Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 13
Welcome to Team Talk for Round 13.
DCE finally announced his future is at Manly, so let’s move on. This is the first year I can remember getting half way through the season with the same coaches the same as Round 1. A few players will be chasing Origin jerseys this round: Will Hopoate, Daniel Tupou and Brett Morris (should he play this round) are fighting for two spots, while Michael Morgan and DCE are after the bench utility spot and Josh Papalii is also in outstanding form for Canberra right now.
Brisbane v Manly
The Broncos return to Friday night footy and welcome back Justin Hodges and Sam Thaiday. But NRLCEO “God”, Corey Parker is being rested and the in-form Lachlan Maranta has been dropped. Matt Parcell is on the bench to play between 10-15 minutes at hooker to relieve Andrew McCullough. Not sure if Ben Hunt or Jordan Kahu will kick for the Broncos.
The Sea Eagles will be buoyed by the massive signing news and it will give the whole club a boost. DCE is expected to return to the halves, forcing a backline reshuffle and it will be the first time this season the Sea Eagles will have their full strength back line playing. Young gun Tom Trbojevic is expected to drop out of the side. I expect a tight encounter.
Balmain-Wests v Gold Coast
The Tigers will be without Robbie Farah. Dene Halatau is the hooker replacement. Curtis Sironen and David Nofoaluma are in doubt for this clash. and so with Tim Simona still out with a knee injury, Chris Lawrence moves back to the centres. The Tigers continue to churn out good young players and Delouise Hoeter is making the most of his opportunities at centre.
The Titans swap Matt White for Mark Ioane on the bench. David Mead will return to the wing for Kevin Gordon. Daniel Mortimer is playing his second game in a row at hooker after scoring a WH on the weekend. Last weekend Lachlan Burr cost the Titans a chance of squaring the match in the dying minutes, but that knock on over the line was actually a nine point swing in NRLCEO! As he would have grabbed a try and a line break (5) plus a WH (4), proving to be a rather costly mistake for NRLCEO coaches like myself… Which cost me a win. Fuck!
Newcastle v Canberra
Kurt Gidley comes back with a straight swap for the injured Tyrone Roberts. Kade Snowden returns. Dane Gagai was the Knights best last week and is a genuine fullback, but he is in doubt for this clash. Jake Mamo could be his replacement. Jack Stockwell has proven, if given the minutes he can easily get enough involvements for a WH. Pick him up if he is available. Jarrod Mullen could be out for the season. Time to cut him loose.
The unpredictable Raiders are also coming off a few loses and will be desperate to repeat last years away win at Hunter Stadium. Jordan Rapana returns to the wing, moving Sisa Waqa to the centres and Jarrod Kennedy returns to the bench. Raiders will be hoping Joey Leilua will have a quiet game against his future employers.
South Sydney v New Zealand
Taking this game to Perth has resulted in success for Souths recently, especially when you consider the Warriors have to travel nine hours on a plane! Greg Inglis will be right to take his place at fullback after copping a concussion last weekend. Souths are unchanged for this clash with Ben Lowe and John Olive on an extended bench.
For the Warriors, they too are unchanged and have also named a six man bench. Siliva Havili and Nathan Friend look set to split their minutes 50/50, which is bad news for anyone who picked up Friend expecting him to go back to being an automatic WH. With Konrad Hurrell returning next week from suspension who will make way? Solomone Kata and Tuimoala Lolohea have proven to be great pickups this year and both signed contract extensions to stay at the Warriors this week. I’m with the Tantasy boys on this one, Kata to the wing and Jonathan Wright back to NSW Cup.
Penrith v Melbourne
The injury curse continues for the Panthers, last week there best player Matt Moylan suffered an ankle injury and could miss up to ten weeks! If that were to be the case, I can’t see them making the top eight. Dallin Watene Zelezniak will deputise at fullback and will become one of the most versatile NRLCEO players coming into the back end of the season, as he will be listed as a centre, wing and fullback. Isaah Yeo makes the shift to the centres, pushing Waqa Blake to the wing. Tyrone Peachey returns to the bench and Adam Docker is the 18th man.
The Storm would have got quiet the tongue lashing off coach Craig Bellemy after being belted by the Roosters last game. Billy Slater comes in at fullback. Marika Koroibete has a broken thumb and his likely replacement is one of the most injury prone players in the NRL, Matt Duffie. A risky pick up.
Cronulla v Sydney City
The Sharks have a few changes from last week. Skipper Paul Gallen returns, pushing Jason Bukuya back to the bench. Joining him is Chris Heighington, who is back from suspension. The Sharks have proven to be a bogey side for the Roosters in recent times and have always played direct and aggressive through there forward pack, expect a few WH’s should they contain the red hot Roosters. Ben Barba is a late withdrawal which means Valentine Holmes will move to fullback and Sosaia Feki to the wing. Ricky Leutele could also come in and play centre.
The Bondi boys are unchanged from the team that belted the Storm. However Blake Ferguson is likely to return to the centres, pushing Mitch Aubusson back to the bench and Jackson Hastings out of the side. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is arguably the in-form player at the moment but in fantasy terms is only averaging three, I would prefer a WH forward and look to be trading him on.
Canterbury v St George Illawarra
The Dogs have lost a few more players to injury. Tim Lafai is out indefinitely. I hate it when I don’t know when a player is coming back from injury, I’m more tempted to drop players who don’t have a return date. Tony Williams is out for the season too. Moses Mybe moves to centre and James Graham and Josh Morris both return from injury.
The Dragons only have the one change with Joel Thompson returning to the second row and Will Matthews drops back to the bench. Jake Marketo is on a five man bench.
Parramatta v North Queensland
The Eels return to Pirtek Stadium looking to string together back-to-back wins for the first time this year and in the process put an end to the Cowboys nine game unbeaten streak. David Gower returns to the bench, as does Danny Wicks. Junior Paulo is starting at prop.
The Cowboys remain unchanged from their win against the Sea Eagles. Some of the outside backs needs to start scoring a few more points. Kane Linnett had a shocker last week with four handling errors. Combined, Antonio Winterstein, Matthew Wright, Justin O’Neil and Kane Linnett have only scored five games since round 7.
Best of luck this weekend, unless you are playing me of course!
Will Marchinton
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