Super Saturday is back with a full slate of three matches. After two weeks having only the 2 games on Saturday, it’s good to have a full schedule of games to write about this week.

Game one pits two squads coming off humiliating losses in round 7, with the Raiders heading north to face the Warriors at Moreton Daily Stadium. With both coaches, and ultimately squads, under immense pressure, the stakes are as high as can be for a clash between two bottom 8 sides.

Game two will see the Canterbury Bulldogs hosting the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium. Both these sides are also coming off humiliating defeats last week, and both squads are again under immense pressure. Phil Gould famously ran a training session this week for the Bulldogs where he tore shreds off his players, and if the Bulldogs don’t get up for this game, then there could be some mass casualties. The Roosters, meanwhile, are only 4-3 and have struggled to start the year. Whilst Coach Robinson is not under pressure of losing his job, the pressure of expectation is surely building.

Game three looks to be the pick of the matches, with the Eels playing their annual home game at TIO Stadium in Darwin against the surprisingly good North Queensland Cowboys. Both sides sit firmly inside the top 5 on the ladder, and this should prove an entertaining affair with plenty of points on offer.

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Team News

The Warriors have made mass changes after their 70-10 obliteration at the hands of the Storm last week. Both wingers are gone, with Edward Kosi dropped and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (concussion) missing after a horrible head injury last week. Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea will start on the wing in their place. Chanel Harris-Tavita will miss a month after rupturing his testicle last week and will be replaced at five eighth by new recruit Dejarn Asi. Josh Curran (suspended) will miss a week, with Bayley Sironen promoted from the bench. Aaron Pene has been dropped, with Elise Katoa and Jack Murchie coming onto the bench.

Only a couple of changes for the Raiders, with Elliott Whitehead returning in the second row, which sees Corey Harawira-Naera revert to the bench. Adam Elliott has been benched, which seen Ryan Sutton named to start at lock, whilst Harry Rushton drops to the reserves.

In game two, the Bulldogs welcome back a host of players from Covid, with Brent Naden and Jake Averillo straight back into the starting 13, which sees Jayden Okunbor and Jacob Kiraz dropped. Ava Seumanufagai also returns on the bench, with Billy Tsikrikas missing out. Captain Josh Jackson has been ruled out with Covid, with Max King a possibility to fill his starting spot.

For the Roosters, only one change to the 17-man squad that lost last week to the Dragons, with winger Daniel Tupou (suspended) out this week, replaced by Kevin Naiqama. No other changes expected.

In the final game, the Eels have named an unchanged 17 after their last start win over the Knights, with the only change a potential switch of Dylan Brown back to five eighth and Tom Opacic starting in the centres.

For the Cowboys, they have named the same 17 as last week, however it is anticipated that the usual changes will be made in the final hour before kick-off, with Reuben Cotter and Tom Gilbert promoted to start for Coen Hess and Heilum Luki.


Odds

Warriors $2.00 vs Raiders $1.80

Bulldogs $4.50 vs Roosters $1.20

Eels $1.31 vs Cowboys $3.50


Overview

Wow, what to say about these two teams? If you’re looking for some form of positive from last week, they played the two best teams in the competition, but other than that there isn’t much to be happy about as a fan of either club. The Raiders goal line defence was somewhat impressive, but their forwards continue to struggle, and without good football it’s hard to see the Raiders scoring enough points to win. Could go either way, but it’s hard to look at any of the players in this contest and be confident in a big score.

Unless the Roosters can improve their attack overnight, this could be a low scoring affair in game two. The Bulldogs players have been put on notice by Phil Gould, and surely, they will aim up this week against an old foe. I like the Roosters to win, just not sure how big a blowout it will be.

The final game is where our bread is going to be buttered on this Saturday slate. Both the Eels and Cowboys have been impressive in the opening 7 rounds, and both sides have players who are consistently scoring big fantasy points. I say the Eels win, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Cowboys give them a decent fight this week.

 

Love It – Heilum Luki - $11,290

Two tries in two weeks, this kid looks extremely dangerous close to the line and appears to be a go to when the Cowboys are in the redzone. Still cheap-ish and even without a try will get you solid points. Hopefully keeps his starting spot and plays 80 minutes, with the recent signing of Tom Gilbert by the Dolphins for 2023 potentially meaning a bigger role for Luki.

 

Love It – Jazz Tevaga - $14,150

Scores of over 50 the last two weeks, this coincides with his increased minutes. These minutes will surely at least be maintained, if not improved upon, with the loss of Josh Curran this week. Punches out work with a minimum of fuss and you can pencil him in for a score of 50 without attacking stats, all for the low price of $14k. Buy!

 

Love It – Isaiah Palpali’i - $22,310

What an absolute beast this guy is. Tigers fans must be salivating at the thought of him running off Api Koroisau and Jackson Hastings next season. Whilst he won’t score two tries every game, he’s shown that he will consistently put up 55-75 points a game without a try. Is expensive, so won’t be for everyone, but his numbers are insane and if you can afford, he could be the difference between winning and losing.

 

Hate It – Hudson Young - $21,250

This price is ludicrous for a guy who has a highest score of 62.4 (round 1) and an average of only 47 for the season. He’s solid, and a worker, but for the price you’d need him to score a double, and I wouldn’t be betting on that happening. Pass.

 

Hate It – Addin Fonua-Blake - $21,060

Much the same as the Hudson Young reasoning, this is too much money for a guy who is only averaging 48.4 points this season and has a high score of 63.6. He has a lower floor than anyone at this price point and needs big attacking stats to get anywhere near his ceiling. Your money could be better spent elsewhere.

 

Who Knows – James Tedesco - $20,700

Everyone knows how good James Tedesco has been for half a decade, but is he losing a step? I’ve seen him make a number of half breaks this year, where the play has been shut down. If these plays were a couple of years ago, I’m sure it would be shut the gate, another try for the Chooks. But now, I just don’t know. Was great last week in a loss (74.2), but with a low score of 22.6 and average of 45.8 this season, I just don’t know what we’re going to get in this game.
 

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