SuperCoach NRL 2018: Wilfred Zee’s wrap of the good, bad and ugly from Round 17
PENRITH second-gamer Jarome Luai totally overshadowed the game’s No.1 halfback Shaun Johnson. Former SuperCoach NRL champion Wilfred Zee looks at the good, bad and ugly of Round 17.
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FORMER SuperCoach NRL — presented by hipages — champion Wilfred Zee looks at the good, bad and ugly of Round 17.
Panthers v Warriors (36–4)
Another scoreline that basically nobody predicted! Even if you were backing a Panthers win, you surely didn’t expect such a flogging. They talk about the Baby Broncos from years ago, maybe one day they’ll also talk about the Baby Panthers and what they did this week! The Warriors must be a little worried at this stage, as a gap is starting to open up between the top four teams and fifth on the ladder – they will want to avoid that as a home final in New Zealand would be a massive, massive advantage for them later this year.
Let’s look at the key performers in this game.
The Good
Jarome Luai (127)
What’s the deal with the name Jarome/Jahrome this weekend? That’s 2/2 for Perfect Eight honours this week for the Ja(h)romes of the world, with an absolute blinder from the second-game rookie. Luai scored two tries, set up another, broke the line twice, busted eight tackles, offloaded once (pending updates), kicked six goals from eight attempts and also got through 24 points of work in pure base stats. A pretty handy back-up to the Origin halves at the Panthers at the moment!
Viliame Kikau (100)
What a legend this guy is, playing through obvious pain for the full 80 minutes. I’m not even mad, as a non-owner. Sure, Hiku gave him some help but that’s not his fault. Kikau scored a try, broke the line once, assisted another line break, offloaded once (should be updated to effective since it assisted a line break!), forced a dropout, busted four tackles and scored 45 points in pure base stats. He sure turned up for owners and what a week to do it!
The Bad
Shaun Johnson (16)
When you thought about this match-up, you were expecting the 120+ score from SJ. Almost full-strength Warriors, playing the Origin and injury depleted Panthers? Surely that’s a free swing for SJ … but no, he was well contained behind a badly beaten forward pack, and given minimal assistance from his outside men as well.
Peta Hiku (24)
The Fus scored worse but I don’t care, Hiku deserves this spot because he was such a liability in this game – in attack and defence – that he was hooked for Gerard Beale. He missed plenty of tackles (a bunch of them on Kikau) and also made a meal of several attacking opportunities, ruining some potential points for SJ and the Fus. Not happy, Peta!
The Ugly
No major injuries to note; however there are rumours of a broken thumb for Isaah Yeo.
Storm v Dragons (52-30)
I think it’s safe to say that no one, NO ONE, expected the kind of game that these two Origin-affected teams delivered. I mean, usually the attack is clunky, disorganised, ineffective, when the teams are missing four to six first-liners due to rep footy and/or injuries. It was one of the most enjoyable games to watch in a long time, and I think plenty were pleasantly surprised at the level of quality.
Let’s look at the key performers.
The Good
Jahrome Hughes (124)
I say this every year I see him play, but how has Hughes not landed himself a regular first grade gig yet? He’s far too good to be stuck in reserve grade yet he has shuffled from the Titans to the Cowboys to the Storm. Well, surely, SURELY, he gets some attention after a starring performance against the Dragons. Scoring a try, setting up two others, breaking the line once, assisting two other line breaks, forcing one dropout, busting six tackles, throwing one offload (yet to be updated) and notching up 29 points in pure base stats — Hughes was BUSY and in the thick of everything. So great to see!
Brodie Croft (110)
Ah, the preseason darling that was Brodie Croft. Despite all the promise, some players just need to develop at their own speed and sometimes they need another stint in reserve grade to help out. Even in this great performance, he showed some flashes of inexperience and hints as to why maybe Bellamy has preferred the older, more mature and experienced Jacks to Croft for the majority of the season. Croft scored a try, set up another, broke the line twice, assisted two other line breaks, busted six tackles and forced a dropout. He also notched 31 points in pure base stats, so he certainly kept himself busy in that regard.
Shout out to the other two members of the Storm spine from last night, as Jacks (107) and Smith (103) also raised the bat.
The Bad
Darren Nicholls (8)
Welcome to first grade … I guess? Nicholls showed off some nice kicks but he didn’t take the line on, and was found out in defence a number of times.
James Graham (32)
Hopefully you didn’t take a punt on Jimmy Graham for bye coverage. He just hasn’t kicked on at the Dragons from a SuperCoach perspective — even if he has been an incredible buy for them off the field. Thirty-two points in 46 minutes is very unlike the Graham of yesteryear, or even this year, to be honest!
The Ugly
Jacob Host (3)
He lasted just five minutes before a shoulder injury forced him from the field. Devastating for those who picked him up for $35,000 more than Luciano Leilua just for his DPP.
Latimore was taken off for a HIA which he passed to return to the field.
Originally published as SuperCoach NRL 2018: Wilfred Zee’s wrap of the good, bad and ugly from Round 17
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