Workhorse Watch Season Preview Part 1: The New Guys
Step one in workhorse recruitment is to pick up the big guns. Look through last year’s stats and pick up as many of the big names as you can. Any of the top 40 workhorses from last year will serve you well.
After that, it’s time to turn your attention to my favourite group of fantasy recruits – players at new clubs. A player signing with a new club offers all sorts of potential, but buyer beware, no player goes to a new club for less opportunity but often that’s exactly the way it can work out. In no particular order, here are the best 10.
Jarrod Wallace, Gold Coast (0.85 SPM)
Wallace averaged 31 involvements in 2016 and 36.6 minutes as he was forced to bide his time behind Josh McGuire and Adam Blair. Wallace returns to his hometown with the opportunity to cement a starting berth and up his minutes. Playing alongside a workhorse gem like Ryan James could be a real boost for his output.
Paul Vaughan, St George-Illawarra (0.82 SPM)
Not every forward in your team is going to score 100+ points so once the James Graham’s and Aiden Tolman’s of the world are taken you may find yourself scratching around for a front rower that can add some depth and Vaughan could be your man. Before falling out of favour at the Raiders, Vaughan was on track to post his third straight 50+ NRLCEO point season.
Jamie Buhrer, Newcastle (0.62 SPM)
Jamie Buhrer at the Knights, what a blessed union this will be for NRLCEOs. Buhrer is a must have for NRLCEOs this season as the former Sea Eagle joins the team who missed more tackles than any other side last year. Buhrer averaged 46 involvements last year and after missing the first half of the season with injury, scored 13 workhorse tries in the final 14 games.
Kevin Proctor, Gold Coast (0.64 SPM)
Although one of the top 20 workhorses from last year, Proctor’s move to the Gold Coast is worth noting here. His move to the Titans is a homecoming of sorts having spent his teenage years on the holiday strip before linking up with the Storm. Proctor replaces the departing Greg Bird but will provide a lot more fantasy value. Proctor averaged 45 involvements for Melbourne last year and scored 16 workhorse tries.
Robbie Rochow, South Sydney (0.61 SPM)
It’s been three years since Rochow scored 18 workhorse tries in a season but when he’s healthy, there are few forwards that are as reliable. In 2016 Rochow scored four workhorse tries in the opening five weeks before getting injured, and the week he missed out he had 39 involvements. There is a big question mark over whether he’ll get an opportunity at Souths but it’s a risk worth taking in the later rounds of the draft especially as he’s listed as both a front and back rower.
Rory Kostjasyn, Newcastle (0.57 SPM)
One strategy that has worked for me in the last few season is having a number of strong hookers. Whilst playing in a keeper league I’ve boasted Robbie Farah, Andrew McCullough and Jake Friend, with one starting and the other two filling the forward spots on the bench (bench points are not half in my league). So picking up a player like Kostjasyn after you have acquired a marque hooker makes sense, he’ll get first crack at the #9 jersey and won’t have his minutes stifled by Jake Granville.
James Tamou, Penrith (0.82 SPM)
I laughed when Tamou announced he was joining the Panthers, mainly because he said it was to win a premiership. It sounded odd given he was at the defending premiers at the time but his move to Penrith could be a gold mine for NRLCEOs. The Panthers have never boasted props capable of dominating the NRLCEO scoreboard and Tamou has that opportunity after escaping the extremely even front row rotation at the Cowboys that restricted his workhorse output to just seven last year.
Cameron McInnes, St George-Illawarra (0.69 SPM)
McInnes scored 14 workhorse tries last year despite having to fight for the #9 jersey with Damien Cook. Imagine what he can do now that he’s at the Dragons. McInnes averaged 62.6 minutes last season and with Mitch Rein no longer at the club, McInnes will look to make the hooking position his own and become close to an 80 minute player.
Robbie Farah, South Sydney (0.60 SPM)
Don’t let last season distract you from the fact that Farah is one of the best hookers in the game and a valuable NRLCEO commodity. Last year he scored eight workhorse tries in nine games (including two double workhorse tries). The fact he must compete with Damien Cook shouldn’t worry NRLCEOs too much, Farah can score workhorses without having to play a full game.
Nathan Brown, Parramatta (0.78 SPM)
The engine room at Parra looks a little different this year with Junior Paulo and Danny Wicks no longer at the club. Whilst there is a bevy of front rowers looking to partner Tim Mannah in the run on side, Brown, being a player that can set the tone in the early going, should get the nod. After all, Brown and Mannah are kindred spirits. Last year Brown scored six workhorse tries but finished with either 37, 38 or 39 involvements on seven other occasions.
Got anyone else you like the look of? Tweet @wakeupgeoff on Twitter and let him now.
Geoff Adams
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Hey Workhorse guy……….you suck, I hear you didn’t make the Grand Final in your comp last season. Even with 3 starting Hookers