Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 7
It is becoming rarer and rarer for a coach to have the same seventeen players named on Tuesday afternoon, run out on the weekend 1-17. Surely Josh Hodgson, Shaun Fenson and Elijah Taylor won’t play after all being unable to return to the field during round 6.
Manly v Canterbury
Both teams are struggling big time with injuries and the Sea Eagles desperately for a win. Skipper Jamie Lyon returns as young gun Tom Trbojevic copped an ankle injury against the Panthers. Jesse Sene-Lefao is also out, replaced by James Hasson on the bench. Jamie Buhrer notched up only his second workhorse of the year, much to my delight!
The Dogs have named Chase Stanley and Josh Morris, who both picked up niggles against the Dragons. Tim Browne will be assessed during the week after his concussion. while Moses Mbye returns to the bench. Danny Fualalo and Herman Eseése have both been added to an extended bench and I would not be surprised if one of them end up playing on the weekend. Aiden Tolman is a worthy captain until James Graham returns from suspension after scoring three double workhorses in a row.
St George Illawarra v Brisbane
I’m really looking forward to this game, but it’s hard to believe these are the two form teams of the competition and sitting in fourth and first respectively. Tyson Frizell is fighting his grade 5 careless high tackle, and we will find out if he successfully gets a down grade on Wednesday night. Mike Cooper has been a handy pick up but picked up an injury in the warm up of last match and he will be on the sidelines for another week. Ben Creagh returned last week and again lines up in the front row but has proven to be workhorse irrelevant three times out of each four week cycle.
Justin Hodges returns from injury, pushing Dale Copley to the wing and Corey Oates to the bench. Jarrod Wallace is suspended for one week and drops out of the side. Anthony Milford is starting to look good at 5/8 and Darius Boyd will be coming back in the next month or so. Boyd hasn’t fired in recent seasons but could be worth a punt if you can afford to have a passenger in your squad.
Gold Coast v Penrith
Beau Falloon is back in at hooker for the Titans. Eddy Pettybourne is another who is suspended this week with Kierran Moseley dropping back to the bench in his place. James Roberts is on fire at the moment and up against a pair of rookie centres in Waqa Blake and Robert Jennings, it could get ugly out wide. David Mead could score a few meat pies as long as he can keep up with James Roberts.
Jamal Idris is out for the season and Waqa Blake seems to be the man to profit by retaining a spot in the centres for a while – if he is still available pick him up! Robert Jennings is the youngest of the Jennings brothers and is making his debut this weekend in the centres as well, but will likely drop out again once Dean Whare is back around Round 8. Elijah Taylor is under an injury cloud but has been named to start. I can’t read too much into the Panthers side as it always changes on game day, without fail.
North Queensland v New Zealand
The Cowboys are another one of the form teams in the comp. Johnathan Thurston is hitting some great form and proved why he was the first picked overall with 21 points. The Cowboys are unchanged from their win over Souths. Justin O’Neill retains his spot on the wing, which is proving to be a revolving door so far this year for the Cowboys.
The Warriors are also unchanged, and have a stack of outside backs coming back in the next few weeks. I can’t wait for Sam Tomkins return – the Warriors are missing his link play. Tuimoala Lolohea picks up a handy fullback position. Good signs with Konrad Hurrell running with a lot of purpose on the weekend. He just needs a bit more ball. I expect a big game from him.
Melbourne v Sydney Roosters
The Storm have named the same 17 that defeated the Raiders but has an eight man bench, that can only mean a few players are 50/50 or carrying niggles, otherwise why name so many? Cameron Munster proved why he is Billy Slater’s long term replacement at the back. Jordan McLean has surprised me so far this year and should get a workhorse again this week. Should be another cracker this game!
The Roosters probably should have won against the Broncos but couldn’t close it out and the Broncos wanted it more. Sam Moa is suspended and so Dylan Napa comes in at prop. Sio Siua Taukeiaho has been outstanding along with Kane Evans, both look to have big futures, a few errors but they are only young. Lagi Setu joins the bench and Jake Friend is starting his first game of the year.
West Tigers v Canberra
Tim Simona looked great when given early ball on the weekend. Curtis Sironen is in the same boat. He needs early ball to get the best out of him, plus his ball playing ability can unlock more points for both Simona and Richards. Same team that lost to the Warriors last week.
The Raiders have named both Fensom and Hodgson but I have my doubts. Dane Tilse is off to the Super League after playing 200+ games. Sisa Waqa has been good in the centres but I would like to see him back on the wing, scoring more tries.
Newcastle v Parramatta
Do not back the Knights in wet weather footy! The forwards got bashed but most managed to workhorse up still. This game is a day time game, I’m praying for a dry track on Sunday afternoon up at Hunter Stadium. The Knights outside backs could carve up the Eels here. Same 18 as last week, with Sione Mataútai still on zero points this year.
The Eels were very average last week at home. Anthony Watmough had an absolute shocker. Instead of signing another backrower (Beau Scott) maybe the Eels should invest in most outside backs! Richie Faáose has been added to an extended bench. Both teams need a win here. But the Eels away record is horrible.
Cronulla v Souths Sydney
The Sharks lose both Fifita brothers. David though injury and Andrew to suspension. Andrew will be fighting for a downgrade to keep his Origin hopes alive. Sam Tagataese will start at prop with Jason Bukuya wearing jersey 17 and Tinirau Arona jersey 18. I can see an upset in this game, another very forward orientated game from the Sharks and plenty of workhorses.
Glenn Stewart has been named at 5/8 but is a chance of going back to the forward pack if John Sutton returns. Dylan Walker is also an outside of playing on Monday night. Cameron McInnes has been named on an extended bench.
Will Marchinton
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This doesn’t help me with starting Blake or Jennings
Blake all the way!