Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 9
Welcome back to Team Talk for Round 9.
The rep round saw a different brand of footy played and I personally didn’t mind the break either. But it’s back to NRL action this weekend with eight games. As we now look towards Origin, the next few weeks are Origin trials with uncertainty surrounding the NSW backrow and a spot or two up for grabs in the QLD side.
Brisbane v Penrith
The Broncos have a few changes with Sam Thaiday out suspended but get Alex Glenn back. Jordan Kahu returns from injury on the wing, but the biggest injury come back of the week is Darius Boyd, who was expected to miss up to seven months. Dale Copley makes way and Corey Oates will now play off the bench.
The Panthers have named the same 17 as Round 8. Jamie Soward and Elijah Taylor are both hoping to be passed fit. I’m not a fan of Isaah Yeo, he doesn’t offer as much in attack as Tyrone Peachey or Bryce Cartwright. I also heard Matt Moylan is under some doubt and may not play this weekend, with a finger injury.
Sydney Roosters v West Tigers
Aiden Guerra will be welcomed back with open arms at the Roosters. This means only Blake Ferguson is missing from the Roosters best seventeen. If you add in the amount of rep players they have, the last month simply hasn’t been good enough for the 2013 premiers. NRLCEO coaches will be hoping for a higher output from Micheal Jennings and Nene Macdonald. Mitch Aubusson also returns after a week off.
The Tigers team were one of the biggest losers out of rep weekend with Tim Simona picking up an ankle injury and set to be out for a month. Keith Galloway returns from injury. Delouise Hoeter looks the goods for the Tigers in the centres and could be a handy pick up!
Canberra v Gold Coast
Blake Austin carried his good club form into the City-Country game and could jag a bench utility spot for NSW. Jarrad Kennedy has dropped back to the bench, raising a few questions on his workhorse worth. They have named the same team that beat Souths. Despite being a day game it should be a fairly cold afternoon in the nation’s capital for the boys from the glitter strip.
Greg Bird will now be missing for eight weeks. Lachlan Burr has been elevated from to the starting lineup. Dave Taylor returns after a week’s suspension. Beau Falloons injury sees Kierran Moseley slot into hooker, while Daniel Mortimer and Mark Ioane both make a comeback via the bench.
New Zealand v Cronulla
Warriors coach Andrew McFadden will be hoping Shaun Johnson can bring his international form back to club level. Konrad Hurrel returns after being dropped the week before after David Fusitua picked up a nasty injury. 2015 debutants Tuimoala Lolohea and Solomone Kata look set to stick around for the rest of the season.
The Sharks have a new look back three with Ben Barba at fullback, Mick Gordon and Valentine Holmes on the wings. Sosaia Feki has been dropped to NSW Cup. Chris Heighingtons will miss the next three games, through suspension, however the Sharks will be boosted by the return of Andrew Fifita.
North Queensland v Canterbury
Jason Taumalolo knee injury isn’t as bad as first thought, but he looks set to miss a month, his replacement is John Asiata. In a double blow for the Cowboys Scott Bolton will be out for for a few months after a fishing accident. Matthew Wright replaces Tautau Moga, who picked up a knee injury in the Somoa-Tonga game. Kelepi Tanginoa and Rory Kostjasyn are on the interchange bench.
The Bulldogs have had the most suspensions this year and serial offender Josh Reynolds will again be watching this game from the stands after a brain snap in the City Country game. Moses Mbye has proven to be a more then capable fill in. David Klemmer will return to the starting line-up after telling ref what he really thought of his decision during the infamous Souths-Bulldogs game. Josh Morris will also return to the centres.
Manly v Newcastle
Manly have lost Kieran Foran to a hamstring injuryfor a month, Jamie Buhrer for the season with an ACL injury and Steve Matai will serve a one week suspension. In comes skipper Jamie Lyon and Blake Leary to the bench. Jayden Hodges will be starting from the bench, which is worrying signs for Matt Ballin owners. Cult hero David “Wolfman” Williams looks to have regained his wing spot.
Newcastle have just the one change from Round 8. Beau Scott returns to the starting line-up. Chris Houston drops back to the bench. Expect either Tyler Randell or Sione Mataútia to drop out on match day, but Jarrod Mullen is only rated a 50/50 chance of playing. If Mullen doesn’t play Matautai will move to fullback and Randell will stay on the bench.
Parramatta v Melbourne
Semi Radradra makes his long awaited return to the wing. Both Bureta Faraimo and John Folau have both been scoring tries but defence was most likely the reason they were dropped. Isacc De Gois returns to the bench and Pauli Pauli is the man to miss out. Tepai Moeroa could also play, despite not being named after a strong performance for the Australian U20’s but the NRL is a big step up in class.
The Storm are currently the only away team favourite to win the weekend, but the way the competition is this year that probably means they will lose! Billy Slater is back, along with Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Dayne Weston. Cameron Munster will return again around Origin time and would be an ok handcuff if you have Slater.
South Sydney v St George Illawarra
Souths have played two Monday night games so far this year and lost both. John Sutton returns to the halves as Glenn Stewart is set for a lengthy stint on the side lines with a finger injury. Chris Grevsmuhl gets a starting spot in a weakened backrower. Ben Lowe has been added to the bench. Aaron Gray has been named as 18th man. Adam Reynolds could be a late inclusion.
Tyson Frizell is back for the Dragons and Eto Nabuli returns to the wing. Peter Mataútai is the new fullback, but Josh Dugan will be given until Monday to prove his fitness. Will Matthews drops out.
Good luck to everyone this weekend.
Will Marchinton
Latest posts by Will Marchinton (see all)
- Moneyball Podcast: The Sequel - April 19, 2018
- Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 17 - June 30, 2016
- Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 15 - June 17, 2016
Thanks for stating the blatant obvious Marcho, get a real job mate
🙁