Workhorse Watch Round 20

Workhorse Watch 2023 – Johnny English!

Round 20 we saw a new title contender emerge in the Warriors. The Broncos seem to be avoiding their late season fade from last season. The Eels controversially pipped the Titans in the last match of the round. In Round 20, 49 players scores a WH with 1 player scoring a DWH.

WORKING HARD

John Bateman (Tigers)

49 tackles, 15 runs for 152m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.80 stats per minute)

Interestingly it is Bateman’s first ever DWH. He is obviously a tackling machine but he struggles to get the metres requirement for a DWH. After a short stint at lock he is back on an edge doing his thing. How long will he put up with the Tigers losing form?

Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

52 tackles, 11 runs for 86m in 80 minutes – WH (0.79 spm)

After some time out with injury, Jurbo returned for Origin III and then backed up for Manly and he did not miss a beat. Another player who struggles to get the metres required for a DWH which is a shame because he consistently hits the 60 involvements. Imagine how valuable he would be if he just ran the ball more.

Briton Nikora (Sharks)

46 tackles, 11 runs for 82m in 80 minutes – WH (0.71 spm)

Nikora is the premium back rower in NRLCEO. He scores a WH each week as well as totalling 8 tries and 15 linebreaks for the season so far. He should be the first back rower chosen in any CEO draft.

Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)

32 tackles, 18 runs for 160m in 68 minutes – WH (0.74 spm)

Barnett is in top form right now with 5 consecutive WH’s since his return from injury as well as ME’s in his last 2 matches. The Warriors forward pack is currently the strongest in the comp for mine.

HARDLY WORKING

Toby Rudolf (Sharks) 

25 tackles, 7 runs for 91m in 44 minutes (0.73 spm)

Rudolf was very strong to start 2023 before a long term toe injury forced him to miss 10 matches. In his 2 games back he has not managed a WH which is a concern for owners. His minutes and work rate should increase each week as he gets his match fitness back, but can you afford to be patient with him as CEO finals start over the next few weeks.

Brendan Piakura (Broncos)

20 tackles, 11 runs for 116m in 80 minutes (0.39 spm)

Piakura is only young but his work rate has not impressed in his first few starts. He has not scored a WH yet although he has scored 2 tries. CEO’s expect more from a starting edge back rower and unless he starts to show us that he will be spending lots of time in the spud pool.

Tevita Pangai Junior (Bulldogs)

17 tackles, 13 runs for 99m in 35 minutes (0.63 spm)

Drop him, sack him, get him out of your squad. The Bulldogs have been crying out for someone to lead their pack and despite a couple of promising weeks, TPJ has been a huge disappointment. he continues to make costly errors and refuses to knuckle down and do the simple things well.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Jesse Colquhoun (Sharks)

16 tackles, 7 runs for 54m in 31 minutes – (0.74 spm)

We have only seen glimpses of him in the NRL so far, but he gets the start, replacing Teig Wilton who is out for the season. Colquhoun has strong recent WH form in NSW CUP, high work rate and plenty of running metres, so he is worth the gamble if you are looking for a back rower.

Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins)

37 tackles, 14 runs for 114m in 80 minutes – WH (0.64 spm)

Only his 5th WH of the season and his first since Round 10. I don’t think Kaufusi will ever get back to his 2017 form, but if he could at least jag a WH most weeks he might become CEO relevant again. Keep an eye on his form.

Corey Waddell (Bulldogs)

37 tackles, 11 runs for 107m in 59 minutes – WH (0.81 spm)

It looked like we had seen the last of Waddell for 2023 when he lost his spot a few weeks ago. Even with the return of Kikau this week it seems as though Ciraldo has settled on Waddell at 13. As long as he is starting he will get a WH for you.

Erin Clark (Titans)

24 tackles, 6 runs for 55m in 85 minutes – (0.59 spm)

Clark played a few games at lock at the back end of 2022 and he really looked the part. You could gamble on him before his first match starting at lock again or you can wait and see what his first week produces. For those who are without a top line hooker, Clark could be a left field option with Hooker his only CEO position.

WORTH MENTIONING….

Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)

28 tackles, 20 runs for 184m in 65 minutes – WH (0.74 spm)

Is there a front rower in better form than AFB? He is now averaging a WH and ME every week, he also has 6 tries to his name this season.

Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)

34 tackles, 16 runs for 170m in 80 minutes – WH (0.63 spm)

I get the feeling that Haumole could explode into a CEO gun in the next couple of seasons. He continues to show glimpses of what he is capable of and I think the his captain DCE needs to take it upon himself to get him more ball in good positions. He has scored 8 WH’s now in 2023 which is not good enough for a starting back rower. He reminds me a lot of David Fifita, lets hope he can grow into a weekly WH performer.

Griffin Neame (Cowboys)

20 tackles, 9 runs for 92m in 40 minutes – WH (0.73 spm)

I am surprised that Todd Payten has not started Neame up front yet. I think he is more than capable of playing in the middle, he is a big body and makes his tackles. I predict he will be a starting front rower for the Cowboys in 2024. He is worth a long term punt for Keeper/Contract leagues.

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

8. Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans) – 50

9. Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles) – 60

10. Mitchell Barnett (Warriors) – 50

11. John Bateman (Tigers) – 64

12. Briton Nikora (Sharks) – 57

13. Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) – 63

WH – Workhorse

DWH – Double Workhorse

ME – Metre Eater

DME – Double Metre Eater

SPM – Stats per minute played