Round 4 OPEN

[clontaago]

Alright boys Round 1 is Open.

 

[The Gronk]

Just tweaked up my side.  Looks stronger than anything I had last year and I still have 150k in the bank.  I've made about 150k on wage increases so far, useful down the track. 

 

[clontaago]

I'm up 180k.

 

[The Gronk]

Yeah two of my cheapies haven't played which has held me back a bit.  Houston and Cherry Evans are bringing in the big bucks. 

 

[clontaago]

Yeah got those 2. No trades for me this week. I'll probably go down this week but that's ok.

 

[The Gronk]

we all know you love to go down

 

[eagles2win]

Hooked Joel Thompson. This was a hard decision for me I really rate this kid but his form the last two weeks his form has been ordinary.

Dugan survived this week.

 

[clontaago]

Dugan's first game back, have to keep him.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

FRIDAY
BRISBANE BRONCOS v PENRITH PANTHERS at Suncorp Stadium, 7.30pm

BRONCOS: Gerard Beale, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Sam Thaiday, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Ben Te’o, Josh McGuire, Shane Tronc.
Ins: Dale Copley
Outs: Josh Hoffman (shin, round 6)
Unavailable: Dane Gagai (Toyota Cup), Scott Anderson (calf, round 8)
Comment: The big news here is the dropping of popular cheapie Dane Gagai. Dale Copley has been preferred on the wing, while Gerard Beale will play fullback in place of the injured Josh Hoffman (shin, round 6). Justin Hodges (hamstring) will be monitored during the week, but is likely to play. Sam Thaiday is in doubt with concussion.

PANTHERS: Lachlan Coote, Michael Gordon, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, David Simmons, Travis Burns, Kevin Kingston, Tim Grant, Masada Iosefa, Petero Civoniceva, Trent Waterhouse, Nigel Plum, Luke Lewis. Interchange: Sam McKendry, Matthew Bell, Adrian Purtell, Timana Tahu, Nafe Seluni (one to be omitted)
Ins: Brad Tighe, Travis Burns, Nafe Seluni
Outs: Luke Walsh (shoulder, round 5), Sarafu Fatiaki
Unavailable: Nathan Smith (groin, indefinite)
Comment: A big shake-up – particularly in the halves. Regular hooker Kevin Kingston replaces Luke Walsh (shoulder, round 5) at halfback. Travis Burns returns from injury at five-eighth, pushing Luke Lewis back into the forwards. But don’t be surprised if this changes on game day because both Burns (hamstring) and Lewis (wrist) are in doubt. Trent Waterhouse returned to form with a bang last week, but will he produce the same numbers now Lewis is back in the pack (if Lewis plays, of course)? Petero Civoniceva escaped charge for a high tackle and is free to play.

****************

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v MANLY SEA EAGLES at Bluetongue Stadium, 7.30pm

RABBITOHS: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Sam Burgess, David Taylor, Dave Tyrrell. Interchange: Ben Ross, Shannan McPherson, Michael Crocker, Chris McQueen.
Ins: Sam Burgess
Outs: Eddy Pettybourne (suspension, round 7)
Unavailable: Scott Geddes (Achilles, season), Ben Lowe (foot, round 10), Jason Clark (hamstring, indefinite)
Comment: Eddy Pettybourne (suspension, round 7) makes way for Sam Burgess in the only change. Burgess could see a juicy price drop after his third game due to his injury-affected 21 in round one. Issac Luke (concussion) and Rhys Wesser (hamstring) are in doubt.

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon (capt), Will Hopoate, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King (capt), Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Terence Seuseu, Jamie Buhrer, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Tim Robinson (one to be omitted).
Ins: Jamie Lyon, Tim Robinson
Outs: Michael Oldfield (dropped)
Unavailable: Steve Matai (suspension, round 5), Shane Rodney (shoulder, round 8), Tony Williams (ankle, indefinite)
Comment: Jamie Lyon returns early from a hamstring injury. Popular cheapie Jamie Buhrer was a little disappointing in round three, but his game time (57 minutes) was encouraging. Will Hopoate produced the biggest price rise of any player this week, but where will his role lie when Steve Matai (suspension, round 5) returns? Tony Williams (ankle, indefinite) has again been ruled out.

***************

SATURDAY
CANBERRA RAIDERS v GOLD COAST TITANS at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm

RAIDERS: Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Matt Orford, Dane Tilse, Travis Waddell, David Shillington (capt), Trevor Thurling, Bronson Harrison (capt), Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Glen Buttriss, Josh Miller, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Brett White, Danny Galea (one to be omitted).
Ins: Josh Miller, Danny Galea
Outs: Joe Picker (ankle, round 6)
Unavailable: Alan Tongue (shoulder, round 9), Terry Campese (knee, round 13)
Comment: Joe Picker (ankle, round 6) has been ruled out. Picker has been getting good game time – so his absence may therefore mean Shaun Fensom will get the full 80 minutes (he’s been playing 65-70 minutes). Travis Waddell gets a chance in the starting side after impressing his coach last week, while Josh Dugan has again been named after returning from a calf injury on the weekend. Dane Tilse will start at prop, with Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to be used as an impact player.

TITANS: William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, Greg Bird, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Riley Brown, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ben Ridge. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Sam Tagaetese, Ryan James, Preston Campbell, Brad Meyers (one to be omitted).
Ins: Ben Ridge, Matthew White
Outs: Ashley Harrison (hamstring, indefinite)
Unavailable: Nathan Friend (shoulder, round 5), Kevin Gordon (knee, season)
Comment: The big news is the injury to Ashley Harrison. He could be out for at least a few weeks. Young gun Ben Ridge replaces him at lock. The big winner out of Harrison’s injury is Anthony Laffranchi, who scored 67 in 57 minutes on the weekend. He could get 80 minutes this week. Potential cheapie Esi Tonga has switched from wing to centre, which increases his SuperCoach worth because he’ll perform more tackles.

*****************

PARRAMATTA EELS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at Parramatta Stadium, 7.30pm

EELS: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ryan Morgan, Etu Uaisele, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Shane Shackleton, Nathan Hindmarsh (capt), Taniela Lasalo, Ben Smith. Interchange: Anthony Mitchell, Justin Horo, Mitchell Allgood, Carl Webb.
Ins: Joel Reddy, Mitchell Allgood, Anthony Mitchell, Carl Webb
Outs: Chris Walker (hip, indefinite), Casey McGuire (calf, round 5), Billy Rogers (dropped), Fuifui Moimoi (suspension, round 5)
Unavailable: Justin Poore (knee, indefinite)
Comment: Plenty of changes due to injury and suspension. Chris Walker (hip, indefinite) is replaced by Joel Reddy, who has been playing NSW Cup after returning from shoulder surgery. Casey McGuire (calf, round 5) has been replaced in the starting side by Matt Keating, with youngster Anthony Mitchell coming onto the bench. Carl Webb will make his Parramatta debut in the place of Fuifui Moimoi (suspension, round 5), while Mitchell Allgood returns from a finger injury at the expense of Billy Rogers (dropped). This week is your last chance to buy Allgood before his price skyrockets. Tim Mannah should see improved minutes with Moimoi out.

COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Will Tupou, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Leeson Ah Mau, Tariq Sims, Ashton Sims.
Ins: None
Outs: None
Unavailable: Scott Bolton (calf, round 5), Brent Tate (knee, round 15), Antonio Winterstein (broken jaw, indefinite)
Comment: No changes. Youngster Tariq Sims showed off his attacking brilliance with a massive 67 on Monday night. This week is your last chance to buy him at his current cheap price. Glenn Hall is free to play despite pleading guilty to a high tackle charge.

*****************

SUNDAY
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS at Ausgrid Stadium, 2pm

KNIGHTS: Wes Naiqama, James McManus, Junior Sa’u, Adam MacDougall, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley (capt), Jarrod Mullen, Antonio Kaufusi, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Zeb Taia, Chris Houston, Joel Edwards. Interchange: Marvin Karawana, Cory Paterson, Richie Fa’aoso, Dan Tolar.
Ins: Kurt Gidley, Adam MacDougall, Joel Edwards, Marvin Karawana
Outs: Shannon McDonnell (dropped), Beau Henry (ankle, round 10), Cameron Ciraldo (torn pectoral, indefinite), Ben Rogers (dislocated shoulder, indefinite)
Unavailable: Isaac De Gois (thumb, round 5), Neville Costigan (broken arm, round 13), Mark Taufua (finger, round 5),
Comment: Injury has forced some massive changes. Beau Henry (ankle, round 10) is replaced at five-eighth by Kurt Gidley, who is in doubt himself with a back injury. Adam MacDougall returns from personal leave, with Wes Naiqama moving to fullback to make way, This drops Shannon McDonnell out of the team. Joel Edwards and Marvin Karawana have also scored recalls for Cameron Ciraldo (torn pectoral, indefinite) and Ben Rogers (dislocated shoulder, indefinite). Richie Fa’aoso must face a concussion test later in the week. Gidley’s move to the halves has advantages and disadvantages. He will perform less runs, but will make more tackles. The injury crisis should mean Chris Houston will again score well.

DRAGONS: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Dan Hunt, Nathan Fien, David Gower, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior. Interchange: Michael Greenfield, Jon Green, Trent Merrin, Kyle Stanley, Adam Cuthbertson, Mitch Rein (two to be omitted).
Ins: Beau Scott, Mitch Rein
Outs: None
Unavailable: Michael Weyman (groin, round 9), Dean Young (knee, indefinite), Cameron King (shoulder, indefinite)
Comment: Beau Scott returns from suspension. Ben Creagh (compressed vertebrae) is in doubt. There are huge SuperCoach scores on offer in the absence of Michael Weyman (groin, round 9). All the Dragons’ props performed well last weekend – Dan Hunt (74), Trent Merrin (55), Jon Green (55), David Gower (42) and Michael Greenfield (32).

****************

CRONULLA SHARKS v NZ WARRIORS at Owen Delany Park (Taupo), 2pm

SHARKS: Nathan Gardner, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, John Williams, Albert Kelly, Wade Graham, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Josh Cordoba, Broderick Wright, Paul Aiton, Dean Collis, Johnny Mannah, Taulima Tautai (two to be omitted).
Ins: Dean Collis, Taulima Tautai
Outs: None
Unavailable: Scott Porter (knee, round 5), Jayson Bukuya (hamstring, round 5)
Comment: Cronulla look like fielding the same 17 that thrashed the Panthers. Paul Gallen poses an interesting SuperCoach conundrum. He scored an unexpected price rise this week following his brilliant 128 on the weekend. His price is likely to stay high over the next few weeks on the weight of this massive score (break even 50). So do you buy him now at his inflated price, or wait and hope for a price drop?

WARRIORS: Glen Fisiiahi, Bill Tupou, Shaun Berrigan, Simon Mannering (capt), Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, James Maloney, Jacob Lillyman, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer, Lewis Brown, Ukuma Ta’ai, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Kevin Locke, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Alehana Mara (one to be omitted).
Ins: Glen Fisiiahi, Bill Tupou, Ukuma Ta’ai, Elijah Taylor, Alehana Mara
Outs: Lance Hohaia (dropped), Joel Moon (dropped), Brett Seymour (dropped), Jerome Ropati (knee, season)
Unavailable: Isaac John (ankle, indefinite), Manu Vatuvei (knee, round 10)
Comment: Coach Ivan Cleary has lost patience with his underperforming team and opted for mass changes. Lance Hohaia, Joel Moon and Brett Seymour have been dropped. Jerome Ropati (knee) is out for the season. Popular cash cow Glen Fisiiahi returns from injury and has been given a massive opportunity at fullback. Ditto for Bill Tupou, who has been named on the wing. Simon Mannering’s scores may drop after being named in the centres, where he will partner Shaun Berrigan, who has moved from hooker. Mateo’s move to five-eighth is bitter-sweet. His work will be cut, but he should get 80 minutes. Ukuma Ta’ai, Elijah Taylor and Alehana Mara have also been named for their 2011 debuts.

****************

SYDNEY ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS at Sydney Football Stadium, 3pm

ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Justin Carney, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Jason Ryles, Jake Friend, Martin Kennedy, Braith Anasta, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Nate Myles. Interchange: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Mose Masoe, Mark Riddell, Tom Symonds, Daniel Conn (one to be omitted).
Ins: Justin Carney, Tom Symonds, Daniel Conn
Outs: Sam Perrett (broken ankle, round 13), Kane Linnett (dropped)
Unavailable: Anthony Cherrington (knee, season), Anthony Watts (knee, round 11)
Comment: The big SuperCoach news is Justin Carney’s debut. He replaces Sam Perrett (broken ankle, round 13) on the wing. Mitchell Aubusson’s move to the centres may cut his work. Aubusson is free to play despite pleading guilty to a dangerous throw charge. Jason Ryles is in doubt with a back injury.

TIGERS: Wade McKinnon, Mitch Brown, Blake Ayshford, Tim Moltzen, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Jacob Miller, Andrew Fifita, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Simon Dwyer, Alan Schirnack, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Geoff Daniela, Jason Schirnack, Aaron Woods, Todd Payten.
Ins: Mitch Brown, Jacob Miller, Geoff Daniela
Outs: Lote Tuqiri (broken arm, round 12), Chris Lawrence (dislocated hip, indefinite), Robert Lui (ankle, indefinite)
Unavailable: Gareth Ellis (ankle, round 7), Bryce Gibbs (knee, round 5), Liam Fulton (shoulder, round 7), Junior Moors (foot, round 6), Ben Murdoch-Masila (shoulder, round 8), Beau Ryan (groin, indefinite), Nathan Waters (foot, round 7)
Comment: Injuries have forced some massive changes – the biggest being the debut of former Roosters lower-grader Jacob Miller at halfback, replacing Robert Lui (ankle, indefinite). Mitch Brown and Tim Moltzen fill the backline spots of Lote Tuqiri (broken arm, round 12) and Chris Lawrence (dislocated hip, indefinite). Moltzen could be a good cheap buy now he has a regular starting spot. Backline injuries also play into the hands of Matt Utai, who now seems certain to hold his wing spot.

****************

MONDAY
MELBOURNE STORM v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS at AAMI Park, 7pm

STORM: Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Kevin Proctor, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Todd Lowrie, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Adam Woolnough, Jaiman Lowe, Troy Thompson, Jesse Bromwich.
Storm:
Ins: Adam Woolnough
Outs: Sika Manu (ankle, indefinite)
Unavailable: Chase Stanley (knee, season), Luke Kelly (osteitis pubis, round 4), Robbie Rochow (ankle, round 4), Rory Kostjasyn (ankle, round 6), Sione Kite (shoulder, round 4)
Comment: Sika Manu has not been named. Here’s the official word from the Storm: “The medical staff had fears he may have broken an ankle or the bottom part of his leg which he broke a couple of years ago. At this early stage it’s looking like there’s no break there, but we’ll have to wait until he’s had some scans done to see how serious the injury is.” Ryan Hinchcliffe could be the big winner from Manu’s injury after being promoted to the starting side. Adam Woolnough comes into the side after some brilliant NSW Cup form. However, the appearance of four props on the bench does not spell well for game time.

BULLDOGS: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Tim Lafai, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Mickey Paea, Frank Pritchard, Andrew Ryan (capt), David Stagg. Interchange: Sam Kasiano, Jake Foster, Corey Payne, Dene Halatau, Chris Armit (one to be omitted).
Ins: Chris Armit
Outs: None
Unavailable: Josh Morris (knee, round 7), Ryan Tandy (sacked), Greg Eastwood (wrist, round 5)
Comment: No changes. Tim Lafai’s price will rise after this game, although he will presumably lose his spot when Josh Morris (knee, round 7) returns. Greg Eastwood is another week away, which means Aiden Tolman should continue to get good game time. Popular cheapies Jake Foster and Sam Kasiano have been relegated to the bench.

 

[lloydy]

A few of the Lloyds legends players have been busted drinking before training on monday and will be dropped, not a good way to start the season, Luke Lewis and Tony Williams will make way for some youngsters.