Introducing Captain Hindsight
Considering the loss of Geoff Adams’ Workhorse Watch this year, I have decided to take it upon myself to try and provide some content for the NRLCEO guys to use. They provide us with so much that it’s time to give a bit back.
The biggest loss content-wise has been the loss of the weekly Workhorse Watch which provides such insightful information into up-and-comers and helps you find some gems who might’ve been previously unsigned.
There’s no guarantee (probably very, very unlikely) that I can do this every week, but I’ll see what I can do.
I won’t be focusing on workhorses every week. There will be various stats analysed. This is certainly not seen as a replica of the Workhorse Watch, but I’ll start off with some familiarity.
The Old
This year has thrown up a few surprises but also many obvious faces. Damien Cook (11 x WH) is the obvious name. If you were lucky enough to get first draft pick, you are likely playing the season on cheat mode with a player averaging over 10 points a game, including a Double Workhorse in every week except for two, where he only managed a single workhorse. He also managed to notch up the all elusive Triple Workhorse.
Hookers seem to be the new keys in the NRLCEO world and this year is no different, with four hookers making up the top five workhorses this year – Cameron McInnes (7 x WH), Andrew McCullough (7 x WH) and even with old legs, Cameron Smith (7 x WH) all have managed at least one DWH this year.
James Fisher-Harris (6 x WH) picked up where he left off. He has only missed out on a workhorse in one week where he joined the Close But No Cigar Club. He has added tries and assists to his repertoire to average six points per week.
The New
New can also include overseas import, with none bigger in 2019 than John Bateman (6 x WH). His fellow countryman, Ryan Sutton (4 x WH) has really made the most of Joe Tapine’s injury, scoring a workhorse in every week since Round 3.
Reed Mahoney (6 x WH) has shown what he’s capable of when given the full 80 minutes. With no hooker on the bench, he should be able to continue his 100% strike rate. This week, we got a glimpse of what he can do when he runs the ball. Should he continue to run like he did on the weekend, we could see another DWH to the 21 year old.
Alex Twal (6 x WH) has always shown potential with limited minutes. Averaging 57 minutes under Michael Maguire, he has shown what he’s capable of. The young forward has a DWH in him, notching up 66 involvements in Round 5, falling just 12 metres short of the DWH mark.
One that only St George fans would have seen coming, Blake Lawrie (6 x WH) is another who is yet to go a week without a workhorse try. The Champion Data gods have been kind to him on a few weeks, giving him 40 involvements on the dot, but in all other weeks, he has proven that he is no 80-minute workhorse*
* An 80-minute workhorse is a forward who will make you count every involvement at the end of the game, willing them towards the 40-involvement mark. These players can be the most frustrating to own, because you never know if they’ll deliver in any given week and you’ll often be caught out naming them over another player who scores when they don’t.
The Revitalised
There has always been a weight of expectations on the shoulders of Josh McGuire (7 x WH) from a workhorse perspective. I think many expected consistent double workhorse tries on the back of Corey Parker’s retirement a few years ago, but he has really flourished in his start at the Cowboys this year. The loss of Taumalolo and with Coen Hess dropping down the pecking order, he has kept his 100% strike rate – the latest a DWH.
Aiden Tolman (8 x WH) used to be an NRLCEO gun but then fell into the wilderness in the first half of 2018. With no Napa for at least a few more weeks and without Klemmer, he is relishing increased minutes this year.
Not necessarily revitalised, but Paul Vaughan (6 x WH) has notched up his first ever DWH this year. He has stepped up and taken on much more of the load. He has run for over 120m in every round this year, so expect him to double up any week that he is given extra minutes.
I didn’t want to mention Lachlan Burr (4 x WH) in this because I have him and I don’t want to jinx him, but he has had a revitalised start to the year. There is a bit of a worry with Isaiah Papali’i (3 x WH) on the bench. Papali’i’s potential to come into the starting pack will always mean job security isn’t assured for Burr.
Another player who ended up in the spud pool at the end of our draft, Kenny Bromwich (6 x WH) has flown this year. Another player who hasn’t gone a week without scoring a workhorse, Bromwich has already scored more workhorse tries this year than he had in any other year, doubling last year’s tally of 3. With Joe Stimson playing reserve grade, it remains to be seen if a recall will happen and if it’ll affect Bromwich’s impressive start.
The Disappointments
There have been a few disappointments to start the year. Not all have necessarily failed as workhorses, but they might not have achieved the heights that many expected them to this year.
The injury to Apisai Koroisau has been even more detrimental to him than missing the last 10 rounds last year. Reason being that it introduced Manase Fainu to the fold. The two are sharing the minutes almost in half, making it difficult for either to score a workhorse, despite both pushing double workhorse territory when playing the full 80 minutes.
One of the biggest disappointments this year, Coen Hess has been unable to bring 2018’s form into 2019. Many expected the loss of JT to affect Gavin Cooper, but it is Hess who has felt the brunt of it, falling down the pecking order in a similar fashion to Ethan Lowe last year.
One of the regular workhorses last year, Elijah Taylor has dropped back to reserve grade. He did not pass go and did not even get an opportunity off the bench – straight back to Canterbury Cup. It remains to be seen if he will be given another opportunity this year. Following the thumping at the hands of the Eels, if the Tigers don’t manage to bounce back against the Titans, Madge may need to make some decisions.
The Opportunities
Stats-Per-Minute (SPM) is calculated as Involvements / Minutes.
Nat Butcher managed 52 involvements in 53 minutes (0.98 SPM).
Moeaki Fotuaika is another who impressed with 36 involvements in 32 minutes (1.13 SPM) and following an ACL injury to Ryan James, he could be a beneficiary.
As mentioned before, Blake Lawrie can find his way to a workhorse and it’s obvious why. 56 involvements in 42 minutes (1.33 SPM) is near god-mode. In Round 4, he managed 48 involvements in just 31 minutes (1.55 SPM). He’s unlikely to still be in the spud pool but if he is then snap him up.
I’m definitely someone who keeps a keen eye on Canterbury Cup. Not because a workhorse in reserve grade means anything, but it can be a hint at what’s to come when a player does get named.
There are a few players in reserve grade who are notching up big numbers to keep an eye on should they get an opportunity in first grade. Daniel Alvaro and Alex Twal are two of the names scouted in reserve grade who proved their worth when given the opportunity.
Max Bailey is one impressing in reserve grade. The 22 year old notched up 63 involvements for 173 metres this week – the Roosters have depth though so don’t expect a call up too soon.
If you want to stock up for Origin, keep an eye on Billy Brittain who should replace Damien Cook – he had 67 involvements at hooker for 90 metres run, including a try assist.
Mitchell Kenny is another hooker with a high work rate – he had 58 involvements for 115 metres at hooker. The panthers tend to opt for a hooker on the bench so he’s unlikely to become NRLCEO relevant.
Elijah Taylor notched a DWH in reserve grade (62 involvements for 137 metres) but will need to bide his time for another week.
Big news though is the return of Jacob Liddle from injury. The kid can play and can get amongst it. He had 56 involvements on the weekend for 98m, including a Line Break and Try Assist.
Workhorse of the Week
Making a huge 43 tackles and 23 runs for 202 metres, Josh McGuire is this week’s Workhorse of the Week.
Jason Taumalolo has been named on an extended bench this week. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects McGuire’s minutes and numbers, but it will likely be Coen Hess who misses out.
Workhorse Pack of the Week
8. Josh McGuire: 43 tackles + 23 runs = 66
9. Damien Cook: 46 tackles + 19 runs = 65
10. Aiden Tolman: 49 tackles + 18 runs = 67
11. Blake Lawrie: 47 tackles + 9 runs = 56
12. Lachlan Burr: 43 tackles + 13 runs = 56
13. Payne Haas: 36 tackles + 19 runs = 56
14. Cameron Smith: 52 tackles + 10 runs = 62
15. Reed Mahoney: 41 tackles + 10 runs = 51
*Josh Hodgson had 51 tackles and 4 runs for 55 involvements, but didn’t have the metres for a DWH so didn’t qualify for the pack of the week.
* Cameron McInnes is in the same boat with 48 tackles and 6 runs for 62 metres.
Simon Molnar
Latest posts by Simon Molnar (see all)
- Thank You, Next - May 1, 2019
- Introducing Captain Hindsight - April 24, 2019
Great read mate. Nice to have you on board.
Love it!
Especially going into ISP talent, that’s stat commitment.
Great article! Looking forward to this as many weeks as you can crank it out