NRL Round 14 Teams: Supercoach Squad Analysis

Former NRL Supercoach runner-up, Tim Williams deep dives into the NRL round 14 team lists with full Supercoach analysis.

NRL

We’ve arrived at the halfway point of the NRL Supercoach season, with a full allotment of games to celebrate the long weekend.

Hopefully, your side is cruising along nicely as we work our way through the tricky State of Origin period.

It’ll likely be one of the first times this season that Supercoaches feel their squads are fairly stacked, making the sit v start decisions tougher from here on out.

With largely strong squads to pick fro,m including plenty of favourable match-ups to popular Supercoach players, it looms as a potentially nice week to try and save a trade or two.

We’ll have three trades at our disposal next week, with half the competition on the bye, and we’ll know what Origin teams look like by that stage.

While I think next week will be manageable, round 16 post-Origin looms as a potentially brutal week with three clubs on the bye.

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With Origin in Perth on Wednesday, the extended flight time is likely to see a host of players potentially rested.

Penrith have already flagged their intention to rest players for the big trip over to New Zealand on the three day turnaround.

Take this round very seriously and make sure you plan accordingly with trades in coming weeks to give yourself some room to work with in case of those restings.

The Cooma Stallions had another disappointing week with just 1,202 points to fall again to 3600th overall.

After peaking as high as 700th a few weeks back, the boys desperately need to dig in over a few big weeks to come and regain some of that ground lost.

Let’s take a look at the NRL Supercoach analysis for Round 14, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES

Thursday, 7:50pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker

Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana

Reserves: 18. Jackson Hastings 19. Tyrone Thompson 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Wil Sullivan 22. Greg Marzhew

Analysis: The Knights’ Origin period coverage remains strong with no bye until the third major bye in round 18.

With the worst attack in the NRL by a comfortable margin, they are hard to invest in outside of the already heavily owned Dylan Lucas and Fletcher Sharpe.

Their lack of attack will keep me away, but it’s worth noting the performances of the ageless Dane Gagai, who sits with a season average of 60 points and a three-round average of 73.3.

This is despite scoring just one try all season and setting up only three.

Against the Dragons, he had 20 tackles, 7 tackle busts, 18 runs, and two line break assists.

If the Knights were able to show they had any more gears – and no, I’m not including beating the severely understrength Panthers – he’d be an option.

Greg Marzhew has been named on the extended bench.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Navren Willett 21. Chris Patolo 22. Matthew Lodge

Analysis: Manly cover the next two major bye rounds and provide obvious appeal, but miss the two mini bye rounds following, so avoid over-stacking their players.

Lehi Hopoate delivered for new owners – including Dezzy Creek – with 107 points at fullback against the Broncos to take his season average to 69 points.

He’s now risen to $676k with a breakeven of 16, so that price tag is likely to soar.

While I don’t like stacking Manly with their unpredictable form and the two mini byes on tricky weeks, their draw around the byes is terrific.

They play the Knights this week who granted are defensively strong, then the Titans away, bye, Tigers at home and Rabbitohs at home.

Jazz Tevaga continues to score well for owners., with Jake Trbojevic returning he’s been named on the bench.

Hold through round 15 and reassess from there.

Still no Tom Trbojevic for the Sea Eagles.

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STORM v COWBOYS

Friday, 6pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Joe Chan 22. Kane Bradley

Analysis: Melbourne comes into more relevance with just one bye remaining in the second major in round 15, however, they’ll be the hottest of property once that is out of the way.

The Titans clash on the Gold Coast wasn’t the bloodbath plenty were expecting, with heavy rain not helping the cause, nor was the resting of Harry Grant.

I have a fun fact for subscribers who tuned into my Jahrome Hughes-based halfback roulette podcast last week (who I brought in).

Barring one injury-impacted game this season, his 32 points were his lowest Supercoach score since 2020, except for one other game – round 9, 2024 against the Titans on the Gold Coast!

The Cowboys match-up bodes well for the Storm, so hopefully there’s a nice bounce back from Jahrome and the Supercoach contingent.

As good as the fixture is, with the bye next week and no players soaring in cash it’s worth waiting until after the bye to purchase.

Cameron Munster is among the most sold players this week, which intrigues me.

People are moving to the in-form Jayden Campbell, but with Munster’s match-up this week, I don’t love it even with the 104 breakeven.

Campbell has a breakeven of 80, so it’s quite easily a move that can be made next week for anyone interested.

Campbell also has a pretty poor history with injuries, so I’m not sure it’s worth rushing.

There is a decent chance Munster rests after Origin two on the quick backup from Perth, meaning he’d miss round 15, 16 and 18, so I understand the sell option potentially from next week.

If you can, though, hold as he’s a keeper and try and get Campbell into your second 5/8 slot.

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Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Jake Clifford 19. Karl Lawton 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Braidon Burns 22. Kaiden Lahrs

Analysis: The Cowboys will be high on the radars of Supercoaches with no more byes until the final round of the season.

I do think it’s worth waiting a week to get through a tough Storm match-up up though.

The draw then opens up against the Dolphins, Roosters, Titans and Storm (no Origin players).

Jaxon Purdue remains a close watch since moving to the halves, scoring 101 against the Tigers to sit with a 71 break even.

If he scores well in Melbourne, he could be a pick-up next week, although it is worth noting that despite the Cowboys’ nice draw, they will be missing plenty to Origin for rounds 15, 18 and potentially 16.

Scott Drinkwater has a monster breakeven of 181 points and is set to plummet cash, but I believe he’s a hold through this period and every chance to be a season keeper, so I think it’s worth riding out the cash drop.

Murray Taulagi hasn’t been named, which means Rob Toia surely plays Origin two and becomes a sell.

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DOLPHINS v DRAGONS

Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Max Feagai 21. Jeremy Marshall-King 22. Max Plath

Analysis: The Dolphins play the next major bye round and both minis, but miss round 18.

Incoming fixtures against the Dragons, Cowboys, Knights and Rabbitohs are also very enticing.

I’ve written about Herbie Farnworth every week, so I won’t go on again.

Just note that he’s scored in six straight games and has a base of 38 per game. Gun.

Max Plath has been named on the extended bench and will be a close watch, however, I think he’ll be extremely close to QLD Origin camp for either game two or three, pending how he returns from injury.

Jamayne Isaako is returning to some Supercoach form with a season average of 60 points per game, despite scoring just five tries in 12 games.

He’s fairly high-risk with four scores this season of 40 or below, but he has a soft draw, kicks goals, bust tackles and a decent work rate.

He also has huge upside, so perhaps one for the risk takers.

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Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Nathan Lawson 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Toby Couchman 13. Hamish Stewart

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18. Emre Guler 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Hame Sele 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Michael Molo

Analysis: The Dragons now come into some greater relevance with just one more bye to come for the season in round 16, meaning they cover the next two major bye rounds.

The question looms though, how many season keepers do they have? Do we get them in for bye coverage then trade straight back out?

Val Holmes is a genuine keeper, but is more of a post-Origin pick up.

Damien Cook has burst onto the Supercoach radar with two big-minute games, playing 76 and 79 minutes the past two games for scores of 79 and 86 to sit at $489k with a break even of -3.

If guaranteed the big minutes, he’d be an absolute steal, but in the three games prior to those fixtures he averaged just 46 minutes per game.

Jaydn Su’A and Dylan Egan both copped early injuries in those fixtures, likely leading to bigger minutes for Cook, so it makes him a risky buy as game time was likely inflated as a result.

Barnstorming prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga has attracted plenty of interest this week at $235k in the FRF slot with a breakeven of 3.

As good as he looks, it appears very risky that you’re just picking up another low-minute FRF that’ll prove an auto-emergency nightmare.

He’s played just 22 and 21 minutes in the past two weeks, jagging a try against the Knights.

He’d need to pick up another 10 or so minutes regularly to make any worthwhile coin.

Tyrell Sloan has been dropped as Christian Tuipulotu returns, which is big for the job security of potential cheapie Nathan Lawson.

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SHARKS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Sharks Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Mawene Hiroti 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru

Analysis: The Sharks play the next major bye in round 15, which looks manageable, then miss the third major bye round.

Despite the decent coverage, are a lot of the Sharks’ value options season keepers?

Nicho Hynes is and should be owned by all by next week, outside of that, there’s plenty of value pick ups on offer.

Jesse Ramien ($437k) and Briton Nikora ($520k) are all genuine value plays that should score well and generate cash, but are they season keepers?

The answer is probably not based on what we’ve seen this season.

KL Iro probably is, he’s averaging an outstanding 82 points per game following a ton against the Roosters.

I do think that having scored 9 tries in 8 games, he’s overvalued, but results are results and the fact that he’s playing supreme footy.

With a base of 36 to cap it off, it’s very hard to make an argument against him.

Ronaldo Mulitalo is out due to suspension, while Sione Katoa returns from a lengthy injury lay-off.

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Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Taine Tuaupiki

Analysis: The Warriors hit the road for another game in Sydney before missing the next two major bye rounds.

With a tricky Sharks fixture into byes in rounds 15 and 18, I can’t really see myself buying any Warriors until after round 18.

Perhaps there’s head-to-head players eyeing off a few prospects, though, so we’ll dig into a few options.

Sadly, Mitch Barnett is out for the season with an ACL injury, having averaged 58 minutes per game which means there’s time to be won in the middle.

Jackson Ford could be a winner despite the injury in regards to minutes.

Against the Rabbitohs, he played 58 minutes, scoring 70 points with 56 in base.

The week prior against the Raiders, he scored 76 points with 56 in base.

He’s currently averaging 58 points in 49 minutes per game, which has him priced at $540k as a dual FRF-2RF.

In games of 55+ minutes this season, he’s averaging 67.25 points with 58.75 in base.

It may just see Marata Niukore spend more time in the middle, so I think it’s worth waiting a week and assessing how the minutes are spread.

Luke Metcalf went huge with 123 points against the Bunnies, taking his season average to 64 points.

He’s scoring well and hasn’t gone lower than 47 since round 3, which has attracted plenty of buyers this week.

I’m just not convinced he’s a keeper, and he offers terrible bye coverage.

I think Jayden Campbell and Cam Munster are the five-eighth keepers, and Nicho Hynes and Nathan Cleary are the halfback keepers. Pass.

Rinse and repeat on Erin Clark, who continues to do a job in big game time.

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BRONCOS v TITANS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Benjamin Te Kura

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Blake Mozer

Analysis: The Broncos miss the second major bye round, then have another bye awkwardly placed in round 20.

With that draw and their current form, I couldn’t go near any players this week.

Reassess come round 16, with news around Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan backing up from Origin on the Sunday also a major factor in whether or not they’ll be relevant.

Reece Walsh returns at fullback pushing Jesse Arthars to the wing.

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Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sean Mullany 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Klese Haas 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 17. Arama Hau

Reserves: 18. AJ Brimson 19. Josh Patston 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Ryan Foran

Analysis: The Titans come into some greater relevance with just one bye remaining, which is the third major in round 18.

The Titans are ordinary, and extremely volatile, but they can still score points, which is all we really need in Supercoach right?

They’ve finished a tough string of games, and this Broncos match-up all of a sudden doesn’t appear overly daunting.

Jayden Campbell starred at fullback last week, scoring 93 points against Melbourne in the wet.

Available at 5/8, he looks like a season keeper in that slot and appeals this week ahead of games against the Broncos, Sea Eagles, Eels and Cowboys.

In four games at fullback last season, he had scores of 48, 53, 31 and 82 for an average of 53.5 points per game.

He averages 15 points per game from tackles this season, which is taking off missed tackles, which isn’t as high as I’d imagined in the halves.

While the fullback numbers in a short sample size aren’t great, I wouldn’t be too concerned. 

In seven games at halfback this season, he averages 72 points per game.

He’s simply a gun footballer and will score well wherever he plays, while he’s more than likely to shift back to the halves in coming weeks anyway.

With a breakeven of 80, he looks a good buy at any point moving forward.

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RAIDERS v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 2pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Noah Martin 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders

Analysis: The Raiders miss the next major bye round, but play the third in round 18. 

With that bye looming, I wouldn’t purchase any Raiders this week, it’s more about the potential sells.

Corey Horsburgh surely gets an Origin gig after the Maroons’ poor game one performance, which makes him a Supercoach sell.

If Origin wasn’t likely on the cards, he’d be a rock-solid hold through this period, but he’s not a season keeper, so he’s fine to move on with a breakeven of 74.

Of course, waiting for official confirmation of a potential Origin berth makes sense, though, so he can just as easily be sold next week.

Zac Hosking has had two underwhelming weeks of 54 and 43 points in 69 and 76 minutes, respectively.

While the numbers aren’t great, he’s done this entirely in base, and the 43 points was against the Warriors in awful wet conditions.

With Hudson Young set for Origin duties and Big Red likely, I’ll be holding until round 18, then likely selling.

He is a decent sit outside the 18 option this week though, for squads with depth.

Savelio Tamale has scored double-digit tackle break points in nine of his last 10 games, while he notched 24 runs against the Roosters.

He’s averaging 64 points per game this season with six tries and one try-assist.

I genuinely think he lacks the high attacking upside of the elite CTW guns, but his base and power is as good as any.

He’s given no reason to sell, hold until round 18, then reassess whether or not he’s a keeper.

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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Bench: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Davvy Moale 19. Jye Gray 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Jacob Host

Analysis: The Rabbitohs come into relevance playing the next two major bye rounds, however, it is worth noting the draw is very tough.

Keaon Koloamatangi went huge for the new owners with 109 points against the Warriors, which included a try.

He looks a must, except for the potential Origin selection looming with Barnett injured.

He’s $678k with a breakeven of 11, playing for that Origin spot, there’s likely a big score looming again this week.

If picked for Origin, he’d miss rounds 15, 18, 19 and potentially round 16 with a three-day backup from the Perth clash.

There’s a genuine case to anti-POD him until after Origin if he is picked, so do non-owners hold off and cop a price rise this week or just bite the bullet and buy now?

As good as Latrell Mitchell looks, I’ll be holding off until after the Origin period and the Rabbitohs round 19 bye.

Cody Walker and Jack Wighton are two huge ins for South Sydney.

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TIGERS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth

Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laulilii 17. Charlie Murray

Reserves: 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22. Elie El-Zakhem

Analysis: With Penrith this week into a bye the Tigers lack interest, however, they do have a few popular buys this week.

Heath Mason has scores of 30 and 100 this season, sitting at $276k with a breakeven of -39.

Sure, there’s cash incoming, but once Latu Fainu is clear in the coming weeks, you’d think he drops out of this team.

If cash was an issue for teams and they played round 15 I could entertain it, but I don’t think it’s worth the quick grab.

Fainu has been named on the bench, but for how long?

Api Koroisau has played back-to-back 80-minute games, scoring 69 against the Cowboys with just one try assist to his name.

Provided he keeps that 80-minute role he’d be a good buy at $558k with a breakeven of -29, but with Fainu back that may be threatened.

Royce Hunt drops out entirely in excellent news for those who have had him as an AE nightmare.

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Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Daine Laurie

Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Isaiah Papali’i 20. Trent Toelau 21. Luke Garner 22. Paul Alamoti

Analysis: Penrith now miss the next two major bye rounds and will have doubts over Origin stars backing up, which makes them very hard to invest in.

Further, Origin 2 is in Perth and they back that up with a short turnaround to New Zealand, which will make their rep players very unlikely in my view.

This clash looks very appealing, and while it’s technically an away game, it’s at their current home venue at CommBank Stadium.

Nathan Cleary is a major captaincy option before potentially being sold next week as he’s likely to miss rounds 15, 16 and 18.

Time is up for Tom Jenkins, either this week or next; he’s $486k with a breakeven of 76.

If not stationed outside of glue hands, Casey McLean (who was excellent against the Eels), he’d be a longer-term hold.

You could easily hold and play for one more week, but he’s likely a sell next week at the latest.

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BULLDOGS v EELS

Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Harry Hayes 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Jake Turpin 20. Blake Wilson 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Lachlan Galvin

Analysis: The Bulldogs play the next two major bye rounds, but miss the mini in round 16.

Games incoming against the Eels and South Sydney bode well, into Penrith, then the Broncos, without their Origin stars.

Named in the extended squad, I’m keen to see how Lachlan Galvin is injected into this side and who is impacted as a result.

It could have ramifications on the likes of Matt Burton, Connor Tracey and even to a lesser degree Bailey Hayward, so let’s await news later in the week.

Jacob Kiraz returns for the Bulldogs, which is a big win for owners who held him.

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Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Jordan Samrani

Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Matt Doorey 20. Joey Lussick 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Samuel Loizou

Analysis: Parramatta face the ladder leading Bulldogs this week then miss the next two major bye rounds so I’ll struggle to go near any of their players.

Jack Williams is playing big minutes and scoring very well and is worth consideration.

He’s had back-to-back scores of 80 and 96 in 73 minutes per game, with 60 in base.

He’s playing a combined middle and edge role and is combining huge base and the odd attacking stat as a result.

Isaiah Iongi can be moved onto a gun fullback either this week or next.

With Will Penisini back, Jordan Samrani drops to the bench where his cash growth will be stunted.

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