Super Saturday kicks off with the Roosters taking their annual home game up the M1 to Gosford, where they host the Dragons at Central Coast Stadium. The two teams clashed on ANZAC Day earlier this season, with the Dragons prevailing 14-12.

Next up, the Sea Eagles take on the Knights at 4 Pines Park. The Sea Eagles have been impressive over the past month, particularly after the loss of Tom Trbojevic for the season, and they will be hoping to make it two in a row against the underperforming Knights. These two sides also met earlier this season at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the Sea Eagles destroying the Knights 30-6 in a match where Tom Trbojevic did not play.

Finally, the rivalry of southeast Queensland is reignited, with the Titans hosting the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium. The foes squared off in round 12 this season at Suncorp Stadium, where the Titans led 24-4 at halftime, before the Broncos piled a second half blitz to win 35-24.

Draftstars have a $3,000 Saturday contest, as well as single-game contests between $6,000 and $8,000, as well as several other contests including the $2 Mini and 50c Micro to jump into.


Team News

The Roosters had the bye last week, with their last match-up against the Panthers in round 16. They have made a few changes to that squad, with Paul Momirovski back in the centres, shifting Sitili Tupouniua to the edge and Nat Butcher to the bench. Drew Hutchison has been dropped, with Sam Verrills named to start at hooker. The Roosters also welcome the return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from the bench, replacing Rabbitohs-bound Daniel Suluka-Fifita.

The Dragons will welcome back Ben Hunt at halfback, with Jayden Sullivan dropped. Mikaele Ravalawa is out for a month and is replaced on the wing by Tautau Moga. Tariq Sims is out through suspension, with Jack de Belin named to start at lock. Aaron Woods returns on the bench.

In game 2, the Sea Eagles have named an unchanged line-up from their round 16 win over the Storm. Josh Aloiai has been named in the reserves and may come into consideration after overcoming concussion symptoms.

The Knights receive some good news, with Kalyn Ponga named to return at fullback, with Tex Hoy dropped. Bradman Best is once again injured, replaced in the centres by Dane Gagai. Jayden Brailey has been promoted to start at hooker, which sees Chris Randall drop to the reserves. Three new names have been added to the bench, with Simi Sasagi, Jacob Saifiti and Brodie Jones named on the bench.

Finally, the Titans have once again rung in the changes, with both wingers dropped, replaced by Sosefo Fifita and Corey Thompson. Brian Kelly is also out, replaced at centre by Phillip Sami. Paul Turner has been relegated to the bench, replaced by Tannah Boyd at five eighth. Mo Fotuaika is promoted to the starting side, with Jarrod Wallace out, and hooker Erin Clark benched in favour of Aaron Booth. David Fifita is back in the starting line-up, with Sam McIntyre dropped. Jaimin Jolliffe’s naming on the bench rounds out the myriad of changes to the squad.

And for the Broncos, Kevvie Walters seems to be allowing his Origin contingent some rest, with only a couple of changes to the squad that won last weekend, with Corey Paix dropped for Jake Turpin, and Thomas Flegler returning for Xavier Willison. Both these changes are bench players.
 

Betting Odds

Roosters $1.39 vs Dragons $3.00

Sea Eagles $1.37 vs Knights $3.10

Titans $3.00 vs Broncos $1.39

Bet now at Ladbrokes!
 

Overview

The Roosters should beat the Dragons this weekend, however if there are any late withdrawals from their Origin contingent, they could face some opposition. As outlined earlier, the Dragons managed to win the pairs earlier meeting 14-12, however I believe the Roosters showed a solid improvement in their last up start against the Panthers, and with them currently sitting 10th on the ladder, they will know the importance of the 2 points available.

In game two, with Daly Cherry-Evans firming to back up, I like the Sea Eagles to win this one easily. They have played well at home this year, turning Fortress Brookie into 4 Pines Fort. The Knights have won 5 games so far this season, and none of the teams they beat are inside the top 8. The Sea Eagles spanked then in Newcastle earlier this year, and I see more pain for the Novocastrians in this game.

Finally, the Titans are looking to snap a 6-game losing streak, as they host the Baby Broncos. The Titans have the blueprint to score points against the Broncos, however they have been so ordinary this season that I just can’t see them getting the chocolates. I do see copious amounts of points being scored though, so it could be a game to keep an eye on fantasy-wise.

 

Love It – Daly Cherry-Evans - $23,850

DCE is coming off a tremendous performance in State of Origin III and should be high on confidence heading into this matchup. The Sea Eagles have shown they have plenty of points in them, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this turn into an embarrassing day for the Knights. DCE averages 61 and hasn’t scored below 51 all season. Can’t go wrong (unless he doesn’t play of course).

 

Love It – Joey Manu - $18,530

Playing at five eighth is a good thing for Joey Manu when it comes to Fantasy, as the more he can get his hands on the ball, the better he scores. Was everywhere against an incredibly good Panthers side two weeks ago, scoring 80.6 without a try. Busts tackles for fun and is always a chance at a 4-pointer or two. And with 1 score below 30 in the past 9 weeks, you can be confident he won’t tank.

 

Love It – Zac Hosking - $11,480

The debutant was in our love it list last week, and I see no reason to take him off this week. Despite his price jumping $1500, he’s still worth the capital. In his first career game, he didn’t look out of place and pumped out a tremendous 53.2 points, whilst playing the full 80 minutes. Judging by the bench he should once again get the full 80, and I think you can confidently pencil him in for 40 points minimum.

 

Hate It – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - $19,810

The big man was heavily involved during Origin III, playing 56 minutes in the middle, making 33 tackles and carting the ball up 15 times. Will surely be a little tired after such a brutal game, and in my opinion, he is overpriced based on a massive 83-point game two rounds ago. His average on the season is 51, which is solid, but at the price point I much prefer Haumole Olakau’atu, David Klemmer or Siosiua Taukeiaho.

 

Hate It – Patrick Carrigan - $20,470

What an Origin series this lad had, capping it off with a massive 47 tackle performance in Game III, where he played 67 minutes in the middle of the field in one of the most gruelling Origin’s in recent history. All that said, Carrigan hasn’t been named in the 17 this week, and if he does lace the boots up, I don’t see him playing big enough minutes to justify this kind of outlay.

 

Who Knows – David Fifita - $18,880

Fifita is that enigmatic player who if he could manage to put together 80 minutes of his best football, he could score anything. However, he very rarely plays more than a handful of plays in a game at 100%, and because of this you struggle to find the gall to pick him week to week. Scored a try and line break in the round 12 clash at Suncorp Stadium, scoring 53 points. However, with only 2 scores above 53 and 2 below 30, he is a true rocks or diamonds player that you can’t count on.


Draftstars Suggested Team

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