The final Super Saturday of the 2022 NRL season kicks off with the Warriors hosting the Titans at Mt. Smart Stadium. With both teams having their bags packed weeks ago for Mad Monday, expect to see minimal intensity and plenty of turnstiles in defence, with points expected in bunches.

Next up, one of the most important games of the week, as the Dragons host the Broncos at Kogarah (Netstrata Jubilee Stadium). A loss here would spell the end for the Broncos, whilst a win gives them a chance to sneak home into the top 8, depending on the Tigers vs Raiders outcome. Dragons Head Coach Anthony Griffin would no doubt get plenty of satisfaction out of knocking the Broncos out, so a good game of football should be on the cards here.

Finally, the Cowboys host the Panthers in a game that was basically decided when Ivan Cleary decided to rest the majority of his first-grade squad. The Cowboys must win to put pressure on the Sharks, with a home semi final up for grabs in week 1. The squad named by Ivan gives us several Panthers’ options at cheap prices, but there’s every chance the Panthers are lapped, and they prove not worthy of your capital.

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Team News

The Warriors have made several changes to their squad, with Adam Pompey dropped for Jesse Arthurs. Wayde Egan returns at hooker, pushing Freddy Lussick to the bench. Euan Aitken returns on the edge, relegating Elise Katoa to the bench. Dunamis Lui is out, with Bunty Afoa replacing him at lock, whilst Taniela Otukolo drops to reserves.

The Titans were forced into a change at centre, with Brian Kelly suspended for 4 weeks for his spear tackle last week. He’s replaced by Phillip Sami. No other changes to the squad from last week.

The Dragons have made no changes to the 17 that took the field last week.

Kevin Walters has made changes to the team that were obliterated 53-6 at home last week, with Brenko Lee and Jordan Pereira out, replaced by Delouise Hoeter and Selwyn Cobbo. Ezra Mam has been dropped, replaced at five eighth by Tyson Gamble. Pat Carrigan returns at lock in a big boost, pushing Corey Jensen to the bench. Kobe Hetherington (concussion) is also out.

The Cowboys have named Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at five eighth, indicating Tom Dearden may be back this week as he’s named amongst the reserves. If he doesn’t play, I’d expect the Hammer to start at fullback, with Scott Drinkwater shifting to five eighth. Coen Hess (suspension) is out, promoting Reuben Cotter to start at prop, and Griffin Neame to the bench.

The Panthers have made too many changes to list, with the only survivors from last week’s team being Sean O’Sullivan, Matt Eisenhuth, Mitch Kenny, Chris Smith and J’maine Hopgood.


Betting Odds

Warriors $1.54 vs Titans $2.50

Dragons $2.35 vs Broncos $1.60

Cowboys $1.15 vs Panthers $5.50

Bet now at Ladbrokes!
 

Overview

This first match up between the Warriors and Titans will be high scoring, it probably just boils down to whether both teams can score points. The Warriors have been particularly good at Mt Smart Stadium since returning in round 16, and I’m confident they’ll put points on this porous Titans defence. Whether the Titans can do the same remains to be seen. They have removed themselves from the wooden spoon conversation, and in doing so leave themselves with little to play for here. I can see 40+ from the Warriors in this one, and picking the right OB could be vital.

The Dragons vs Broncos clash is intriguing. The Broncos have been poor of late, whilst the Dragons have just been plugging away, maintaining a 50/50 record over the past 10 weeks. The Broncos have so much more to play for, and you’d think that would be enough to get them home, but I’m not convinced. A tight game could be on the cards here, however a Dragons blowout isn’t beyond the realms of possibility if the Broncos go down early.

Finally, the Cowboys should be far too good the Panthers reserve grade team. It will be worthwhile picking up some Cowboys players, but there’s also value in the Panthers squad. With so many rookies, they’re cheap and surely points are there for the taking.

 

Love It – Reece Walsh - $13,540

Walsh has the high upside that makes his purchase worthwhile, particularly with a game at home against a poor defence. There is talk Shaun Johnson could miss out this week, which will put the ball in Walsh’s hands even more. The more he can get his hands on the ball in attacking positions, the more value he has. With my prediction of a 40+ Warriors score this weekend; he will get plenty of shots at goal. He will be looked upon more for general play kicking if Johnson is out, and there’s only upside in my opinion.
 

Love It -Tannah Boyd - $15.320

The concern for Boyd is clearly his team, and whether they can maintain the try scoring form they have shown over the past month. I’m worried about the motivation levels of the Titans players, however if they are up for this clash against the Warriors, they can pile on the points just as well as their opponents. Boyd has been in some fine form over the past month, averaging 54.8 over his past 5 games. With AJ Brimson playing five eighth, most of the general play kicking has been left with Boyd, who also kicks goals, forming a solid base to work off for the Titans half.

 

Love It – Matt Eisenhuth - $15,470

Eisenhuth is priced a little awkwardly, and given his usual production of the bench you’d look at this price and think he’s overvalued. However, when he’s been asked to play big minutes this season, he’s done a job. In games where he’s been asked to play 45+ minutes, he’s averaged 58.7. With such an inexperienced forward pack this week, Eisenhuth is surely playing big minutes in the middle, and will be expected to get through a tonne of work. I’d be surprised if he didn’t score 50+, given enough minutes, and that’s terrific value for the price.

 

Hate It – Sean O’Sullivan - $22,270

O’Sullivan has been tremendous for the Panthers this year, and fully deserves to be a starting halfback in the NRL. Last week was a huge performance, pumping out 80 points in a huge Panthers win. Whilst I don’t believe O’Sullivan would let you down as your premium HH this week, I’m not sure the ceiling is as high as it could be. He’s going to be playing off the back of a forward pack that will not be as dominant as he’s used to, and with the Cowboys defence being top 3 in the NRL, points will be at a premium. I’d expect 45+ as a minimum, however I can’t see him scoring 70+.

 

Hate It – Payne Haas - $21,040

Much better options in this price range, with Haas unable to show his top level for much of this season. The Broncos appear to be spiralling, and whilst Haas played 80 minutes last week, his runs don’t seem as hard, and his attacking upside seems to have stalled. There’s got to be more to the story behind the scenes, with the Broncos going from one of this year’s surprise packets, to one of its greatest disappointments. Give me Tino, Fermor, Bird and Carrigan around this price before Haas.

 

Who Knows – David Fifita - $22,910

Only 49 minutes last week for the barnstorming back-rower, the concern for Fifita owners is whether this was a one-off, or on-going from Titans Head Coach Justin Holbrook. He has scored a try in 3-straight games, highlighting his ability to go large each week, however at this price I need an assurance that he is going to get the minutes to have an opportunity to get you that 70+ score you need from a premium option.


Draftstars Suggested Team

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