Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 15
Welcome to team talk round 15. This is obviously the hardest part of the year for everyone but at least it’s even. Good kickers and shrewd captains generally determine the outcome of games. Guys like Semi Radradra, Marika Koroibete and David Fusitua are worth the gamble for those who may be out numbered in terms of personnel. Or the safe option of a Sam Burgess, Simon Mannering, Mitch Rein or Jake Trobojevic who should just get a workhorse and maybe a few more points if you’re lucky. Otherwise a fairly quiet week on the injury front.
South Sydney v Parramatta
The Bunnies need to turn their season around otherwise they will miss out on the finals for the first time since. Origin has taken away GI and Adam Reynolds, while Bryson Goodwin has a fractured arm. So I’m not sure who will kick goals this week, maybe Cody Walker? A total backline reshuffle now has Walker back to five-eighth and Luke Keary into halfback, Alex Johnston to fullback and Siosifa Talakai into the centres. Damien Cook and Jack Gosiewski join the bench. John Sutton is a chance of returning this week but I can’t see much fantasy value in him these days.
The Eels managed to get a win last week up in Darwin and have the stronger forward pack on paper. Michael Jennings is out and Vai Toutai comes into replace him in the only change. Tim “Close but No Cigar” Mannah is another close to returning but everyone knows he is about as reliable as a Tinder match responding. Take a punt on Bevan French if he is still available. He should play a few more games on the wing this season.
St George Illawarra v Melbourne
Big news for the Dragons this week with Tariq Sims joining the club for the rest of the year. Now for owners of the middle Sims brother, I don’t think this is a good thing. The Dragons already have two established edge forwards in Tyson Frizell and Joel Thompson. Although Sims could find himself playing as early as this weekend as Frizell is playing Origin now, but after this week time to trade him out. Kurt Mann bagged a few tries last week so pick him up if you can. Mike Cooper also announced he will be returning to the Super League at the end of the season, which is a pity as he has become an established NRL forward. Should the Dragons fall away towards the back end of the year, Cooper may well find himself in reserve grade.
The Storm lose Cam Smith and Cooper Cronk, but are one of the form teams of the competition at the moment. It will be left to Blake Green is steer the team around the park, but he won’t be alone. The likes of Cam Munster, Tohu Harris and Suliasi Vunivalu are all in tremendous form. Kenny Bromwich is playing hooker and is a must have this week and should play big minutes.
New Zealand v Sydney City
The Warriors are coming of a virtual training run against the Knights last weekend and are up against a wounded and out of sorts Roosters side. Expect the usual suspects to run riot in the backs David Fusitua, Tui Lolohea, Solomone Kata and Shaun Johnson while the forwards will lay the platform. Manu Vatuvei hurt his hamstring and Jacob Lillyman is off to play for Queensland. Ken Maumalo gets the call up in front of Jono Wright and Toafofoa Sipley joins the bench.
The Roosters forwards have been reliable in 2016 thanks to huge amounts of defensive work and with Aidan Guerra and Boyd Cordner missing Mitch Aubusson, Jake Friend, Dylan Napa and JWH will all gains an easy WH. Shaun Kenny-Dowall returns to the centres and Joseph Manu makes his debut on the wing.
Gold Coast v Manly
Konrad Hurrell picked up a calf injury and is in doubt with Nathan Davis coming back into the centres. Luke Douglas hasn’t had the best of fantasy years with Ryan James living up to his potential and David Shillington coming on board at the start of the season, but Douglas has been picking up a few workhorses of late and with a Shillington a week to week proposition maybe try and sneak him in for a trade. As a Nathan Peats owner, I’m hoping he starts to play a few more minutes, starting this weekend.
The Sea Eagles have been the biggest disappointment in 2016 both on the field and in fantasy terms. Dylan Walker produced last week and kicked a few goals, will he take over full time next year? Jamie Lyon has been named but I have my doubts on whether or not he will actually play. Nate Myles knee injury will see young gun Liam Knight given a chance this weekend. Marty Taupau returns from suspension and will line up at prop for the first time this year. Tom Trobojevic will gain a centre after this week as well.
Make sure you keep a look out for any more late mail across the weekend. Good luck to all those coaches out there, unless of course you’re playing me.
Will Marchinton
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