Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 21
Welcome to Team Talk for Round 21. Wow, last round has certainly thrown a few spanners in the mix! Shaun Johnson headlines the massive list of players out for the season, to go with a few untimely suspensions! But the biggest questions are who are the players set to benefit from all of this?
Sydney City v Canterbury-Bankstown
The Roosters amazingly, only have one injury concern, Isaac Liu who is unlikely to play against the dogs. Kiwi Suaia Mutagi will replace him on the bench, should Liu not play. Shuan Kenny-Dowall returned to training this week but is no chance of playing this week. Mitchell Pearce will become the youngest player to play 200 games this weekend.
The Dogs could be without Frank Pritchard (ribs) and this years leading try scorer, Curtis Rona (knee). Shaun Lane will start in the backrow and Corey Thompson on the wing if both are unable to take their place on the Friday night. Lane is the type of player who can play 80 minutes and who is expected to be a part of the Dogs future. Josh Reynolds has been suspended and injured for the second time in a game this year and could be out for the fantasy season, time to punt him. Moses Mbye is a more than a handy replacement at 5/8.
Balmain-Wests v Melbourne
The Tigers lose Chris Lawrence for potentially the season and Marty Taupau for three weeks due to suspension. Time to drop both I think! Sauaso Sue will start at lock and could be set to benefit as a result of both backrowers missing. Curtis Sironen is also worth a look, as he scored a WH last weekend. Undoubtedly the biggest return of the week would have to be Robbie Farah, which pushes Dene Halatau to the backrow.
For the Storm, Jesse Bromwich was cleared of biting and will play this weekend. The Storm do remain unchanged for last weeks victory over the Dragons. Matt Duffie could be worth plenty of points in the following few weeks with games against the Titans and Knights coming up. Only problem is he somehow managed to still retain one kicker point, which is just ludicrous.
New Zealand v Cronull-Sutherland
Well everyone has been saying no Shaun Johnson equals no Warriors. I tend to agree. It’s time for Sam Tomkins to set up and do something this year! 14 points to date is pretty piss weak considering he scored over 100 last season! Ken Maumalo and Manu Vatuvei return to the wings for Jono Wright and Glen Fisiiahi. Bodene Thompson is also out for two weeks with an ankle injury replaced by Ben Matulino and Simon Mannering moves from lock to backrow. It will be interesting to see if he can still pull out the massive numbers he has produced so far this year. Charlie Gubb and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are both on the bench this week, as Albert Vete is promoted to the starting line-up. Ryan Hoffman is still a week away from returning from a calf injury suffered in Origin three.
The Sharks have been under the radar and are sitting nicely inside the top eight now. This will be an intriguing game as the result could push the Warriors out of the finals, where as they were sitting pretty in fourth only a few weeks ago. The Sharks have also been hit with injury and disciplinary reasons seeing Luke Lewis out for two-three weeks and Andrew and David Fifita stood down. Anthony Tupou will return against the team who he suffered his horrific jaw injury against back in round nine.
North Queensland v Canberra
While all these injuries have been wreaking havoc with those around the cusp of the eight, everything seems to be coming up green, as the Raiders quietly go about their business. With a favourable draw it would be a nice change to see the Raiders return to playing finals footy. Sam Williams and Sisa Waqa are both at least a few more weeks away from a return. The Raiders will travel away again with the same team that defeated the Panthers last week.
Another unchanged line-up for the Cowboys, who look unstoppable at home right now. Justin O’Neill is the only concern with a knee injury but is expected to still play.
Manly-Warringah v Brisbane
The slim finals chances of the Sea Eagles remain alive, but only just they cannot afford a loss at home (their Central Coast home mind you) to the Broncos. Tom Symonds (round 25), Luke Burgess (season) and Ligi Sao (round 25) add to the Sea Eagles already depleted forward pack. Blake Leary returns to lock and Justin Horo to the backrow. Michael Chee-Kam will play his first game of the season off the bench. Steve Matai is being monitored after being heavily concussed last week, but is expected to play. Tom Trbojevic is on standby after out outstanding performance last weekend in the U20’s competition, this kid will be a superstar in a few years’ time!
The Broncos welcome back Jack Reed from suspension but lose Adam Blair for two weeks. Jordan Kahu moves back to the wing and Corey Oates back to the bench. Jarrod Wallace will start at prop and youngster Joe Ofahengaue comes onto the bench as Dale Copley pushed back to 18th man. Justin Hodges is in some doubt as well for this game.
St George Illawarra v Newcastle
The Dragons need to start winning again after now making it seven straight loses. In a straight swap Craig Garvey comes onto the bench for Heath LÉstrange. Ben Creagh returns to the starting line-up with Will Matthews returning to the bench. Sadly, Dan Hunt announced his retirement on Thursday after persistent injuries over the past three seasons.
The Knights became the first team to sack their coach on Monday morning after last weeks embarrassing loss to the Bunnies. Danny Buderus will no doubt take a no nonsense attitude into this weekends clash, as many players have been placed on notice. Tariq Sims is out, replaced by Joseph Tapine. Nathan Ross has been handed a debut on the wing. As to the final makeup of the backline only time will tell but Kurt Gidley could move to the halves to partner Tyrone Roberts with Jake Mamo to play fullback. Tyler Randell returns from a concussion via the bench as Dani Levi drops back to the U20’s.
South Sydney v Penrith
Aaron Gray is set to replace Joel Reddy, as he returns from injury. Kyle Turner will return this week from that serious neck injury suffered in the All Stars game at the start of the year. Greg Inglis or Dylan Walker are both in great form and worthy of captaining. Ben Lowe wasn’t named but could also be a late inclusion on the bench.
The Panthers have lost Dean Whare and Peter Wallace for the rest of the season. Isaac John will place 5/8 while Josh Mansour returns to the wing, pushing Waqa Blake to the centres. Nigel Plum copped a nasty head knock last week and will miss this game, Apisai Koroisau comes onto the bench to take away James Segeyaro’s minutes. No word that Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was play this this week, but keep an eye out as he could return to play fullback.
Gold Coast v Parramatta
This has potential to be one of the worst games of the year, but for the Titans it could mean getting further away from the wooden spoon. Ryan James and Nate Myles are both in doubt and will need to prove their fitness in order to play. Chad Redman is dropped and Daniel Mortimer returns to the bench.
The Eels came through last weeks game unscathed, which is a positive but another away game in Queensland will be tough. Same team as last week but Will Hopoate remains in doubt will a hamstring injury. Nathan Peats will score at least a WH and for my sake hopefully more!
Will Marchinton
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