Workhorse Watch: 2015 Season Preview
So how did you go in NRLCEO 2014?
Did you win?
If you did, I’m guessing you had some pretty decent workhorses.
Didn’t win your comp?
Then you need to do your homework.
Unless you’re in my comp, in which case you should definitely not read this.
Broncos
The Broncos continue to be streaks ahead of every other team when it comes to workhorse tries. So take your pick from their starters. The departures of Ben Hannant and Martin Kennedy will only ease the log jam of last year. Their absence presents a great opportunity for new recruit Adam Blair who continues to come under fire from critics despite scoring 10 workhorse tries last year.
Bulldogs
This Bulldogs squad scored 68 workhorse tries last year with 64 of them coming from Graham (29), Tolman (19) and Jackson (16). Everyone else needs to be given a wide berth when it comes to workhorses. The only exception is Michael Lichaa who despite limited first grade experience is a notable gain for this team. Regardless of what you think of Michael Ennis, the guy is a solid workhorse and his boots will need to be filled.
Cowboys
Matt Scott is the only current Cowboys player who finished in double figures for workhorse tries last year. Tariq Sims did but has departed and James Tamou had some off field problems that hindered his season. There is an opportunity for Ben Hannant who has a great work rate and will relish being more involved in the rotation. Jake Granville is also one to consider. The former Bronco showed huge potential as back up to Andrew McCullough and has a real chance to shine up in north Queensland.
Dragons
How uninspiring can you get? St George Illawarra’s biggest problem last year was their forward pack and how did they address it? By recruiting George Rose. No offence to Gorgeous George but he and his fellow Dragons forwards don’t offer much by way of workhorses. The only exceptions are Trent Merrin and Mitch Rein. The rest will leave you frustrated as hell. Mike Cooper and Leeson Ah Mau perhaps just qualify as roughies.
Eels
I still can’t decide whether Anthony Watmough signing a 4 year deal is a good move for the club or not. However a healthy Watmough is a top workhorse. Last year he scored 16 WH in 19 games. Joseph Paulo is very solid but it’s Tepai Moeroa that has me excited. He looked bigger and stronger in the Auckland Nines and will only get better. I’m cautious about Manu Mau though and whether his game time will be impacted by Watmough’s arrival. Nathan Peats should also be on your hit list. Forget that Isaac De Gois is at the club, his year and half contract also came with directions to get to Ringrose Park.
Knights
The arrival of Tariq Sims is sure to shake things up at Newcastle as is having Rick Stone back at the helm. Sims’ inclusion could effect the workhorse potency of Beau Scott and Robbie Rochow so that’s worth bearing in mind. Also you have to think about where Gidley will play. Gidley’s shift to the forwards resulted in 12 workhorse tries in 2014 but injury and the fact he carries 5 kicker points may be more than what anyone is prepared to commit to.
Panthers
The Penny Panthers are a worrisome team when it comes to workhorse tries. They have a lot of depth in the back row which means the work is spread evenly and their front row doesn’t even register on the workhorse radar. Elijah Taylor remains the stand out along with James Segeyaro who was a revelation last year. The only drawback is the arrival of Api Korosau. Segeyaro really only dominated when other hookers at the club were injured. Splitting minutes with the recruit from Souths will hurt him a little bit. I’m also a fan of Topou Sopoaga who was excellent when given the opportunity last year.
Rabbitohs
Along with the Cowboys, the Bunnies are the only team not to have a forward in their top three scorers from last year. The tally of their current squad is the least amount of workhorse tries of any NRL team (45) but of course the reason for that is very simple, the departure of Sam Burgess. Losing Burgess throws up some big questions of this pack: who will step up in his absence? Brother George will no doubt be one of them but they’ll need more than that. Glenn Stewart scored 3 WH in 6 games last year and Tim Grant is capable depending on how he is used. Kyle Turner is the young gun who could step up.
Raiders
Next. New season. Same story. There’s Shaun Fensom and not much else. Well that’s not strictly true. There are some honest toilers in this side but no one to get too excited about. Especially when it comes to new recruits. Frank-Paul Nuuausala is not the workhorse you’re looking for and everyone else is really only middle of the road. Josh Hodgson may be the exception but there are a string of hookers worth picking up before him. Perhaps look to the Raiders late in the draft to round out your squad.
Roosters
Losing Sonny Bill Williams will be equally as tough for the Roosters as it was for Souths to lose Burgess. SBW’s move back to rugby is good news for Boyd Cordner and particularly Aiden Guerra whose minutes really suffered last year. I’m excited to see Martin Kennedy back. I thought it was a mistake for him to move to the Broncos and that turned out to be the case. Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention Jake Friend who is outstanding.
Sea Eagles
What will the departures of Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough mean for the Manly pack? Nothing for new recruits Feleti Mateo and Willie Mason but it will enhance the value of guys like Jamie Buhrer and Tom Symonds. Matt Ballin remains a premier workhorse and whilst Brenton Lawrence didn’t work out to be the week in, week out worker I expected, he still finished the season with 13.
Sharks
The Sharks have plenty to offer when it comes to workhorse tries. Last year this squad scored 86 which was second only to Brisbane. When you’re rubbish in attack you end up making a lot of tackles. Consider that Paul Gallen (10 workhorse tries from 9 games) and Andrew Fifita (12 in 11 games) were out for most of the year and you’ve got two high priority recruits. Tautai Arona also impressed last year and with the arrival of Michael Ennis there is plenty of players to choose from.
Storm
Cameron Smith, Ryan Hinchcliffe and Jesse Bromwich are all worth targeting with new recruit Dale Finucane the wild card. Kevin Proctor came in for some savage treatment in the NRLCEO Season Guide which I thought was unjustified. Proctor is the sixth highest scorer in the Melbourne side. Anyone that can afford to overlook that kind of contribution to an NRLCEO side is clearly playing in a pretty uncompetitive league.
Tigers
If their name’s not Robbie Farah or Aaron Woods steer well clear. There is little workhorse offerings anywhere here based on past performance. I like Martin Taupau but unfortunately he’s more of an impact player. We miss you Liam Fulton.
Titans
Wait, it gets worse. The only forward pack worse than the Tigers (I’m giving the Rabbitohs a pass because of the Burgess thing) are the Titans. This squad managed just 46 workhorse tries last year. How bad are they? Their fourth best workhorse was Daniel Mortimer! And he didn’t arrive until June! Nate Myles and Luke Douglas are the only workhorses worth looking at.
Warriors
Ryan Hoffman doesn’t immediately spring to mind when it comes to big name workhorses but he is the big name recruit for the Warriors. Aside from Simon Mannering, the Warriors have lacked when it comes to workers in the back row since Elijah Taylor left. Bodene Thompson is also worth a look and it’s hard to go past the always tough Nathan Friend.
Geoff Adams
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