Workhorse Watch Round 9
Workhorse Watch 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 71 players who scored a WH in Round 9, with 2 DWH’s this week.
WORKING HARD
J’maine Hopgood (Eels)
48 tackles, 18 runs for 176m in 74 minutes – DWH (0.89 spm)
Salutes for his 2nd DWH of the year in a solid performance in a game where the Eels had all the running. CEOs will be hoping that Brad Arthur leaves Cartwright on the bench from now on so Hopgood can continue to flourish.
Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
41 tackles, 20 runs for 168m in 71 minutes – DWH (0.75 stats per minute)
Hard to believe it took Ricky Stuart so long to get Horsburgh into a starting position. I think he finds himself a home at lock now and will be one of the Raiders best players each week. If he is going to settle at lock then he will need to learn a decent pass and offload in order to grow as a player.
Egan Butcher (Roosters)
60 tackles, 10 runs for 80m in minutes – WH (0.88 spm)
Butcher has been a pillar of consistency on the Roosters edge but how long will he continue to start? With Crichton and Tupouniua returning in recent weeks it seems as though its only a matter of time before he goes back to the bench.
Nat Butcher (Roosters)
62 tackles, 7 runs for 57m in 80 minutes – WH (0.86 spm)
It is a Butcher appreciation week with a huge effort in defence to shut out the Warriors. As is the case with Egan, both Crichton and Tupouniua are better ball runners and when fit and in form, will likely form the Roosters starting back row again.
HARDLY WORKING
Brandon Smith (Roosters)
31 tackles, 6 runs for 48m in 52 minutes (0.71 spm)
If we are putting measuring a pass mark on Smith’s first 8 matches at the Roosters then so far it is a fail. Only 3 WH’s so far and apart from Round 8 some very poor running games. You are likely struggling if Smith is your starting hooker in CEO but hopefully he can gel with his new team mates soon enough.
Junior Paulo (Eels)
19 tackles, 10 runs for 88m in 48 minutes (0.60 spm)
Paulo started the year with 2 WH’s but has not got another since then. With RCG on a long term injury layoff, the time is right for Paulo to lift and lead the Eels forward pack. I think he may have fallen back into an impact player role with limited minutes, which is hard to argue against given the Eels depth in back row forwards and the emergence of Wiremu Greig.
Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers)
24 tackles, 12 runs for 91m in 59 minutes (0.61 spm)
Many predicted that a move to the Tigers would stunt his performances and it now seems to be happening. In a pack full of WH forwards, Papali’i has struggled to make a significant impact in matches this season and has now failed to score a WH in back to back weeks. He is not quite a drop yet but he is a player of concern, I would look to trade him out on reputation.
SPUD POOL LOOKOUT
Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles)
27 tackles, 19 runs for 154m in 53 minutes – WH (0.87 spm)
Paseka is really starting to hit his straps with his 4th WH of 2023 (he only had 1 WH in all of 2022). He is now a regular starter and with Jake Turbo out for a few weeks he could even see an increase in minutes. If he is available you should get him quick smart.
Harrison Edwards (Bulldogs)
37 tackles, 9 runs for 73m in 58 minutes – WH (0.79 spm)
He is probably not quite ripe enough for CEO yet but he has the right pedigree. A great work ethic and has scored a WH in both of his matches this season. He will only be relative if he starts so keep an eye on the Dogs injuries in their forwards and he may add some value at some point in the season. Certainly a player of the future for CEO keeper leagues.
Wiremu Greig (Eels)
38 tackles, 13 runs for 140m in 44 minutes – WH (1.16 spm)
What a motor this guy has for a big unit. His stats per minute are off the charts and with RCG out for a few months, Greig could be just the player to bolster your front row rotation.
Makahesi Makatoa (Eels)
27 tackles, 16 runs for 203m in 39 minutes – WH (1.10 spm)
Scores his first WH of the year and what a WH it was. In only 39 minutes of action, he had 43 involvements and ran for 203m for a WH and a DME. Can you imagine this guy if he gets a starting spot?
WORTH MENTIONING….
Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
20 tackles, 8 runs for 53m in 35 minutes – (0.80 spm)
Its Cotter’s minutes that we are focusing on here, he was only on the field for 35 minutes. No reports of an injury or HIA issue so what happened? With Payten constantly tinkering with his starting lineup, this may be having a negative effect on some of his players. I am sure Cotter will bounce back but the Cowboys are a club of concern for many reasons.
Apisai Koroisau (Tigers)
29 tackles, 5 runs for 42m in 60 minutes – (0.57 spm)
It seems the Tigers don’t want Koroisau to burn out by playing 80 minutes each week. I think Api is one of the top 3 hookers in the game and needs to be on the field for the full 80 minutes, not to mention he is their captain. Get rid of Simpkin for another mobile forward on the bench and play Api for 80 minutes, its that simple.
Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)
36 tackles, 11 runs for 125m in 84 minutes – WH (0.56 spm)
Whoa has this guy got a future in CEO! Scored 2 tries to go along with his WH and a ME in what was a breakout performance last week. Wayne Bennett said pre match that they want Lemuelu to be a 10 year player at the Dolphins so his job security looks amazing. For those of you in Keeper leagues I would be snapping him up long term if you can.
Scott Sorensen (Panthers)
40 tackles, 11 runs for 62m in 66 minutes – WH (0.77 spm)
Another player that is seeing increased minutes due to injuries. Liam Martin looks to sidelined for some time and Luke Garner was just a waste of time signing so Sorensen gets the start for the time being. He has always had a good work ethic and with WH’s in both of his last matches he is worth a look at.
WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK (most involvements by eligible position)
8. Corey Horsburgh (Raiders) – 61
9. Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins) – 59
10. Jack De Belin (Dragons) – 64
11. Egan Butcher (Roosters) – 70
12. Nat Butcher (Roosters) – 69
13. J’maine Hopgood (Eels) – 66
Adz
NRLCEO Commish
NRLCEO Live Scoring Team
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