Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 7
Welcome to team talk round seven with a few more serious injuries this week to origin players Aaron Woods and Will Chambers. Also Josh Hodgson, who is leading the Dally M race at the moment is in some doubt.
Manly v Parramatta
Thursday night sees Kieran Foran return to Brookvale for the first time and I have no doubt the fans will boo him every time he touches the ball. The Sea Eagles will be unchanged from last round. I’m starting to warm to Dylan Walker in the halves, as soon as he gets his passing game right he will have the Sea Eagles heading in the right direction.
Like the Sea Eagles the Eels also go into the clash unchanged after their thumping win over the Raiders. Nathan Peats proved that as long as he is fit he will keep churning out WH’s and the odd attacking stat as well, even with Isaac De Gois on the bench.
North Queensland v South Sydney
The Cowboys have been belting teams at home and I can see a green and red blood bath happening here. Do I even have to mention that the Cowboys are unchanged? Kane Linnett completed light duties on Thursday afternoon but won’t be rushed back with Javid Bowen doing a fantastic job in his absence so far. Lachlan Coote should play with only a slight rib concern but he will want to be playing to help push his case for a NSW jumper.
The Bunnies have been hot and cold so far in 2016 and last week was most certainly cold alright. The big in is Adam Reynolds, pushing Cody Walker out. David Tyrell comes back in at prop, pushing Sam Burgess to the backrow, he only needs two more starts in the front row to gain that much valuable dual FR/BR spot. Kyle Turner has to pass the concussion tests before being allowed to play. Damien Cook will travel as the 18th man.
Gold Coast v St George-Illawarra
The Titans go in as favourites in this clash, despite losing Greg Bird to suspension. Ryan James owners will hope he stays at prop for one more week. Eddy Pettybourne will join the bench. Dan Mortimer and Nathan Friend are both being monitored for head knocks, Kierran Moseley is in standby.
For the Dragons points will only come from a Titans fuck up or Josh Dugan, outside that they are really up against it. Benji Marshall has a point to prove to his critics and is due for a big game, if he plays that is, Marshall still has a dodgy hamstring. Kalifa Faifai Loa makes his first appearance of the season on the wing for Peter Mataútia and Siliva Havili comes onto the bench in place for Jake Marketo. Kurt Mann also got injured playing NSW Cup on the weekend, possibly two months on the sidelines for him.
Canterbury v New Zealand
Although this is a Dogs home game, it is being played over in Wellington, New Zealand. The Dogs are unchanged from last week, taking Lloyd Perret as 18th man. Kerrod Holland looks worth holding onto as well with Will Hopoate not going to participate in footy on Sundays due to religious beliefs, Brett Morris injured and Josh Morris likely to play origin. Aidan Tolman trained on Thursday and will play. Tony Williams is still stuck on zero points this year and it’s not like he will ever get a ME because you have to run the ball to do that!
The Warriors have made some big changes with Tui Lolohea moving to 5/8 and Jeff “Alien look-a-like” Robson finally being dropped. Bodene Thompson returns from injury and will slot back onto an edge, pushing Simon Mannering to lock where his involvements go through the roof. Albert Vete has been dropped all together.
Brisbane v Newcastle
Darius Boyd hasn’t trained all this week due to personal reasons but is expected back in time for Saturdays clash. Lachlan Maranta has been playing QLD cup, but has been injured and will miss around two months, this means Greg Eden is in line should one of the back get injured in the following weeks. Andrew McCullough has been NRLCEO royalty, finishing in the top 10 players the last 3 years running, but Kodi Nikorima has been in great form coming off the bench, demanding more minutes and if you add the fact Nikorima is coming off contract these are the reasons why I have benched the great man the past two weeks, and so should you.
Jeremy Smith won’t play this weekend, he is 36 years old but hasn’t played 200 games yet. This tells me he plays roughly 10-15 games per year and he is due to start spending some time on the sidelines. Josh King looks set to become the eighth player to debut for the Knights while Will Pearsall is set to drop out for David Bhana. Sione Mataútia comes in for Jaelen Feeney at centre.
Canberra v Cronulla
The Raiders got a reality check last week after themselves smashing the Dogs at Belmore. Josh Hodgson and Paul Vaughan are in doubt. Hodgson is set to play but Vaughan will have to get though the Captains run on Saturday.
The Sharks lose Luke Lewis for one week due to suspension. Jayson Bukuya is his replacement and should go close to a WH with another start. Andrew Fifita has been cleared of any serious damage to the same arm he broke last year and is right to take his place. James Maloney has passed the concussion test and will also play.
Balmain-Wests v Melbourne
In a massive blow for the Tigers, they lose skipper Aaron Woods for 4-6 weeks. Chris Lawrence will captain the team in his absence. Joel Edwards joins the bench for his first game for the Tigers as Ava Seumanufagai starts at prop. Jack Buchanan and Michael Chee-Kam have been added to an extended bench.
The Storm are currently having an outside back crisis at the moment after Will Chambers injured his ankle and will miss the next three months of action. Richie Kennar is expected to come straight in. Young Tonumaipea has also been struggling this week with an injury but is expected to play. Jeremy Hawkins has a hamstring injury and won’t be back for another six weeks. when you add Billy Slater and Curtis Scott to the casualty list the Storm are really struggling for outside back right now.
Sydney City v Penrith
Last game of the round sees a classic East v West game, The Roosters lose Sio Siua Taukeiaho for six weeks with an ankle injury, meaning Aidan Guerra will push back to the second row and Jayden Nikorima will play 5/8. Body Cordner and Mitchell Pearce will return in the next few weeks to give the Roosters a much needed boost.
The Panthers have added Tyrone Peachey to the bench as 18th man. Elijah Taylor is rumored to be looking for a way out of the panthers at the moment so I wouldn’t expect him to play much more footy this year, unless he gets a release. Dean Whare and James Segeyaro are a chance of playing next week, but this game is being played on Monday night so there is plenty of time to help aid recovery.
Good luck to all coaches out there unless of course you are playing me and keep your eyes out for team lists prior to kick off.
Will Marchinton
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