Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 22
Welcome to Team talk round 22. Some more names have been ruled out for the season, but at least the likes of Trent Merrin, Aiden Tolman and Tariq Sims are set to return up front, while Curtis Rona, Corey Norman and Steve Matai will be out to score some meat pies. The last round before finals has NRLCEO coach’s sitting comfortably (either in or outside a finals spot) or nervously praying for a win and other results to go their way! I am locked in a few battles just to make the finals.
Brisbane v Canterbury-Bankstown
Normality has been restored with the Broncos returning to Friday Night Footy. The last Friday double header of the year as well, next week one game will move to Thursday night. Thank god for the rolling lock out. The Broncos may put Corey Oates on the wing and drop Lachlan Maranta back to the bench. That will be the only change.
The Dogs welcome back Aidan Tolman, Curtis Rona and Frank Pritchard. Greg Eastwood will miss one week after being found guilty at the judiciary, Lloyd Perrett is expected to come into the side and Shaun Lane and David Klemmer drop back to the bench.
Manly-Warringah v South Sydney
This should be another cracking game, the Sea Eagles have it all to play for and these encounters can get quiet fiery at times. Steve Matai returns to the centres, pushing Peta Hiku to the wing and Tom Trbojevic back to the under 20’s where he will surely carve up.
The Rabbits have lost Ben Lowe to retirement with persistent injuries. Kyle Turner has been named on the bench despite picking up a head knock last week. Chris Grevsmuhl is also in doubt with a rib injury. Kirisome Auva’á is available next week I wonder if he will walk straight back into the side and who will take a punt and pick him up.
New Zealand v St George Illawarra
The Warriors are in a do or die situation and have decided to drop one of the hardest players to tackle in the entire competition, Konrad Hurrell and his replacement is Jono Wright. That’ll do me. Tuimoala Lolohea will spend his second week in a row at halfback, with all signs pointing to him joining Shaun Johnson in the halves next season. Ryan Hoffman could be a late inclusion but hasn’t scored a fantasy point since round nine.
The Dragons returned to form in a big way last week. Dylan Farrell and Kiti Glymin are the new look wingers with Jason Nightingale out for a few weeks with an ankle injury. Trent Merrin returns via the bench. Jake Marketo drops back on an extended bench which also includes Justin Hunt and Mark Ioane. Merrin’s return could see Mike Cooper and Jack De Belin spend more time on the bench.
Cronulla-Sutherland v North Queensland
All Andrew Fifita owners look away now, as the big fella has been suspended until finals time therefore out for the fantasy season. One positive to come out of both Fifita brothers being stood down is Paul Gallen is killing it and clearly captain material. Jason Bukuya and Chris Heighington are also benefiting from the twins absence. Sharks remain unchanged from last week.
The Cowboys too remain unchanged from round 21. Jake Granville will be looking to continue his fantastic form of late. The Cowboys have managed to be one of the luckier teams in terms of injuries this year. At the moment it’s only Tautau Moga who is unavailable. The Sharks are the only team to beat the Cowboys since round four, when Brisbane managed to score a win.
Parramatta v Penrith
The Eels made a fair few late changes for their clash with the Titans. Will Hopoate and Brad Takairangi are both back in the centres. Corey Norman is back from a knee injury. The Eels have taken this game to Darwin so it will be a stinky hot and humid evening which could really affect both teams workhorse potential.
Penrith have added a few more to the casualty ward with both Robert Jennings (Hamstring) and Dean Whare (Thumb) gone for the season. Lewis Brown and Isaah Yeo are in the centres and Waqa Blake moves out to the wing. Bryce Cartwright will start in the backrow and Api Koroisau is again named on the bench, but not sure if he will play or if Ivan Cleary will prefer to use four forwards on the bench.
Melbourne v Gold Coast
The Storm seems to have a problem with the lower teams in the league, possibly a complacency issue. This is another test for them and after shooting out to an early lead last week only for the Tigers to run out comfortable winnings will surely get under the skin of coach Craig Bellamy. The same team has been named as last week, Nelson Asofa-Solomona could be a late inclusion.
The Titans skipper, Nate Myles remains in doubt, despite being named. Lachlan Burr continues to frustrate NRLCEO players everywhere being named 18th man this week and Dan Mortimer also on an extended bench. Dave Taylor announced he is moving over to the Super League next year, leaving everyone shaking their heads and myself thinking “what if”… so much wasted potential.
Newcastle v Sydney City
The Knights are a basket case. Despite a spirited 25 minutes in the first half I can’t see them getting away from the wooden spoon now. Tariq Sims returns to the backrow, but Kade Snowden, David Faálogo and Carlos Tuimavave are all in doubt. I expect a strong start the game but the Roosters are far too classy and will run out comfortable winners here.
Just like the Cowboys, the Roosters too only have one injury concern Sam Moa, who will miss the next four weeks. Shaun Kenny-Dowall returns to the wing as Brendan Elliot drops out. Isaac Liu re-joins the bench after a week. You can pick any Roosters outside back as a potential captain this week.
Canberra v Balmain-Wests
The Raiders have lost Sia Soliola for the season and Josh Hodgson for a few weeks to an ankle injury. Edrick Lee took a leaf out of the Josh Reynolds tripping book and will spend a week on the sidelines as a result. Jarrad Kennedy comes into the second row as young gun Mitchell Barnett comes onto the bench. Glen Buttriss is start at hooker and Sisa Waqa returns from a knee injury on the wing.
For the Tigers Brenden Santi has been named on the bench with Manania Cherrington 18th man but last week Cherrington ended up playing as Santi missed out. The Tigers could spring an upset here just like last week and the Raiders home record this year is pretty shit only beating the Titans and Knights at home.
Best of luck to everyone this week regardless of whether you have made the finals or not.
Will Marchinton
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