Tom's Teams Wrap Up - Round 21

Ok time to get a little controversial. I put this to you David Gallop, why would you enforce all teams to announce their teams for the upcoming rounds play on a Tuesday afternoon? I mean come on, now with the addition of Monday Night Football, after travel/downtime and recovery, some teams will not have a chance to even hold one full training session before team selection panels wheel the axe. The issue I have here is that teams are announcing ever enlarged extended benches, players are dropped after one bad game with no chance to prove themselves during the week, players are coasting through training with confidence, there is more time for injury etc. With this, DT’ers around the country are frequently frustrated! When they turn on the TV or head down to the ground to watch a game and see a totally different team line up, how do you think that makes them feel? They think about all the points lost and rue those potential trades that were held off until next week. With this, I implore you Mr Gallop, change Team Lists day to Thursday!!!

Anyway, with that behind us, welcome to Tom’s Team’s for this week, where the ins and outs for this week’s action are posted and discussed. Some of the DT favourites are down on form atm, might be time to look for a replacement. Enjoy.

Melbourne V St George
Two of the league’s best go at it on Friday night in what should be a close one. Melbourne has won 11 of their last 12 Friday night matches. St George has won just one of their last 10 matches against Melbourne, having never beaten the Storm at WIN Jubilee Oval. St George essentially has two days less to prepare for this one, coming back from New Zealand on Monday. Even with their great form, I can sense an upset. This should be a defensive battle, with both lines to be peppered all night.

Melbourne
In – Turner, Inglis, Johnson, Hoffman
Out – Blair, Anderson, Neilson, Cahill

St George
In – Prior, Priddis

Gold Coast V North Queensland
Will Gold Coast finally lose at home this week? One would think not given the Cows terrible road record. As I expected Scotty Prince ran rampard over the Broncos last week, don’t be surprised if he takes the cake against JT this week too. In saying that, JT is a good buy this week, because he has bottomed out price wise, and will look to improve personally for a finals charge to help his team. The Coasties lose Lafranchi this week to suspension, terrible news for DT’ers!!! Serious doubt for all 2nd rowers for GCT, hopefully the young guns will step up and score big. David Meyers would still be my best bet for a mid-range replacement 2RF. Doubts over Minnichello for this one, maybe Daniel Conn to be a late replacement.

Gold Coast
In – Matthews, Graham
Out – Harrison, Laffranchi

North Queensland
In – Watts, Manukafoa


Canberra V Brisbane
Flip a coin with this one. As much as the Broncos need a win, I do not see two home losses in a row on the cards for the Raiders.

Brisbane
In – Carroll, Hunt, Lockyer, Halu
Out – Gorrell, Mcguire, Williams

Canberra
In – Mccrone,Waddell
Out – Buttress, Herbert

Penrith V New Zealand
Penrith will be looking for another strong performance to solidify their top 8 spot. They are good players to have coming into DT finals.

New Zealand
In – Ropati, Tuimavave, Brown
Out – Price, Royal, Ah Van

Penrith
In – Elford, Pritchard

Newcastle V Sydney City
Surely if the Knights are to contend this year they will show some pride in themselves and bounce back this week against the featherless Roosters outfit. Some names come back into the team for Sydney (Fitzgibbon), but it doesn’t matter when your goal line defence is as bad as theirs. Add to the fact that half the team is not switched on, and your result is a Newcastle flogging. Gidley back this week, I promise, points may be up and down as he may play some minutes in the halves.
Newcastle:
In – Gidley, Mullen

Sydney
In – Fitzgibbon, Brown, Hauraki
Out – Kenny-Dowell, Ahern, Symonds

Cronulla V Parramatta
The Eels won last week with a big upset against the Bulldogs, and with half Daniel Mortimer in such good form and Trent Barrett done for the year, expect another Gold and Blue victory.

Cronulla
In – Green, Tupou
Out – Barrett, Norre

Parramatta
No Changes

South Sydney V Canterbury
Another big week for the Rabbits. Need to come out strong and show the league that they are the real deal. Wins against soft opposition has lifted team morale and led by John Sutton, another big game is needed this week. The Bulldogs too need to show some form after last week. This should be a cracker. Big name DT’ers Hickey and Stagg back in the team.

Souths
In – Crocker

Bulldogs
In – Stagg, Hickey
Out – Morrin, Holdsworth

Wests V Manly
How is the form of the mighty Tigers? At home against the Eagles, a chance to show the fans the brand of footy that is propelling them towards the top 8. A crucial game for both teams. Expect big things from inspired leaders Farrah and Marshall.

Wests
In – Collis

Manly
In – Matai, L’estrange

For a full list of teams for the rounds action visit:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/teamlists

Thats all for this week, peace.