Workhorse Watch Round 7

2024 NRLCEO Workhorse Watch Round 7 – The Pink Panther!

Isaah Yeo does it again in Round 7 with his 2nd DWH of the year! The Cowboys should look to change up their pack. A former Tiger has stormed into WH contention, whilst we call time on a current Tiger’s NRLCEO career. Will we ever see a decent quality Saifiti brother?

In Round 7 there were 71 players who scored a WH, with only 1 player scoring a DWH.

WORKING HARD

Isaah Yeo (Panthers)

48 tackles, 19 runs for 166m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.84 stats per minute)

Yeo has had his strongest start ever to an NRLCEO season, scoring his 2nd DWH. This is a result of his increased running metres, averaging 138 metres a game in 2024 which is up on last years 121m a game. He is showing no signs of slowing down and seems to have distanced himself from his HIA issues of previous seasons. A few more DWH’s are likely by the end of the season.

Thomas Eisenhuth (Dragons)

56 tackles, 5 runs for 30m in 57 minutes – WH (1.07 spm)

Eisenhuth has found a home at the Dragons and is proving to be more than a handy squad addition. He has scored a WH in all but 1 match this season and may also pick up dual Back Row/Lock status in the coming weeks. Job security is still an issue given the ever changing forward rotation under Flanno but Eisenhuth has such a high SPM that he only needs 40-45 mins to score a WH. If he is somehow still available in your spud pool then sign him up.

Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers)

49 tackles, 12 runs for 113m in 80 minutes – WH (0.76 spm)

Papali’i is the forgotten CEO superstar, quietly going about his work in a team that has struggled for so many years. His numbers are obviously down from his time at the Eels but he is still worthy of a starting spot in your CEO squad. If he can strike a combi

Tohu Harris (Warriors)

43 tackles, 16 runs for 127m in 80 minutes – WH (0.74 spm)

Tohu has had a strong start to 2024 on the back of being injury free. His minutes have increased this season but that is probably more to do with injuries to other players forcing him to play the full 80 more often. At 32 years of age, unfortunately its a matter of when his decline will start now. Interesting to see how far he drops in drafts next season, if you have him in a contract/keeper league it might be worth trading for a younger player if you can.

HARDLY WORKING

Jacob Saifiti (Knights) 

25 tackles, 13 runs for 99m in 50 minutes (0.76 spm)

Can we get a Saifiti brother to stand up and be consistent? Jacob has scored a WH in 4 of his 7 matches which is not terrible but it is just not consistent enough to get you into finals and a possible CEO title. In saying that, Jacob is currently averaging 42 involvements a game so perhaps he is working his way up still. He turns 28 years of age this year so he should be in his prime.

Bryce Cartwright (Eels)

26 tackles, 11 runs for 82m in 80 minutes (0.46 spm)

Can’t say I am surprised to see his form drop off, Cartwright has always been an attacking player who doesn’t like to the hard stuff. He had a brilliant 2023 season but he is back to the Bryce Cartwright who looks like he wishes he was anywhere else other than a footy field. His averages are down to 31 involvements and 76 metres compared to 2023 (41 involvements and 102 metres).I would stop short of dumping him (only just) but I would be looking to trade him out, possibly to an Eels fan.

Lindsay Collins (Roosters)

29 tackles, 8 runs for 66m in 50 minutes (0.74 spm)

Collins is another player who has failed to live up to their pre season hype. With JWH on the way out, it seemed as though Collins would take his game to the next level but he has failed to do so thus far in 2024. Perhaps the emergence of Terrell May has had a negative impact on him? He is a hold for sure as he is a Queenslander who will no doubt lift prior to Origin.

David Klemmer (Tigers)

26 tackles, 8 runs for 87m in 40 minutes (0.85 spm)

Time of CEO Death – Round 7 2024! I have a soft spot for Klem being a Dogs supporter but he is no longer CEO relevant. Despite his SPM still being at a decent level, his minutes are way down and he no longer makes an impact in attack. The only impact he makes in defence is the 3 or 4 penalties for high contact in a tackle. I would not even slightly consider adding him to any of my squads any more and if you do have him, cut him and move on.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Shawn Blore (Storm)

31 tackles, 14 runs for 114m in 80 minutes – WH (0.56 spm)

In Bellamy we trust! Forget 4 to 6 weeks (as mentioned last week) if this guy is in your spud pool then sign him now. He is not quite as damaging as Eliesa Katoa but the Storm looked to have settled on their back row combination for the time being.

Max Plath (Dolphins)

33 tackles, 11 runs for 92m in 71 minutes – WH (0.62 spm)

Plath was highly sought after late Friday night after his breakout performance against the Eels. He scored 2 tries to go with his WH but it was the way he went about his work that had CEOs salivating. He will surely hold onto the lock position after that performance so find a place in your squad if he is available, even if its just for trade bait.

Samuela Fainu (Tigers)

29 tackles, 14 runs for 125m in 59 minutes – WH (0.78 spm)

I am going to mention this kid again as he looks a future CEO gun. I can see him developing into an Olakau’atu type player who will get you a WH most weeks but will also be good for attacking stats. He can certainly score a WH playing off the bench at the Tigers (averaging 34 involvements in 2024) and he will just get better with experience. CEOs in contract/keeper leagues should be jumping all over him.

Toby Rudolf (Sharks)

31 tackles, 9 runs for 102m in 42 minutes – (0.95 spm)

Rudolf was a consistent WH scorer before injury struck in mid 2023 and again to start this season. He looks to running free of that now and impressed off the bench against the Cowboys. He only just got the WH but his minutes will go up in the coming weeks and he may even move back into the starting side. Could be a handy mid season pick up given that he was dropped in a lot of leagues.

WORTH MENTIONING….

Xavier Willison (Broncos)

24 tackles, 13 runs for 157m in 45 minutes – (0.82 spm)

Willison is looking better each week but unfortunately his impact off the bench will be limited once Haas returns. I can see Willison eventually becoming a starter but they will utilise him off the bench as an impact player to replace Haas for the time being. He will likely not score many WH’s this season but he is a player to watch, especially in contract/keeper leagues.

Griffin Neame (Cowboys)

33 tackles, 9 runs for 61m in 37 minutes – WH (1.14 spm)

Change is imminent in the forward pack at the Cowboys and the first guy I would be picking his Neame. He has a great SPM most weeks and he runs good metres. I think he is a chance to move into a starting Prop role and if he does then he could be a gun. He has a great motor so he can play long minutes if needed and he is one of the Cowboys that have a bigger body so he can make an impact at the line and get post contact metres. Don’t wait for TLT, I would sign him now and just hold him for a little while to see if he takes off.

Mathew Lodge (Sea Eagles)

22 tackles, 16 runs for 135m in 43 minutes – (0.72 spm)

The guy looks like a c&#t but he can play when he is fit. Minutes are the key if he is a starter, he will need approx 50 min to score a WH each week. Given the Sea Eagles usually carry 4 forwards on their bench, it looks unlikely to me that he can be a consistent CEO scorer. Monitor his form and make a call but personally I think he will struggle to be CEO relevant.

Hame Sele (Dragons)

36 tackles, 10 runs for 96m in 56 minutes – WH (0.82 spm)

Flanno went out of his way to sign him from the Rabbitohs so you know he will likely be a starter at the Dragons. When he gets his match fitness up he could definitely become a regular WH scorer. The Dragons have Lawrie and JDB coming off the bench at the moment so their is a fight for minutes in the Dragons pack, which is great for their NRL team, but a nightmare for CEO’s. He is likely available in most spud pools if you want to take a chance on him.

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

8. Reuben Cotter (2) (Cowboys) – 58

9. Harry Grant (2) (Storm) – 53

10. Moeaki Fotuaika (1) (Titans) – 50

11. Thomas Eisenhuth (1) (Dragons) – 61

12. Isaiah Papali’i (1) (Tigers) – 61

13. Isaah Yeo (2) (Panthers) – 67

(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