A multi-bye round means there is no head-to-head games in NRL Dream Team this week, but there is still plenty to gain for overall players. Changes aplenty have been made with Origin players also unavailable, and some bargain players come onto the market as a result.
Each Wednesday, we’ll take a look at the teams named and give you the rundown on what this means for the wonderful world of Dream Team.
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Bulldogs v Roosters - ANZ Stadium 7:45pm 21/6/13
The Bulldogs have made a couple of changes, forced by Origin duties, with Josh Morris ($190,500) and Josh Reynolds ($323,100) missing. Tim Lafai ($256,800) comes into the centres and Joel Romelo ($141,000) starts at five-eighth, while Tony Williams ($226,700) and Sam Kasiano ($215,000) are named to start after being injected from the bench last Friday night. Tim Browne ($116,200) is again on an extended bench.
The Roosters have lost Michael Jennings ($306,100), James Maloney ($341,300) and Mitchell Pearce ($287,800) to NSW Origin duties, but have named Martin Kennedy ($291,000) after he was named 18th man for Queensland. Coach Trent Robinson has thrown some curveballs to Dream Team coaches this week, with Mitch Aubusson ($311,000) named to partner Daniel Mortimer ($111,900) in the halves, while Aidan Guerra ($178,200) will start in the centres. Nafe Seluini ($132,000) returns to the side on the bench, alongside debutant prop Dylan Napa ($101,600), Sam Moa ($223,000), who made his return from injury last week, and Isaac Liu ($132,700).
Tigers v Raiders - Campbelltown Sports Stadium 7:30pm 22/6/13
The Tigers have again been forced into making changes due to injury, and this week State of Origin as well. Aaron Woods ($417,800) and Robbie Farah ($502,100) are out with NSW, while Braith Anasta ($193,700) is out with a shoulder injury. Chris Lawrence ($157,900) is still another week away, meaning no changes in the backline after James Tedesco ($201,800) made a return from injury on Monday night. Jack Buchanan ($235,800) replaces Woods in the front row, while Suaso Sue ($245,500) starts at lock for Anasta. Ben Murdoch-Masila ($130,500) is on the bench alongside Shaun Spence ($110,400) and Bodene Thompson ($137,700), both returning to first grade.
The Raiders have made two forced changes to the side that downed the Panthers at home last Saturday night for their trip to Campbelltown. Sami Sauiluma ($116,100) will make his NRL debut on the wing, taking the place of Blake Ferguson ($306,700) who has been suspended by the NRL, with Jack Wighton ($194,900) moving into the centres. Josh Papalii ($398,400) is also out after being called into the Queensland squad for Origin Two, with Joel Edwards ($217,800) starting in the second row and Jarrad Kennedy ($127,700) named on the bench. Sandor Earl ($241,900) also retains his spot on the wing, while David Shillington ($186,000) is on the bench after being dropped from the Queensland side.
Eels v Rabbitohs - ANZ Stadium 3:00pm 23/6/13
Jacob Loko ($268,000) returns to the Eels lineup for their clash with the table topping Rabbitohs on Sunday afternoon. He has been named on the bench, with Cheyse Blair ($193,500) retaining his spot in the centres. Mitchell Allgood ($239,600) moves into the starting side at prop, pushing Fuifui Moimoi ($291,500) to the bench, while Loko’s return pushes Pat O’Hanlon ($145,200) to 18th man. Joseph Paulo ($277,700) is again at five-eighth, while Ben Roberts ($141,100) is on the bench.
The Rabbitohs are forced into a plethora of changes, with Greg Inglis ($431,500), Nathan Merritt ($151,900), Ben Te’o ($297,500) and Chris McQueen ($226,200) all on Origin duty, and George Burgess ($368,500) stood down for two weeks. Justin Hunt ($194,100) will replace Inglis at fullback, with Dylan Farrell ($175,500) taking Merritt’s place on the wing. Ben Lowe ($204,800) and Nathan Peats ($128,500) start in the second row, while Thomas Burgess ($101,600) is on an extended bench to make his NRL debut alongside Shaune Corrigan ($127,700).
Titans v Storm - Skilled Park 7:00pm 24/6/13
The Titans will be missing their two State of Origin representatives in Nate Myles ($324,800) and Greg Bird ($284,100). Mark Minichiello ($282,400) returns to the side in the second row after being a late exclusion last week against the Rabbitohs, alongside Ashley Harrison ($257,200), who was dropped from the Queensland squad. Mark Ioane ($146,300) has also earned a recall on the bench, with Dave Taylor ($296,800) starting. Ben Ridge ($188,800) and Luke O’Dwyer ($179,700) are on an extended bench, the latter after making a successful return from a broken jaw through Bycroft Cup last week.
Plenty of changes are forced at the Storm, with no Origin players available. Billy Slater ($269,800), Cooper Cronk ($400,900), Cameron Smith ($559,500) and Ryan Hoffman ($350,200) are all missing, with a backline re-shuffle seeing Gareth Widdop ($244,100) moving to fullback, Brett Finch ($228,900) remaining at halfback and Ben Hampton ($101,600) making his NRL debut at five-eighth. Tohu Harris ($263,000) starts in the second row, and in an interesting move, Slade Griffin ($131,100) returns to the side at hooker, with Ryan Hinchcliffe ($320,100) remaining at lock. Jordan McLean ($111,900), Mitch Garbutt ($116,100) and Mahe Fonua ($163,600) have all been named on the bench.
