80 minutes or close to it is always a very valuable player and Mannering’s minutes don’t look to be going down anytime soon.
Jordan Rapana (risk and reward)
I know I’ve reviewed him before and I know he’s becoming more of a safe bet but how can you go past his red hot form. 61 points in seven games is god like, what’s even more remarkable is the fact he scored a single meter eater in his first game of the season. He will cross the line at least once this weekend.
Gareth Widdop (risk and reward)
I honestly can’t believe I’m reviewing Widdop but on his current form I can’t go past him. Five tries, six try assists, two line breaks and five line break assists in seven weeks is a very healthy score. Take into consideration that he only scored 70 odd points last year and he’s over halfway to that by the seventh round. I’d look at him as your primary kicker too, 54 goals last year, already up to 26 this year. He could be a very solid player this year but on the flip side the Dragons could fall in a heap and Widdops points could go down drastically.
Semi Radradra (risk and reward)
This one is a big risk. Radradra has only scored four tries this year and they’ve all come in the one game. I think Brad Arthur would have given the Eels a huge rev up after the weekends loss. Expect them to come out firing and Radradra the cross the line for his first try in five weeks.
Adam Hewat
Latest posts by Adam Hewat (see all)
- Captains Call: Round 24 - August 27, 2019
- Captains Call: Round 21 - August 6, 2019
- Captains Call: Round 19 - July 23, 2019
