Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 12
Welcome to Team Talk with Marcho for Round 12.
Game one of the Origin series is done and dusted and with it probably the result of the series as well! A few players are likely to be rested, while last years MVP Robbie Farah will be racing the clock in time to be fit for game two of the origin series after Justin Hodges threw him on his shoulder and somehow escaped punishment.
Penrith v Parramatta
The one Friday night game is a classic battle of the west. The Panthers finally get Peter Wallace and Josh Mansour back. Apisai Kororisau has filled in admirably both at hooker and in the halves but has now dropped back to be 18th man. Gerorge Jennings is the other change after he suffered a broken leg back in round 10. Dean Whare, Brent Kite and Tyrone Peachey should all return in the next week or two to have a near full strength team for Ivan Cleary to choose from. The biggest issue facing CEO coaches is who will bloody kick for the Panthers!?! Looks like Matty Moylan but who knows how long that will last.
The Eels meanwhile are going to be doing well to avoid their third wooden spoon in four years if they don’t turn things around. Chris Sandow returns to halfback, Will Hopoate to the centres and Reece Robinson to fullback. Luke Kelly drops back to Wentworthville, but I get the feeling this won’t be the last time we see Luke Kelly this year…
Gold Coast v South Sydney
David Mead is the only change for the Titans after he hurt his hamstring last game. Kevin Gordon is a handy replacement. Beau Falloon picked up a wrist injury at training and will miss the next eight rounds. Matt Srama is also out injured at the moment, so if you need a replacement hooker, Kierran Moseley has averaged 30 tackles so far this year and should play more minutes than Daniel Mortimer. Nate Myles should be fine to back up.
Souths only have Greg Inglis returning from Origin after a rather lackluster performance from the NRL’s best athlete. Ben Lowe remains in doubt with a knee injury. Chris Grevsmuhl will likely come in to replace him. Issac Luke returns to the starting line-up this week but it remains to be seen if he will get enough minutes for a WH. Personally I would look to move him on.
Brisbane v Canberra
Sam Williams return is crucial for the Raiders, who have struggled to win without him so far in 2015. Jack Wighton will play at fullback as Jordan Rapana picked up an ankle injury. Jeremy Hawkins retains his wing spot. Kyle O’Donnell replaces Shannon Boyd on the bench. David Shillington could be a handy pick up if you need a prop this week.
The Broncos have a seven man bench for the trip to Canberra and Justin Hodges hasn’t backed up in years, so expect him to be rested. Darius Boyd, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire and Matt Gillett should all play. Andrew McCullough would not let you down if you slapped the C (Captain) next to his name as Kodi Nikorima went down last game with a knee injury and no replacement hooker has been named on the bench. It’s been a horror injury plagued season thus far for Dale Copley, one of last year’s stars, he has only managed one point all year! Cut him.
North Queensland v Manly
Matt Scott has been a let-down over the past month and the news isn’t any better as he picked up a knock during Origin and is not expected to back up. That’s good news for Ben Hannant who should start and John Asiata to come onto the bench. Meanwhile Johnathan Thurston, James Tamou and Michael Morgan should all be right to play. The Cowboys are shooting for a ninth consecutive victory this week and should breeze past the Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles were not origin affected for the first time in over five years. Daly Cherry-Evans will miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury but Kieran Foran returns just in time, in the unfamiliar number sever jersey as Tom Symonds continues to play 5/8, just one more week until he gets a position upgrade as well. Feleti Mateo has pulled out with a replacement is yet to be named.
New Zealand v Newcastle
Finally Sam Tomkins is fit to return to the field and Manu Vatuvei is also back in another boost for the home side. Tuimolala Lolohea will play his third game of the season at centre and by the end of the year could even end up on the wing when Konrad Hurrell returns from suspension. Nathan Friend gets his first start of the season as Thomas Leuluai sustained a season ending knee injury last game. Siliva Havili is his replacement on the bench. Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman, who have both been steady this year are both expected to back-up. Manu Vatuvei could get a few tries here, maybe throw the Captaincy on him if you’re willing to take a punt!
A blow for the Knights as Jeremy Smith has been ruled out and Joseph Tapine comes in for him. Beau Scott is expected to play. Kurt Gidley is under some doubt, but should play. Adam Clydsdale returns to hooker pushing Tyler Randell back to the bench and Chad Redman back to NSW Cup. If Kurt Gidley is to play, he will gain a position upgrade to 5/8, not that anyone should actually have him in their side! Barring a miracle the Knights won’t be playing finals footy this year.
St George Illawarra v Cronulla
My mate Jacko from the Moneyball Podcast sees his newly beloved Sharks take on his former team the Dragons.
A traditional grudge match here. Josh Dugan looked injured on several occasions though out Origin but continued on and he and Trent Merrin should both play for the Dragons. Paul McGregor has named the same side that last played. I know Gareth Widdop has not set the world on fire with NRLCEO points but with a largely injury free and Origin free roster he could get some handy points at this time of the year. Just some food for thought with kickers such as Pat Richards, Tyrone Roberts, Jamie Soward and Adam Reynolds not exactly doing much themselves.
Ben Barba is still at fullback, I don’t know how much longer that can last. Andrew Fifita is good to play. Paul Gallen could be a late inclusion but is more likely to be back next week against the Roosters. One of last season’s biggest surprise packets, Tinirau Arona is back on the bench this week. I assume Michael Gordon will kick, but Valentine Holmes has kicked a few in recent weeks.
Sydney City v Melbourne
All Roosters rep players are expected to back up as they have a five day break. Mitchell Aubusson just needs to play this week in the centres to get an upgrade. Blake Ferguson is not too away from a return from injury so if he is available in your comp and you can afford to carry a player who won’t play until round 15, pick him up. Boyd Cordner might need to step up if he wishes to keep his Origin spot for game two. He looks a little fatigued and may need a rest. The Roosters are unchanged at this stage.
Melbourne’s big three have all reportedly pulled up fine after origin. Billy Slater looks like he is most likely to be rested after copping a few knocks. Ben Hampton would slot in at fullback if that were the case. Will Chambers is also expected to play after having a blinder on the wing in State of Origin. It’s a shame to see another blockbuster game being played on Monday night – Sunday afternoon would have been my preference.
I wouldn’t be surprised if some forwards who played on Wednesday night underperform this weekend. That is a side effect of playing in the toughest arena, so be wary.
Best of luck this weekend, unless you are playing me of course!
Will Marchinton
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