Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 9
Welcome to team talk round 9. Another frustrating round for NRLCEO coaches with injuries and suspensions coming out of the round. Brett Stewart, Tom Trbojevic, Andrew McCullough, Simon Mannering, Tui Lolohea, Jarrod Mullen, Marika Koroibete, Hymel Hunt and Dean Whare has done his ACL at training this week and will miss the rest of the season. A few big names do return in JWH, James Segeyaro and Mitch Pearce though.
South Sydney v Balmain-Wests
Souths will thrash the Tigers here 18+. George Burgess and Kyle Turner will return after a week off with Paul Carter suspended. Dane Nielsen will start on the wing with Kirisome Auva’a and Bryson Goodwin playing in the centres. Hymel Hunt has been the most consistent back for Souths and it looks like he will be out for the season. Greg Inglis always performs very well against the Tigers, he is also due for a big week so look out for him.
The Tigers have lost Tim Grant which makes Ava Seumanufagai very tempting, if he is available in your comp pick him up, since Woods went down he has got two workhorses in the past two weeks. With Grant out Sauaso Sue pushes up into prop and Dene Halatau to lock. Tim Simona returns from suspension in the centres.
Parramatta v Canterbury
The Eels are unchanged from last weeks game against the Cowboys, although Tim Mannah could be a late inclusion with Peni Terepo likely to drop off the bench. Hard to game to split here but the Eels have been more consistent overall this season.
The Dogs starting team will remain unchanged with Craig Garvey, Lloyd Perrett and Raymond Faitala-Mariner all fighting for the final bench spot, not that is makes much of a difference as who ever gets the final nod will likely see little action. Time to punt Moses Mbye if he is your sole kicker. Kerrod Holland is a real sharp shooter
Penrith v Canberra
Shocking news for the Panthers with Dean Whare and Te Maire Martin both out for the rest of the season. Isaah Yeo will go into the centres, with Tyrone Peachey to start in the backrow. Waqa Blake will miss one week but should play the rest of the season in the centres. James Segeyaro is finally back, but it looks like he could share the hooking duties with Peter Wallace with Nathan Cleary tipped to make his debut in the halves.
The Raiders are searching for consistency and if they are off their game this weekend the Panthers will get the points. Frank-Paul Nuuausala is the 18th man for this clash in an otherwise unchanged line-up. Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua have been in superb form on the right hand edge.
Sydney City v Newcastle
The Roosters get Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Mitch Pearce back just in time as their season remains on life support at this stage. Boyd Cordner got a workhorse first week back and will look to continue to push on to book a NSW jersey. Isaac Liu also returns from suspension Mitchell Frei will return to NSW Cup.
The Knights look set to continue the year of the debutants with Brock Lamb considered a strong chance to partner Trent Hodkinson in the halves with Will Pearcell training at hooker. Jack Stockwell or Mickey Paea will replace the suspended Sam Mataora. His brother Pat replaces Peter Mata’utia, while Pauli Pauli returns from suspension on the bench. Korbin Sims will get a FR/BR upgrade after this week.
Manly v North Queensland
I have no idea why the Sea Eagles named the same team as last week, it is a joke and makes it hard to set your line-up when clubs clearly don’t care about naming players who are not going to feature in the game. Brett Stewart and Tom Trbojevic will not play and I have no idea who will play fullback, maybe Matthew Wright who has only been at the club for a week. Matt Parcell may come into hooker with Api Korosau in doubt. One of the greats of CEO, Jamie Lyon will hang up the boots at the end of the year. He currently has the fourth most points this season including goals.
The Cowboys continue to roll out the same team with no changes expected. Lachlan Coote has taken unders to stay with the reining premiers but I still expect a few off contract players to be squeezed out by the pressures of the salary cap at the end of the year.
New Zealand v St George-Illawarra
Who knows what’s happening in New Zealand? Word from the Tantasy Podcast boys is that a few senior players missed a team meeting and McFadden not standing for it. So Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete, Sam Lisone and Konrad Hurrell have all been dropped to reserve grade. Adding to that, the Warriors have lost Tui Lolohea and Simon Mannering to injury, but it should only be for a one week as both are expected back after the rep break. David Fusitua will play fullback and Charlie Gubb will start at lock. Jazz Tavaga and Shaun Lane have been named on the bench. James Gavet will be the 18th man. Ligi Sao has been dropped.
The Dragons have a few injury concerns of their own with Mitch Rein unlikely to play after a heavy concussion last week and Euan Aitken struggling with an ongoing hamstring problem. Benji Marshall has traveled with the team but is only a 50/50 chance of playing.
Gold Coast v Melbourne
For the Titans Ashley Taylor is racing the clock to be fit for this clash, Cameron Cullen is the man who would make way. Lachlan Burr is 18th man. Dan Mortimer is expected back in round 10.
The Storm are also expected to have a few changes to their Tuesday named team. Marika Koroibete and Young Tonumaipea are out. Ben Hampton, Kenny Bromwich and Tohu Harris are contenders to fill the centre spot, while Richie Kennar would shift to the wing.
Cronulla v Brisbane
The Sharks have been lucky so far this year in terms of injuries and their spine is gelling nicely. As a result of these two factors, the attacking footy has followed, along with the wins. This game will be a real test for the Sharks to see where their premiership aspirations currently lie. No changes at this stage.
The Broncos have lost their hard working hooker Andrew McCullough for six weeks with a hamstring injury. Travis Waddell takes the starting hooker spot, it will be interesting to see the minutes breakdown between Waddell and bench hooker Kodi Nikorima. Sam Thaiday will start at prop while Adam Blair is suspended. Tevita Pangai Jr has travelled with the team as cover.
Good luck to everyone this week unless of course you are playing me!
Will Marchinton
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