Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 17
Welcome to team talk round 17. The Origin period is coming to a close and the finals will be upon us before we know it. Jamie Soward and James Segyaro have both left for Super League this week with Zak Hardaker likely to play in the centres out at the foot of the mountains in reply. Big guns Andrew McCullough will surely see big minutes with the Broncos poor form and Boyd Cordner isn’t far off a return either.
Sydney City v Canterbury
The Roosters welcome back Mitch Pearce, Blake Ferguson and Aidan Guerra. Mitch Aubusson moves back into the back row and Blake Ferguson to the centres. Jackson Hastings will stay at five-eighth.
The Bulldogs have been brutal up front and get Greg Eastwood back to help them even more. Josh Morris is a 50/50 to play, Kerrod Holland will make way and Moses Mybe will take over the kicking duties if he does return. Tony Williams stint in reserve grade has done wonders for him coming back, could be worth a pick up around this time of the season if you need a bench spot filled.
Brisbane v Melbourne
The Broncos are usually the easiest team to get team information – always keeping fans and NRLCEO coaches happy by giving as much notice as possible. I for one, applaud them for it. Alex Glenn is going to play in the centres, so no need to start him in the back row. Kodi Nikorima drops back to the bench and Travis Waddell drops out of the squad. Jaydn Su’A will get a start in the back row and so far in his two games has played the entire 80 minutes with two workhorses to show from it. A future gun no doubt. Joe Ofahengaue comes onto the bench.
The Storm also have a reshuffle in the backs but like most teams won’t confirm it until one hour prior to kick off. Blake Green will return pushing Tohu Harris to the backrow. Cam Munster is another 50/50 player at this stage and there are reports he didn’t make the trip.
New Zealand v Gold Coast
The Warriors are specials to lose this one, as soon as everything goes their way, they often produce one of the worst performances of the year. No injury concerns here with David Fusitua and Tui Lolohea interchanging between fullback and wing throughout the game. The biggest question for CEOs is whether or not Shaun Johnson will kick.
The Titans have lost 2016 rookie of the year (at least I expect to be) Ash Taylor to a groin injury and his replacement is Cameron Cullen. Konrad Hurrell isn’t eligible to play in this game due to his transfer agreement, meaning Chris McQueen will play in the centres again. Will Zillman returns to fullback.
Balmain-Wests v Penrith
The battle of the fullbacks, but it looks likely that James Tedesco and Matt Moylan will both play Origin in game 3. As long as Jason Taylor reigns, Robbie Farah will play off the bench again. Mitch Moses has taken back the kicking duties from Jordan Rankin which has hurt a lot of CEO teams.
New English import Zak Hardaker will definitely be one to watch. Should he play it will be in the centres with Tyrone Peachey or Waqa Blake to make way. Peachey would just go back to the bench if that were the case. Sam McKendry returns as 18th man but surely he or Jeremy Latimore will be deemed surplus next year with young guns James Fisher-Harris and Reagan Campbell-Gillard along with Kangaroo James Tamou coming on board.
Cronulla v Parramatta
When was the last time a team finished fifth the previous year, changed three members of its spine only to dominate the finish higher up the ladder? Well the Sharks are likely to improve on last years finish by doing just that. Sosaia Feki returns to the wing this week and Val Holmes should be right to play this week as well. Pressure can do strange things to footballers and it will be interesting to see how long the Sharks can keep up this unbeaten run for.
I personally think Semi is going to play, so I would put him in my team if I had him. There is still no sign of Tim Mannah or Brad Takairangi for the Eels but they should be returning soon. Cody Nelson gets his first run of the year but Isaac De Gois will spend most of the game at hooker.
Canberra v Newcastle
Canberra may outscore the 60 they put on the Tigers earlier this year if they turn up and put the Knights to the sword for the full 80 minutes. Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana could score 5+ pies between them this week. Both are worthy of a captaining in your NRLCEO team. Josh Hodgson and Kurt Baptiste both trained this week and will play.
The Knights will be unchanged from last week for possibly the first time this year. Will no doubt be one of the biggest upsets ever if they manage to stun the Raiders. I don’t think it’s worth putting any Knights in your starting side here.
South Sydney v North Queensland
So Souths have decided to take their home game to Cairns in North Queensland to play the only team within 2,000kms of the joint… it all comes down to money. Adam Reynolds is expected to play this game in an otherwise unchanged team. Greg Inglis will again be playing at centre as coach Maguire continues to search for his best position.
Kane Linnett is out and so Javid Bowen will play in the centres. Ray Thompson will play five-eighth, pushing Rory Kostjasyn to the bench and with Michael Morgan out, this structure should continue for the next few weeks.
Manly v St George Illawarra
The Sea Eagles put up a good fight last week and in the process spoiled the last leg of my multi as well. They competed for the entire match largely thanks to their bench of Addin Fonua-Blake and Vave. Marty Taupau will again start at prop again this week. Nate Myles is pushing for a late inclusion but we won’t know until Monday whether or not he will line up.
The Dragons will start Jack De Belin with Tariq Sims coming back onto the bench, joining Jacob Host there. Mike Cooper has a back issue and may not be sighted again this year as he’s off back to the UK at the end of the season. I would avoid carrying too many injured players past the trade deadline as you will not be able to drop them after.
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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