Team Talk with Marcho: Rd 20
Welcome back to Team Talk for Round 20. I was away last week and couldn’t get to a computer, but back this week for arguably one of the most important weeks of the year. Generally round 20 means trade deadline and also the last week you will be able to terminate players from your squad. My money is on the Broncos, Bulldogs and Roosters to win the comp at this stage.
Brisbane v Gold Coast
Brisbane by how many? I know it’s a local derby game but the form the Titans have shown in their last two weeks, 50+ is a definite option here! Jack Reed will spend a week on the sidelines due to suspension. Jordan Kahu shifts to centre and Corey Oates moves to the win. Oates has proven to be a very handy player this year, especially if he plays on the wing! Kodi Nikorima replaces Matt Parcell on the bench.
Greg Bird returned and looks like he will be a handy pick up come finals as he is fresh from only playing six games this year. Aidan Sezer returns from injury at 5/8, pushing Daniel Mortimer to the bench. Chad Redman is the man to drop out. Kevin Gordon, Matt White and Lachlan Burr all return to replace Anthony Don, Nathaniel Peteru and Dave Taylor.
Balmain-Wests v Sydney City
Robbie Farah is no chance of being a late inclusion this week for the Tigers. Tim Simona will partner David Nofoaluma in the centres. Jack Buchanan has been added to the bench for Ava Seumanufagai while Nathan Milone drops out. Traditionally the Roosters always steam roll the Tigers and if you need to pull out a miracle with a great captain pick this week look no further than the Roosters!
After a week off Boyd Cordner returns to the backrow and the uncertainty of when/if Shuan Kenny–Dowall returns remains a complete mystery. I would only keep SKD if I could afford to, otherwise try for a trade. At the time of the year only the top dogs can afford to have players not playing! Jackson Hasting is 18th man for this game while I’m certain Brendan Elliot would have been snapped up in all comps by now but if not get on that! Jennings, Ferguson, Tupou, RTS, Guerra and Cordner are all worthy of captaining this week.
New Zealand v Manly
Glenn “the Fish” Fisiiahi makes his first appearance of the season on the wing against a Sea Eagles side who will need a Parramatta 2009 Jarrad Hayne style miracle to make the finals! Tuimoala Lolohea shifts to play his fourth game of the year at centre, putting him on the verge of being one of the most versatile players in CEO history! Manu Vatuvei and Ryan Hoffman are both expected back next week and Konrad Hurrell copped a one week suspension in the NSW Cup and is not eligible to play this week in the NRL.
I can’t think of a more turbulent week in recent memory for the Sea Eagles then this. A new coach and a mass player clean out. Daly Cherry-Evans has a shoulder injury but is fighting the pain in a bid to play on Saturday and keep his teams slim finals hopes alive. The Sea Eagles are unchanged from last week otherwise.
Melbourne v St George Illawarra
The Storm have taken this game across to New Zealand, taking away the home ground advantage. Don’t be surprised to see Tohu Harris and Kenny Bromwich swap between centre and second-row during the game. The Storm remain unchanged from the thrashing they dished out last week to the Panthers.
The Dragons are on the slide in a big way! Losing their past six straight things couldn’t get much worse for the joint venture. At least welcoming back a few more troops will help. Jack De Belin came back from a virus last week, while Dylan Farrell is expected to come back via the NSW Cup. After bagging Ben Creagh a few weeks back he has produced in spades for the first time all year and consistently since god knows when. Also unchanged from last week.
Newcastle v South Sydney
Kyle Turner played last week for the Bears and is a chance of making his first appearance since the All Stars game at the start of the year. Isaac Luke returns at hooker for Cameron McInnes. Last time these two teams met it was an absolute blood bath 50-10 to Souths. I for one am hoping for a more competitive match this time around!
The Knights are still sweating on the fitness of Dane Gagai, despite being named on Tuesday. Akuila Uate is highly unlikely to play after picking up a knee injury. Jake Mamo is playing on the wing and James McManus in the centre. Expect to see Sione or Chanel Mataútai to play on the wing. Tyler Randell has not recovered from a concussion suffered last week and Adam Clydsdale returns to the starting line-up.
Penrith v Canberra
On paper this should be one of the closest games of the weekend. Will Smith will again play at fullback, but can be exposed. David Simmons comes back onto the wing for Robert Jennings. Bryce Cartwright remains in some doubt with a knee injury. Siku Manu will start in the backrow.
Canberra have recalled Josh McCrone to halfback, pushing Jack Wighton to fullback while Sisa Waqa has picked up a knee injury and is expected to miss a few weeks. David Shillington has been pumping out some solid WH’s of late and looks a handy pick up if he is still available. Joseph Leilua looks to have forced his way into the starting side.
Canterbury v Cronulla
Should be a great battle up front. After his somewhat surprise omission last week, Moses Mbye is back on the bench in an otherwise unchanged line-up. If you desperately need a second rower, Frank Pritchard has been in good try scoring form in 2015, I’m not saying he is going to set the fantasy world on fire, but he could score between six and ten or donut, it’s a risk that could just pay off.
The Sharks are pushing for a finals berth and this will be a good test of where they are at. Ben Barba comes back on the bench after being a late withdrawal last week. Barba is another who has picked up his performances when it matter, at the business end of the year! Another one who i bagged only a few weeks ago. That Andrew Fifita decision cost me a game last week, I was filthy at the refs no try call! But he is in 2013 form, scoring five tries in his past four games, to go with line breaks and WH’s. Slap a Captaincy on that man ASAP.
North Queenland v Parramatta
Who could forget the last time these two teams met! A stunning Cowboys comeback with Gavin Cooper scoring a rapid fire hat trick to go with a WH and posting a handy 17 points. But since that epic game, Cooper has only scored nine points. The rumour is Matt Scott will be rested and Ben Hannant will be promoted to the run on side. James Tamou returns from suspension. Sam Hoare is 18th man. Matt Wright is also under an injury cloud after failing to finish last weeks game.
The Poor Eels have been struck down with even more injuries. Anthony Watmough can put a shocking season behind him now as he is out for the rest of the season, as is Danny Wicks. Corey Norman, who has been one of the Eels best is also out for a few weeks. Reece Robinson returns to fullback. Chris Sandow has seemingly played his last game of NRL as well. After failing to take a team to the finals it comes as no surprise to anyone. Joseph Paulo will play 5/8 from now on. David Gower will play lock as Daniel Alvero and Isaac De Gois come onto the bench. This game will be a case of how many to the Cowboys.
That’s it for another week. Best of luck this weekend, unless you are playing me of course!
Will Marchinton
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