Workhorse Watch – Round 25

Workhorse Watch 2023 – Cook Off!

Damien Cook turned back the clock with a vintage performance in Round 25, a DWH, 1 x Try, 1 x LB, 1 x LBA and a ME. Unfortunately it did not end well for the Bunnies as the Knights charged to their 7th straight win. The Eels bowed out of contention, the Roosters continue to hang on by the smallest of threads and the Cowboys are in the last chance saloon. The Panthers and Broncos continue their fight for the Minor Premiership but will either team choose to rest some of their stars? In Round 25, 64 players scored a WH with only 1 scoring a DWH.

WORKING HARD

Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)

51 tackles, 11 runs for 122m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.78 stats per minute)

It is fair to say the Cook is not the superstar he was a few years agon when he was banging out 200+ point seasons. He showed on the weekend that he is still capable of a DWH, although its his first since Round 22 last season and only his second in the last 2 years. His points are trending down but he still amongst the top 5 scoring hookers in CEO.

Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)

44 tackles, 18 runs for 135m in 74 minutes – DWH (0.84 spm)

Officially 2023 is Fotuaika’s career best CEO year with 2 matches still to come. It will be interesting to see the effect Des Hasler has on both Fotuaika and Tino next season. Will they play similar minutes?

Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)

44 tackles, 15 runs for 118m in 66 minutes – DWH (0.89 spm)

Big Red is also having a career best year after taking the starting lock position. He has 19 x WH’s for the season but only 2 x ME’s. I think he will need to develop his running game over the next few years which would increase his CEO value.

Toby Rudolf (Sharks)

45 tackles, 14 runs for 111m in 52 minutes – WH (1.13 spm)

Rudolf is back baby! It took him 7 weeks to get there after returning from injury, but he was huge against the Cowboys on the weekend. I think Rudolf will go unnoticed in drafts next year given his low output so look to pick him up in the mid to late rounds as a great value pick next season.

HARDLY WORKING

Junior Paulo (Eels) 

24 tackles, 12 runs for 113m in 59 minutes (0.61 spm)

Paulo is not good enough to be a starting prop in NRLCEO. He has only scored 6 x WH’s in 2023 which is only just better than last years 5 x WH’s. I think we will see him move to the bench next year and beyond as an impact player off the bench. I for one would like to see Makahesi Makatoa given a shot at starting as Prop for a long period.

Marata Niukore (Warriors)

27 tackles, 10 runs for 119m in 62 minutes (0.60 spm)

I must say I am a little disappointed in Niukore’s season. I think he had the potential to be a 100+ points scorer this year but suspension and injury has held him back. Most recently he has become the victim of the Warriors forward depth, with coach Webster running with two back rowers on his bench. I still think he has value for next season as a mid to late round draft pick.

Sean Keppie (Sea Eagles)

27 tackles, 9 runs for 79m in 40 minutes (0.90 spm)

Frustrating that Keppie does not see bigger minutes. Equally frustrating is the fact that Keppie has not stepped up in the midst of a small injury crisis in Manly’s forward pack. The opportunity has been there for him to step up and be a leader but perhaps he is not ready.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Euan Aitken (Dolphins)

35 tackles, 14 runs for 128m in 80 minutes – WH (0.61 spm)

I wonder which position Aitken will play in 2024. He looks at home on an edge but I understand the need for Bennett to play him at Centre with most of the Dolphins outside backs being quite inexperienced at NRL level. I have seen Aitken in a few spud pools so keep an eye out where he is named this week.

Jake Simpkin (Tigers)

40 tackles, 8 runs for 84m in 72 minutes – WH (0.67 spm)

The word is that Luke Brooks will not play again this season due to injury which means Simpkin will likely play Hooker in the last 2 matches and play big minutes. He scored a WH and a ME on the weekend which is handy late in the season.

Jarrod Wallace (Dolphins)

32 tackles, 13 runs for 106m in 59 minutes – WH (0.76 spm)

I know he will probably get sin binned after me mentioning him as a potential pick up for Round 26, but he has scored a WH in his last 2 matches. He has seen increased minutes given the Dolphins lack of depth and he is not short on effort when he gets on the field.

 

WORTH MENTIONING….

Alex Twal (Tigers)

43 tackles, 13 runs for 132m in 54 minutes – WH (1.04 spm)

Something worth noting from the weekend was Twal being given the starting Front Row spot ahead of Klemmer in coach Benji’s first full match in charge. If this continues over the last 2 matches then I think its a hint to what will happen next season. At 27 years of age, Twal is entering his prime as a Prop in the NRL and it could be a good time to get him as a value pick in your draft for next season.

Jackson Ford (Warriors)

36 tackles, 10 runs for 81m in 78 minutes – WH (0.59 spm)

What an enormous season from Ford, coming from the clouds to be a guaranteed starter and amongst the top scoring back rowers in NRLCEO. He looked tired on the weekend and I would not be surprised to see him be given a spell during the last 2 rounds, either by playing half a match or being swapped to the bench to give Curran or Sironen a start.

Stefano Utoikamanu (Tigers)

31 tackles, 13 runs for 122m in 48 minutes – WH (0.92 spm)

After a strong start to the season he faded from Rounds 5 to 12. Since then he has scored a WH in 7 out of 9 matches which could mean that he is getting used to the weekly grind of NRL. It will be interesting to see where he is drafted next season, I for one would still be cautious about his potential output.

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

8. Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans) – 62

9. Damien Cook (Rabbitohs) – 62

10. Toby Rudolf (Sharks) – 59

11. Corey Waddell (Bulldogs) – 55

12. Harrison Edwards (Bulldogs) – 54

13. Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs) – 65

WH – Workhorse

DWH – Double Workhorse

ME – Metre Eater

DME – Double Metre Eater

SPM – Stats per minute played