NRL teams round 11, Magic Round: Joey Manu out for Roosters, Nicho Hynes named for Sharks
We thought the injury carnage was over but it’s not with Joey Manu the latest SuperCoach stud to go down. Get that Trade Boost ready!
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We thought the injury carnage was over but it’s not.
SuperCoach stud Joey Manu is the latest player added to the round 11 casualty ward due to concussion. And while he’s only expected to miss one week, his injury spikes the trade plans of thousands of SuperCoaches who had purchased prior to Team List Tuesday, not to mention the 32,000 who already own him.
Given the injury crisis, it’s going to be a Boost-a-thon this week so get prepped for a mammoth teams analysis.
LOSERS
* For those living under a rock - Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 18), Nathan Cleary (hamstring, round 19) and Roger Tuivasa-Scheck (hamstring, round 17) are all out long-term and definite sells.
* Shaun Johnson - The Warriors have confirmed Johnson will miss the next three weeks (11, 12 and the bye) and return in round 14. It’s better news than expected but he’s still a sell.
* Trai Fuller - Popular cheapie axed by the Dolphins to accommodate the return of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring). That said, SuperCoaches have achieved a great result on Fuller, who has made $224,900 in two weeks. With a BE of 21, the price rises are essentially over so a sell makes sense, but he could also be handy for the byes if Hammer makes the Queensland squad.
* Max Plath - The popular Dolphin is out for a week due to concussion. But he’s a hold for most given round 13 coverage and the carnage elsewhere this week.
* Kai Pearce-Paul - Named on the bench yet again and many are selling. But this is a mistake. KPP appears to have been ‘rested’ not dropped to the bench and his demotion may not be a regular thing in the long term. In the short term fellow Newcastle 2RF Tyson Frizell is reported to have picked up a hamstring niggle – though those reports are not confirmed as yet and he’s been named. Either way, KPP is a hold. He scored 41 points in 40 minutes last week. That’s enough for me to wait and see 1. Whether Frizz is injured and 2. How the minutes play out this week.
WINNERS
* Nicho Hynes - Named for the Sharks despite a calf injury that kept him out last week. Nicho sat out training on Tuesday and is in doubt for Magic Round, so keep an eye on Late Mail.
CLEARLY/JOHNSON REPLACEMENTS
* Sam Walker - The most popular pick of the week and it is easy to see why. Walker is both in good form and, crucially, unlikely to be selected for Origin. Priced at $680K, Walker needs to average around 70PPG over the next three to hold his value but the red-hot Roosters attack plus easy matches against the Raiders and Cowboys in rounds 12 and 13 should see him do that. The round 14 bye is a bummer but Walker and his Roosters provide cover for the round 16 bye before then playing the Tigers (Rd 17) and Dragons (Rd 18) which should help his value before you sell ahead of the round 19 bye (which the Roosters do not play).
* Matt Burton - Easily the pick of the HFB|5/8 replacements, Burton has not had a ‘bad’ game since round three and is averaging 88PPG over his last six games. That run of form has run his price up but that’s not a concern since most of those hunting in the market are playing with Cleary or Johnson money. The worry is that Burton appears to be playing his way into the NSW team. If not at 6 (where your humble correspondent thinks he should be selected) then his versatility means he’s a serious threat of being selected either as a bench utility or 18th man.
TURBO/RTS REPLACEMENTS
* Dom Young - The big Englishman was the buy of the week last week and boy did he deliver with a stonking 160 point effort. That big score added $134K to Young’s price and so he’s no longer the bargain he was last week. There’s still money to be made thanks to his BE of -31, and as mentioned above the Roosters have a good looking draw in rounds 12/13. A word of warning for those thinking of buying Young purely as a financial play though – the Sharks’ outside backs are a very good defensive unit and have been restricting oppositions well. I would be surprised (though very pleased!) if Young adds $100K over the next three weeks.
* Scott Drinkwater - The Cowboys fullback was a popular buy last week and those who bought him would have been very concerned in what they saw from the North Queensland attack. It was, to be kind, rubbish. Points only came against the Titans late when the Gold Coast were hamstrung with injuries all over the park. Drinkwater scored 59 points thanks to his 16 runs and eight tackle breaks but it was not pretty. I still have him as a buy though with a match this week against the Rabbitohs followed by the Wests Tigers in round 12. The Cowboys get the Roosters in the round 13 bye round but the boys from Bondi will be weakened due to Origin commitments – plus if Val Holmes is picked by the Maroons (as he should be) then Drinkwater will kick goals in that game.
* Dylan Edwards - The Penrith fullback just keeps on keeping on and has the most points of any fullback eligible player. The injury to Cleary means he will retain the goalkicking duties for the foreseeable too. In my opinion he should be running out in the fullback jersey for the Blues, and that’s why I can’t recommend him as a buy. Don’t let that put you off though, my record of tipping the NSW selections is rubbish.
* Greg Marzhew - After starting the season priced at $790K you can now buy Marzhew for the bargain price of $515K. The big man looked great against the Tigers last week with 16 runs, eight tackle breaks and a try. However, the Tigers defence was putrid in that game – with their right edge particularly putrid. The Newcastle left side is clearly missing Kalyn Ponga and that is what has me avoiding Marzhew for now, but I can certainly see why others are hopping on at the price.
* Tolu Koula - Has been looking great at centre without it translating to SuperCoach, but he now gets a crack at fullback with Tommy Turbo out long-term. The schedule isn’t great though – Broncos, Storm and bye.
CHEAPIE BIBLE
* Blaize Talagi - Nineteen runs, three linebreaks and a try helped Talagi to a bumper 93 points against the Broncos and hopefully for those who held him should be enough to engender some decent job security. An undoubtedly tough matchup this week (Storm) then Souths into Sharks so it’s not the greatest draw, but the Eels do cover the tough rounds 13 and 14 and with any luck Talagi will have added around $150K to his value leading into round 15 when he profiles as a sell.
* Kaeo Weekes - Pass. Job security is always iffy under coach Ricky Stuart and I don’t love his game for SC purposes.
* Sua Faalogo - Just 35 points from 80 minutes is not what was expected from the Storm excitement machine. Melbourne’s attack was contained by the Sharks and I expect he’ll have a much more fruitful outing against Parramatta at Suncorp. The poor score last week means you can wait another week on Faalogo this week if you like. His BE is 30 so while he’ll likely make money it should not be a fortune.
TEAMS WRAP: NICHO NAMED BUT WILL HE PLAY?
Cronulla has named Nicho Hynes to return from a calf injury, but Parramatta remains without halfback Mitch Moses who may have just 80 minutes to convince Blues coach Michael Maguire that he should be picked for game one.
Moses hasn’t played since round three following surgery on a broken foot, and he won’t make an early return against the Storm at Magic Round with Daejarn Asi to partner Dylan Brown in the halves.
He is the leading man to replace the injured Nathan Cleary at halfback for NSW, but he must prove his fitness against the Rabbitohs next week to show Maguire he’s ready to lead the state.
While Moses is still out, the Sharks have named Hynes at halfback for their blockbuster clash with the Roosters.
The former Dally M winner missed last week due to calf tightness and will be given every chance to play. If he is ruled out then Braydon Trindall could earn a reprieve after he was stood down last month for allegedly failing roadside drug and alcohol tests.
“Braydon has pleased us with his commitment to addressing his personal matters,” Sharks chief executive Dino Mezzatesta said. “He’s been training with the squad in recent weeks and will be more than ready to play if required.
“It’s been a challenging period for Braydon, but he now sees an opportunity to give back to the club through his performance on and off the field.”
Daniel Atkinson has been named at five-eighth with Trindall part of an extended squad to face the Roosters who will be without Joseph Manu who suffered a head knock in the final few minutes last week.
There are a number of star wingers set to make comebacks from hamstring injuries this week with Alex Johnston, Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi all named.
The Panthers have turned to young gun Jack Cole to replace Nathan Cleary who will be sidelined for up to two months with a hamstring injury, while there are mass changes at the Warriors who are facing their own injury crisis.
Shaun Johnson (pec) joins Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) on the sidelines, with Andrew Webster making a raft of changes that sees Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shift to five-eighth and Taine Tuaupiki named at fullback.
The Raiders welcome back veteran Jordan Rapana at fullback for their clash with the Bulldogs, while Jock Madden partners Ezra Mam for a Broncos side that will be without Billy Walters (elbow). There are mass changes at Manly with Tolu Koula to replace the injured Tom Trbojevic at fullback. Ray Vaega and Jaxson Paulo are the new wingers this week, with Haumole Olakau’atu back from suspension.
The Titans have been forced into a couple of major changes with Chris Randall and Sam Verrills listed in the halves because most of their playmakers are out injured. Jack Cogger has been recalled by the Knights with Tyson Gamble (foot) unavailable, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) is back for the Dolphins in place of Trai Fuller who scored a scorching solo try last week.
—Martin Gabor
FULLER AXED, PLATH OUT FOR DOLPHINS
Wayne Bennett has axed Dolphins sensation Trai Fuller following his try-of-the-year contender.
But the reserve grade marvel won’t be gone for long, with the Dolphins keeping Fuller on ice ahead of a gruelling State of Origin period.
Fuller won’t be making an appearance at Magic Round this weekend after being relegated for the return of regular fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) from injury.
Tabuai-Fidow will slot straight back into his No. 1 jersey for the Dolphins’ Magic Round closer against Wests Tigers on Sunday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Fuller, 27, scored a stunning solo try that evoked memories of Billy Slater’s famous 2004 Origin moment in the Dolphins’ 30-24 win against Manly last week.
But Bennett couldn’t find space for the pint-sized dynamo in his 17 and will instead bank on Fuller delivering during the Origin period when Tabuai-Fidow is on Queensland duty.
The Dolphins don’t have any byes in the lead-up to the three Origin matches, meaning Fuller will be a key player if they are to maintain a spot in the NRL’s top four.
Workhorse lock Max Plath will miss the match due to concussion, with Kenny Bromwich working his way back into the 17.
–Travis Meyn
NEXT FAINU UP FOR TIGERS
A third Fainu brother is set to make his debut for the Wests Tigers with forward Sione named in the side to take on the Dolphins this weekend.
Coach Benji Marshall is without backrowers Isaiah Papali’i (suspension) and John Bateman, who is set to miss up to 10 weeks with a pectoral injury.
The hit to forward stocks has opened the door for Sione, 22, the eldest of the Fainu brothers at the club to make his debut on Sunday.
Playmaker Latu, 18, was blooded back in round five but is currently out with a hamstring injury. While edge forward Samuela, 20, made his club debut in round 2.
Sione produced a strong showing in NSW Cup last week against Newcastle, scoring a try, churning out 168 metres, a line break and three tackle busts, boosting his chances of selection in the NRL side this week.
ROUND 11 TEAMS
RAIDERS v BULLDOGS
Friday, 6pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Nick Cotric 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies
Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler
Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Zac Woolford 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Peter Hola 22. Hohepa Puru
Bulldogs:1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann
Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston
Reserves: 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Toby Sexton 23. Blake Wilson
SEA EAGLES v BRONCOS
Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sea Eagles: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Matthew Lodge
Reserves: 18. Aaron Woods 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Dean Matterson 21. Brandon Wakeham 22. Toafofoa Sipley
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Bench: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski
Reserves: 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Martin Taupau 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Cory Paix
TITANS v KNIGHTS
Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Chris Randall 7. Sam Verrills 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas
Bench: 14. Keenan Palasia 15. Isaac Liu 16. Josiah Pahulu 17. Joe Stimson
Reserves: 18. Thomas Weaver 19. Tony Francis 20. Jacob Alick-wiencke 21. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 22. Jaylan De Groot
Knights: 1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott
Bench : 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Kai Pearce-Paul 16. Brodie Jones 17. Jack Hetherington
Reserves: 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Krystian Mapapalangi 21. Thomas Cant 22. Fletcher Sharpe
SHARKS v ROOSTERS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes
Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Reserves: 18. Samuel Stonestreet 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Braydon Trindall 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Billy Burns
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Fetalaiga Pauga 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley
Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May
Reserves: 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Ethan King 22. Siua Wong
RABBITOHS v COWBOYS
Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Dion Teaupa 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow
Bench: 13. Siliva Havili 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Taane Milne
Reserves: 18. Gehamat Shibasaki 19. Matthew French 20. Adam Christensen 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Liam Le Blanc
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter
Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo
Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Braidon Burns 22. Jaxon Purdue
WARRIORS v PANTHERS
Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jacob Laban
Reserves: 18. Zyon Maiu’u 20. Edward Kosi 21. Paul Roache 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith 23. Ben Farr
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Mavrik Geyer
Reserves: 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Preston Riki 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Soni Luke 22. Scott Sorensen
STORM v EELS
Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero
Bench: 14. Jack Howarth 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald
Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Joe Chan 20. Bronson Garlick 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Chris Lewis
Eels: 1. Blaize Talagi 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood
Bench: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves: 18. Brendan Hands 19. Morgan Harper 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Luca Moretti
TIGERS v DOLPHINS
Sunday, 6:25pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal
Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Fonua Pole 16. Asu Kepaoa 17. Sione Fainu
Reserves: 18. Tallyn Da Silva 19. Solomon Faataape 20. Alex Lobb 21. Kit Lualilii 22. Tony Sukkar
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tubuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Kenneath Bromwich
Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu
Reserves: 18. Trai Fuller 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Edrick Lee 22. Oryn Keeley
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