Who's Playing Who?

Team lists are here for another week- you know the drill! Matt looks at each side’s changes, and what they mean for the outcome of the game. Adrian takes a look at what the Ins and Outs mean for your Dream Team… let’s go.

FRIDAY

Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, 7:35pm

Broncos: Gerard Beale, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Dane Carlaw, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Mitchell Dodds, Josh McGuire, Nick Kenny, Ben Hunt.

Ins: None
Outs: None

Bulldogs: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Michaell Lett, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Mickey Paea, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan, David Stagg. Interchange: Greg Eastwood, Grant Milligan, Corey Payne, Dene Halatau.

Ins: Dene Halatau, Corey Payne, Michael Lett
Outs: Bryson Goodwin (foot, round 10), Jake Foster (dropped), Michael Hodgson (dizzy spells, indefinite)

Team Analysis: The Broncos remain in tact as they look to make it 7 in a row, and rightfully so after they put in a big team performance to dismantle the Tigers last week. Some big changes in the kennel this week though, with goal-kicker and international Bryson Goodwin out for a little while, whilst Michael Hodgson is still feeling the effects of his on-field collapse last week against the Bunnies. Michael Lett makes his Bulldogs debut, whilst Dene Halatau joins the bench along with Corey Payne who returns from suspension. Greg Eastwood maintains a spot on the bench after being a late inclusion last week.

Dream Team Analysis: Sam Thaiday ($230,900) moves into the 2^nd Row to cover the loss of Matt Gillett. If you need to bolster your FRF in particular, Sam is your man, as he’ll spend more time out there. He should reach his BE of 39, but if you’re not so sure, maybe hold off, as his price shouldn’t fluctuate too much the next few weeks, especially with Rep footy around the corner.

Greg Eastwood ($144,600) made a surprise return for the Bulldogs last week, and he’s on the bench again. Keep an eye on him- he’ll be in for a price drop in 2 games time with his score of 12 last week, so he could be a value pick, especially during Origin, which of course he won’t/can’t take part in.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium, 7:35pm

Rabbitohs: James Roberts, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Ben Ross, Isaac Luke, Roy Asotasi, Dave Tyrell, David Taylor, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Jason Clark, Shannan McPherson, Nathan Peats, Eddy Pettybourne.

Ins: Jason Clark
Outs: Sam Burgess (ankle, indefinite)

Sharks: Isaac Gordon, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, John Williams, Wade Graham, Tim Smith, Kade Snowden, Paul Aiton, Luke Douglas, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Josh Cordoba, Broderick Wright, Stuart Flanagan, Jayson Bukuya.

Ins: Isaac Gordon, Colin Best, Tim Smith, Jason Bukuya
Outs: Nathan Gardner (ankle, round 10), Albert Kelly (broken leg, round 15), Dean Collis (dropped), Taulima Tautai (dropped)

Team Analysis: Well well, the two sides who were counting the cost of injuries last week battle it out for the walking wounded trophy. For the Rabbits, the big out is Sam Burgess, who could be out for the remainder of the season after initial scans didn’t tell the full story. Youngster James Roberts remains at fullback, with Jason Clark joining the squad for Burgess. Interesting side note, it could be a long day for Wests in the State Cup, who line up against Rhys Wesser and Fetuli Talanoa, and were beaten by Norths 66-12 in their last meeting. Moving on, the Sharks have lost boom youngsters Albert Kelly and Nathan Gardner for some time to leg and ankle injuries respectively. The mischievous Tim Smith gets a shot at redemption after being named at halfback, whilst a  backline reshuffle sees Isaac Gordon drop to fullback, Colin Best return in the centres and Matt Wright go to the wing. This will be a very close game!

Dream Team Analysis:Ben Ross ($156,000) is a must for your team if you don’t already have him. With Geddes and Luke Stuart gone for the season, and Burgess out for quite some time, props are in high demand at Redfern. Ross has been promoted to the starting line up for the first time this season, and will get through plenty of work. With a BE of 2, he’s going to be seeing another nice price rise as well.

Tim Smith ($167,200) has been named to replace 2011 surprise packet Albert Kelly at halfback. I wouldn’t jump on him now… overpriced and potentially not going to even play. Just on Kelly though- he’s listed for a Round 15 return… and he’s allegedly got a broken leg! I’m no doctor, but something doesn’t sound right… If you know anything about sports science, feel free to leave a comment below and let us know what in the world is happening here.

SATURDAY

Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters at Skilled Park, 5:30pm

Titans: Luke Capewell, Steve Michaels, Esikeli Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, William Zillman, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matthew White, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Ryan James, Ben Ridge, Luke O’Dwyer.

Ins: None
Outs: None

Roosters: Anthony Minichiello, Justin Carney, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph Leilua, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Jason Ryles, Mark Riddell, Martin Kennedy, Tom Symonds, Frank Paul Nuuausala, Nate Myles. Interchange: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Mose Masoe, Jake Friend, Daniel Conn, Tinirau Arona, Phil Graham.

Ins: Jason Ryles, Tom Symonds
Outs: None

Team Analysis: No really big changes for either side, as they both come off losses in Round 7. The Roosters may have Jason Ryles back after he was a late exclusion from their ANZAC Day line-up, whilst perennial 18th man Tom Symonds has been named again. The Titans are unchanged, but will be looking for more from their whole squad, who let it slip big time against the Eels last week.

Dream Team Analysis: Will Zillman ($136,200) has found a new home at 5/8, and his DT scoring has gone through the roof. Preston Campbell is due to return soon though, so that could eat into his minutes, but Zillman does have a BE of -8 this week… very tempting.

If you haven’t sold Mitch Aubusson ($168,700) yet, then you may as well hold onto him- he’s lost $82, 800 and could be in for another drop with his move back into the centres. I can’t see him reaching his BE of 36, unless there’s another late reshuffle and he finds himself back in the pack. Disappointing after his great season last year.

Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park, 7:30pm

Storm: Billy Slater, Anthony Quinn, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Matt Duffie, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Atelea Vea, Adam Woolnough, Jaiman Lowe.

Ins: None
Outs: None

Knights:  Shannon McDonnell, James McManus, Tafeaga Junior Sa’u, Wes Naiqama, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, Lisiate Richie Fa’aoso, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Chris Houston, Cory Paterson, Joel Edwards. Interchange: Tyrone Roberts, Antonio Kafusi, Marvin Karawana, Dan Tolar.

Ins: None
Outs: None

Team Analysis: No changes for either side this week, as the Knights come off an impressive second half performance against the Raiders, whilst the Storm will want to turn around a shock 4 point loss to the Warriors last week. Shannon McDonnell has been in good form for the Knights, and scored two impressive tries in two weeks, whilst Gareth Widdop has been breaking through the line constantly for the Storm, so look to them to be possible game breakers.

Dream Team Analysis: No changes for the Storm, which is always a good sign for DT coaches- there’s nothing we love more than consistency! Gareth Widdop ($192,300) has been getting some very handy scores, and is now set to rise further in price with a BE of 2. If you don’t have him, this is probably the last week that you would get value out of his price. Cam Smith ($429,200) continues to dominate, and with a BE of 58, could even increase his price this round. Now that is ridiculous!

No changes either for the Knights- Matt Hilder ($288,000) is grabbing himself some monster scores, averaging just over 50 in his last 5 games. With De Gois out indefinitely, he is going to keep the big scores coming- a BE of 34 is even more enticing!

North Queensland Cowboys v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7:30pm

Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Antonio Winterstein, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Jonathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Scott Bolton, Leeson Ah Mau, Tariq Sims, Ashton Sims, James Segeyaro.

Ins: James Segeyaro
Outs: None

Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, William Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Tim Robinson, Jamie Buhrer, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Michael Oldfield.

Ins: Brett Stewart, Tim Robinson
Outs: Tony Williams

Team Analysis: Once again Brett Stewart is named, and we await Friday afternoon for news of his exclusion. Hamstrings can be like that (just ask Tigers fullback Wade McKinnon), but young Will Hopoate has been a more than handy replacement in the mean time. Tony Williams makes way for Stewart, but he may sneak onto the bench is Stewart doesn’t play. Not any massive changes for the Cowboys, with James Segeyaro joining an extended bench, with Scott Bolton pushing back to the bench as well.

Dream Team Analysis: Scott Bolton ($214,400) finds himself on the bench again- it seems Dallas Johnson is not only eating into everyone else’s DT points, but game time as well! For his price, could be a handy buy either this week or next.

As per usual, Brett Stewart ($117,600) has been named, but steer well clear. Get on Tim Robinson ($73,600) though- scores of 32 and 29 are pretty solid for a bargain basement rookie (BE -26). And, he’s listed as both a 2RF and FRF, so you can use him tactically as well. Des- give him a run!

SUNDAY

Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 2:00pm

Raiders: Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Matt Orford, Dane Tilse, Glen Buttris, David Shillington, Trevor Thurling, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Alan Tongue, Josh Miller, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Brett White.

Ins: Matt Orford
Outs: Sam Williams (dropped)

Tigers: Wade McKinnon, Mitch Brown, Blake Ayshford, Tim Moltzen, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Andrew Fifita, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Liam Fulton, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Beau Ryan, Alan Schirnack, Bryce Gibbs, Aaron Woods.

Ins: Wade McKinnon, Alan Schirnack
Outs: Gareth Ellis (ankle, round 10), Sean Meaney (dropped)

Team Analysis: Finally a game with some changes! The big one out of this game is the return of Orford. Whilst he is said to be injured, I’d say it may have only been a niggle, and he may have been paying the price for the Raiders poor start. That hasn’t got any better, and this week Sam Williams returns to Toyota Cup, with Orford slotting back into halfback. Josh Dugan and Alan Tounge also retain their spots after both successfully returning from injury last week. For the Tigers, some bad news with Gareth Ellis ruled out for a minimum of two weeks, whilst Sean Meaney returns to State Cup after backing up for Balmain last week, only playing 10 minutes of first grade the night before. Alan Shirnack adds some much needed grunt to the bench returning from a shoulder injury, whilst a re-shuffle at the back sees McKinnon (hopefully) return, with Brown out to the wing, Moltzen to the centres and Beau Ryan on the bench. Rob Lui also remains after an impressive return from a foot injury last week.

Dream Team Analysis: Matt Orford ($127,900) is back for the Raiders, with young halfback Sam Williams ($116,100) making way. Orford hasn’t set the world on fire, so if you don’t have him, see what he does this weekend before trading him in. Might not even make his BE of 15, as he scored a lousy 6 DT points against the Tigers back in Round 3.

For the Tigers, another injury set back to Gareth Ellis ($227,600) is a big plus for the DT chances of Chris Heighington ($263,400). A BE of 32 and a probable 80mins of game time ahead of him means a tidy price rise is on the cards.

New Zealand Warriors v Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium, 2:00pm

Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Lewis Brown, Simon Mannering, Krisnan Inu, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Elijah Taylor, Michael Luck. Interchange: Alehana Mara, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Ukuma Ta’ai.

Ins: None
Outs: None

Panthers:  Michael Gordon, David Simmons, Michael Jennings, Timana Tahu, Brad Tighe, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Sarafu Fatiaki. Interchange: Nafe Seluini, Matthew Bell, Yileen Gordon, Sam McKendry, Adrian Purtell.

Ins: Adrian Purtell, Yileen Gordon
Outs: Sandor Earl (dropped)

Team Analysis: Nothing doing for the Warriors who retain the same 17 which knocked off the Storm in Melbourne on Monday Night. The Panthers, who announced Matt Elliot would be leaving at seasons end, make a couple of changes, with Sandor Earl going back to State Cup, Timana Tahu gaining a starting spot and Adrian Purtell and Yileen Gordon added to an extended bench.

Dream Team Analysis: No changes for the Warriors, either! Even though Mateo ($197,700) managed to play the majority of the win against Melbourne, he still manages to accumulate average DT scores. We expect more from you! Well actually, feel free to keep it up now that I axed you from my team some weeks back. Someone to consider during Origin especially, given his DPP status.

You know last week when I said to consider Tahu ($111,100)? Scratch that. Horrible idea, especially now that he’s listed in the centres. There’s talk Lachlan Coote ($132,700) could return soon, pushing Gordon ($215,500) back to the wing, but for now, Flash is dominating at Fullback.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels at WIN Jubilee Oval, 3:00pm

Dragons: Jason Nightingale, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Peni Tagive, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Dan Hunt, Nathan Fien, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior. Interchange: Jon Green, Dean Young, Trent Merrin, Kyle Stanley, Mitch Rein, Adam Cuthbertson.

Ins: Peni Tagive, Mitch Rein, Adam Cuthbertson
Outs: Darius Boyd (hamstring, round 11)

Eels: Luke Burt, Etu Uaisele, Joel Reddy, Jacob Loko, Jordan Atkins, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Casey McGuire, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Taniela Lasalo, Justin Horo. Interchange: Billy Rogers, Shane Shackleton, Mitchell Allgood, Ben Smith.

Ins: None
Outs: None

Team Analysis: A big clash between traditional rivals from back in the 1980s, but injury troubles out of ANZAC Day have seen some changes to the Dragons line-up. Mitchell Rein and Adam Cuthbertson are on an extended bench, but most importantly Darius Boyd is out for 4 weeks, with James Nightingale going to fullback, and Ratu Peni Tagive making his Dragons debut on the wing, beating out the so-called News Limited experts choices of Kyle Stanley or Bronx Goodwin. The Eels are unchanged after their last-gasp win last weekend, but the big question is how many kilometers will Billy Rogers rack up on the sideline bike!

Dream Team Analysis: Boyd ($138,100) is out, meaning Nightingale($178,700) moves to fullback and Peni Tagive ($92,500) comes in on the wing. Kyle Stanley ($128,000) sits ominously on the bench though, meaning some late changes could be on the cards. Don’t bank on this being the 17 that runs out on Sunday night.

No changes for the Eels, who are coming off a last minute win against the Titans. The Love Shack ($140,100) was the man who got them there- if you’ve got him, hold for now- his BE of 19 should be met this round. Look for a good downgrade option in the coming weeks though, as he won’t be seeing much more of a price rise.