Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 18
Welcome to Team Talk for Round 18. Origin is finally done and dusted, congrats to Queensland as they played a near perfect game of footy and thoroughly deserved their win. However when some of these players pull on a green and gold jersey they play more like NSW than QLD. Ryan Hoffman seems to be the only major injury concern while Trent Merrin will spend four weeks on the side lines for his spear tackle on Corey Parker.
Newcastle v Canberra
I shall be attending this game and I’m really looking forward to the freezing cold rain and wind that is forecast! Fingers crossed it clears before kick-off. The Knights welcome back Tyrone Roberts, Jarrod Mullen, Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith. Carlos Tuimavave and Jake Mamo return to NSW cup. Kurt Gidley shifts to fullback. With Beau Scott injured Joe Tapine will come into the starting line-up and Paterika Vaivai onto the bench. Dane Gagai will back up from Origin.
Canberra swap Joey Leilua for Jarrod Kennedy on the bench, as per the conditions of his mid-season transfer. Which is the only change from the team that flew to Auckland last start. Josh Papalii didn’t play too many minutes and again will also back up.
Penrith v Sydney City
The Panthers will remain unchanged from their last up win against the Rabbitohs. Josh Mansour and James Segeyaro are both a few more weeks away from returning. The Panthers are a team on the up and proved in last years finals run, they are more than capable of knocking off the some title contenders.
The Roosters will have all Origin players available Michael Jennings, Boyd Cordner, Mitchell Pearce and Aidan Guerra. Another team unchanged from last game in round 16. No coincidence that Sam Moa has been moved to the bench as news filtered through about him getting an early release from the final year of his contract.
Canterbury v Brisbane
The Bulldogs look to be in great form and again all Origin players should back up, Both Morris brothers, David Klemmer, Josh Jackson and Trent Hodkinson. Last weeks man of the match, Shaun Lane drops back to 18th man but looks like he will be a real powerhouse in the years to come! Josh Reynolds continues to start from the bench even as Trent Hodkinson signed for the Knights midweek.
The Broncos are the competition leaders and will be near full strength. Josh McGuire is out for the year with a snapped achilles and Justin Hodges will be rested, but all other Origin players look set to back up. Darius Boyd, Corey Parker, Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday who has been named at prop with McGuire out. Daniel Vidot returns to the wing in place of Dale Copley. Jack Reed also returns to the centres after being a late withdrawal last week.
New Zealand v Melbourne
A traditional grudge match but the Warriors being struck down with injuries to Konrad Hurrell and Ryan Hoffman. Tuimoala Lolohea will shift to the centres as David Fusituá coming onto the wing and Raymond Faitala-Mariner will start in the backrow. Fusituá could be a handy pick up here as the Warriors outside backs definitely benefit when Shaun Johnson is on song! Another one of the form teams at the moment, can they keep the run going?
The Storms returning Origin players will come back full of confidence after the biggest ever Origin win. Ben Hampton was named on the bench but expect him to be replaced by Nelson Asoafa-Solomona. Jordan McLean injury comeback last week did not go to plan, if for some reason he is still in your squad, time to cut him.
St George-Illawarra v Cronulla
Another grudge match here with Luke Lewis playing his 250th game. Paul Gallen is a 50/50 chance to play but tends to heal a little slower these days, my tip he will have a week off. Andrew Fifita is back to his 2013 form and is your obvious captain choice for the rest of the season as his try scoring form has returned. Michael Ennis pulled up fine after Origin and will play. Chris Heighington got cleared at the judiciary on Thursday night and should come into the 17 somewhere.
The Dragons have been decimated with injuries over the past month and Origin was not kind to their two representatives either! Josh Dugan picked up an arm injury while Trent Merrin took the early guilty plea and will miss four weeks. Justin Hunt will move to fullback. Jason Nightingale and Joel Thompson return from injury this week. Will Matthews returns from suspension in the second row. Mike Cooper and Justin Hunt will be gunning for position upgrades next week.
Gold Coast v Manly
Titan’s fans will get to welcome Daly Cherry-Evans to the Gold Coast this Monday night. James Roberts’s slots back in at centre as Daniel Mortimer moves to halfback and Chad Redman to hooker. Ryan James is welcomed back in at second row. Captain Nate Myles will back up from Wednesday nights Origin.
The Sea Eagles have no one backing up from Origin and have named the same team as last week with Jayden Hodges on a five man bench. I have seen a few Jamie Lyon pick-ups, maybe worth a gamble if your season is slipping away but Lyon has had his fair share of injuries in 2015, buyer beware! Peta Hiku was a late withdrawal last week and won’t be playing this weekend either.
That’s it for another week. Best of luck this weekend, unless you are playing me of course!
Will Marchinton
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