Workhorse Watch Round 14
Workhorse Watch 2023 – Romancing the Stone!
Round 14 was action packed with 2 games decided by a field goal, including a crazy last 15 minutes in Campbelltown with the Raiders having to win the match twice. Lots of injuries to key players as well which will have significant impact on CEOs. There were 56 players who scored a WH in Round 14, with no DWH’s this week.
WORKING HARD
Ray Stone (Dolphins)
54 tackles, 7 runs for 48m in 68 minutes – WH (0.90 stats per minute)
Ray Stone is the poor man’s Tom Gilbert. Wayne Bennett described him as the type of player every club needs to have. For CEO scoring he is now super relevant with Gilbert out for the season, with Stone likely to take the Lock role for the Dolphins for the rest of the year. He can also play a bit of hooker, he will tackle his way to a WH in very quick time.
John Bateman (Tigers)
48 tackles, 12 runs for 105m in 80 minutes – WH (0.75 spm)
I feel like Bateman has settled in at the Tigers and re-discovered his inner mongrel. It was no surprise to see that return in a matchup against his former club the Raiders. He is a weekly WH now, having scored a WH in 8 of his 9 matches this year. He has scored tries in each of his last matches and I think he will cross the line for a few more before the season is done.
Kenny Bromwich (Dolphins)
47 tackles, 12 runs for 85m in 80 minutes – WH (0.74 spm)
After a few weeks at Front Row where he failed to score a WH, he starts back on an edge where he is certainly more comfortable and effective. A perfect scenario for CEO’s with Kenny earning dual FR/BR status.
Jacob Preston (Bulldogs)
46 tackles, 10 runs for 77m in 80 minutes – WH (0.70 spm)
#Prestonmania just rolls along. Super impressive rookie season by Preston who now has 11 WH’s and 5 tries in 13 matches this season. This kid will be a future NSW and Australia representative.
HARDLY WORKING
Tui Kamikamica (Storm)
28 tackles, 10 runs for 103m in 50 minutes (0.76 spm)
He is coming off 2 consecutive WH’s but I believe he is not as effective as he has been in previous years. Four WH’s in his 8 matches which is not a good enough strike rate to be a CEO starter. I think he has the potential to lift his game but I am not convinced he could be a regular WH scorer.
Jesse Bromwich (Dolphins)
27 tackles, 8 runs for 52m in 46 minutes (0.76 spm)
A sporadic CEO performer at best, Jesse has equalled his 2022 WH tally of 5 this season. You cannot rely on him week to week to be your starter but i would be happy to have him as a bye cover back up. The captaincy has certainly seen his minutes increase and along with that his involvements.
Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
22 tackles, 12 runs for 118m in 80 minutes (0.43 spm)
A rather lazy night at the office for Keaon, which is surprising given he is on the cusp of Origin selection. The match against the Titans was very stop-start and was high scoring, but that is no excuse for a player of Keaon’s ability. He is one of the top 3 back rowers in CEO and will be for a few years to come.
SPUD POOL LOOKOUT
Jake Turpin (Roosters)
54 tackles, 2 runs for 10m in 62 minutes – WH (0.90 spm)
Time to get on the Turps, well for a few weeks at least. With Brandon Smith out injured, Turpin gives you exactly what we would expect, lots of tackles and no running game. He will get you a WH if he plays 45 min or more each week while he starts.
Kurt Capewell (Broncos)
42 tackles, 10 runs for 85m in 62 minutes – WH (0.84 spm)
Kurt is just making me look like an ass. Six consecutive WH’s now and his average metres have increased as well. I don’t know what has changed for him but he is certainly playing better footy right now and that is translating into decent CEO scoring. He is worthy of a starting back row spot in your squad (there it is I said it)
Francis Molo (Dragons)
36 tackles, 14 runs for 122m in 59 minutes – WH (0.85 spm)
Francis has scored a WH in his last 3 matches and now has 5 for the season (he scored 2 overall in 2022). I have always felt he has had the potential to be a quality front rower and at 28 years of age he is entering his prime. This could be the beginning of a decent few seasons with a lack of depth at the Dragons giving him good job security. He is only contracted until the end of 2024 so be mindful if you are in a keeper/contract league.
Jayden Okunbor (Bulldogs)
36 tackles, 7 runs for 76m in 80 minutes – WH (0.54 spm)
Who said wingers cant become edge back rowers. While not being super impressive, I think Okunbor held is own on his starting debut at back row. He played the full 80 and scored a WH so you would think he will only improve his work rate as he gets used to the weekly grind. He will earn back row position after this round if he stays there for kick off and he is well worth a look if you are short on back rowers. Also coming from being a winger he will know how to find the line often enough, like he did scoring the match winning try against the Titans 2 weeks ago.
WORTH MENTIONING….
Marata Niukore (Warriors)
33 tackles, 14 runs for 173m in 80 minutes – WH (0.87 spm)
Huge performance from Niukore last week. This is the kind of performance that I was hoping for when I drafted him late in almost all of my drafts this year. He has scored a WH in 6 of 11 matches so he is not a consistent workhorse as yet, but he his also in a pack of forwards that all have high work rates. I would hold him if you have him, or try and trade him for a more consistent performer if you can.
Tevita Pangai Junior (Bulldogs)
25 tackles, 21 runs for 187m in 51 minutes – WH (0.90 spm)
After being challenged by Gus Gould to lift his game or find a new club, its safe to say that Tevita chose the former. his last 2 weeks have been enormous and if he can maintain something even close to that, he will have significant CEO value. He is also a dual position FR/BR which gives you some flexibility as well. Of course there is always the risk of the odd sin bin or suspension.
Max King (Bulldogs)
28 tackles, 10 runs for 81m in 38 minutes – WH (1.00 spm)
While his front row partner has lifted their work rate and minutes, conversely King has seen his both drop. King is still feeling the effects of a rib cartilage injury that occurred earlier in the season and given the injuries to the Dogs forward pack, they simply need him on the field. King is a hold for me at the moment but keep an eye on his minutes, if they don’t improve then you may have to make the tough call.
WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK (most involvements by eligible position)
8. Joseph Tapine (Raiders) – 60
9. Mitchell Kenny (Panthers) – 56
10. Tohu Harris (Warriors) – 52
11. John Bateman (Tigers) – 60
12. Kenny Bromwich (Dolphins) – 59
13. Ray Stone (Dolphins) – 61
Adz
NRLCEO Commish
WH – Workhorse
DWH – Double Workhorse
ME – Metre Eater
DME – Double Metre Eater
SPM – Stats per minute played
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