Tom's Teams Wrap Up - Round 20

Welcome back to another week of Tom’s Teams Wrap up! First of all, to my loyal fans, I must apologise for the unexplained hiatus from this blog. I have been in WA without my laptop for a while and I sort of forgot about NRL for a few weeks. Also, the eating of the world’s hottest burger at the Off the Wall diner has played a part, mainly because it nearly killed me! But not to worry, I’ve been brewing for a while now and am ready to unleash some pain on this blog. Let’s do it.

Plenty of great DT players to be running around in the NRL this week due to the wave of injuries that have struck some of the big name players in the league. Good news for DT’ers as that means plenty of bargains to be had for all (if you have trades left). Time to see the ins and outs for round 20!

Manly V Newcastle

Manly are back to near best at Brookvale, with Newcastle up and down on the road. However, fresh off the bye round and with inspirational skipper Kurt Gidley a certain starter, the Knights may upset the Eagles this week.

Manly:
In – Bailey, Rodney
Out – Mauro

Newcastle:
In – Gidley, Patterson, Dureau
Out – Houston, Mullen, McDonnell
Gold Coast V Brisbane

This all Queensland affair will not be close. Broncos are way off their game these days, and the Titans seem unstoppable at Skilled Park. Look for Scotty Prince to bounce back into form this week.

Gold Coast
In – Harrison, Cannings, Lawdon, Lacey
Out – Conn, Matthews

Brisbane
In – Simms, Sweeny
Out - Carroll

Canterbury V Parramatta

The Eels lifted last week against an underdone Storm outfit; however the ever reliable Bulldogs are a class above anyone on their day – they will be way too good for the Eels at home. I say every week to jump on any Canterbury forward you can afford, and this week is no exception. DO IT!

Canterbury
In – Goodwin, Hannant, Eastwood
Out – Utai, Hickey

Parramatta
No Changes


North Queensland V Penrith

Fresh off an Origin defeat the big boys from up north were off their game and looked flustered last week. Expect a big win for the Cows this week, complemented by a big score from JT and Matty Bowen.

North Queensland
In – Scott, Weston
Out – Watts

Penrith
In – Elford

Melbourne V Cronulla

As much as I would love to see it, an upset is never on the cards for the Sharks down in Victoria. Even with injuries, the Storm will get home this week. Btw how good was Billy the Kid in the halves? Why can’t we see that every week!

Melbourne
In – Smith, Hinchcliff, Finch
Out – Kelly

Cronulla
No changes

Canberra V Wests
I cannot look past a Tigers outfit that played with such passion in the previous round. Look for them to knock off the heavily fancied Raiders on the road in a high scoring affair. Playmakers will score big in this one…

Canberra
In – Thurling, Picker
Out – Leyroyd-Lahrs

Wests
In – Collis

New Zealand V St George

The warriors charging home to the finals! Sounds good right Kirkup? Too bad they have the full strength Dragons fresh from a bye coming to town this week to spoil the party. Expect a close one, I’m tipping the upset. Will we see the Dell go head to head with the beast that is Manu Vatuvei? Two DT heavyweights back in the lineup for NZ.

New Zealand
In – Locke, Price


St George
In – Boyd, Poore, Weyman, Creagh, Costigan, Prior, Smith
Out – Emmett, Lett, Nightingale, Merrin

South Sydney V Sydney

In the final game of the round, Monday night sees the Rabbits and the Roosters go at it. The Rabbitohs looked good at Suncorp last Friday, and with an extended break, they will choke the Chooks at home. Get on John Sutton as he is doing everything to lift these Rabbits into the finals. Minechello is back for the Roosters, likely to play on the wing so is probably not worth the gamble.

Souths
In – Crocker

Sydney
In – Minechello, Soliola, Ahern
Out – Fitzgibbon, Cherrington, Earl

That’s it for this week. May this week be full of growth and playing time for your beloved 17!
Tg