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It’s the second instalment of Super Saturday for the 2022 season, and we’re here to get you all set for picking the best line-up for your Draftstars teams! We kick things off on the Gold Coast, where two 0-1 teams will battle it out for their first win of the season, when the Warriors take on the Titans. The Titans looked quite good last week, despite losing, but will surely need to work on their defence if they’re to make a run this season. At 5:30pm, the Parramatta Eels head to the Shire to take on the Cronulla Sharks, in what shapes as the match of the day. The Sharks were a little unlucky last week, where the opposite could be said of the Eels, who were the Jekyll and Hyde of round 1. Finally, the Canberra Raiders head north where they will be attempting to go to 2-0, when they take on the disappointing North Queensland Cowboys. The Cowboys will have to improve from their performance last week if they are to have any chance in this one.

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Markets

Titans $1.37 vs Warriors $3.10

Sharks $2.25 vs Eels $1.65

Cowboys $2.50 vs Raiders $1.54

Team News

The Titans came out of week 1 relatively unscathed, however there is some doubt over two players named on Tuesday. Jayden Campbell and Erin Clark both came away with knee injuries from the game with the Eels and are in some doubt. If they aren’t fit for duty, I would expect AJ Brimson to come straight back into the side at fullback and Will Smith to start in the halves in place of Brimson. If Clark misses out, Tannah Boyd could slot in at hooker, however there’s a chance an unknown may start and play big minutes, so keep an eye out on late mail.

The Warriors were hit heavily with injuries, with halfback Shaun Johnson ruled out with a pec injury. Ash Taylor will come straight in for Johnson, playing his first game for his new team, against his old team the Titans. Two starting backs are also out due to injury, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ruled out with a broken thumb, and Viliami Vailea also ruled out with a knee problem. Adam Pompey will replace DWZ on the wing, with Jesse Arthurs to start at centre in place of Vailea. Reece Walsh returns, starting at fullback, with Chanel Harris-Tavita moving from fullback to five-eighth, and Kodi Nikorima drops to the reserves. Matt Lodge returns after serving his suspension and will start at prop, with Bunty Afoa benched and Ben Murdoch-Masila dropped.

The Sharks are unchanged, with recruit Nicho Hynes settling in well at halfback, scoring 58 points and looking very good in a new role. Teig Wilton looked impressive on the left edge and is someone to look for until Wade Graham returns. The Sharks still have some work to do with their new combinations, and they will need to click this week, with their opponents red hot in attack last week.

The Eels lose hat trick hero Sean Russell to a devastating rib injury and a punctured lung. He is replaced on the wing by Waqa Blake, who shifts from the centres to the wing, with Tom Opacic coming in to play centre. Ryan Matterson was also injured during the game, straining his hamstring. As a result, he will miss a few weeks, with Oregon Kaufusi promoted to start at lock, and Nathan Brown comes on the bench. Jake Arthur drops back to the reserves. The Eels looked unstoppable in the first half last week with the ball, however, have some work to do in defence if they are to have any chance at a Premiership this year.

In the final game of the day, the Cowboys lose prop forward Jamayne Taunoa-Brown to an injury, with Jordan McLean set to start and Griffin Neame coming onto the bench. Payten will more than likely make some late changes again with his starting 13, but I wouldn’t expect anyone from outside the 17 to come in. Tom Gilbert was a bright spot in an otherwise awful Cowboys performance, scoring a try, making 47 tackles, and running for 158 metres.

The Raiders have lost their halfback Brad Schneider to COVID, with Schneider replaced by Matt Frawley. Hooker Josh Hodgson left the game early with a knee issue in round 1, and he will miss a month of football. Tom Starling gets the start at hooker, with young hooker Adrian Trevilyan named on the bench. No other changes are expected for the Raiders, who were impressive in round 1 considering they lost their hooker in the first 6 minutes.

Overview

With so many changes for the Warriors on top of their poor showing in round 1, it’s hard to see them getting in the win column against the Titans. The addition of Reece Walsh will certainly help, but there’s not a lot he will be able to do if the Warriors forward pack can’t aim up more than it did in round 1. I expect the Titans to score plenty of points in what looks to be a beautiful sunny day ahead on the Gold Coast. Load up on some attacking players in this one.

In game 2, I like the Eels to get it done in what should be a cracker of a contest. The Sharks will be determined to not start their season with 2 straight losses; however, I just get the feeling their combinations aren’t quite there yet and it will take a few more weeks until we see the best of them. Brad Arthur will be drumming defence into his squad all week at training, and I expect the Eels to man up a lot more than they did against the Titans last week.

In the final game, I expect the Raiders to be far to strong for the Cowboys, who looked awful last week. I know the conditions were terrible, but to only score 4 points against this Bulldogs outfit does not bode well. The Raiders looked solid last week and should be far too good for the Cowboys.

Value Selections

Love It- Tom Gilbert $11,680

Despite being a part of the worst performing team of the week, Gilbert stood out from the first minute for the Cowboys. Promoted to start from the bench, Gilbert played 75 minutes, made 47 tackles, had 16 runs for 158 metres and scored his teams only try. He almost had a double and looked the most likely of all Cowboys forwards. Still cheap and should be strongly considered.

Love It- Corey Horsborough $10,410

Horsborough put in a workmanlike performance in round 1 from the bench, securing his owners a solid return of 41.7 points. Horsborough made 27 tackles, ran the ball 12 times for 77 metres and had 2 offloads. His minutes should continue and if they do, expect more of the same. For this price, he’s well worth it.

Love It- David Fifita $19,660

After a relatively quiet round 1, I think Fifita is ready to explode. The Warriors left side defence was a shambles last week, and with a few changes on the edge defensively, it could be even worse this week. Ravalawa made that edge look tiny last week; imagine what Fifita could do this weekend. Scary.

Hate It- Addin Fonua-Blake $19,040

Maybe I’m just a little bit upset from picking the big fella last week, but he didn’t seem to score well (50.1) despite a massive line break where he ran for 30 + metres before being stopped. Too many missed tackles, errors, and penalties for this price tag, in a game where I see the Titans forwards wanting to establish their dominance early and often. Also, with Matt Lodge back, his minutes may reduce.

Hate It- Reed Mahoney $18,480

Despite playing 80 minutes, Mahoney only made 25 tackles, and only ran the ball twice in round 1. For that price tag, you want an 80-minute hooker making 40+ tackles and taking the line on more than that. Perhaps he was a little rusty, but I’m surprised he wasn’t involved in any attacking raids for the Eels. Needs to show he’s still a focal point of this attack before I’d consider buying again.

Who Knows- Reece Walsh $14,230

A revelation in 2021, making his Origin debut and taking the league by storm. How will the kid fare in 2022? With whispers he’s on the way out, will his mind be completely there, or could he up his game in order to up his price tag for next season. It’s anyone’s guess, but I think it’s safe to say most neutral fans watching are just excited to see this kid play. Hopefully his Warrior teammates can lay a platform for him to show what he’s capable of.