The top 10 “smokeys” of 2016

You’ve probably got it pretty clear in your mind who you want to draft in the first few rounds. The guns are pretty clear and pretty consistent.

But what about the later rounds? That’s where an NRLCEO Premiership can be won! Picking a player after the first 13-15 rounds that ends up becoming a top 100 NRLCEO scorer is tough to pick and often needs a bit of luck coupled with gut instinct.

Smokey’s last year would have included Curtis Rona, Michael Lichaa, Ethan Lowe and Iosia Soliola. No one can put hand on heart and say they predicted them to finish 2nd, 7th, 25th, 48th on the point scoring rankings at the end of the season. A few people might have had a gut instinct though and for that they were rewarded.

So the NRLCEO bloggers and podcasters have put their heads together and come up with their predicted smokey’s for 2016:

Agnatius Paasi

Looked fit and full of confidence in the Auckland Nines, making the team of the tournament. Could be a shining light at the Titans this year with opportunity he wouldn’t find at most NRL clubs. Last year he averaged nine runs and 18 tackles per game for 27 involvements in 49 minutes of game time. I don’t expect his minutes to increase too much but based on his willingness to run and the reduced interchange he could be nudging a workhorse every second week.

Api Koroisau

Has underrated guile. Could end up being one of the craftiest hookers in the game this year. Plus, he hasn’t started a season in the top 13 – so for rookie CEO merchants they might not know he’s the (most likely) starter. Only eight workhorses in 2015, but more game time and responsibility at Manly could do great things. He just has to fend off the competition from fitness freak Matt Parcell.

Damien Cook

This guys was the hero of many NRLCEO seasons at the end of last year. He scored 33 NRLCEO points in three weeks and if you had him in your team during the finals you were flying! Sure, he can’t sustain those numbers all year, but if he keeps Cam McInnes off the bench and gets the 80 minutes to himself then he is a guaranteed workhorse every week.

Jarrod Mullen

He’s an injury risk. He plays for a terrible team. And this year he has to share the play making duties with the club’s “marquee” recruit. Talk about an ultimate smokey! It’s enough for any CEO to leave him well alone but the arrival of Hodkinson could be a real shot in the arm for Mullen and could see him return to 2013 form where he finished 4th among 5/8s.

Joel Edwards

I want to tell you that Joel Edwards is going to be a smokey this year, but when you have the all-seeing, all-knowing Crystal Steeden™ it’s not so much a prediction as it is just stating a fact.

I foresee the Tigers reshuffling their team each week in an attempt to find a winning combination, trialling various forwards in the starting pack. By round 8, Big Red will find himself consistently in the starting 13, and with the new interchange rules, looking to score forward tries each and every week.

Edwards was always threatening to crack the starting team in Canberra and Newcastle, but there always seemed to be some slightly better talent just ahead of him. Now he is at the talentless Tigers, the fans will hail him as the second coming of Big Keefy.

Kirisome Auva’a

Had a shocking time last year being suspended for nine months and managing zero points in the four games he did play. With the loss of Dylan Walker and contract talks surrounding Bryson Goodwin, Kirisome looks to retain his centre spot with ease. 2014 saw his average meters over the requirement for a ‘meter eater’ which would bring his average up to 5 from 3. With a full pre seaon under his belt and nothing looming over his head look for him to be the stand out centre for Souths this year. Knows how to break the defence and find the line.

Michael Chee Kam

The one time Raiders backrow prodigy has slid into rugby league obscurity over the last few years after leaving Canberra for the Tigers via Manly. After playing Australian schoolboys in 2010, and making the NYC Team of the Year in 2012, Michael had the world at his feet. But the transition from NYC to NRL did not come easy for Michael.

Why should I pick a bloke who has played five NRL games over the past three seasons I hear you ask? Michael is playing for arguably the worst, most dysfunctional club in history. The Tigers backrow is as light on as an anorexic in space. Curtis Sironen is overrated and will miss three quarters of the season. Chris Lawrence… enough said. Dene Halatau only plays because no one of any decent quality has stepped up. That leaves Brendan Santi, Kyle Lovett and Joel Edwards as the other backrowers likely to get a look in, of which Santi is garbage and will struggle in NSW Cup.

Will Michael Chee Kam start? No. Should you draft Michael Chee Kam? No. In all seriousness, if the Tigers have an injury or two in the backrow, which is likely given their starting back row, Chee Kam will be a good pickup from the spud pool post draft. He is a hard runner, but doesn’t shirk defensive responsibilities. And given the Tigers will be playing for nothing this year, and MCK only has a one year contract, he will be looking to impress.

Robbie Rochow

It won’t be hard for the Knights second rower to improve on last years fantasy scoring effort and with the departure of Beau Scott, he is a real smokey for 2016. Still only 25 years old, the best footy is definitely in front of him, add to that the suspension of Tariq Sims for the first six games – expect a big start to the 2016 season from Rochow. Don’t forget back in 2013 he was only five points from cracking the magical NRLCEO ton for 100 points for the season (including 18 workhorses). Hopefully Rochow stays fit and plays the full season, while in the process helping the Knights off the bottom of the ladder. Pick him up between rounds 8-12.

Russell Packer

Following the departure of Trent Merrin, the retirement of Dan Hunt, the season ending injury to Mose Masoe and the failed experiment of starting Ben Creagh at prop, the engine room at St George Illawarra looks as underwhelming as ever. The Dragons fought hard (and failed) to get permission for Packer to play NRL last year so now that they have it, you know he’s going to get picked. The fact he’s been “training the house down” should be reason enough to get him but it’s also worth noting that in 2011 he scored nine workhorse tries. Sure he’s a convicted head stomper who once mistook the footy field for a urinal trough, but picking Packer will allow you and your NRLCEO team to experience what rugby league is really all about… second chances.

Zeb Taia

Has signed with an awful Titans side after a sabbatical in the UK. His next signing should be a late round pick in your NRLCEO squad. Nobody remembers who he is and no one is looking that deeply at the Titans squad to give him a chance. He is aging at 31 years old, but should have the legs to get minutes in a side likely to be devoid of defense. In his last full season in the NRL (2012) Taia scored 14 workhorses, and three ‘Close but No Cigar’ 39s to boot. He averaged 40.9 involvements that season in a Knights side that had more talent than this Titans squad. is a prime sleeper candidate.

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JB

A Founder of NRLCEO. Jamie spends far more time on running the site than his own team and is therefore a perennial struggler, much to the delight of his mates. He is a former Bears, now Raiders tragic. A rangy lock who avoided running the ball at all costs, he once tackled (flopped on) John Hopoate. Web geek by day, web geek by night.

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