Workhorse Watch Round 19

Workhorse Watch 2023 – I am Sam Verrills!

Round 19 saw the Bulldogs bounce back with a win after conceding 66 the previous week, albeit against a depleted Bunnies team. The Dolphins also got a much needed win after losing their previous 4 matches to remain in the finals hunt. In Round 19, 47 players scores a WH with 1 player scoring a DWH.

WORKING HARD

Sam Verrills (Titans)

59 tackles, 7 runs for 86m in 82 minutes – DWH (0.80 stats per minute)

In his 5th game back after a long injury layoff, Verrills scored his first ever DWH. His tackle count will always be high, its his metres run that may prevent him scoring more DWH’s in the future. The way the Titans like to attack their footy, this could be a good home for Verrills to unlock his running game and elevate his CEO status.

Chris Randall (Titans)

56 tackles, 10 runs for 119m in 77 minutes – WH (0.86 spm)

The smallest player to ever start at Prop in an NRL match, produced a quality effort. If he started at Hooker he would have a DWH with these stats but alas he started at Front Row so he was 31 running metres short.

Jaiman Jolliffe (Titans)

49 tackles, 13 runs for 110m in 59 minutes – WH (1.05 spm)

In a Titans pack missing Tino, Mo Fotuaika and Fifita, its no wonder this is our 3rd Titan to feature in Working Hard. Jolliffe has the potential to be a starting NRL Prop and he would then become a regular CEO WH scorer.

Ray Stone (Dolphins)

48 tackles, 13 runs for 112m in 67 minutes – WH (0.91 spm)

One of the most whole hearted players in the NRL, Stone is the type of player that every NRL clubs needs at least one of. Got his chance to start with the season ending injury to Tom Gilbert and he has scored 5 WH’s from his 7 matches in that time.

HARDLY WORKING

Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins) 

26 tackles, 11 runs for 78m in 85 minutes (0.44 spm)

Was the hype too much for Lemuelu to handle? His WH scoring has fallen away with only 1 in his last 5 matches with 2 of those matches being a start in the Back Row. Perhaps his fitness is a concern given his increased workload in 2023? He has been dropped from quite a few squads in recent weeks but I still believe he has huge long term potential in the coming seasons.

Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers)

27 tackles, 9 runs for 67m in 74 minutes (0.49 spm)

This is just putrid from CEOs premium back rower of the past few seasons. He had managed a WH in his 4 matches prior to last week but that is mostly due to a high tackle count. There is basically no attacking stats to speak of this year in his first season at the Tigers. There is a weapon just sitting there in the Tigers forward pack, who can find a way to unleash it?

Andrew Davey (Eels)

31 tackles, 4 runs for 26m in 56 minutes (0.63 spm)

Here is a player who can look the part of a WH back rower without actually scoring a WH. He is solid in defence, runs a decent line, he just cant seem to get his work rate up to the level needed for the 40 involvements. A late bloomer to the NRL (now aged 31 yrs), it is highly unlikely that he becomes CEO relevant with the time he has left in his career.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Harrison Graham (Dolphins)

40 tackles, 5 runs for 72m in 56 minutes – WH (0.80 spm)

We are probably looking at the Dolphins future starting Hooker. He was on pace for a DWH if played the 80 mins, but at his young age Bennett has chosen to take some pressure off him by giving him a spell. With Marshall-King playing on through a season ending injury, we could see Graham starting for most of the remaining games this season, so he is worth adding to your squad if you need a back-up Hooker or bench WH.

Billy Burns (Dragons)

38 tackles, 13 runs for 139m in 80 minutes – WH (0.64 spm)

I have like what I have seen from Burns in his limited opportunities over the last few seasons. With some injuries in the Dragons forwards there could be a starting spot up for grabs and with performances like this one (WH and ME), Burns could be a decent option to boost your Back Row. Needs to be a starter to be relevant.

Jackson Topine (Bulldogs)

43 tackles, 7 runs for 53m in 80 minutes – WH (0.63 spm)

Topine definitely has the work rate needed to be a WH scorer, he just needs a starting spot. He gets another start in the back Row this week, however with Viliame Kikau set to return in the coming weeks, his stay in the NRL could be short lived.

Klese Haas (Titans)

45 tackles, 5 runs for 34m in 85 minutes – WH (0.59 spm)

He is only young but he comes with some pedigree. The younger brother of Payne scored his first ever CEO WH. Joe Stimson is out injured this week and Klese gets the start in the back row. If he plays well, its possible he moves into the starting side with Stimson moving back to the bench. Either way he is a player of the future and one I would be looking at in Contract/Keeper leagues.

WORTH MENTIONING….

Ben Lovett (Rabbitohs)

32 tackles, 9 runs for 69m in 80 minutes – WH (0.51 spm)

In just his 2nd NRL match, this highly rated youngster scored his first WH in his first start in the Back Row. Could be one to watch over the coming seasons.

Mitch Barnett (Warriors)

27 tackles, 18 runs for 173m in 64 minutes – WH (0.70 spm)

Mammoth performance from a player who could really benefit from getting rid of the ugly side of his game. He spends far too long on the sidelines through suspension, especially when he puts up stats like last weekend (2 Tries, 3 x LB, 1 x WH, 1 x ME). He is also now a triple position player and can play anywhere in the forward pack except Hooker.

Max King (Bulldogs)

42 tackles, 10 runs for 103m in 63 minutes – WH (0.83 spm)

It seems Max King has awoken from his slumber, yeah ok he was playing through injury pain. His numbers and minutes are back up to early season levels which is good for King owners.

WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK (most involvements by eligible position)

8. Jaiman Jolliffe (Titans) – 62

9. Sam Verrills (Titans) – 66

10. Jack De Belin (Dragons) – 61

11. John Bateman (Tigers) – 59

12. Elliott Whitehead (Raiders) – 54

13. Ray Stone (Dolphins) – 61

 

 

WH – Workhorse

DWH – Double Workhorse

ME – Metre Eater

DME – Double Metre Eater

SPM – Stats per minute played