Workhorse Watch Round 14
Outrage this week as what looked to be the ultimate workhorse substitute was denied the ultimate workhorse achievement, a double workhorse try.
The Gold Coast was an apt location for what was a roller coaster ride for Ben Ridge with NRLCEOs along for the ride. Ben Ridge looked like a quality pick up given the number of forwards missing from the Titans and the fact that he was named to start at lock. Disappointment ensued when Ridge was pushed back to the bench to make way for the return of Ashley Harrison. That disappointment didn’t last long though with Beau Henry getting injured, forcing a reshuffle that included Ridge coming on after just 8 minutes. A workhorse try was back on the cards, even more so when Harrison limped off later in the half. Ridge played 65 minutes and with 60 involvements for the game had appeared to have bagged himself a double workhorse try, much to the delight of those who had him.
Scores are never final until lunchtime Tuesday and even then numbers usually go up rather than down. Surely Ridge’s double was safe. It was, at least at 2pm when TheBench posted on competition feeds that “Round 14 stats are now updated and final.” Not so, two hours later when I received word that Champion Data had made a change, knocking 2 tackles off Ridge’s total and costing him 4 points. Were you a shrewd recruiter who picked up the Titans’ back rower and are now left wondering what happened to those two tackles in those two hours? Are you outraged? Hopefully it didn’t cost you a win and if it did well, try harder next time and win by more. There is always an element of luck in sport, sometimes bad and NRLCEO is no different. To quote our own Prime Minister, “Shit happens”.
The Workhorse Watch is all about tough men playing a tough game but even I have to ask what the hell Ashley Harrison was doing on the park on Monday night. Didn’t he have a fractured neck? Only last week I was reading about how he had to delay getting scans because of a fresh tattoo. Reports said at best it would take 6-8 weeks and worst case scenario it could end his season which would in turn end his career given he’s already announced his retirement. The doctors OK’d him to be a late inclusion but as I said, he left the field midway through the first half clutching at his neck only to return in the second half. I’m no doctor but it seems mad that he would come back so quickly, maybe the Trade Doctor has a colleague that can weigh in on the debate.
In a bye affected round and with points at a premium many NRLCEOs would have been despairing over Kurt Gidley’s shift from hooker to fullback on Saturday. Gidley has been a workhorse revelation this season and has 12 workhorse tries for the season but Wayne Bennett opted to use him to cover for the absence of Darius Boyd. Unfortunately for eagle-eyed NRLCEOs who may have pounced on Adam Clydesdale following the late change, the Scone junior fell just short of a workhorse himself with 38 tackles and 1 hit up. Next week will mark the first time that there’ll be people actually excited that Darius is back. And I mean ever. No one’s ever excited to have Darius around. One imagines his own family are glad he’s spent the last few years based in NSW. “What’s that Darius, you’ll come and visit next week? That’s OK son don’t put yourself out, your Dad and I will be away that weekend anyway.” – Darius’ mum (probably)
Another hooker who shifted positions on the weekend was Mick Ennis. With Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson out for Origin and Moses Mbye injured, Des Hasler opted for his captain to take on halfback duties. Not only was that a big mistake for the Bulldogs, it would have caused some pain for NRLCEOs as well. Whilst Cam Smith has been able to maintain a high workhorse involvement with his shift to the number 7, Ennis could not, only racking up 16 tackles and 12 hit ups. His replacement Damien Cook had a massive 38 tackles and 15 runs to have an involvement rate that was second only to James Graham; not too shabby.
Speaking of the Bulldogs vs Eels game, did you snap up Isaac De Gois? The former Shark was excellent on debut for the Eels making 40 tackles and 5 hit ups to register his first workhorse try in over a season and a half. Also, Lee Mossop finally ‘arrived’ scoring his first workhorse try with 33 tackles and 10 hit ups.
On the injury front there are plenty among the workhorses at the moment with Corey Parker, Andrew McCullough, George Burgess and Manu Ma’u the most notable to join the list. With the likes of Tolman, Fifita, Stewart, Cooper, Peats, Fulton, Papalii and Cordner already among the walking wounded not to mention the stars away on Origin, there must be a few teams with barely a forward pack to name at the moment.
WORKHORSE OF THE WEEK:
James Graham. Despite scoring three double workhorse tries in the last four weeks, this is Graham’s first Workhorse of the Week honours. The Bulldogs prop is doing the exact job that NRLCEOs would have recruited him for and that’s to deliver over the Origin period. Graham now moves to 14 workhorse tries for the season, one shy of the 15 he scored in a suspension effected 2013.
WORKHORSE PACK OF THE WEEK
8. James Graham: 36 tackles + 26 hitups = 62
9. James Segeyaro: 43 tackles + 13 hitups = 56
10. Chris Houston: 48 tackles + 10 hitups = 58
11. Ben Ridge: 42 tackles + 16 hitups = 58
12. Ben Lowe: 42 tackles + 11 hitups = 53
13. Tohu Harris: 40 tackles + 18 hitups = 58
14. Mike Cooper: 38 tackles + 15 hitups = 53
15. Elijah Taylor: 40 tackles + 12 hitups = 52
CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
This isn’t even funny anymore. Timmy Mannah, come on down!
Adam Clydesdale: 38 tackles + 1 hitups = 39
Tim Mannah: 22 tackles + 17 hitups = 39
Tyrone Peachey: 28 tackles + 11 hitups = 39
STATS PER MINUTE
The injuries to Corey Parker, Andrew McCullough, George Burgess and Manu Ma’u create some gaps that need to be filled at their respective clubs. Parker brings an average 46 involvements per game, not to mention his goal kicking whilst McCullough averages a phenomenal 59 involvements per game. Ma’u has averaged 38 involvements per game this year which includes his injury affected game on the weekend whilst Burgess averages 45 involvements per game but wouldn’t be playing this week anyway as the Bunnies have the bye.
A replacement for Parker seems pretty cut and dried with Todd Lowrie coming into the run-on side. Parker has only missed one game this season back in round 11 and it was Lowrie who came into the side and registered a workhorse try. In that game he had 42 involvements in 66 minutes (0.64SPM). If there’s anyone else in the Broncos starting pack that isn’t already in taken, A) grab him and B) what the hell is wrong with the people in your comp.
The only player who is likely to be available is Jake Granville who comes in to replace Andrew McCullough. Given he’s only seen a grand total of 17 minutes across the two games he’s played in this season it’s hard to gauge whether he can fill in for McCullough who has been absolutely superb this season. For the record, his stats per minute over those 17 minutes is 0.70SPM. Like all good hookers he has the work rate just not the mileage. The Broncos though clearly rate him given they blocked an attempt by Parramatta last week to try and poach him as a replacement for the injured Nathan Peats.
Pauli Pauli is the man that has come in for the injured Ma’u but with a stats per minute score of 0.57 for the season he probably isn’t the player to step up and get a workhorse. Besides, considering the number of tries and try assists he’s scored in recent weeks he’s probably not on too many free lists especially at this time of year. Lee Mossop is a more likely contender for workhorse output even though he’s been named on the bench. As I mentioned, Mossop scored his first NRLCEO points on the weekend with 44 involvements in just 46 minutes (0.96SPM). Between those that have held onto him for half a season and those who snapped him up when he got named last week, he too probably isn’t on many free lists but if he is, grab him!
Geoff Adams
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