Treat it like it may be your last
Footy is back baby!
In the infamous words of the Hayne Plane prior to being grounded like the current Qantas fleet “it’s been a loooooooooong time”.
After a summer of researching and drafting NRLCEO coaches finally got to blow the dust off and see what their squad was able to deliver. The season has kicked off with a massive number of injuries and huge off field distractions so how did this impact the team’s performance on the field.
We will cover some of the big take-a-ways from the weekend games and how it may influence some early round terminations.
Eels vs Dogs
The season started with a bit of a stinker at Bankwest Stadium with a low scoring affair and no major surprises from the Eels. The starting back row, hooker and lock forward were heavily involved and brad continued to rotate his props and bench to prevent any a workhorse from the front row. Interesting neither Maika Sivo nor Blake Ferguson got metre eaters and Mitchell Moses was quiet which may concern some people who went hard early on him. I think we can expect more points from the backs when they take on the Titans which is sure to be less of a grind in week two.
In the lead up to round one some of the Dogs were acting like school kids which saw a late shuffle. Again the Dogs started 2020 as they finished 2019 – in a grinding effort built on defence not attack. Brandon Wakeham took the kicking tee and with zero kicking points could be worth a pickup however you won’t be making a run to the finals with a Dogs kicker. Most concerning for CEO coaches was Aiden Tolman not making a workhorse despite playing 52 minutes in a defensive game. Dean Britt made 34 involvements in 39 minutes and could be one to watch if he can squeeze out a few more minutes.
Raiders vs Titans
As expected, the Raiders had an easy win and Jack Wighton looks to have started the year in fine form. George Williams looked solid in his first outing in green and looks like he belongs in the NRL. Replacing John Bateman in the backrow, Corey Horsburgh switched from the back row to lock at kick off but looked good and was heavily involved. He has been named at lock again this week and good be in for some big stats. Josh Hodgson also look sharp and not only provided attacking stats but also made an easy workhorse and looks to again be a premium 80 minute hooker option.
For the Titans, Phillip Sami took advantage of AJ Brimson being out and showed that he could run in fullback with a double metre eater and some nice touches. Mitch Rein has locked down the starting hooker role at Titans and played 65 minutes which is easily enough for him to make the workhorse each week. Nathan Peats played 31 minutes and played some time in forwards but it does not look like he will get the minutes to be relevant.
Cowboys vs Broncos
Hold the engraving pen! Are we seeing the next CEO God and the player who will kick Damien Cook from his 2020 MVP podium? Payne Haas was huge!! He had a double metre and easy workhorse in an 80 minute effort and expect this to continue in a depleted broncos pack. Jamayne Issako was the player we expected last year and David Fifita was running like he was attempting a Bali prison break. Of interest Jesse Arthars took a shot a goal however may still be third string to Kotoni Staggs. Jake Turpin got the nod at starting hooker but only played 57 minutes and missed a workhorse.
Valentine Holmes was back home in the #1 jersey and while he sprayed some kicks and eventually gave the tee to Kyle Feldt (potential zero kicker point handcuff) he did enough to get Cowboys fans and CEO coaches excited. Esan Marsters looked good but his kicker points are prohibitive. Jason Taumalolo was one the best of the forwards but later in the game Gavin Cooper showed he can still run a line and get through the workload for a workhorse. Keep in mind with Justin O’Neill’s head knock, the rotation was out and therefore be careful moving too quickly on some of the forwards. Also Josh McGuire is back and there is a shortage of medical goggles available so oppositions beware.
Knights vs Warriors
Kalyn Ponga deserved his milkshake after the game with a try, four goals and double metre eater. There was a collective sigh of reliefe from Jayden Brailey owners when he played the full 80 minutes. Connor Watson owners appear to have drafted an extremely capable utility who will score minimal CEO points. He may scrape in workhorse every now and again with 35 involvements in 41 minutes off the bench playing in a roving lock role. Given the game ended up like a training run maybe we shouldn’t take too much stock of the rotation.
Warriors struggled, still have no idea who is kicking as there was no need. The outside backs look to be in trouble if this game was anything to go by with minimal ball or opportunity to score points. When RTS doesn’t get a metre eater something is seriously wrong.
Rabbits vs Sharks
With arguably one of the best locks last year and the fastest play the ball in the competition, Cameron Murray appeared wasted on an edge which also seemed to limit Damien Cook’s opportunities out of dummy half. Has Bennett blunted a lethal combination? Those that took a gamble on Liam Kknight had a win with an easy workhorse in a 47 minute showing. With limited middle forwards and Murray out on an edge, Knight and Tavita Tatola might be in for big numbers. Ethan Lowe also played big minutes (54) off the bench and might be a good late pickup if you have the kicker point space.
Aaron Woods looks to have picked up some of the slack while Andrew Fifita played very low minutes. Lots of changes still to come in this team with Bronson Xerri still out, Josh Dugan named on an extended beach and Matt Moylan injured. Will need time to see what the eventual team and rotation looks like but they put up a good effort against the Rabbits.
Panthers vs Roosters
Api, Api, Api owners must be happy, happy, happy!
80 minutes? ✓
Workhorse? How about a double? ✓✓
Line break assist? ✓✓
Metre eater? ✓
Elsewhere, Zane Musgrave was injured however cannot see this having a material impact on forward output.
I am not sure why Friend was taking off as I feel like the Roosters lost their way a little when this happened. In any case with 65 minutes he got an easy workhorse and owners can feel comfortable this will continue. Lindsay Collins was a surprise packet with 46 involvements in 44 minutes which is a very solid effort however again this pack has some changes coming with Angus and Boyd to return.
Sea Eagles vs Storm
Jake Trbojevic made it to Round 1 just to spite Mig on the NRLCEO HQ Podcat and got his workhorse – all is right in the world.
Danny Levi managed 63 minutes which got him a workhorse and looks to be a solid backup hooking option if he is still available in smaller leagues.
Other than that not much to say from a CEO perspective.
The Storm got into the grind then pulled away towards the end as they have many times before. Jesse Bromwich turned back the clock many years with a workhorse and a metre eater. We may need to ask David Middleton or Geoff Adams (the Workhorse Watcher) when was the last time that happened?!?! Cameron Smith was Cameron Smith and proved why he is still a Round 1 draft pick and controlled the game across the 80 minutes. Interestingly Jahrome Hughes showed some beautiful touches which may mean Suliasi Vunivalu and Felise Kaufusi could have more relevance this year. Oh by the way Ryan Papenhuyzen can run and loves to eat those metres, he is an exciting player.
Dragons vs Tigers
What’s old is new again!
Elijah Taylor in #13, Matt Eisenhuth on the extended bench and Madge Maguire chuckling in the stands. As much as I don’t want to say it I think you need to listen to NRLCEO HQ Podcast advice and dump the Huth…
While you are playing with your squad and creating vacancies pick up Benji Marshall who was amazing! He must have been watching the NRL season opening ad and channeling his grand final year as he was in fine form and with zero kicker points if he is in your spud pool grab him. Quick!
Adam Douiehi didn’t get the fullback role and was quiet with most of the action the other side of the pack. Baby Luciano Leilua showed what he is capable of after a Madge pre-season fitness regime and David Nofoaluma showed that with good ball he still knows how to find the try line.
Billy Walters also played 80 minutes at hooker and whilst you will need to wait for position update he is a good pick up until the Harry Grant swap deal is approved. Also note that Paul Momirovski is on the bench this week which may impact his minutes if Madge feels the need to get him into the game.
For the Dragons, Paul Vaughan was solid as always, Blake Lawrie looks the goods and whilst Tariq Sims was fun to watch if he keeps that up he will be watching from the sideline more often than not. It has been confirmed The Red V does not make Trent Merrin CEO relevant and he was well and truly continued his Panthers form with only 32 minutes of game time even with an early injury leaving Dragons down to a three person bench.
I hope everyone enjoys this weekend of football, as the saying goes treat it like it may be your last.
Robert Sim
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