Workhorse Watch Round 14

NRLCEO Workhorse Watch Round 14 – There are two types of CEO’s, those that have Koloamatangi and those that do not!

• Hayes there, look at me!
• you Cant be serious after being given the start
• Jensen is back for the Broncos but nothing has changed
• Kurt of all trades, the Dolphins new Mr Fixit!
• the Dragons have a big problem but there is a Liddle answer

In Round 14 there were 74 players who scored a WH, with two players scoring a DWH and Keaon scoring his 2nd TWH. Some big names missed out on a WH as the Origin period starts to bite.

WORKING HARD

Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)

50 tackles, 21 runs for 203m in 71 minutes – TWH (1.00 stats per minute)

This is starting to get out of hand, for those of us who do not have Keaon that is. After scoring just 2 WH’s in his first 7 matches, he has now scored 12 WH’s in his last 6 matches. He scored a try to go with his TWH for a season high 24 points against the Raiders. He has also now scored 84 points in his last 5 matches in a stretch of form we rarely see in NRLCEO. How long can he sustain this scoring before he burns out?

Terrell May (Tigers)

54 tackles, 18 runs for 171m in 75 minutes – DWH (0.96 spm)

May scored his 5th DWH of the season to reach 20 WH’s for the year so far. He has already surpassed his 2024 season total of 121, with 2025 now being a career best season for May. The Tigers just have so little depth in the forwards that they have to play May 70-80 minutes a week to remain competitive in the middle.

Harry Hayes (Bulldogs)

38 tackles, 23 runs for 215m in 63 minutes – DWH (0.97 spm)

Hayes produced his best ever CEO performance against the Eels with a DWH, TRY and a DME. He was enormous against the Eels, giving the Bulldogs continued go forward off the bench. Hayes is a future NRLCEO gun and those in contract/keeper leagues should be signing him long term if you can. In a predominantly bench role, Hayes is averaging 45 involvements and 103 metres a match in 2025.

Apisai Koroisau (Tigers)

58 tackles, 8 runs for 68m in 80 minutes – WH (0.83 spm)

Api missed a DWH by 7 running metres as he continues his solid form. He started the season with only 1 WH in his first 6 matches, as the Tigers tried to use a two hooker rotation with Da Sylva off the bench. Since round 8, Api has scored 6 WH’s as the change was made to have him on the field for longer periods. Once again it is difficult to have him in your squad due to his 6KP and no longer being the Tigers main goal kicker.

HARDLY WORKING

Thomas Cant (Knights)

29 tackles, 8 runs for 58m in 37 minutes – (1.00 spm)

Hopes were high for Cant as he got the start over Mat Croker but it was a disappointing return. His work rate was a solid 1.00spm but he only played 37 minutes which left CEO’s frustrated. Regardless of current form, he is a quality WH forward of the future and if you are in a contract/keeper league you should be locking him up long term. There is a likely starting edge role for him next season with Kai Pearce-Paul joining the Tigers in 2026.

Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)

24 tackles, 13 runs for 141m in 80 minutes (0.46 spm)

Nanai continues to frustrate those CEO’s who have kept faith in him, scoring just 1 WH so far in 2025. His try scoring is the only thing keeping him CEO relevant, which is amazing considering he is a State of Origin representative. He did score his first ME on the weekend and CEO’s will be hoping he can improve his scoring in the back half of the season. In my opinion he has dropped way down the draft pecking order for next year, to a late round draft pick (18 – 22).

Corey Jensen (Broncos)

17 tackles, 13 runs for 124m in 36 minutes (0.83 spm)

Jensen was the most popular player added in to CEO squad last week but a starting spot failed to improve his WH output. He was limited to just 36 minutes and was unable to crack the 40 involvements, although he did cross for his first try of the season which covered for his failed WH. Surely his play time will improve over the coming weeks given Haas and Carrigan will be involved in Origin.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Titans)

22 tackles, 7 runs for 72m in 45 minutes (0.64 spm)

RCG has failed to score a WH in his last 2 matches, with his season tally sitting at 6 WH’s from 12 matches. He turns 32 this season and looks to be in decline for mine. He had a great opportunity against the Broncos to stand up and help Tino win the middle but he appears to be going through the motions at the moment. It seems to be a common theme on the Gold Coast as they look to be heading for the wooden spoon.

SPUD POOL LOOKOUT

Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins)

30 tackles, 12 runs for 91m in 70 minutes – WH (0.60 spm)

With news that the Dolphins have now lost Max Plath to a season ending injury, joining Gilbert on the sidelines, there is an opportunity for Donoghoe to play an increased role. He could start at lock and be a ball playing forward in the middle, which would be an improvement on having plodder Ray Stone there.

Jacob Liddle (Dragons)

39 tackles, 6 runs for 41m in 60 minutes – WH (0.75 spm)

Changes are coming at the Dragons and Liddle could be thrust into the starting side to shake things up. I have been calling for this change for many weeks, with Liddle starting at hooker and Cook moving to lock. I think it is worth picking up Liddle now, before the team’s are announced tomorrow. Liddle had a career best season last year as a starting hooker and his form off the bench has shown he can reproduce that if given the chance.

Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs)

40 tackles, 10 runs for 94m in 45 minutes – WH (1.11 spm)

Tatola has frustrated CEO’s this season, scoring just his 4th WH for the season against the Raiders. He has struggled to produce his best since returning from a long term injury which has resulted in Koloamatangi moving into the middle. Tatola at his best is a WH scoring forward but I suspect he will continue to be sporadic this season.

Brodie Jones (Knights)

44 tackles, 11 runs for 85m in 53 minutes – WH (1.04 spm)

Jones scored his 1st WH of the season on the weekend, in a timely boost for a Knights team missing their best middle forward to suspension. Jones needs 1 more match to earn dual position status but he will likely only be relevant for another couple of matches until Thompson returns.

WORTH MENTIONING…

Jaimin Jolliffe (Titans)

31 tackles, 10 runs for 89m in 54 minutes – WH (0.76 spm)

Jolliffe played more minutes that Fotuaika and RCG against the Broncos, in a sign that Des might have run out of patience with some of his forwards. Jolliffe as a starter will more than likely score a WH so keep an eye on the team lists in the next few weeks to see if there is a permanent change.

Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs)

41 tackles, 3 runs for 22m in 57 minutes – WH (0.77 spm)

With Lachlan Galvin’s role at the Bulldogs still a mystery, we got a sneak peak at what might happen moving forward. Mahoney was replaced by Galvin after 57 minutes which saw Sexton move into the hooker. It is likely that Mahoney’s days as an 80 minute hooker are donw at the Bulldogs and he is rumoured to be in talks with the Cowboys for 2026. If Mahoney is the main hooker in your squad, I would be looking to trade him out or sign a ready made replacement if you can.

Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles)

25 tackles, 20 runs for 165m in 77 minutes – WH (0.58 spm)

Waddell played bigger minutes on the weekend after the Sea Eagles lost Lehi Hopoate to a failed HIA. His form has been very consistent, scoring his 4th WH in a row and 2nd ME in a row. He has alco scored 4 LB’s in his last 4 matches, averagin 7.25 points a game during that time. Manly are still short on forwards, so Waddell could continue to see more playing time and be a relevant CEO scorer despite not starting.

Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers)

23 tackles, 15 runs for 138m in 36 minutes – WH (1.06 spm)

It was a solid return from injury for Papali’i, falling just short of a WH but scoring a ME off the bench. His role moving forward will likely be off the bench, however he could see some starts during the Origin period if the Panthers decide to rest either Martin or Yeo. I think Papali’i is worth holding for now as he is really only an injury away from a permanent role.

BACKS IMPERSONATING FORWARDS….

It is time we paid some attention to those skinny little bludgers who think they can play in the forwards. There may be some comps out there that reward backs for scoring a WH, so lets call them out, if only to shame the forwards in their pack for not doing the work themselves. Take note that in  some public comps you can name backs in bench position 1 and 2 where they are eligible to score a WH.

Fletcher Sharpe (Knights)

32 tackles, 9 runs for 105m in 82 minutes – WH (0.50 spm)

Sharpe scored his 4th WH of the season, whilst also bagging 2 Tries, a LBA and a ME in a much needed win for the Knights. It is clear oppostion teams are targetting Sharpe in defence as he continues to make around 30 tackles a match when starting at five eighth.

Rueben Garrick (Sea Eagles)

24 tackles, 16 runs for 167m in 82 minutes – WH (0.49 spm)

Garrick scored his 2nd WH of the season on the weekend. It has been slim picking from Garrick (aside from his goals) in recent times. He scored 36 points in his first 4 matches this season but has only scored 24 points in his next 9 matches which reflects Manly’s patchy form.

WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK (most involvements by eligible position)

POSITION	PLAYER	TEAM	INVOLVEMENTS	PACK OF THE WEEK
Front Row	Keaon Koloamatangi	Rabbitohs	71	4
Hooker	Apisai Koroisau	Tigers	65	2
Front Row	Terrell May	Tigers	72	8
Back Row	Harry Hayes	Bulldogs	61	2
Back Row	Euan Aitken	Rabbitohs	62	1
Lock	Isaah Yeo	Panthers	65	5

WH – Workhorse

DWH – Double Workhorse

ME – Metre Eater

DME – Double Metre Eater

SPM – Stats per minute played