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Team talk with Marcho: Round 1

Will Marchinton

Team Talk

 

Welcome to the first edition of Team Talk with Marcho!

I’m just another fantasy nut job who thinks my ideas need to be heard! But my aim is to help the users. So here goes…

I will be looking at the ins and outs each week and who you should consider picking up if you need a replacement for any injured guns.

Broncos v Rabbits

The Broncos have Jordan Kahu at Fullback and he is listed as a Centre/Wing, so if all goes to plan he could gain a Fullback spot in 3 weeks. Lachlan Maranta gets a wing spot and Matt Gillette is under done for game time, which sees him on the bench, which could impact on his ability to get a WH.

South Sydney have named a 20 man squad so it hard to know exactly who will be on the bench. If Glenn Stewart can stay fit he should get big minutes and return to the WH column, and we all know that he is capable to a sneaky TA as well! Kyle Turner is out indefinitely.

Eels v Sea Eagles

The Eels take on Manly in a big grudge match on Friday night. Isaac De Gois is on the bench and will take away some of Nathan Peats minutes but I’m expecting him to comfortably get a WH.

Manly will be without Jamie Buhrer, Steve Matai and Jorge Taufua. In comes Feleti Mateo, Clinton Gutherson and Cheyse Blair. Gutherson should hold his spot when Matai comes back and I expect him to rack up some decent points this year.

Knights v Warriors

My team is the mighty Newcastle Knights and they are hosting the Kiwis. Joey Leilua gets the nod just ahead of Sione Mata’utia, but if the Knights want to keep hold of the Mata’utai boys, Sione will need game time early in the season. Tariq Sims out for 4 weeks Rochow show stand up and play close to 80. Keep an eye on the younger Sims brother, Korbin as well.

The Warriors have benched Nathan Friend in favour of Thomas Leuluai, which looks like it could spell the end of his WH’s for the time being. If Solomone Kata or Tuimoala Lolohea are still available, pick them up ASAP. They are big, fast, strong and could score a hat-trick one week or knock on 3 times and gift the opposing winger the next.

Titans v Tigers

I don’t quite know who to tip in this one. However I do know that Nate Myles and Ryan James will be heavily involved! Apart from James Roberts and Luke Douglas I can’t see much consistent value here.

Last year the Tigers started the season on fire and it was due to Robbie Farah and James Tedesco. If you have Farah, YOU HAVE TO CAPTAIN HIM! Aaron Woods is highly sort after for NRLCEO but again I can’t see any consistency in the rest of the Tigers squad.

Cowboys v Roosters

A bit of a surprise in North Queensland with Michael Morgan retaining his fullback spot and Robert Lui staying in the halves. Keep hold of Lachlan Coote still, he should get a chance, if he can stay on the park. Justin O’Neil and Matthew Wright have got the hotly contested wing and centre spots.

The Rooters look the goods again. SKD has been pushed to the wing and I can see him scoring 15+ tries this season, as long as Fergo can pass it! Matt Mcllwrick is filling in for Jake Friend and Mitch Aubusson will share some of the hooking role from the bench.

Panthers v Bulldogs

The Panthers signed Trent Merrin this week to add to their bulging backrow stocks. DWZ and Jamal Idris have returned earlier than expected from injury but Josh Mansour is out for the opening rounds replaced by George Jennings. Segyarou looks like he will be score 80 minutes in Round 1.

The Bulldogs have a new look back 3 with Brett Morris at Fullback and Curtis Rona and Sam Perrett on the wings. Perret should pick up a Fullback spot by round 3.Moses Mbye could jag a spot on the bench, but has been named in jersey number 18.

Sharks v Raiders

The Sharks are most people’s big improver in 2015 but I have to disagree. I just can’t see them scoring a lot of points. Luke Lewis is still recovering from off season surgery, but will be back in a few weeks.

The Canberra Raiders will not make the eight this year. That I can guarantee! Big Edrick Lee has been moved to the centres and Jordan Rapana is on one wing with Sisa Waqa. Shuan Fensom is back from knee surgery and will tackle the house down as per usual.

Storm v Dragons

The last game has the biggest come back, with reports listing Cam Smith out for the first month of the season but he will be lining up to face the Dragons. Young Tonumaipea will line up on one wing and Dale Finucane is the new lock for the Storm. I picked up Finucane and am hopeful he will produce the goods this year.

Keep an eye on late mail as rolling lock outs this year mean you can change your team any time, as long as your player hasn’t played yet.

Good luck to everyone but don’t fret if you don’t win your first game as NRLCEO is a marathon, not a sprint!

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Will Marchinton

After being introduced to NRLCEO back in 2010, watching Rugby League has never been the same for Marcho! His spare time revolves around stats, trades, injury updates, writing these blogs and the occasional appearance on the Moneyball podcast. It’s fair to say he became addicted from day one.

Latest posts by Will Marchinton (see all)

Will Marchinton

After being introduced to NRLCEO back in 2010, watching Rugby League has never been the same for Marcho! His spare time revolves around stats, trades, injury updates, writing these blogs and the occasional appearance on the Moneyball podcast. It’s fair to say he became addicted from day one.