NRLCEO Dream Team Round 25
There are two changes to the team this week with Thomas Dearden taking the halfback spot from Jahrome Hughes and Payne Haas replacing Addin Fonua-Blake on the bench.
FULLBACK – James Tedesco (165)
Teddy continues to defy his critics who suggest that he is past his best. He could easily still be playing fullback for the Blues and is showing no signs of slowing down.
WINGER – Daniel Tupou (131)
Tupou had a slow start this season with only 3 tries in his first 10 matches. Since then he has scored 15 tries in 11 matches, including 4 doubles and a triple. Wing is the lowest scoring position this season with only a handful of players scoring more than 100pts thus far
CENTRE – Herbie Farnworth (136)
Herbie was having a career best CEO season before injury ended his season prematurely. He may be back in a few weeks but that will be after the final whistle for CEO. He was well on track to be the highest scoring centre in a single NRLCEO season.
CENTRE – Tolutau Koula (149)
Koula is now the highest scoring centre this season, amazingly he continues to score well despite Manly being awful. CEO’s may look at drafting a quality centre much earlier in drafts than in recent seasons, especially if they are outscoring wingers.
WINGER – Xavier Coates (130)
Air Coates flies into a wing spot on the back of his aerial prowess in 2025. Its a significant weapon in the NRL under the current rules and Coates has the talent to rule the skies for a few years.
FIVE EIGHTH – Jaxon Purdue (139)
Purdue takes the 5/8 position but he has scored most of his points playing at centre in the NRL. He may yet make a fist of playing at number six, but for now he is best suited to playing out wide where he doesn’t have to worry about making as many tackles.
HALFBACK – Thomas Dearden (127)**
Dearden has had a brilliant season for the Cowboys and QLD. This is a career best CEO season for Dearden and could continue to improve over the next few seasons.
FRONT ROW – Terrell May (207)(MVP*)
It is Terrell May’s world and we are just living in it. He will surely make history as the first Front Rower to win the NRLCEO MVP as he continue to smash out 70 minutes a week. He is now 41 points clear of the next best prop, are you drafting him with the first pick next season?
HOOKER – Blayke Brailey (179)
A career best season from Brailey, over taking Harry Grant as the number one hooker in NRLCEO. With the Sharks having the bye last week, it would take something quite amazing to catch May.
FRONT ROW – Keaon Koloamatangi (165)
Keaon remains in the team despite being just returning from injury last week. One thing is for sure, middle Keaon is much better than edge Keaon, so lets hope Bennett leaves him in the middle to start next season.
BACK ROW – Hudson Young (163)
Was having an amazing season until he picked up a groin injury in the midst of State of Origin. He has not been the same since his return but he has still managed to score a WH each week and maintain his spot in the team.
BACK ROW – Eliesa Katoa (166)
Katoa was struggling for WH consistency over the first few months but he soon kicked into gear. He is on track to repeat or better his career season from 2024 and has become a real weapon for the Storm in attack.
LOCK – Patrick Carrigan (153)
Carrigan has become one of the most consistent scorers in NRLCEO over the last few seasons. He has already equalled his WH output from last season but he has not scored a try this year and his ME’s are down as well.
BENCH FORWARD – Payne Haas (145)**
Haas has struggled with niggling injuries this season but he has battled on regardless. He looked to be running with more freedom on the weekend and will be an important asset for the Broncos in the finals.
BENCH FORWARD – Beau Fermor (152)
Fermor is still under rated in NRLCEO in my opinion, but he has not risen to the same heights as 2022 since missing a season due to a knee injury. He is a chance to eclipse that this season, if he can finish a couple of good scores.
BENCH BACK – Scott Drinkwater (160)
Drinky has been solid again this year but he looks like finishing well short of his 2024 total. The Cowboys are off the pace in the 2nd half of this season and his scoring has no doubt suffered as a result. He has the goal kicking back for the time being but it may be too late.
BENCH BACK – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (133)
The Hammer can sniff a try from anywhere on the field and he is currently having a career best CEO season. He often looks lazy at fullback, mostly in defence, but he makes up for it in attack. Nobody is catching the Hammer in full flight.
Adam Brownlee
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