Workhorse Watch Round 6
Workhorse Watch is back for 2023!
CEO’s don’t win premierships without a hard working forward pack. Each week we will highlight the players that are must have’s in your pack, whilst also help identify the players to be on the lookout for. There were 60 players who scored a WH in Round 6, with no DWH’s this week.
WORKING HARD
Payne Haas (Broncos)
33 tackles, 23 runs for 210m in 58 minutes – WH (0.97 spm)
A supreme performance from Haas despite the Broncos dropping their first game of the year. Four involvements short of a DWH but managed a DME to go with his WH. There was some concern over his potential form this season with some off season family issues but he is the premium prop in NRLCEO.
Joshua Curran (Warriors)
57 tackles, 10 runs for 90m in 80 minutes – WH (0.84 stats per minute)
A huge defensive effort from a player who seems to have fallen out of favour at the Warriors. I think the new coach wants to see Curran develop his game and become more reliable in attack and defence. If he is a starting back rower he is a guaranteed WH and he is also a bit of a try sneak.
Nat Butcher (Roosters)
52 tackles, 7 runs for 47m in 80 minutes – WH (0.74 spm)
Are the Butcher boys destine for the pine? With Crichton and Tupouniua due back over the next few weeks, it could force both Nat and Egan to the bench which would see their value drop considerably. Nat Butcher is another tackling machine who is not suited to running in attack.
Ryan Matterson (Eels)
43 tackles, 15 runs for 143m in 73 minutes – WH (0.79 spm)
Matterson is probably into top gear now just a few weeks into his season. A premium back row/lock in NRLCEO with a regular WH and quite a few ME’s over the course of the season.
HARDLY WORKING
Shaun Lane (Eels)
24 tackles, 13 runs for 109m in 80 minutes (0.46 spm)
His first match for the year after coming back from a broken jaw so we won’t go too hard on him. He was clearly easing his way into it and was not up to his usual standard of involvements although he did crack 100m at least.
Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles)
34 tackles, 2 runs for 17m in 80 minutes (0.45 spm)
Croker’s form has really dropped off this year with only one WH in 2023. I don’t think it will be too long before we see a change and perhaps the highly rated Gordon Tong get his chance at hooker for Manly. Croker has offered almost nothing in attack and I feel Tong will give Manly an attacking weapon at dummy half.
Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles)
26 tackles, 8 runs for 70m in 69 minutes (0.51 spm)
After a strong effort last week, scoring his first WH for the year and grabbing a try, Tuilagi looked like he might have settled at Manly. He went missing on the weekend against the Premiers when he really had every reason to stand up. I don’t think he will stay in NRL at this rate.
SPUD POOL LOOKOUT
Toby Couchman (Dragons)
32 tackles, 9 runs for 81m in 51 minutes – WH (0.80 spm)
Four games into his NRL career and he notches his first WH. The Dragons seem to have a settled back row but Hook sees something in this kid and is giving him the minutes to prove himself. Worth keeping an eye on over the next few weeks.
Tom Ale (Warriors)
31 tackles, 15 runs for 168m in 46 minutes – WH (1.00 spm)
What a performance from a relatively unknown player. His first ever WH and he throws in a ME for good measure. Watch his minutes as I feel he will be a bench warmer for most of the season but if he gets a start due to injuries then he is worth a look.
Corey Waddell (Bulldogs)
38 tackles, 13 runs for 90m in 80 minutes – WH (0.64 spm)
If you have not heard the news about Kikau then you have probably already missed the boat. You would think Waddell would get the nod in the back row which means he is a likely guaranteed WH for the next 8-10 weeks. He is a player that doesn’t stop trying.
WORTH MENTIONING….
Jackson Ford (Warriors)
37 tackles, 13 runs for 134m in 80 minutes – WH (0.63 spm)
For those CEO’s that held firm and kept him the week he was out with concussion, I tip my hat to you. Hard not to be impressed by Ford, three consecutive WH’s and averaging almost 100m a match. Webster certainly likes him so he has great job security and is keeping Curran out of the starting side.
Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles)
32 tackles, 13 runs for 108m in 50 minutes (0.90 spm)
Three consecutive WH’s for Aloiai and an impressive work rate last week. He will likely now be taken in most comps, especially due to his dual Front Row/Lock status which makes him quite valuable for bye cover. Can he maintain this each week though?
Bryce Cartwright (Eels)
40 tackles, 9 runs for 66m in 80 minutes – WH (0.61 spm)
Brad Arthur seems to be impressed with Cartwright over the start of the season which saw Hopgood relegated to the bench. I think Parramatta’s best looking back row is Lane-Matterson-Hopgood with Cartwright off the bench. As long as he keeps the start he will get you a WH each week.
WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK (most involvements by eligible position)
8. Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) – 57
9. Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs) – 55
10. Payne Haas (Knights) – 56
11. Joshua Curran (Warriors) – 67
12. Nat Butcher (Roosters) – 59
13. Corey Horsburgh (Raiders) – 54
Adz
NRLCEO Commish
NRLCEO Live Scoring Team
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