Weekly Wrap: Round 12 stars, flops, injuries

How good was Indigenous round! Hats off to the NRL, they do this weekend extremely well and the clubs all get on board. I was away for the weekend and watched most of the games through the bottom of a schooner glass or with one eye closely fixed on Sky Racing but from what I did get to see, we were gifted with some cracking NRL Games over the weekend! Friday night at Suncorp, into Sunday where Belmore looked a treat, finishing off in a chilly but packed GIO Stadium.

Well, all our bye planning is upon us, and we head into the unknown! Round 13 has been at the forefront of our minds for weeks now and all that planning seemingly has gone out the window, with players like Suaalii, Cotter and Nanai all getting Origin starts. Interesting to see if someone like Suaalii can still play this weekend.

The NonFungible Turbos are on the slide but were saved to a degree thanks to Graham and Walker. After having to play Kiraz and Koula, I finished with a score of 1130, losing me 263 spots into 2014th.

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Storm v Sea Eagles

With the late scratching to Harry Grant, coaches were scrambling, and some were even forced to play C Randall and D. Ramas, and its only Thursday night!

But that didn’t affect C Munster who looks like he is ready to take the Blues on himself with an inspired performance, scoring a double and finishing with 112. In a typical Munster performance, he couldn’t be stopped and was unlucky not to finish with more as he plotted and toyed the night away

Josh King was afforded limited minutes and might be on the sell list for those still carrying the Melbourne lock as he only managed 38.

Manly might as well have had a bucket on the wing catching some bombs because the wingers (One in particular) didn’t seem to keen to get their hands on them.

Olakau’atu was Manly’s best on the night, scoring 70 including a line break whilst Garrick managed 67 despite him, Tuipulotu and Koula seeing limited attacking opportunities. Only 284 days until Turbo returns!

Minutes played – B Smith 66, King 50, Wishart 19, Schuster 49

Reported Injuries – Dylan Walker (knee), Harry Grant (pre-game – adductor)

Judiciary – Nil

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Panthers v Cowboys

The script is becoming all too familiar. Penrith at home, big defensive performance, do enough to win, and give the opposing team absolutely nothing; Rinse and repeat for 26 rounds and you get the Minor Premiership!

They were clinical showing the Cowboys and the competition who the team to beat are and even with Origin looming, they look strong.

Cleary had a quiet game, scoring only 58 despite 21% of coaches putting the C on him. He was outshone in the attacking department by Isaah Yeo who scored one for himself and set another up. He is starting to become very Supercoach relevant again and might be a good shout for the run home post Origin.

May and Tago left it late, but the pair too were strong scoring 68 and 58 with Tago now having a 3-round average of 73.

Its gong to be hard for Queensland to leave out R Cotter and Nanai out! Despite the 22-0 score line, the duo were huge in the middle, with Cotter making 59 tackles to finish with 72. Cotter made all those tackles in just 64 minutes and still had the time and energy for 12 runs. I can’t wait until post Origin to bring him in. Just wish I had done it 6 weeks ago.

Minutes played – Kikau 80, Martin 76, Sorensen 31, Cotter 64, Nanai 80, Robson 80

Reported Injuries – Nil

Judiciary – Jarome Luai (careless high tackle)

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Broncos v Titans

Every week I write this article, the Broncos seem to get better and better! I liked it when they were rubbish. Can’t have a Queensland side playing this well, this close to Origin!

It was a cracking match in front of a big crowd with many coaches hoping both Staggs and Cobbo could continue on their merry run. Cobbo managed 65 with a try whilst Staggs’ 46 points included 20 points in goals. A reason many sold him in the preceding weeks. Still an X factor to have and will come back an Origin player so plenty to consider!

It was Brisbane’s other centre that got all the plaudits, with Farnworth having a cracker of a game scoring a try, setting one up, and making 10 tackle busts for his 105. They do like attacking down the left Brisbane so one to keep an eye on.

David Fifita was strong in his return managing 70 in his 48 minutes and depending on Origin selection, might be a very good pickup for next week and beyond.

Minutes played – Haas 54, Carrigan 70, Fifita 48, Tino 69

Reported Injuries – Jordan Riki (dangerous contact), Thomas Flegler (dangerous contact), Jaimin Jolliffe (careless high tackle)

Judiciary – Nil

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Warriors v Knights

You know how I said earlier I watched most of the games this weekend through the bottom of a schooner glass? This was one of them. Do you blame me?!

A few coaches would have had a keen eye on Harris with next weeks bye approaching. He was solid but didn’t go huge, scoring 50 but did manage the full 80 minutes so he will be a very popular buy of next weekend.

Tevaga’s minutes were down which is very frustrating to say the least as I brought him in to cover Grant. His PPM still is amazing so more minutes please Nathan Brown! Its not like you have much to lose.

The injury to D Saifiti helped Klemmer’s minutes as he banged out a solid 65 and is now worth over 600k

Minutes played – Tevaga 41, Harris 80, Randall 63, Klemmer 76

Reported Injuries – Daniel Saifiti (knee), Jack Murchie (head knock)

Judiciary – Marcelo Montoya (careless high tackle)

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Rabbitohs v Tigers

Where to start with this one! I thought the Tigers had this until something went amiss with their oranges in the sheds at half time. That or Justin Demetriou wandered into the wrong sheds.

Campbell Graham had his best game in years, but despite this, he couldn’t sway Freddy and will have to wait longer for a chance at an Origin Debut. He tore the Tigers edge apart scoring 1 try and setting up 2 others on top of his usual base stat heavy game to finish with 112. Alex Johnston was the beneficiary of Graham’s performance as he crossed for a hattrick and became Souths leading try scorer! His 114 pushed his 3-round average to 90!

Cody Walker also got in on the action and bushed off an up and down month to post his first 100+ score of the year! His double and try assist helped him finish with 104 and joined both Graham and Johnston with raising the bat.

The Tigers are near the most irrelevant Supercoach side this season, with only Hastings and Tuilaga owned by 21 and 14 percent of Supercoach sides. The next best is Ofahengaue who is owned by 4%. Don’t think I need to spend too much time on them. First half good. Second Half bad. Done

Minutes played – Arrow 80, Murray 61, Taaffe 19, Tuilagi 30

Reported Injuries – Nil

Judiciary – Nil

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Sharks v Roosters

Every time I looked up from said Schooner glass, Teddy was either scoring a try or setting one up! 144 of the best Supercoach points – he was unstoppable, Turbo-like even; putting the Sharks to the sword. He has had an exceptionally good month or so and will now head into Origin camp full of confidence, not that he lacked any before. If they were picking a World Cup squad now, he would be a near certainty for the vacant Fullback spot in the Italian side

Nat Butcher bagged a try and backed up last week’s strong performance with 83 whilst Angus Crichton has relished the move back to the right, scoring 84 including a try assist. One to look at for next week as Freddy could only afford to pick one Crichton and it wasn’t Angus

The Sharks never looked in this one and whilst Talakai and Mulitalo linked up well, Nicho seemed to be stuck in 4^th gear and couldn’t really get the side going. A Popular captaincy choice, his 51 fell flat although it was on par with most for the weekend

And it would be remiss of me to mention William Kennedy and the work he got through on Saturday. 1 tackle, 7 missed, 5 hit ups and 2 errors for a grand total of -2.

Minutes played – McInnes 53, Wilton 80, Crichton 80, Butcher 80, Suaalii 57, Watson 46,

Reported Injuries – Joseph Suaalii (head knock), Wade Graham (pre-game – foot),

Judiciary – Nil

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Bulldogs v Dragons

Forget Supercoach for a moment; Belmore, Sunday arvo, the train, packed hill, end to end Rugby League action does it get any better! If you’re a Bulldogs fan, I reckon you’re thinking, “I F@#$*ng hope so!!”

I jumped on the Kiraz train this week and he looked awfully busy but didn’t quite reach the previous weeks heights scoring only 29. He does look a keeper though and will make owners some cash heading into next week.

The omission of TPJ helped Kings minutes as he banged out a season high 63. He will get his first run for me this year next week!

Lomax nearly cracked 100 as he crossed for a try. I’ve said it plenty of times this year but if the attacking stats come, he is a must! Come Round 17, I reckon he will be in my side. He won’t be running at the Dogs every week, but he has the potential against every side to go big

Minutes played – King 57, Thompson 55, Bird 80, JDB 68

Reported Injuries – Mikaele Ravalawa (pre-game – hamstring)

Judiciary – Moses Mbye (dangerous contact), Paul Vaughan (contrary conduct), Aaron Schoupp (contrary conduct)

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Raiders v Eels

Favourite part of the weekend was when Gutherson dropped that bomb cold, and Kris scored! Shame the Raiders couldn’t go on with it but a nice moment none the less.

It was a match there for the taking for the Raiders, but they couldn’t go with Parra for the 80. Led up front by Papali’i and Tapine the pair were enormous, both scoring well into the 70s but despite throwing everything they had at the Eels, they didn’t wilt.

Tommy Starling only played 25 minutes for his 28 and Adam Elliot scored only 42

Dylan Brown has been the most improved player this year and continues to score well in Supercoach no matter what! 2 game sunder 50 this year and finished Sunday arvo with 110! Those who have held are now in the minority as he becomes a POD, but one that will become more popular the closer we get to Round 17.

Ryan Matterson what a beast! Amassed 80 in his 55 minutes without an attacking stat! Best buy I have made this year since the 2 for 1 Tee Vee snacks I scored at Woolies back in April. He and Papali’i were in everything, and I can sleep easy knowing I now don’t have to find room for those 2 in the coming weeks

Minutes played – Starling 25, Papali’i 55, Elliot 43, Paulo 44, Matterson 55

Reported Injuries – Jarrod Croker (pre-game – shoulder), Will Penisini (head knock)

Judiciary – Nil

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