Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 23
Welcome to Team Talk round 23. For most, the first week of NRLCEO finals are here and with it sees Thursday Night Footy back. For those lucky few who took out a minor premiership or two, congrats kick back this week and relax with the bye.
Late mail is a little harder to come by as most teams make a final call on team selections on Thursday or Friday afternoon. Kirisome Auva’a is back while Shuan Kenny-Dowall is back in hospital and is in doubt for the rest of the fantasy season.
North Queensland v South Sydney
Both teams are coming off a loss but still remain in the top four. Matt Scott comes back after a rest last week. The Cowboys will be up for this game and I suspect could rack up a 13+ victory the way the Rabbits have been playing lately.
The Rabbits lose Glenn Stewart for a week, Kyle Turner takes his place. I would like to see the Rabbits forwards step up this week and play some tough hard footy though the middle. If they want to make it deep into the finals this is a great place to make a stand. Nathan Brown is the new man on the bench. Kirisome Auva’a will play as Aaron Gray will miss out.
Brisbane v St George Illawarra
Justin Hodges announced this year will be his last year, on his day he could make the best defenders look silly. It was a selfless move on his behalf to help the club. Hodges will miss a week, Dale Copley comes straight back into the centres. Corey Oates is also missing out this week. Adam Blair returns to prop and Jarrod Wallace goes back to the bench.
A big win last week for the Dragons but it came at a cost, Benji Marshall is out, replaced by Drew Hutchinson. Will Matthews dislocated shoulder spells the end of his season. Justin Hunt and Nathan Green are the new wingers. Peter Mata’utia has been one of the most underrated fantasy players this year with seven tries and six try assists. Mike Cooper’s form has dropped off at the back end of the year.
Balmain-Wests v Newcastle
The Tigers are looking good and should easily brush aside the Knights. James Tedesco is in great touch and looking to take out the top fullback award in NRLCEO. Brendan Santi will again be named but like the past four weeks will drop off the bench for Manaia Cherrington
More injuries to the Knights and some spirit has been shown since Danny Buderus got the job but ultimately the spoon is all theirs. Kade Snowden and Jake Mamo return but I expect a few late changes with Tyler Randell and Beau Scott both under an injury cloud.
Penrith v New Zealand
I hope this is a good game of footy and both teams throw the footy around as they have nothing much to play for. David Simmons returns to the wing and Bryce Cartwright swaps with Sika Manu dropping back to the bench. Reagan Campbell-Gillard will be one to watch next year, similar to Aaron Woods and he could explode next year.
Manu Vatuvei has a shoulder injury and will miss a few weeks of footy. Ben Matulino has copped a massive three week ban at the wrong end of the season for CEO coaches. Ryan Hoffman returns to the backrow, Bodene Thompson is still a week away. Konrad Hurrell returns to the bench.
Sydney City v Parramatta
After a week off Mitch Pearce comes back in at halfback and we get a taste of what’s to come next year with Jackson Hastings likely to play in the halves next year. Brendan Elliot looks safe for the next few weeks. James Maloney is a good captain/kicker option as is RTS and Daniel Tupou who are both in great form.
After last weeks dismal display by the Eels I’m relying on the Roosters to provide the entertainment this week. Will Hopoate is out replaced by Ryan Morgan in the centres. I hate to think where the Eels would be without Semi Radradra this year, he has been an absolute machine and is in the running to be the leading try scorer of the year. Luke Kelly just lacks creativity and is the worst half in the competition!
Canberra v Manly-Warringah
Well the judiciary is about as reliable as an Aussie batsmen at the moment. David Shillington has escaped suspension despite two attempted head butts on Aaron Woods. Yet Willie Mason will miss two games for more bracing himself for impact. Joey Leilua has been suspended for the Raiders and Edrick Lee is back on the wing with Sisa Waqa moving to the centres. Leilua has been more of a liability than a great signing in his time at the Raiders so far. Josh Hodgson made a surprise comeback last week and will again play at hooker. The Raiders home record has been the worst in the league this year and finals are fast slipping away, it’s now or never for the men in green.
Manly are the form team of the competition in both defence and attack, whatever Geoff Toovey said after finally getting the sack it bloody worked! The backs are playing some vintage football and forwards are working hard for each other. Willie Mason is the only change with Josh Starling starting in his place and Ligi Sao coming onto the bench. Brenton Lawrence is 18th man and may force his way onto the bench.
Canterbury-Bankstown v Gold Coast
The Dogs will need to take this game seriously as the Titans put up a brave fight in the first half against the Storm last week to lead at halftime. Michael Lichaa failed to finish last week’s game and is under an injury cloud for this game. Greg Eastwood returns at lock as Lloyd Perrett drops back to 18th man. I was expecting James Graham to be punching out double workhorses at this time of year but with the hamstring injury suffered earlier in the year Des Hasler has decided to give David Klemmer a few more minutes.
The Titans have signed Tyrone Roberts but I don’t know if he will bring much consistency to the Titans. Beau Falloon and Eddy Pettybourne returns at hooker and prop respectively as Daniel Mortimer and Matthew White drop back to the bench. Kierran Moseley and Lachlan Burr are demoted to an extended interchange.
Cronulla-Sutherland v Melbourne
Looks like the match of the round on paper. Sam Tagaetese is out suspended for the week meaning Matt Prior will start at prop and Luke Lewis returns from a knee injury, pushing Anthony Tupou back to the bench. The winner of this one is likely to finish in the top four.
The Storm will need to start this week better than they have in the past few weeks if they wish to win it. Kurt Mann comes back into the centres but has been pretty useless so far this year. Nelson Asofa-Solomona has joined a large group of players suspended this week, but he looks like a very exciting prospect. Felise Kaufusi joins the bench. Cameron Munster showed everyone just how good he will be once Billy Slater retires with his first hat-trick last weekend.
Best of luck to all those who made the finals. I managed to only make one final but have the luxury of a week off with the bye.
Will Marchinton
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