Workhorse Watch Round 21

Your looking at the future WH guns of NRLCEO, Ryan and Toby Couchman! Both players smashed out 70 involvements but both fell short of a DWH in metres. Toby had a WH and 47 involvements in the first half alone. The Dragons may be struggling this season but their pack will be the focus for a lot of CEO’s in future years. Trey Mooney continues his break out season with 60 involvements, falling 16 metres short of a DWH. Oryn Keeley backed up his Storm debut with another huge performance, missing a DWH by 3 involvements but he scored a try to appease owners.

Big Burning Questions

• Can Captain Cookie produce one last WH?
• Is Heilum Luki on his way to being the games best back rower?
• Can Jacob Laban find consistency in his performance?
• Can Manulelua walk in Lucas’s shoes for the Knights?
• Will Oryn Keeley be the next gun player to develop at the Storm?
• Is Tuivaiti the man to replace Paulo at the Eels?

Workhorse Flow

The WH numbers were the exact same to the corresponding round last season, with 73 players scoring a WH and no player scoring a DWH. A number of players fell just short of a DWH this week with seven players reaching 60+ involvements. There is a back row crisis in NRLCEO at the moment with season ending injuries to Lucas and Young, after KPP and Angus Crichton went down a few weeks ago, as well as Fifita (not that he is that good) being suspended. There are players stepping up in their absence though, given the WH numbers have not dropped.

WORKHORSE OF THE WEEK

Ryan Couchman (Dragons)

60 tackles, 12 runs for 114m in 68 minutes – WH (1.06 spm)

Ryan pips his brother this week by a single involvement. Ryan is averaging 58 involvements and 116m a game this season, having scored a WH in every game he has played. I dont think it matters which Couchman you have next season but you need to have at least one of them.

WORKING HARD

Toby Couchman (Dragons)

56 tackles, 15 runs for 140m in 65 minutes – WH (1.09 spm)

There is not much more to say about Toby Couchman that we have not already said. He is averaging 58 involvements and 135m a game this year in what is now a break out season. He only has the 2 DWH’s so far but he looks like he will get there in every match he plays. As the Dragons improve in the coming seasons, so will Toby’s stats!

Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)

54 tackles, 14 runs for 112m in 80 minutes – WH (0.85 spm)

A typical night for Carrigan, who was in his second game back from injury. It was not the type of game for him to get his metres over 150 for a DWH as both the Broncs and Cows threw the ball around and attacked at will. It will be interesting to see if Carrigan or other Broncos forwards are affected by the fact they are now likely not to play finals. We could see some of them rested once they are officially out of the finals race, which could affect their CEO performance.

Trent Loiero (Storm)

50 tackles, 12 runs for 106m in 69 minutes – WH (0.90 spm)

I still cannot get over the fact that Loiero is an Origin player but credit to him I guess. In terms of NRLCEO, he is a set and forget lock who can score the odd ME. He really has no attacking ability at all and is just a tackling machine. I cannot see myself ever drafting him unless I am desperate.

Heilum Luki (Cowboys)

53 tackles, 9 runs for 96m in 80 minutes – WH (0.78 spm)

Luki has been a little quiet of late, scoring a try for the first time since Round 13. He has scored a WH in every game he has played this season and is now one of the top back rowers in NRLCEO. I expect his draft position next season to reflect this and he will be a good early option as some CEO’s may be wary of drafting players like Lucas and Young who are both returning from major injuries.

HARDLY WORKING

Jacob Laban (Warriors)

26 tackles, 10m runs for 65m in 59 minutes – (0.61 spm)

After 6 weeks of solid WH scoring, Laban has struggled in his last 2 matches, failing to score a WH. He is still adjusting to the weekly grind of the NRL and is not a consistent WH scorer just yet. I think he is the preferred starter for Andrew Webster, ahead of Leka Halasima and you can see in his good performances that he has what it takes. He is a risk to start during CEO finals so only name him if you are short, otherwise a bench spot at best.

Liam Henry (Panthers)

25 tackles, 10 runs for 80m in 35 minutes – (1.00 spm)

Reduced playing time for Henry as the Panthers have all their starters fit and healthy. He needs at least 40 minutes to score a WH with his high work rate, although he has scored a try in 2 of his last 3 matches to help compensate for 2 missed WH’s. Unless there is an injury in the Panthers pack or they start resting some of their big guns, I don’t see this scenario improving for Henry owners.

Chris Randall (Titans)

26 tackles, 8 runs for 82m in 50 minutes – (0.68 spm)

Randall used to be a solid WH every time he played but his role at the Titans seems to have been reduced. Coach Hannay has increased both Tino and Fotuaika’s playing time and it is working as the Titans have strung a few wins together. Randall has 7 WH’s for the season but has not scored one since Round 12. If you are still carrying him in your squad, lets hope you have a cut to use!

Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)

16 tackles, 14 runs for 137m in 34 minutes – (0.88 spm)

If AFB is in your squad then you are not serious about winning a CEO title. The game is just too fast for a player built like him and he will continue to be used in short stints when the Sharks need some go forward. He has scored just 6 WH’s in a season where he somehow became an Origin player and he will likely average a ME at best for the rest of the season. When you cut him, you will get to watch some other CEO pick him up hoping that he will change in the next few weeks.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Frances Manulelua (Knights)

27 tackles, 13 runs for 144m in 67 minutes – WH (0.60 spm)

With Dylan Lucas out for the season and Jermaine McEwen struggling with a hamstring injury it looks like Manulelua has a starting spot for the rest of the season. He was impressive on the weekend against the Roosters, scoring a Try, 2 LB’s and a TA to go with a WH and ME. His work rate is not the best, with 2 of his WH’s being the bare minimum 40 involvements, but he should improve with some consistent playing time.

Ethan Roberts (Tigers)

39 tackles, 8 runs for 62m in 66 minutes – WH (0.71 spm)

Roberts scored his first ever WH after falling just short in his debut match in round 11. We might see Benji give him some consistent playing time for the rest of the season with one eye on the future. His work rate is decent so if he can work up to playing 80 minutes then he will score a WH when he starts. Keep an eye on the team list this week to see if he is named to start again before picking him up.

Sam Tuivaiti (Eels)

32 tackles, 14 runs for 116m in 52 minutes – WH (0.88 spm)

Tuivaiti clearly has an engine built for work, scoring a WH in just 52 minutes of playing time on the weekend. I have been looking forward to seeing Tuivaiti start on a consistent basis, although with Junior Paulo set to return in a few weeks we may not see him get much of a chance. Tuivaiti could be become their main prop in a few seasons given Junior Paulo has just signed with the Bears. I would not be surprised to see Jack Williams make the move to lock once Jack De Belin retires as well so Tuivaiti could be a very handy long term pickup in contract/keeper leagues.

Mathew Croker (Knights)

40 tackles, 14 runs for 125m in 69 minutes – WH (0.78 spm)

Given the Knights injury woes in their forwards, Croker will likely see increased playing time, which he can easily handle. He had a day out against the Roosters, scoring a WH, Try, LB and his first ME for the season. He is more of a tackler than a ball runner so for him to score a ME (just his 3rd for his entire career) is cause for celebration. He also has the added benefit of being a dual position player which is very handy.

WORKHORSE LEGEND

Cameron Smith (Storm)

Was there a more loved Queenslander that was hated by everyone else. Smith had a superb NRL career that was littered with highlights but the one that speaks to his stature in the game is his longevity, holding the record for most games played at 424. For a player of his size in the position he played it is amazing that he was able to stay fit and remain relatively injury free all those years. Of course we could mention the Storm’s salary cap manipulation but he was the leader of a special team that just knew how to win. His leadership qualities were on show for to see and he was renowned for having a way with referees which some thought allowed him special treatment at times, but really it was the way he carried himself and his communication that was the catalyst for his ability to influence matches. In NRLCEO, Smith was one of the first players picked in drafts as he was the golden goose (a WH gun with attacking stats and the goal kicker for the highest scoring team). His best CEO season was 2013, where he scored 23 WH’s and 5 DWH’s. These days Smith maintains a channel nine commentary role as well a small support role at the Broncos. Well refereed Cam!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…..

Oryn Keeley (Storm)

38 tackles, 19 runs for 172m in 80 minutes – WH (0.71 spm)

After making the move to the Storm, Keeley has already elevated his game. He scored a WH and ME in both his matches so far and in both cases he was just short of a DWH. I think he has the potential to become the next gun back rower in NRLCEO. Most players that go to Melbourne usually improve and I think Keeley will elevate his game to another level. Even if we see Eli Katoa return, which is extremely doubtful from all reports, I am backing Keeley to be their main edge player in 2027. Those CEO’s in contract/keeper leagues, do not sleep on him!

Damien Cook (Dragons)

27 tackles, 4 runs for 29m in 47 minutes – (0.66 spm)

It is officially the end for Damien Cook in terms of NRLCEO. If you are still starting him then you are doing so out of loyalty because he died after Round 16. Captain Cookie will always be a WH legend after being the NRLCEO MVP for 3 consecutive seasons. He changed the way hooker was played, becoming a running threat from dummy half that was not often seen before his time.

Loko Pasifiki-Tonga (Dragons)

37 tackles, 13 runs for 140m in 55 minutes – WH (0.91)

Couchman x 2, Egan, Stewart and now Pasifiki-Tonga. Did the Dragons really need to sign Koloamatangi? LPT has scored 6 WH’s in his last 9 games is looking very much a WH front rower. Whether he stays at the Dragons or finds another club, once he settles into a permanent role I think he will become a regular WH scorer. He is still contracted to Saints for next season so you would expect him to come off the bench given Keaon will start, but keep an eye on where he lands with his next contract as he could have a break out season.

WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK

• Toby Couchman – 71 involvements
• Reece Robson – 62
• Trey Mooney – 60
• Ryan Couchman – 72
• Heilum Luki – 62
• Patrick Carrigan – 68