DT Team Analysis: Round 17

We’re back to a full round this week, however niggling injuries and suspensions have thrown plenty of curveballs for Dream Team coaches. Will some players take it easy or be distracted before the Origin teams are named? Will the injured players not risk it with a bye around the corner?

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.

Skipper Cameron Smith ($559,500) returns for the Storm after missing last week with a cut above his right eye, while Jason Ryles ($226,900) is missing after suffering a knee injury in their loss to the Tigers last Saturday. Smith’s return pushes Ryan Hinchcliffe ($330,700) back to lock and Tohu Harris ($274,900) to the bench, while Siosaia Vave ($197,600), Junior Moors ($178,400) and Ben Hampton ($101,600) have all been added to the bench, vying for Ryles spot. Jordan McLean ($112,000), Slade Griffin ($146,000) and Tim Glasby ($101,600) have all retained their spots on the extended interchange.

An unchanged lineup has been named by the Broncos after their unsuccessful trip across the ditch last Sunday. Ben Hannant ($387,200) is still missing after straining his calf in the warm up last week, with Josh McGuire ($290,900) named in his place at prop, while Jarrod Wallace ($116,600) is again on an extended bench with Dunamis Lui ($101,600) in the 17 jersey. After last week’s 66, Josh Hoffman ($287,800) is set for a price rise again this week with a break-even of -24, as is McGuire in his starting role.

The Sharks have again named Michael Gordon ($265,900) despite the fullback being a late withdrawal again in Townsville last Sunday. Beau Ryan ($213,000) has also been named to return against his old club, as is another former Tiger Bryce Gibbs ($283,600). Matt Wright ($136,400), Nathan Stapleton ($156,500) and Ben Pomeroy ($228,000) have all been dropped from the squad, the former pair for the returns of Gordon and Ryan, while Pomeroy’s absence sees Luke Lewis ($356,600) move to the centres and Anthony Tupou ($324,800) starts in the second row. Ben Ross ($202,600) moves to the bench and Andrew Fifita ($485,700) starts, but that will change by kick-off.

The Tigers have named an unchanged squad after defeating the Storm at home last Saturday night. Aaron Woods ($407,400) and Robbie Farah ($508,700) both backed up well from Origin last week, and will start again, while wingers David Nofoaluma ($244,200) and Tim Simona ($204,400) are both in line for price rises with break-evens of 15 and 6 respectively. Joel Reddy ($181,600) was not named after pulling out late last week.

St George Illawarra have made two changes to their lineup for the clash with the Roosters, with fullback Josh Dugan ($392,100) suspended after taking the early guilty plea for a shoulder charge last week against the Panthers. Adam Quinlan ($101,600) takes Dugan’s spot at fullback, while Charly Runciman ($101,600) has been named in the centres after making his debut last Saturday when Matt Cooper ($284,200) pulled out late. Dan Hunt ($239,000) is also out with a knee injury, meaning Jack de Belin ($306,800) starts at prop and Trent Merrin ($393,000) makes a return from suspension at lock. Will Matthews ($192,400) and Atelea Vea ($141,600) have both been named on an extended bench.

The Roosters have James Maloney ($341,300) back in their side to face the Dragons on Saturday evening after the NSW five-eighth missed their Monday night clash with an eye-socket injury. Sonny Bill Williams ($380,500) moves back to the second row, pushing Frank-Paul Nuuausala ($211,700) back to a five man bench which again includes Isaac Liu ($166,600). Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($340,300) starts again after returning from suspension last week, but probably isn’t a great prospect yet as he has a break-even of -86.

Injuries have forced a number of changes for the Titans this week as they take a home game to the top end. Jahrome Hughes ($101,600) and Hymel Hunt ($101,600) have both been named in the starting side to make their NRL debut, while Nate Myles ($324,800) returns at prop after failing to back up from State of Origin last Sunday. Hughes replaces William Zillman ($258,300), who is out with a groin injury, at fullback, while Hunt takes the place of Jamal Idris ($313,300) after his fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. Myles’ return sees Luke Douglas ($311,200) push back to the bench, while David Mead ($191,200) pushes to the wing to replace Anthony Don ($140,300), and Luke O’Dwyer ($164,000) starts in the centres. Don joins Ben Ridge ($178,500) on an extended bench.

The Panthers are unchanged for their trip to Darwin, with Ryan Simpkins ($250,400) named at lock after replacing Adam Docker ($193,100) late last Saturday. Brad Tighe ($199,600) and James Roberts ($127,700) have both retained their spots in the backline, while Mose Masoe ($206,100) stays on the bench despite a bumper performance last week. Roberts break-even of -9 makes him a good prospect, particularly considering he’s playing his third game and will be in line for a nice price rise.

The Raiders have lost Sandor Earl ($231,400) to a dislocated elbow this week, causing a re-shuffle to their starting lineup. Jack Wighton ($196,200) moves to the wing to replace Earl, with Joel Thompson ($287,700) moving to the centres and Joel Edwards ($221,500) onto the bench. Jarrad Kennedy ($127,700) comes into the 17 to replace Edwards on the bench, however David Furner has named a seven man bench, signalling changes and players in doubt. Shaun Berrigan ($180,200), Jake Foster ($127,700) and Dimitri Pelo ($140,000) have all been named on that extended bench.

The Cowboys have made just one change for their trip the nation’s capital, with Ashton Sims ($189,200) taking the early guilty plea for his dangerous contact charge, leaving him with a two game suspension. Ricky Thorby ($148,400) and Jason Taumalolo ($220,300) have been named on the bench to replace Sims, with the remainder of the side stable after a convincing win over the Sharks at home last Sunday night. Centre Kane Linnett ($253,700) jumped in price by $40,200 this week, and has a very handy break-even score of -20. It may be time to cash in on Rob Lui however, who has a break-even of 64 after jumping $156,700 already this year.

The Bulldogs welcome back their Origin stars Josh Morris ($190,500) and Josh Reynolds ($323,100) after having the bye in Round 16, shifting Tim Lafai ($244,900) and Joel Romelo ($141,000) out of the side. James Graham ($366,800) has been named to start despite failing to finish their last game due to a back injury, with Sam Kasiano ($210,400) named on the bench. Martin Taupau ($181,700) was also named on an extended bench.

The Knights have named an unchanged lineup for their trip to Mackay against the Bulldogs. Korbin Sims ($143,900) has been added to a five man bench, alongside Zane Tetevano ($133,700) and Neville Costigan ($179,900). James McManus ($257,400) enjoyed a nice price hike following a four-try effort, but despite a break-even of 2, be weary that he won’t be scoring 89 points every week. The Craig Gower ($171,900) and Danny Buderus ($233,700) combination has also been retained, with Travis Waddell ($192,000) left out of the squad.

The Rabbitohs welcome back Andrew Everingham ($108,000) and Chris McQueen ($226,200) after they were both late withdrawals last Friday night against the Raiders. Despite a quality performance, Everingham’s return pushes Justin Hunt ($194,100) back to the extended bench, while McQueen starts in the second row and Ben Lowe ($229,500) drops back to the bench. George Burgess ($368,500) returns on the bench from a club imposed suspension, but isn’t assured of a start with brother Tom Burgess ($101,600), as well as Dylan Farrell ($161,600), on an extended bench.

Injury clouds hang over the Warriors, naming a twenty man squad for their trip west to Perth to take on the Rabbitohs. Manu Vatuvei ($259,300) and Russell Packer ($187,000) have both been named, but have been carrying injuries. Packer returns after missing last week, pushing Suaia Matagi ($101,600) back to an extended bench alongside Ngani Laumape ($160,200) and Charlie Gubb ($101,600). Kevin Locke ($231,000) has also been named at fullback after making a return from injury against the Broncos.

The Sea Eagles welcome Kieran Foran ($279,300) back into their squad to take on the Eels at Brookvale Oval on Monday night. He missed last week with a virus, and his return pushes Tom Symonds ($171,900) back to the bench, while Brett Stewart ($190,300) is again at fullback after returning from injury on Monday. Peta Hiku ($180,300) drops out of the squad after being an unused bench player against the Roosters, and with Stewart fit, it’s definitely the time to sell.

Jarryd Hayne ($298,200) is the big return of the round for the Eels, named at fullback for their clash with Manly but will not be risked if he is not 100%. His understudy Jake Mullaney ($249,800) has been named as 18th man for this game, and could still play a part, however coach Ricky Stuart has otherwise stuck with the same squad that fell to the Rabbitohs. Jacob Loko ($280,100) will start in the centres, with Joseph Paulo ($262,000) partnering Chris Sandow ($255,600) in the halves. Daniel Harrison ($190,300) starts in the second row and Darcy Lussick ($185,500) will start at lock.