Workhorse Watch Round 5

2024 NRLCEO Workhorse Watch Round 5 – Mr Smithies goes to Canberra!

Morgan Smithies salutes for his first DWH of his NRLCEO career and I dare say it won’t be his last. It appears there are a few WH pretenders in the Sea Eagles forward pack. A former NRLCEO gun makes his comeback to the starting side and the Knights look to have a future gun in the making.

In Round 5 there were 59 players who scored a WH with just one player scoring a DWH.

WORKING HARD

Morgan Smithies (Raiders)

43 tackles, 18 runs for 151m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.76 stats per minute)

Smithies has hit the ground running in the NRL and in NRLCEO, scoring a WH in every match this season. He has surely got a lock on the 13 jumper at the Raiders after his brilliant start to 2024. His running metres were a concern before a ball was kicked as he was known as a tackling machine and not a ball runner as such, however he is averaging 102 metres a game which is encouraging.

Josh Curran (Bulldogs)

48 tackles, 12 runs for 105m in 66 minutes – WH (0.91 spm)

No start, No worries! Despite coming off the bench most weeks this season, Curran has scored a WH in every game. His average running metres are up almost 50 metres a game, which gives him a chance at a ME, especially if he is coming off the bench and only needs to run 125m. With Jacob Preston out, and a number of other injury concerns in the Dogs forward pack, I expect Curran’s numbers to be above average for the next 4-5 weeks

Dylan Lucas (Knights)

47 tackles, 13 runs for 115m in 80 minutes – WH (0.75 spm)

There is a lot to like about Dylan Lucas. He looks very solid in defence and is a strong ball runner, all the attributes of a good back rower. Tyson Frizell looks like being out for about a month and Lucas is the big winner. He was originally set to start ahead of Kai Pearce-Paul but a failed HIA led to KPP getting his chance and he has been great for the Knights. I think Lucas is set for a long NRLCEO career so get on him for the long term if you can.

Joey Lussick (Eels)

57 tackles, 1 runs for 9m in 80 minutes – WH (0.73 spm)

It seems as though Brad Arthur has decided on his Hooker for 2024 and its Joey Lussick. With the Eels struggling without Moses, there is every chance that Hands gets another chance to spark their attack from dummy half. Lussick is a great defender but he lacks creativity out of dummy half and it may cost him his spot in the future. For the moment Lussick is a good CEO starter but I would have a back up available if you can.

HARDLY WORKING

Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys) 

30 tackles, 6 runs for 58m in 80 minutes (0.45 spm)

The Cowboys have had a blistering start to 2024 but Nanai has been below his best. With Heilum Luki suffering a long term injury, I thought Nanai would step up and get involved more, alas he has not been able to get back to his 2022 form. I think Dearden is the key to getting Nanai more involved, they could form a lethal edge combination. For now if you have Nanai I would be naming him on your bench as he not producing enough to be a started but he still adds value to a squad.

Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles)

28 tackles, 7 runs for 102m in 49 minutes (0.71 spm)

It has been a hot and cold start for Paseka with only 2 WH’s from his 5 matches. I expected him to be at his best against the Panthers but he looked to be carrying a leg injury which has impacted his performance. At 26 yrs of age he is coming into his prime as a Front Rower, but he needs to consistently score a WH to remain a CEO starter. I think he will score a WH more often than not so hold on to him at this stage.

Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles)

27 tackles, 5 runs for 20m in 51 minutes (0.63 spm)

Croker is a cut for mine. He has not managed to score a WH so far this season and if not for his 2 tries, he would have next to nothing to show for his efforts. It’s pretty clear that he is not an 80 minute hooker and I can’t see that changing anytime soon. Almost any other Hooker available in the spud pool would be better than Croker at the moment.

Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

20 tackles, 11 runs for 96m in 80 minutes (0.39 spm)

I am shocked that Burbo has not developed into a solid CEO performer. It appears as though he is fools gold after his round 1 performance. I think a lot of CEOs are holding on to him, hoping that he can come good and be a regular WH scorer. Perhaps he is just getting used to being an 80 minute player and he will get better with his match fitness? I would be cutting or trading him at the moment as he doesn’t look like a worker to me.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Angus Crichton (Roosters)

31 tackles, 17 runs for 141m in 80 minutes – WH (0.60 spm)

Crichton is back as a starter at the Roosters and his numbers were good, but the best part was he played the full 80 minutes, although the Roosters were down on troops. A WH and a ME was a solid first outing and if he can keep the starting spot we may just see more of the Crichton from 2022. Hold on to him for dear life as he could have a high ceiling.

Mark Nicholls (Dolphins)

29 tackles, 16 runs for 117m in 49 minutes – WH (0.92 spm)

Mark Nicholls looks et to benefit from a few injuries at the Dolphins. Flegler and Kaufusi look set to be sidelined for a few weeks and Nicholls will be there to pick up the slack. It was only his 2nd WH for 2024 against the Tigers but his minutes look set to increase and he has a great spm of (0.92) so he only needs 45-50 min to score a WH. If he gets a start he is also a strong chance at a ME.

Fonua Pole (Tigers)

29 tackles, 16 runs for 145m in 67 minutes – WH (0.67 spm)

A mixed start to 2024 with 2 WH’s from 4 matches. He is averaging 41 involvements and 130 metres run so far which is very encouraging. There is not a lot of depth in the Tigers forwards so Pole could be a decent squad addition and bye cover.

Samuel Hughes (Bulldogs)

24 tackles, 12 runs for 113m in 44 minutes – (0.82 spm)

An injury to Max King could open the door for Hughes to start for a few weeks and we know this kid is a worker. The Dogs are light on middle forwards so Hughes is pretty much the only option to replace King and his workload. The Bulldogs are taking it slow with his development but I think he will do enough to get A WH for the next few weeks. Certainly worth taking a punt on.

WORTH MENTIONING….

Jacob Host (Rabbitohs)

37 tackles, 7 runs for 62m in 80 minutes – WH (0.55 spm)

A WH in back to back matches is promising but I am not convinced that Host can become a regular WH scorer. There is so much uncertainty surrounding the Rabbitohs and the only thing for sure is there will be changes coming. He has a poor spm of (0.55) so he will always be right around the 35-40 involvements and only when he plays the 80 minutes. Only sign him if you are desperate.

David Fifita (Titans)

35 tackles, 18 runs for 154m in 80 minutes – (0.66 spm)

Seriously, if David Fifita played hard for the 80 minutes he would be the best forward in the NRL, possibly in NRLCEO as well. The fact that he has gone so close to scoring a DWH is confirmation that Fatfita is dead and buried. He looks to be a guaranteed WH now and he will always feature in the Titans attacking stats, even more so now given that Tino is out and the Titans need him to step up. He should be considered for captain most weeks in your CEO team.

Jayden Brailey (Knights)

37 tackles, 3 runs for 12m in 60 minutes – WH (0.67 spm)

Jayden Brailey is back! CEO’s will be hoping that he can stay injury free this year as he was a great ‘late round’ draft pick. He will be the starting hooker now and will move closer to 80 minutes each week.

Luciano Leilua (Dragons)

30 tackles, 14 runs for 172m in 80 minutes – WH (0.55 spm)

I like what I am seeing from Leilua, he looks to be getting better each week. The Dragons have a potentially lethal back row combination in Leilua and Su’a, both great ball runners and solid in defence. If he is still available in your spud pool then grab him.

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

8. Jack De Belin (1) (Dragons) – 57

9. Joey Lussick (1) (Eels) – 58

10. Francis Molo (1) (Dragons) – 57

11. Dylan Lucas (1) (Knights) – 60

12. Jackson Ford (2) (Warriors) – 54

13. Morgan Smithies (2) (Raiders) – 61

(1) – number of times featured in the Workhorse Pack of the Week

WH – Workhorse

DWH – Double Workhorse

ME – Metre Eater

DME – Double Metre Eater

SPM – Stats per minute played