Week 2 of the NRL saw the points continue to flow, although the one match you thought would be a high scoring blowout turned out to be a tough come from behind win for the Dolphins. Some CEO’s are starting to get draft regret as some of their hunches have not panned out, whilst some players have surprised most of us with some solid WH performances. If you have not had a win yet it is not time to panic, hold your course as a week is a long time in rugby league.

• Storm wizard casts a spell on NRLCEO
• Has Gilbert found a new home up front?
• Can Connor Watson find a role at the Roosters?
• Collins turns back the clock to lead the pack
• Kulikefu is in FINE form for the Dolphins!

There were 71 WH’s in Round 2 (exact same as Round 1), with 2 players scoring a DWH.

WORKHORSE OF THE WEEK

Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)

40 tackles, 21 runs for 155m in 71 minutes – DWH (0.86 spm)

Keaon took just 2 matches to get into DWH mode, scraping home in the final minutes. Despite the Rabbitohs having Murray and Tatola back as starters, Keaon continues to play big minutes which is great news for CEO’s. Even with the addition of Fifita on edge has not impacted his stats, so expect to see quite a few more DWH’s this season from KK.

WORKING HARD

Harry Grant (Storm)

50 tackles, 10 runs for 82m in 80 minutes – DWH (0.75 spm)

It has been an amazing start to the season for our rugby league wizard as he looks to return to the top of the NRLCEO. After missing a WH in a Round 1 blowout over the Eels, he scorched the Dragons for a DWH, as well as crossing for another try (his 3rd of the season already). Grant looks dialled in and seems to be at ease in his 3rd year as Storm captain. He may have dropped down the draft order ever so slightly but there will be more than a few CEO’s who will be regretting not taking Harry Grant with an early pick.

Briton Nikora (Sharks)

52 tackles, 10 runs for 76m in 80 minutes – WH (0.78 spm)

It was a tough night for the Sharks as their attack was suffocated by the relentless Panthers defence. The Panthers aimed most of their attack at the Sharks right hand side which saw Nikora make the most tackles in a match in his NRL career. It will be interesting to see what happens when Wilton returns to the team as Nikora fell out of favour late in 2025, replaced by Billy Burns in the starting side. Surely Nikora starts over Burns, with his line running a real weapon for the Sharks.

Noah Martin (Raiders)

50 tackles, 10 runs for 78m in 80 minutes – WH (0.75 spm)

The Raiders have another young star on their hands in the form of Noah Martin. His 2 tries in round 1 saw him burst onto CEO’s radar and he has backed up his WH form in Round with 60 involvements against the Warriors. It looks like that edge spot is Martin’s to lose so CEO’s can be confident in starting him each week.

Tom Gilbert (Dolphins)

46 tackles, 14 runs for 143m in 44 minutes – WH (1.36 spm)

I am not sure if the NRL have his minutes correct but either way Gilbert worked his ass off against the Titans with an incredible 1.36 spm. He fell just short of a DWH, needing another 7 running metres. He is now a dual position player (Front Row) which will increase his value and give some flexibility to CEO’s. Fingers crossed that Gilbert can remain injury free and continue to lead the Dolphins pack in 2026.

HARDLY WORKING

Connor Watson (Roosters)

31 tackles, 8 runs for 68m in 56 minutes

A tough start to the year for Watson owners as he struggles to find minutes in a stacked Roosters forward pack. At his best he is a DWH candidate but unless he starts it is unlikely he will be WH relevant. He fell just short against the Rabbitohs, missing a WH by 1 involvement which was better than his round 1 output. He is a hold for mine as things can change quickly and I can see Watson providing some value at times during the season.

Erin Clark (Warriors)

26 tackles, 12 runs for 111m in 50 minutes

Another player seemingly affected by a drop in minutes is Clark, missing a WH in both his matches to start the season. He finished with 38 involvements in both matches which is close but it seems the fact the warriors finished over the top of their opponents in both their games has kept Clark’s stats slow. The concern here is that Barnett is due back over the next few weeks, not to mention Morgan Gannon waiting for his chance, which gives the Warriors the best pack in the NRL. I think he is a hold for now.

Wayde Egan (Warriors)

35 tackles, 2 runs for 25 m in 65 minutes

If Egan is your starting hooker then you should be very worried. The Warriors have Healey coming off the bench as a running dummy half which is working a treat against a fatigued defensive line. Both Hookers are signed until the end of next season but I suspect they will want to move ahead with Healey as their starter soon enough. It may not happen this season but even so, Egan will struggle to WH as long as Healey is on the bench, which makes him a drop or trade for mine.

David Fifita (Rabbitohs)

15 tackles, 20 runs for 169m in 80 minutes

Are we really that surprised, well yes I am. I thought under Bennett that Fifita would show us a lot more stats wise, particularly in attack but also an increased effort in defence. His running metres are good but 15 tackles in each of his matches is just not good enough for an edge starter in the NRL, especially when you compare him to most other back rowers in our game. If you took a punt on him than stick with him as he should see a lift in attacking stats at least but I would play him off your bench for the time being.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

27 tackles, 14 runs for 143m in 80 minutes – WH

Burbo has quietly gone about his business in a disappointing Manly side. He has scored a WH and a ME in both matches this season, averaging 7 points a game. I am not sure how he is getting more runs than Haumole, that is something the Manly halves will have to rectify. Burbo is a player on the rise in NRLCEO, scoring 5 WH’s in 2024 and 11 WH’s in 2025. If he can get to 15 or more WH’s this season then he becomes a decent option as an edge starter in your pack.

Lindsay Collins (Roosters)

34 tackles, 14 runs for 133m in 63 minutes – WH

Is he back? A solid start to the season for Collins, scoring a WH in both matches and a ME last weekend. The important thing is his minutes seem to be up on last year so perhaps he has got himself fit for the new season and is free of any injury niggles. He is certainly worth taking a punt on as he has great WH form from 2023.

Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)

33 tackles, 10 runs for 102m in 80 minutes – WH

I think the Dolphins are on the right track starting Lemuelu and Finefeuiaki as their back rowers. They are both great ball runners and will improve in defence the more matches they play. I can see them leaving Gilbert up front with Flegler and have Plath coming off the bench as a utility. Lemuelu scored a WH in both matches this season along with a ME last weekend. He will absolutely improve on his 4 WH’s from last season.

Jacob Saifiti (Knights)

29 tackles, 12 runs for 123m in 53 minutes – WH

Has gone under the radar a little as CEO’s targeted Trey Mooney as a key squad member (and righfully so). Saifiti has scored a WH in both his matches but has failed to score a ME as yet. He has hovered around the 8-9 WH’s per season for a few years so I am not sure he will take that next step to becoming a regular WH scorer.

WORTH MENTIONING

Jackson Ford (Warriors)

41 tackles, 16 runs for 155m in 76 minutes – WH

Ford has been a beast in the opening 2 rounds for the Warriors, scoring a WH and a ME in both his matches, whilst also crossing for a try against the Raiders. His sitting at the top of the Dally M’s such has been his impact to start 2026. He was left til very late in a lot of drafts as CEO’s were concerned about his minutes in a pack that already has JFH and Barnett. You would expect Ford’s minutes to drop at some stage once Barnett returns but for the time being let him do a job for you.

Tom Starling (Raiders)

49 tackles, 5 runs for 39m in 64 minutes – WH

Another player that CEO’s were hesitant to draft, Starling has picked up where he finished from last season. He has averaged 51 involvements and 75m so far in his 2 matches so those that were worried about the impact of Jayden Brailey can stop worrying, Starling is clearly the number one Hooker in Canberra.

Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs)

39 tackles, 13 runs for 105m in 57 minutes – WH

Despite playing alongside Keaon, Tatola has started 2026 with a bang, scoring a WH in both matches and a ME in round 1. If he can remain injury free this season he could really develop into a gun WH prop.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)

32 tackles, 19 runs for 213m in 80 minutes – WH

Has there been a more impressive start to the season in the back row than Finefeuiaki? He has scored a Try, WH and ME in both his matches, including a DME against the Titans on the weekend. Its clear that the Dolphins see him as a weapon, developing a strong combination with halfback Isaiya Katoa. I would look to trade him in if you can as he could be one of the breakout players for 2026!

WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK

• Keaon Koloamatangi – 61
• Harry Grant – 60
• Tom Gilbert – 60
• Briton Nikora – 62
• Noah Martin – 60
• Isaah Yeo – 59