Team Lists Review – Round 17
Exciting times for the 6% of coaches who held A. Twal.
Before looking towards Round 17, you can relive the Highs and Lows of Round 16 here:-
Eels v Rabbitohs, Thursday 7.50pm
Eels
M. Moses returns from Origin duty, which pushes J. Papalii to the bench.
I. Iongi and J. Williams are owned by some teams and keep their starting spots. Both remain potential PODs.
Rabbitohs
L. Mitchell has suffered a fresh calf injury and is likely looking at up to a month on the sidelines. As a result, L. Siegwalt retains his spot this week (and likely for the period that L. Mitchell is out).
T. Duncan remains in the centre position for the time being, meaning E. Aitken retains his spot at the second row.
For better or for worse, B Smith, K Koloamatangi, and D Fifita are all owned by around 5% of teams and keep their starting spots.
J. Wighton is expected back next week, and C. Graham the week after in Round 19.
Titans v Bulldogs, Friday 6.00pm
Titans
T. Fa’asuamaleaui returns from being rested last week.
C. Bai is out with a concussion, meaning C. Randall fills in at lock.
O. Pascoe retains the starting spot, despite losing most of his minutes to S. Verrills last week who is named at 18.
A serious ankle injury to J. Taumoepeau has ruled the winger out for the season, with J. De Groot filling in. Despite his cheap price, J. De Groot is historically a poor Fantasy scorer on the wing.
Z. Harrison, J. Campbell, K. Kini, and A. Hau all retain their starting spots.
Bulldogs
S. Crichton has been named at 5/8, with M. Burton named in the centres. The change does not favour M. Burton in terms of scoring. The effect it will have on S. Crichton is yet to be seen. It is worth noting that the two swapped positions in last week’s win over the Sea Eagles.
B. Hayward has reclaimed the starting hooker position over K. Mann who is named on the bench.
S. Tupouniua is out for at least a few weeks with a hamstring injury, meaning J. Curran starts in the back row. J. Preston has been named in the reserves and is expected back from his arm injury this week.
J. Kiraz, L. Galvin, L. Thompson, and M. King all retain their starting positions.
V. Kikau is still not expected back until Round 20.
Broncos v Roosters, Friday 8.00pm
Broncos
R. Walsh is back from Origin and reclaims his fullback position. P. Haas also returns to prop, and K. Staggs to the centres.
T. Duffy is again named at 5/8, with E. Mam out with a shoulder injury. A. Reynolds is out with a hamstring injury, which sees B. Hunt fill in at halfback.
X. Willison retains the lock position. P. Carrigan’s return from his ankle injury has been delayed, and he now hopes to return in Round 20.
G. Shibasaki is expected back in Round 18.
Roosters
H. Savala returns to the centres from a concussion this week, which means T. Talau goes to the bench.
A. Crichton is out with a foot injury (return TBC) which sees N. Butcher start in the second row.
J. Tedesco, M. Nawaqanitawase, R. Robson, R. Toia, S. Walker, N. Whyte and S. Wong all have varying Fantasy relevance and retain their starting spots.
There is still no expected return date for D. Tupou who is sidelined with a calf injury.
Dolphins v Warriors, Saturday 3.00pm
Dolphins
I. Katoa returns from injury, which pushes B. Schneider to the bench.
T. Gilbert is out with a minor throat injury, but he hasn’t been Fantasy relevant for some time.
H. Tabuai-Fidow, J. Bostock, J. Isaako, H. Farnworth, K. Finefeuiaki, I. Katoa, and C. Lemuelu are the Dolphins’ core Fantasy-relevant players, and all are named to start as expected.
The return of S. Cobbo means T. Naufahu goes to the reserves.
M. Plath is named on the bench, with J. Marshall-King retaining the starting hooker position.
The return of H. Tabuai-Fidow sees T. Fuller pushed to the reserves.
Warriors
With J. Ford out (likely until the finals) with a pectoral injury, M. Barnett and T. Stowers-Smith are named in the front row.
The partnership of T. Martin at halfback and C. Harris-Tavita at 5/8 continues, with L. Metcalf again named on the extended bench.
With K. Capewell back from injury, M. Niukore is pushed to the bench. L. Halasima is still ruled out with a hamstring injury. His return remains listed as TBC.
E. Clark, T. Tuaupiki, and D. Watene-Zelezniak feature in a few teams and all retain their starting positions.
J. Fisher-Harris remains sidelined with a calf injury, expected back in Round 19.
Cowboys v Panthers, Saturday 5.30pm
Cowboys
Still no signs of T. Dearden, despite being expected back from his ankle injury this week. This means J. Purdue is again named at 5/8.
J. Nanai is again named at second row, after a healthy score of 68 last week (including a try).
T. Chester, H. Luki, S. Drinkwater, and J. Clifford all retain their starting spots.
Both J. Taumalolo and T. Mikaele return to the starting front row, after coming off the bench last week.
Panthers
I. Yeo, N. Cleary, and B. To’o all return to their starting positions after being rested last week. This means L. Garner (centre), J. Cogger (halfback), and L. Smith (lock) are pushed to the bench.
D. Edwards, T. Jenkins, F. Lussick, and I. Papali’i are all somewhat Fantasy relevant and retain their starting positions.
M. Kenny was expected back from his leg injury this week but has not been named. C. McLean also remains sidelined, with an undetermined return date.
Sea Eagles v Storm, Saturday 7.35pm
Sea Eagles
R. Garrick is out with a concussion this week, which sees J. Feledy start in the centres in the interim. B. Wakeham is out with a calf injury, so J. Simpkin starts. Prop K. Hetherington is also out with a concussion, which means E. Bellemor joins the starting side.
C. Faulalo returns from injury this week but is named in the reserves.
T. Trbojevic, T. Koula, H. Olakau’atu and J. Fogarty are all Fantasy relevant (to some extent) and retain their spots.
Storm
J. Hughes is out with a minor hamstring strain (likely 1-3 weeks recovery), so is replaced in the halves by T. Wishart.
J. Chan is again named in the centres.
Fantasy-relevant (and potentially Fantasy relevant) S. Faalogo, T. Loiero, S. Utoikamanu, H. Grant, A. Lisati, C. Clarke, and C. Munster all retain their starting spots.
N. Meaney is not expected back until next week.
Raiders v Dragons, Sunday 2.00pm
Raiders
S. Sasagi returns from his shoulder injury into the centres, pushing S. Kris to the bench. This is good news for M. Timoko owners, as he is currently in a vein of form (last three average of 52).
H. Young, E. Strange, E. Sanders, J. Tapine, K. Weekes, and C. Horsburgh all retain their starting positions.
J. Papalii was expected back from injury (calf) this week but is still out. N. Martin’s return date is still marked as TBC.
D. Laurie is dropped from the team completely.
Dragons
The Dragons have seen no changes to their side this week, meaning Fantasy-relevant T. Couchman, R. Couchman, H. Stewart, D. Cook, S. Tu, and D. Egan all retain their starting spots.
D. Fale has overcome his hamstring injury but is not named. S. Tuipulotu returned from injury last week and remains named in the reserves.
K. Reed still isn’t due back until around Round 20.
Knights v Wests Tigers, Sunday 4.05pm
Knights
K. Ponga, D. Lucas, T. Mooney, D. Brown, and G. Marzhew are all Fantasy relevant and retain their starting positions.
J. McEwen also returns to the starting second row after being stood down for an off-field incident. T. Cant goes to the bench.
Tigers
The big news is the return of A. Doueihi and A. Twal from their respective injuries.
Those who banked on A. Seyfarth picking up the second-row position left behind by K. Pearce-Paul will be disappointed, with A. Seyfarth being moved to the bench. T. Sukkar keeps the starting second-row spot, next to S. Fainu.
The return of A. Doueihi means J. Madden is out of the side.
H. Makasini filled in for P. Herbert who left the field with a shoulder injury last week, but is not named to take the centre spot, with that job going to S. To’a. J. Skelton moves to the wing. H. Makasini is named on the bench.
Taylan May, Terrell May and A. Koroisau are all Fantasy relevant and retain their starting spots.