Workhorse Watch Round 23

Workhorse Watch 2023 – Who Framed Cameron Murray!

Although the Rabbitohs are sliding down a hole, Murray is doing everything he can to lift them into the finals. The Sharks found some confidence and got back in the water. The Roosters are still alive, but just barely, while the Knights made it 5 in a row in Perth and look like being a finals combatant. There were 69 players who scored a WH in Round 23 with three players earning a DWH. Good luck to all CEOs in their finals!

WORKING HARD

Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)

50 tackles, 16 runs for 152m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.83 stats per minute)

Murray found his running game against the Sharks and notched only his 3rd career DWH. Its no surprise that he is playing the full 80 minutes at the moment, with the Rabbitohs in the midst of a forwards injury crisis.

Payne Haas (Broncos)

43 tackles, 19 runs for 204m in 66 minutes – DWH (0.94 spm)

Haas is just a beast! It is no surprise that he is usually taken in the first round of CEO drafts. It is worth noting that he is currently in negotiations for a significant contract upgrade, however his management have signalled their intention to test his value on the open market from November 1st. If he does sign with another NRL club his performances may well be affected next season in his last year at the Broncos.

Bryce Cartwright (Eels)

41 tackles, 19 runs for 156m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.75 spm)

Has their been another player this season who has resurrected their career more than Cartwright? Since the 2016 NRL season when he scored 135 CEO points, he has averaged a mere 24 CEO points in the six seasons that followed. He is back with a bang in 2023 filling a hole on the Eels edge and he had a day out last week with a DWH, 2 tries, 1 LB and a ME. At 29 years of age he may have a couple of good seasons in him if he can maintain his form and starting spot.

Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)

58 tackles, 8 runs for 71m in 80 minutes – WH (0.83 spm)

Despite a strong performance on the weekend, are we starting to see the decline of Captain Cook? The 3 time NRLCEO MVP’s numbers have dropped in 2023 and at 32 years of age I think his best is now behind him. He is contracted until the end of the 2025 season and he will still be amongst the better scoring hookers, but I think he no longer commands a first round draft pick.

HARDLY WORKING

Briton Nikora (Sharks) 

27 tackles, 12 runs for 86m in 80 minutes (0.49 spm)

He only missed a WH by one involvement but that is now 3 matches in a row without a WH. Perhaps he is carrying an injury, although he is still playing the full 80 minutes. The Sharks seemed to pull themselves out of their funk against the Rabbitohs so this could be the start of Nikora’s revival as well. I know for a fact that his missed WH cost a couple of CEO’s their finals match last week.

Toby Rudolf (Sharks)

22 tackles, 16 runs for 133m in 51 minutes (0.75 spm)

Rudolf is getting closer to that elusive WH since his return from a long injury layoff. Five matches in a row without a WH and he needs to produce now or he will drop into draft oblivion next season.

Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)

26 tackles, 12 runs for 132m in 80 minutes (0.48 spm)

I have seen Lemuelu being dropped around some of the CEO leagues. I am still a believer in his ability to become a strong scoring edge backrower. I think he is a great option for a late round draft pick up, for those in keeper/contract leagues I would still be locking him up for a few years. In all honesty it looks like he is taking some time to adjusting to being a regular 80 min forward but when he does he could be a gun.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Dan Russell (Dragons)

42 tackles, 7 runs for 40m in 80 minutes – WH (0.61 spm)

Three consecutive WH’s for Russell and his job security is locked in for the rest of the season. So far he has shown little in his running or attacking game and is more of a defender. He is one player to look out for in 2023 with the Dragons entering a new coaching era.

Siua Wong (Roosters)

52 tackles, 9 runs for 70m in 80 minutes – WH (0.76 spm)

What a performance in his debut starting match, scoring a WH and a try. He seemed to handle the 80 minutes quite easily which is a good sign for 2023. If you need a replacement back-rower for the finals he looks a great option with Egan Butcher being rested due to multiple concussions.

Michael Molo (Dragons)

38 tackles, 11 runs for 100m in 53 minutes – WH (0.92 spm)

Without De Belin or his brother Francis, Michael Molo gets his chance to shine. There has been quite a few injuries to regular WH forwards around the league so Molo is a great option at Front Row. With an spm last week of 0.92, he won’t need a huge amount of minutes to get a WH.

Joey Lussick (Eels)

56 tackles, 5 runs for 42m in 80 minutes – WH (0.76 spm)

Clearly coach Brad Arthur either wasn’t happy with Brendan Hands or thought he needed a rest. Lussick has been a tackling machine in his 2 matches since resigning with Parra and he looks like being the starting hooker for the rest of their season.

 

WORTH MENTIONING….

Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)

20 tackles, 13 runs for 130m in 54 minutes – (0.61 spm)

Lots of interest around Taumalolo falling off the CEO map to the point where he does not even get drafted at the start of the year. There is obviously a plan from the Cowboys to avoid burning him out so they can protect their 10 year investment. Taumalolo is signed until the end of 2027 and whilst he has been solid in a lot of their matches, you don’t really ever walk away from a Cowboys game thinking that he made a difference to the result. I think he is a Front Rower moving forward and at some point the Cowboys are going to have to let him off the leash.

Tallis Duncan (Rabbitohs)

26 tackles, 10 runs for 122m in 36 minutes – (0.92 spm)

The more I see of Duncan the more I get excited. He is a potential long term back row option for the Bunnies, however it seems that Rugby Australia have taken a liking to hi as well. He is currently a development player and is contracted for next year only at the Rabbitohs. He has a great build for a hard running edge back rower and could develop into a CEO gun if he stays in the NRL.

Wayde Egan (Warriors)

34 tackles, 6 runs for 79m in 80 minutes – WH (0.50 spm)

Amongst a host of good stories coming out of the Warriors, Wayde Egan is having a career best CEO scoring season. His form in the NRL has been as good this season as the best hookers in the league and is one of the reasons the Warriors are in the top 4.

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

8. Payne Haas (Broncos) – 62

9. Harry Grant (Storm) – 67

10. Blake Lawrie (Dragons) – 59

11. Bryce Cartwright (Eels) – 60

12. Ryan Matterson (Eels) – 65

13. Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs) – 66

WH – Workhorse

DWH – Double Workhorse

ME – Metre Eater

DME – Double Metre Eater

SPM – Stats per minute played