Chk Chk Boom - It's Wenin's Report From The Cross

It's a Bird............................NO....It's a Wayne.......oh no.....It's Supermayne!!!

Yet again, another high profile footballer has found himself in hot water. Although, innocent until proven guilty, it appears Queensland and Melbourne Storm sensation Greg Inglis has dug another spear in side of NRL’s brittle public image.

The Storm star was charged with assaulting his girlfriend and subsequently suspended by the club indefinitely on Monday.. Inglis, a poster boy for the NRL and arguably the worlds best player, if found guilty, could prove to be the most damning event for the NRL in an already forgetable 2009.

Inglis joins the long list of NRL stars who have been caught in the spot light this year for the wrong reasons.

Greg Bird
Jake Friend
Sander Earl
Nate Myles
Anthony Watmough
Brett Stewart

Inglis is the 5th player in 12 months to be charged with such an offence. The Melbourne Storm appear to be taking a very strong stance here, one which the NRL as a whole should have a taken a long time ago. Enough is enough, these A - Graders need to be held accountable for the their own actions and this kind of behaviour cannot be seen to be encouraged.

Further information will come to light in future days. Let's just hope the reports are not as bad as it currently seems. Inglis is one of the most well liked players in the world and it would be a shame to have such an bright image tainted....

Not to mention the fact that this is socially unacceptable, it also has a massive effect on supercoach for the remainder of the season. What will you do if you have no trades yet and Inglis in your side? Who will you trade him for if you are lucky enough to have some remaining?

I'm sure KinG will discuss this further in Trade Talk on Friday.

Highs and Lows of the Weekend.

Storm vs NQ
Highs
Billy Slater - 85
Brett Finch - 71
Willie Tonga - 88
Shane Tronc -74

Lows
Inglis - noooooo
Matt Bowen - 26
Cameron Smith - 47

Panthers 6 vs Dragons 26
Highs
Trent Waterhouse - 72
Luke Lewis - 71
Jeremy Smith -90
Ben Creagh - 73

Lows
Brett Morris - 29
Luke Walsh - 7
Michael Jennings - 34

Manly 22 vs Souths 36
Highs
Anothony Watmough - 77
Nathan Merritt - 76

Lows
Jamie Lyon - 28
David Williams - 6
Asotasi - 44 and injured

Dogs 23 vs Raiders
Highs
Brett Kimmorley - 100
David Stagg - 97
Bryson Goodwin - 70
Bronson Harrison - 75

Lows
Hasim El Magic - 20
Josh Morris - 38
Jamal Idris - 28
Joel Monaghan - 7 and injured

NZ 10 vs Titans 30
Highs
Manu Vatuvei - 67
Nathan Friend - 89
Anthony Laffranchi - 80
Matt Rogers - 80

Lows
Kevin Locke - 37
Preston Campbell - 12

Sydney 10 vs Tigers 17
Highs
Craig Fitzgibbon - 74
Gareth Ellis - 70
Robbie Farah - 68

Lows
Shannon Gallant - 8
Benji Marshall - 36
Mitchell Pierce - 22

Eels 40 vs Knights 8
Highs
Luke Burt - 84
Jarryd Hayne - 80
Zeb Taia - 87

Lows
Nathan Cayless - 18
Chris Houston - 22

Broncos 30 vs Sharks 10
Highs
Special K - 74
Dave Taylor - 71
Paul Gallen - 110
Kade Snowden - 74

Lows
Luke Douglas - 42
Terrence Seu Seu - 7

That's all for this week.

Sleeping is giving in.

Wenin

Wenin's Late Mail

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it's the late mail!

In what could have ramifications on Dreat Team this weekend Wayne Bennett IS considering resting five-eighth Jamie Soward for tonight's clash with Penrith.
Soward has been nursing a shin injury suffered against Melbourne last Friday night, and only took part in light training yesterday.
Jon Green has dropped off the extended Dragons bench.

Penrith are almost certain to have both Luke Lewis and Frank Pritchard available for the game after both trained well this week.

North Queensland have lost winger Michael Bani before their clash with Melbourne at Olympic Park tonight after suffering back spasms at training on Wednesday. The nephew of former Bronco great Steve Renouf', Donald Malone, is expected to make his debut.

Melbourne are expected to be as named, with second-rower Ryan Hoffman training all week after his hamstring troubles.

Jamie Simpson is in doubt for South Sydney with a hip injury.

Manly are expected to be as named.

Canberra officials maintain Tom Learoyd-Lahrs is still not ready to return from a knee injury,

Gold Coast's Chris Walker will have a final fitness test today. If he is ruled fit, he will travel to Auckland for Sunday's clash with the Warriors. Coach John Cartwright confirmed Mat Rogers would play in the centres.

The Warriors are expected to be as named.

Nick Kouparitsas is likely to drop off the Sydney Roosters' bench for their clash with Wests Tigers.

There are some concerns over Tigers centre Chris Lawrence, who was unable to train yesterday due to a quad strain. Dean Collis is on stand-by, but club officials believe Lawrence will play.

Feleti Mateo and Kris Keating remain slight chances of making their returns for Parramatta after being cleared by the medical staff to do so.

Newcastle could welcome back winger Cooper Vuna for just his second NRL match of the year. He has been recovering from a shoulder injury.

Peter Wallace, Sam Thaiday and Nick Kenny (knee) are all expected to play for Brisbane against Cronulla on Monday night.

Sharks back-rower Anthony Tupou completed a rehab session yesterday in an attempt to prove his fitness after a hamstring injury, but it is likely to be in vain.

Wenin over and out.

KinGs Trade Talk Round 22

Potential Trades

Ins

Zeb Taia

- Yes only a few weeks ago my verdict was to sell him

- I said to sell him when his value was $340k
- His value has bottomed out, and will not fall any further
- Consistent performer expect to get anywhere between 65-75 points a game
- Expect him to put in some big numbers as the Knights attempt to remain in the top 8

- Value $299,000

- Season average 70.67

The Verdict

- Zeb Taia has been solid all season long, sure he isn’t one of the big big name players but his performances warrants him a place in your 17 to say the least. His value has gone down as far as it possibly could and now is the probably the cheapest you could buy him for. Use whatever Cap space you have and buy him, would make a great addition to your team, additionally only a small minority of DT’ers have him on their team so he could help make the difference.

Outs

Dave Taylor

- Dave Taylor has loads of potential

- Great value for his current average
- A lot of the Brisbane regulars are coming back so his playing time could potentially decline
- Value unlikely to rise much further although this week it could slightly increase

- Value $249,100

- Last 3 game average 66.33

The Verdict

- So why are we selling someone who was supposed to be a Cap Space Booster, well the answer is simple to boost your cap space. In the two weeks that I had him his gone up by just over $50k, now you can use that smartly earned $50k and buy yourself the players mentioned above in or if you really want you could keep him for another week at most, refer Ins.

Cap Space Booster

Joel Moon

- Last week Joel Moon dropped 113 points on me !
- Yes I was a victim of him scoring more tries in one game (4) than all season long (2)
- His last 5 games includes two 60 point performances and of course last week’s 113 points
- Value $217,300

- Last 3 game average 71.67

The Verdict

- Thinking of making a blockbuster trade? Few thousand dollars short? Well look no further, jump on the Joel Moon ship, his 3 game average is awesome and it includes a 39 point performance which will get rolled off this week, so if he scores anywhere close to his rolling 3 game average, expect his value to jump by approximately $20k - $30k. So feel free to cash in on him, however make sure you do sell him soon, regardless of whether he scores another 100+ point game this week.

NOTE

I know I said we will talk about Anthony Tupou last week, but we will actually talk about him next week as he appears to still be suffering from his hamstring injury.

That’s a wrap for this weeks trade talk, tune in next Friday morning at 1.am
Next Weeks Preview – We talk Anthony Tupou!
Until then peace out! One.

Don’t forget to post your comments or any trade related questions!

Nick's Captains - Round 22

Top 5 from last week scored as follows:
1 - Hindmarsh (81)
2 - Waterhouse (83)
3 - Hannant (78)
4 - Jarryd Hayne (111)
5 - Michael Jennings (82)
Now you can't complain about having any of those blokes as captain. Solid scoring also from Bronson (82), Gallen (83), Watmough (150), Fitzgibbon (112) and Zeb Taia (80). The other big scores for the week belonged to non DT stars (e.g. Joel Moon (113), Phil Graham (109) etc...). Therefore I am deeming last week to be the most successful week of Nick's Captains so far - personally I was stoked to have Hayne as my captain!!

Analysis is back to normal this week (example):
Jerry Seu Seu(site rank based on avg) - (avg last 3)(score last time they met)

Storm v NQ
There is nothing much from a DT perspective here. This should be a tight game, which would limit the output of JT and Bowen. Tronc has been scoring alright lately. No captains.

Panthers v Dragons
Waterhouse(9) - (79)(n/a)
Soward(17) - (79)(77)
Waterhouse missed this game last time due to State of Origin. The Panthers have been known to give up a point or 40 in recent times, so I would expect Soward to score well. Waterhouse to be solid again.

Manly v Souths
Watmough(16) - (88)(61)
Sutton(23) - (78)(25)
Anthony "Best Forward in the World" Watmough is a beast - 150 last week, and playing Souths this week, at Brookvale, he will score well again. The Sutton bubble has offically burst - 32 last week. Trade him ASAP and use the funds to buy a gun forward! Farah/Stagg are underpriced atm

Dawgs v Raiders
Stagg(7) - (60)(83)
Hannant(8) - (70)(106)
Bronson(10) - (68)(75)
Stagg has been named and for god's sake I hope he plays. Hannant had a massive 106 last time they played, and should score highly again. I think Bronson's output might be down a little this week - against the Dawgs, with Stagg going low and Ryan going high, his ability to offload will be muted. Don't make him captain this week.

Warriors v GC
Laffranchi(5) - (66)(79)
He seems to be down a bit lately, with scores of 63,72 and 63 his last 3. It's an afternoon game in NZ, so he might score alright - you never know. Look out in 2 or 3 weeks time because his price would have bottomed out by then - perfect upgrade for semi-finals!

Roosters v Wests Tigers
Fitzgibbon(6) - (103)(78)
Farah(4) - (64)(89)
Fitzgibbon is a DT beast, and if the Roosters are to win this one it will be on the back of him. Wests are in form though, and may be able to limit his DT output. I am $2,500 off being able to afford Farah this week - so angry!!! He will score well.

Eels v Knights
Hindmarsh(3) - (81)(59)
Hayne(25) - (70)(54)
Gidley(15) - (62)(73)
Hindmarsh is a machine - just like the Albert Pujols ad's on ESPN .....anyone??? Three 81's in a row the past 3 weeks. He has to be a contender again this week. Hayne at home on Sunday arfo, against the struggling Knights - he will score big again. Could be an outsider. Don't make Gidley your captain - he scored 2 tries on the weekend and could still only manage 72 points.

Broncos v Sharks
Gallen(1) - (86)(n/a)
Gallen comes back for his first game in months, and just busts out a quiet 83 points. The man is a DT freak!! And with Tupou still out (KinG - I told you he would miss last week - don't question me ever again!!!) he will notch up a big score again this week!!

Therfore, the top 5 captain choices for this week are as follows:
1 - Watmough (making his debut appearance in Nick's Captains - don't let me down big fella)
2 - Gallen
3 - Hindmarsh
4 - Fitzgibbon
5 - Hannant
Roughies of the week - Hayne & Soward

Post your comments on anyone who you think I may have missed, or how you have been going with your captain's choices recently!

Player of the Week: Round 21

Geez, what a weekend! Good viewing for the fans out there, some nail biters, some massive scores and of course, some MASSIVE DT scores with Watmough taking out what I think may be the highest DT score this season (unless anyone can think of any higher?)!

1. Anthony Watmough
Manly were dragging the chain on Monday night as the Tigers pulled ahead with a solid lead of 18-0 at half time. I dont know what Des Hasler had to say to the boys in the locker room but a different team stepped out. Tony Williams got the ball rolling and then Watmough did everything he could to get Manly back in the game crossing the line twice and knocking up a ridiculous stat sheet along the way. Unfortunately there's only so much one man can do and a sneaky field goal by Robbie Farah in the 63rd minute kept the Tigers ahead..

Tries - 2
Line Breaks - 4
Tackles - 27
Offloads - 7!!
Runs - 23 for 269m!!

Total points - 150!

2. Craig Fitzgibbon
Another solid performance sees the mighty Roosters captain back only a few short rounds after busting out his 129! Getting the ball rolling against the Knights in the 9th minute, he took a backseat after that, content to boot through 5 from 5 of his teammates tries and enjoy watching the tantalisingly sweet taste of victory slip away from Gidley and the rest of the Newcastle side..

Tries - 1
Goals - 5
Tackles - 28
Offloads - 1
Line Breaks - 1
Runs - 20

Total points - 112




3. Terry Campese
Welcome Campo! As a fan of the Green Machine welcoming Campo on his debut to players of the week is some small comfort considering we wont be making the finals this year! In his first 100+ point performance since Round 1, Campo came storming back in the Raiders thrashing of the Broncos (did I hear their biggest defeat ever?!) on Saturday night. Largely spurred on by the huge scoreline Campo punched through 8/10 goals, loving it!

Try Assists - 3
Goals - 8
Tackles - 30
Offloads - 2
Line Break Assists - 2
Runs - 5

Total points - 110


Last week of league games, few crunch games out there for everyone I'm sure, good luck in the final week and hopefully you get to see more of the finals than the Raiders! (Unlike Yung Legends who are sure to get knocked out this week)

Until next week..
Fish

Chk Chk BOOM – Wenins’ Reports From the Cross.

Here comes the story of the hurricane,

The man the authorities came to blame

For somethin that he never done.

Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been

the champion of the world.

Well well well, it was only last weekend when this blogger factored the Broncos into his short list of lows for the week. Who would have thought that things could possibli.. I mean possibly get any worse. Not only did the broncos score their largest ever defeat on the weekend but one of their stars is now caught in an Andrew Johns like scenario. Who is this pill popper? A few names have been bandied around, but I will leave the name dropping to the rumour monger's. For now, I’ll just listen to Bob some more.

Weekend Wrap.

Well boys and girls (clutching at straws) what a weekend of upsets. Who would have thought this time last week that the Roosters, Raiders, Tigers and the Cowboys would have had the victories which they did? When it rains it pours! Upsets this year have come in their two’s, three’s and most commonly fours. Shit for tipping and a punt but it’s good to see the ego’s bruised.

Anyway who were us DTers happy with on the weekend and who do we want discarded to reserve grade?

Friday Night

St George 26 Melbourne 12

Highs
Jamie Soward continued his ball breaking season with a solid 86 points.
Big Del continued to show that being over thirty is the new black (see pic) with a solid 83 point game.
Dallas Johnson finally came back into some form with 80, which is amazing considering ¾ of his points are scored through tackles.

Lows
Weymen – 33 – Come on dude! The week I trade you in is the week you fail! Big week coming big boy.

Titans 18 – Cowboys 34
Highs
Matty Bowen stole the show against the Titans with a two try show stopping performance for 84 points.
Steve Rapira chimed in with 81.
Mark Minichello performed well for the Titans with 73.

Lows

Brett Delaney and David Mead 22, 23...Come on boys you are better than that!

Saturday games

Raiders 56 – Broncos 0

Highs
Campese, bloody Campese, about time he stepped up…massive 110 points. I'm just pissed that he is in the Yung Legends lineup.
Jarrad Croker, Phil Graham and Joel Monaghan all had large games with points over 100.

Lows
The Broncos - needless to say

Newcastle 18 – Roosters 30
Highs
My best upgrade of the year Skipper Fitzgibbon had another great weekend with 112. What a DT gun!
Steroid Macdougall pumped out a solid 105
Zeb Taia and Gidley both scored well with scores of 80 and 72 respectfully.

Lows

The Roosters won.

Penrith 32 – Warriors 32
Highs
Joel Moon pulled something out his complete backside with a whopping 113.
Gavin Cooper, Sam Rapira and Trent Waterhouse scored 88, 86 and 83 a piece.

Lows
Junior Tia Kilifi, are you in or are you out?

Sunday Games

Cronulla 0 – Eels 30

Highs
Jarryd Hayne you little ripper! 111.. If you don’t have this guy in your backline by now I don’t know what you have been doing all year! GUN!
Same can be said about Nathan Hindmarsh, just doesn’t stop running all game..81 points.
Joel Reddy also chipped in with a very respectful 86.

Gallen, Snowden and Douglas all had big games for the Sharks with 83, 77 and 74.

Lows
Tupou – I mean WTF? Either he is in or he is out Ricky!!!!
Mortimer -23 - you are meant to love DT son!

Souths 18 – Bulldogs 26
Highs
Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa aaaaalogo….destroyed the game with a handy score of 90
Ben Hannant, welcome back big spender – 78 points.

Lows
Stagg….sob sob sob…..but seriously, 3 sets of 6 for 28 points….what a freak!

Monday Night Footbaaaaaaaaalll

Tigers 19 – Manly 20
Highs

One word – WATMOUGH! – Seriously? Wtf? Who scores 150? Animal (again see pic) -->

That is all.

Lows
Shannon Gallant – 24!!!! I chose you over Locke you bastard!

Well that's all from this week.

I will look forward to your comments.

Remember, sleeping is giving in!

Be Awesome, Wenin xo