Trade Doctor: Creagh/Whare for Jennings/Taylor
Question: Should I trade Ben Creagh and Dean Whare for Michael Jennings and Elijah Taylor?
This trade involves cross-positional talent, injured players and a guy likely to miss a lot of time to origin. It’s an intriguing idea, and these factors make it difficult to predict who would win the trade. The Doctor isn’t here to sit on the fence though…
Dean Whare has the potential to be a great player for NRLCEO coaches. He had 15 line break assists in 2013 and I have been expecting him to click in a Panthers backline choc full of stars. The problem is, the Panthers attack is about as impotent as any in the league, barely cracking 15 points a game. Whare hasn’t been woeful and whilst he has potential, he isn’t getting a lot of opportunities.
Ben Creagh has historically been the NRLCEO equivalent of Shane Watson, always ending up a few short of the important number. In 2014, he has five workhorses from eight starts and three tries to boot. Creagh is also listed as a Front Row/Back Row, and The Doctor loves versatile forwards that can slot in anywhere in your pack. For the first time, I can honestly say Ben Creagh is a guy I’d be happy to have in my squad in 2014.
| Games | Points | PPG | |
| Ben Creagh | 8 | 35 | 4.38 |
| Dean Whare | 8 | 24 | 3 |
| Michael Jennings | 8 | 27 | 3.38 |
| Elijah Taylor | 8 | 33 | 4.13 |
Michael Jennings was a revelation in 2013, leading a Roosters attack all the way to the premiership. In 2014, he went early in most drafts and has succeeded in being a massive disappointment for any coach that drafted him. Jennings was the exception to the “centres don’t score in NRLCEO” rule, but has managed only three tries through eight rounds this season.
I fully expect the Roosters to improve and make their way back into finals contention and Jennings should be a major part of that. The downside to Jennings is he is battling an ankle complaint at present and is almost certain to miss three weeks of NRLCEO footy due to Origin. He is an upgrade to Whare, but a risky proposition with the time he is likely to miss.
NRLCEO coaches have seen their love affair with Elijah Taylor rekindled under Ivan Cleary’s coaching this year. Prior to injuring himself in round 8, Taylor was one of the few guaranteed workhorses in the comp. He is as close as anyone to guaranteed four points each week. The problem with Taylor is he is injured and not expected to return until round 14, and the Panthers then have the bye in round 15.
Verdict: The numbers show this trade as pretty close. Jennings and Taylor have averaged slightly more points per game, but are likely to miss 3-6 matches each in the lead up to the NRLCEO playoffs. Creagh also has the added versatility in the front row, giving him great NRLCEO value.
Come finals time, I’d rather have Jennings/Taylor in my squad, but making this trade you’d need to be confident in your squad depth to make sure you can get there. If you are sitting pretty in the top couple of your league or have guys you can slot in to cover, take Jennings and Taylor. If you have a middling squad or not a lot of depth, I’d choose Creagh/Whare.
Ryan
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