Workhorse Watch Round 6

NRLCEO Workhorse Watch Round 6 – Isaah Yeo does it again but the Panthers still suck in 2025!

• The Dragons finally show some faith in their youth, Egan on the rise!
• Is Radley one knock away from a long spell?
• McIntyre is coming into his prime at the Cowboys!
• Trbojevic, no the other one, no the other other one, is starting to put it together on an edge!
• Is it time to see Liam Henry in a starting jersey at the Panthers?

In Round 6 there were 62 players who scored a WH, with no players scoring a DWH. Match fitness has well and truly set in and we are seeing consistent WH numbers each week!

WORKING HARD

Isaah Yeo (Panthers)

52 tackles, 12 runs for 99m in 77 minutes – WH (0.83 stats per minute)

Its hard to knock the big guy but he is yet to score a ME in 2025. He scored ten ME’s in 2024, although he typically struggles to get the 150m needed. I think that he drops in captain value in public leagues because of his lack of attacking stats and ME’s. I wonder where Yeo would rank amongst the NRLCEO elite WH forwards? He has six seasons of 100+ points with his best scoring season coming last year with 180pts. Yeo is currently signed until the end of 2027, it would be unlikely that he plays on after that in the NRL.

Payne Haas (Broncos)

46 tackles, 17 runs for 145m in 68 minutes – WH (0.93 spm)

Haas has seen increased playing time this season under Madge, perhaps seeing May play nearly 80 minutes every week is inspiring him to try and match it. The Broncos got out muscled against the Roosters last week and that will sting their pack for a while. How many CEO’s were blowing up at Haas finishing 5 metres short of a DWH?

Thomas Cant (Knights)

55 tackles, 8 runs for 58m in 80 minutes – WH (0.79 spm)

NRLCEO is blessed with some up and coming WH guns and Cant is near the top of that list. He didnt have much opportunity in attack on the weekend as the Knights struggled to hold the ball and have any continuity. One thing is for sure, Cant has a big engine and he runs a good line when given the opportunity. For CEO’s in a contract/keeper league, I would be locking him up long term if you can.

Dylan Egan (Dragons)

48 tackles, 13 runs for 103m in 79 minutes – WH (0.77 spm)

Egan is further along in his development than Cant, getting his first start for the Dragons against the Titans, replacing the lazy Luciano Leilua. Egan was outstanding, scoring a WH, TRY, LB and LBA. Since Flanno took over at the Red V, he has resisted with pushing their young stars which has frustrated CEO’s trying to sign a potential gun. Now the Dragons have Toby Couchman and Dylan Egan who look set to be regular WH scorers for many years to come. If you are in a contract/keeper league then Egan is another top target to sign long term.

HARDLY WORKING

Samuela Fainu (Tigers) 

26 tackles, 11 runs for 91m in 80 minutes (0.46 spm)

Fainu burst onto the NRLCEO scene last season, scoring 98 points after gaining a starting spot early in the year. He scored twelve WH’s and scored five Tries in a great debut season. He started with two WH’s in his first two games in 2025 but he only just got the 40 involvements both times. He picked up a knee injury which has hampered his form since, including missing Round 5 altogether. I think he is a hold for the moment, giving him a few weeks to overcome that injury niggle and hopefully continue his development.

Apisai Koroisau (Tigers)

29 tackles, 6 runs for 43m in 57 minutes (0.61 spm)

I spoke about Api a few weeks ago and he scored a WH in round 4 to give CEO’s some hope. Since then he as missed a WH in back to back games, adding to that he is no longer the clubs first choice goal kicker. The Tigers also have Tallyn Da Sylva chomping at the bit on the bench and stealing Api’s minutes. Knowing all of this I think you can safely drop or trade Api and go in another direction.

Kai O’Donnell (Cowboys)

26 tackles, 7 runs for 58m in 48 minutes (0.57 spm)

Those CEO’s that took a chance on Kai after he was named to start in Round 2 would surely have hut the cut button by now. O’Donnell has failed to score a single WH starting as an edge back rower so far in 2025. He doesn’t play the full 80 minutes which hurts him but he also doesn’t show much in attack either. He really should be in every spud pool right now.

Victor Radley (Roosters)

23 tackles, 9 runs for 66m in 39 minutes (0.45 spm)

There was a significant reduction in Radley’s minutes against the Broncos, coming back from his latest concussion spell. This could be disaster for CEO’s who may see his WH output be more erratic over the next few weeks. The Roosters have a lot of young forwards coming through that could take up the slack if Radley is unable to be at his best for long periods. Also if Radley was to take another hit he may have to step away from the game for a longer time for the good of his long term health. I think he is a risky hold so look to trade him out and make it another CEO’s issue.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sea Eagles)

32 tackles, 16 runs for 128m in 46 minutes – WH (1.04 spm)

Taukeiaho is a perfect example of why NRLCEO can be so frustrating, shit one week, awesome the next. He scored his 2nd WH of 2025 but he did it with an spm of 1.04 which is very good. If you picked him up already I would hold him for now as he looks like he can deliver a WH more often than not. If he is in your spud pool he would be a handy pickup for bye or injury cover.

Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

36 tackles, 10 runs for 67m in 73 minutes – WH (0.63 spm)

Is Burbo finally going to deliver? He has scored a WH in his last two matches and is now averaging 41 involvements a game in 2025. He has also scored two ME’s which is a very good sign for a back rower. He seems to have great job security, which is a surprise given the form of Ethan Bullemor, plus but I am not convinced that he can consistently score a WH each week. He is worth a punt if you are short on back rowers.

Liam Henry (Panthers)

36 tackles, 9 runs for 76m in 34 minutes – WH (1.32 spm)

Make no mistake, Liam Henry is a weapon, 45 involvements in just 34 minutes on the weekend after he started 2025 coming back from an off season shoulder injury. He looks to be getting back to full fitness and he could be a player that helps ignite a Panthers run. Don’t be surprised to see him get a start over the next few weeks, even if it is just to spark others into form. Henry is a player you will want to try and lock up long term if you are in a contract/keeper league, he has huge potential whether it be on an edge or in the middle.

Erin Clark (Warriors)

26 tackles, 17 runs for 136m in 42 minutes – WH (1.02 spm)

The Warriors were dealt a blow on the weekend, losing JFH to a potential long term injury. Clark will be one player to benefit from that, likely seeing an increase in minutes in the middle which will almost guarantee him a WH. He has scored three WH’s in a row and he is inching closer to a ME as well, averaging 126 metres a match. I have always liked they way Clark plays the game, an uncompromising player who runs the ball with purpose and can ball play as well.

WORTH MENTIONING…

Samuel McIntyre (Cowboys)

28 tackles, 12 runs for 51m in 65 minutes – WH (0.65 spm)

McIntyre is putting together a decent CEO season, scoring his fourth WH for the year to go with a TRY against the Rabbitohs. He has been a Mr Fixit for the Cows so he has the potential to pick up dual position status as well. I don’t know what Payten sees in Jordan McLean, I would be starting McIntyre and Taumalolo up front. He turned 27 years of age last month so the next few seasons should be his best!

Jackson Ford (Warriors)

30 tackles, 16 runs for 138m in 49 minutes – WH (0.92 spm)

Ford owners have reason to be happy as he will likely benefit from the loss of JFH at the Warriors. I expect Ford to start in the Front Row which would give him dual status and an increase in value. Even starting from the bench this season he has still scored three WH from his five matches and he added a ME against the Storm after they lost JFH. If Ford is a starter he is a guaranteed WH.

Kobe Hetherington (Broncos)

38 tackles, 6 runs for 46m in 46 minutes – WH (0.96 spm)

Do not be fooled by this random WH from Hetherington, he has shown very little since becoming a starter. I was one of those CEO’s that thought he was a steal in the draft but he has been awful to be honest. He is not worth wasting a cut to bring him in.

David Fifita (Titans)

26 tackles, 17 runs for 182m in 74 minutes – WH (0.58 spm)

Well its not vintage Fifita but it was a step in the right direction. What the hell is Hasler doing up there? You have two gun back rowers in Fifita and Fermor, coach your halves to get them the ball! Klese is a bench player at best and should not be starting. Unleash the beast and let Fifita do his thing so we can at least put him in the captain conversation.

BACKS IMPERSONATING FORWARDS

It is time we paid some attention to those skinny little bludgers who think they can play in the forwards. There may be some comps out there that reward backs for scoring a WH, so lets call them out, if only to shame the forwards in their pack for not doing the work themselves. Take note that in  some public comps you can name backs in bench position 1 and 2 where they are eligible to score a WH.

Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles)

28 tackles, 14 runs for 131m in 80 minutes – WH (0.53 spm)

Garrick was forced to do a lot more defending on the weekend, as the Sharks run circles around the Eagles at times. He has WH form, scoring two in 2024, but its you would much rather him running the ball than making tackles.

Cameron Munster (Storm)

27 tackles, 15 runs for 92m in 80 minutes – WH (0.53 spm)

Munster looks a renewed player in 2025, overcoming his injury niggles from last season. A fit Munster could be the edge the Storm need to go all the way this season.

Mawene Hiroti (Sharks)

24 tackles, 17 runs for 132m in 80 minutes – WH (0.51 spm)

Hiroti gets his second WH in as many matches, making him worthy of a bench 1 or 2 spot in public leagues so he earns the points for a WH as well. Iro due back in a couple of weeks so make the most of it.

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

POSITION	PLAYER	TEAM	INVOLVEMENTS	PACK OF THE WEEK
Front Row	Payne Haas	Broncos	63	3
Hooker	Jeremy Marshall-King	Dolphins	57	1
Front Row	Terrell May	Tigers	58	4
Back Row	Thomas Cant	Knights	63	2
Back Row	Dylan Egan	Dragons	61	3
Lock	Isaah Yeo	Panthers	64	2

WH – Workhorse

DWH – Double Workhorse

ME – Metre Eater

DME – Double Metre Eater

SPM – Stats per minute played