NRL SuperCoach 2017: Wilfred Zee’s wrap of the good, bad and ugly from round 23

THE Alex Johnston rollercoaster hit another high and the Rabbitohs did enough to beat the deeply disappointing Bulldogs. Wilfred Zee kicks off his look at the good, bad and ugly of round 23.

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REIGNING SuperCoach champion Wilfred Zee looks at the good, bad and ugly of round 23.

Rabbitohs v Bulldogs (28—14)

Match report

RABBITOHS	BULLDOGS
Alex Johnston 91	William Hopoate 44
Bryson Goodwin 50	Brett Morris 27
Aaron Gray 61	Josh Morris 21
Tyrell Fuimaono 30	Brenko Lee 33
Campbell Graham 20	Marcelo Montoya 27
Cody Walker 46	Josh Reynolds 16
Adam Reynolds 62	Chase Stanley 53
Thomas Burgess 50	Aiden Tolman 62
Damien Cook 61	Moses Mbye 30
Zane Musgrove 28	James Graham 87
John Sutton 40	Josh Jackson 25
Cameron Murray 68	Raymond Faitala-Mariner 35
Sam Burgess 43	David Klemmer 54
Angus Crichton 55	Adam Elliott 26
Robbie Farah 21	Sam Kasiano 24
George Burgess 42	Danny Fualalo 31
Kyle Turner 22	Matt Frawley 32

Another Thursday night, another Bulldogs bludger. I’m sure you’ve all read about the complaints on the scheduling, so I won’t carry on about it any more. On the flip side, the only way is up for the quality of the remaining games this week (hopefully). The Rabbitohs weren’t outstanding in this game either, but they were a lot better than the Bulldogs. It’s almost over for the Bulldogs, but after this season their fans should really be looking forward to a Mad Monday themselves! Anyway, enough rambling about this game.

Let’s highlight some of the key performers and flops.

The Good

Alex Johnston (91)

AJ is one of the most frustrating SuperCoach players given his high ceiling due to great attacking ability, but his almost non-existent work rate makes him such a massive risk. Coming off 100 points last week, AJ has backed it up with a two-try performance, as well as a try assist, a line break, a line break assist, five tackle busts and 19 points in pure base stats. With the Rabbitohs coming into a purple patch of form (admittedly against mediocre opposition), if you’re in a sudden death head-to-head match next week, AJ against the Warriors could be that desperation POD to try jag a win.

Alex Johnston celebrates with his Rabbitohs after scoring against the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

James Graham (87)

Graham has had a very frustrating season with injuries, which has seen his usual, consistent 60-65 points replaced by scores in the 40s to 50s range. Even this week, he played 53 minutes but still only managed 48 points in pure base stats — very poor by his usual base stat standards. His score was saved by a try, a line break, five tackle busts and one offload (yet to be updated). Another one who is probably desperate for this season to be over.

The Bad

Campbell Graham (20)

The rookie winger was caught out in defence several times and let in a try, but to his credit he kept his chin up and kept at it. From a SuperCoach standpoint, this isn’t the worst score at all and his base stats are still better than Alex Johnston’s base stats.

Josh Jackson couldn’t live up to his lofty standards. Picture: Getty Images

Josh Jackson (25)

This was a sad sight to see, when a hardworking player like Jackson stops putting in the effort. He played 80 minutes but made two errors and missed NINE tackles. That’s horrible from him. Sums up the attitude of plenty of the Bulldogs players …

The Ugly

Josh Reynolds (16)

He only lasted 21 minutes before a calf issue ended his night, and potentially his Bulldogs career, which would be a devastating way for him to finish. Let’s hope he gets to play another game for the club and go out on his terms.

Sam Burgess (43)

Another frustrating bit of bad luck, with Surgess rolling along great before an awkward tackle saw an elbow hit him in the ribs and force him from the field immediately. He’s a tough guy and for him to show the pain on his face means it must have really hurt at that moment. In a positive for him, and Surgess owners, the commentators mentioned that he was fine to go back on after that little break, and he would have if the game was closer. From the sounds of that, he should continue to be managed through the remainder of the season.

Eels v Knights (10-29)

Match report

EELS	KNIGHTS
Will Smith 19	Dane Gagai 109
Semi Radradra 21	Ken Sio 88
Michael Jennings 44	Joe Wardle 19
Brad Takairangi 25	Peter Mata'utia 40
Kirisome Auva'a 32	Shaun Kenny-Dowall 23
Corey Norman 51	Brock Lamb 101
Mitchell Moses 25	Trent Hodkinson 28
Siosaia Vave 15	Daniel Saifiti 42
Cameron King 53	Jamie Buhrer 45
Tim Mannah 42	Josh King 44
Manu Ma'u 46	Sione Mata'utia 33
Tepai Moeroa 30	Lachlan Fitzgibbon 67
Nathan Brown 61	Mitchell Barnett 70
Daniel Alvaro 61	Danny Levi 39
Ken Edwards 32	Jacob Saifiti 29
Suaia Matagi 37	Sam Stone 7
Peni Terepo 11	Luke Yates 28

Broncos v Sharks (32-10)

Match report

BRONCOS	SHARKS
Darius Boyd 80	Valentine Holmes 26
Corey Oates 46	Sosaia Feki 19
James Roberts 43	Kurt Capewell 22
Tautau Moga 87	Ricky Leutele 22
Jordan Kahu 22	Gerard Beale 54
Anthony Milford 76	James Maloney 42
Kodi Nikorima 54	Chad Townsend 37
Korbin Sims 48	Andrew Fifita 54
Sam Thaiday 17	Fa'amanu Brown 20
Adam Blair 36	Matt Prior 31
Alex Glenn 43	Luke Lewis 65
Matt Gillett 80	Wade Graham 52
Josh McGuire 57	Paul Gallen 40
Ben Hunt 12	Jayson Bukuya 31
Tevita Pangai Junior 28	Jeremy Latimore 30
Jai Arrow 41	James Segeyaro 42
Herman Ese'ese 38	Sam Tagataese 20

Dragons v Titans (42-16)

Match report

DRAGONS	TITANS
Matthew Dufty 36	Jarryd Hayne 29
Nene MacDonald 34	Anthony Don 75
Josh Dugan 71	Dale Copley 63
Tim Lafai 64	John Olive 15
Jason Nightingale 82	William Zillman 25
Gareth Widdop 102	Kane Elgey 7
Kurt Mann 118	Ashley Taylor 28
Tariq Sims 46	Jarrod Wallace 33
Cameron McInnes 100	Nathan Peats 42
Paul Vaughan 50	Ryan James 50
Tyson Frizell 40	Kevin Proctor 32
Joel Thompson 108	Joe Greenwood 50
Jack De Belin 52	Leivaha Pulu 29
Leeson Ah Mau 42	Max King 46
Hame Sele 17	Tyrone Roberts 18
Blake Lawrie 10	Nathaniel Peteru 31
Taane Milne 4	Paterika Vaivai 67

Storm v Roosters (16-13)

Match report

STORM	ROOSTERS
Billy Slater 36	Connor Watson 80
Suliasi Vunivalu 35	Latrell Mitchell 50
Will Chambers 43	Ryan Matterson 30
Curtis Scott 28	Mitchell Aubusson 72
Joshua Addo-Carr 13	Blake Ferguson 22
Jahrome Hughes 24	Luke Keary 53
Cooper Cronk 56	Mitchell Pearce 35
Jesse Bromwich 53	Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 50
Cameron Smith 67	Jake Friend 69
Nelson Asofa-Solomona 47	Dylan Napa 39
Felise Kaufusi 46	Boyd Cordner 43
Joe Stimson 75	Aidan Guerra 67
Dale Finucane 57	Isaac Liu 36
Tim Glasby 38	Joseph Manu 0
Kenny Bromwich 21	Zane Tetevano 35
Jordan McLean 36	Sio Siua Taukeiaho 19
Slade Griffin 13	Kane Evans 22

Panthers v Cowboys (24-16)

Match report

PANTHERS	COWBOYS
Dylan Edwards 51	Lachlan Coote 26
Josh Mansour 78	Kyle Feldt 22
Tyrone Peachey 54	Justin O'Neil l9
Waqa Blake 45	Kane Linnett 71
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 32	Javid Bowen 66
Matthew Moylan 26	Ben Hampton 22
Nathan Cleary 95	Michael Morgan 37
James Tamou 87	Shaun Fensom 46
Peter Wallace 72	Jake Granville 47
Tim Browne 26	Scott Bolton 55
Corey Harawira-Naera 64	Coen Hess 32
Isaah Yeo 41	Ethan Lowe 32
Moses Leota 14	Jason Taumalolo 99
Tyrone May 60	John Asiata 49
Reagan Campbell-Gillard 90	Corey Jensen 41
Bryce Cartwright 17	Sam Hoare 37
James Fisher-Harris 24	Patrick Mago 27

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2017: Wilfred Zee’s wrap of the good, bad and ugly from round 23