Sunday 26 February 2017

The Postman's Predicted #NRL Round 1 Team: North Queensland Cowboys | #SuperCoach #NRLFantasy

National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017


NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Cowboys he believes Paul Green will pick for Round 1:

  1. Lachlan COOTE
  2. Kyle FELDT
  3. Justin O'NEILL
  4. Kane LINNETT
  5. Javid BOWEN or Kalyn PONGA
  6. Michael MORGAN
  7. Johnathan THURSTON
  8. Matthew SCOTT
  9. Jake GRANVILLE
  10. Scott BOLTON
  11. Ethan LOWE
  12. Gavin COOPER
  13. Jason TAUMALOLO
    BENCH
  14. Ben HAMPTON
  15. Coen HESS
  16. John ASIATA
  17. Patrick KAUFUSI or Sam HOARE (Shaun FENSOM outside shot)
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
  • So who will replace Antonio Winterstein on the left wing? Funnily enough, it wouldn't be surprising at all for Green to pick Winterstein on Tuesday and both Javid Bowen and Kalyn Ponga in his 21 man squad... he doesn't have to then whittle it down to 19 til Friday (Cowboys play Saturday) and then he could still pick both Bowen and Ponga as his extra reserves! So we may not know until Saturday night if Bowen or Ponga have got the gig... and hey Winterstein may even end up playing!
  • The rest of the starting team picks itself - with Bolton taking the starting prop gig from the departing James Tamou.
  • Ben Hampton has beat out Ray Thompson for the utility spot on the bench - though look for him to play a more roving role than just dummy half when he comes on. This also means Jake Granville could play significantly more minutes this season as Green was obsessed with Rory Kostjasyn last season and the team never clicked around Granville as a result.
  • John Asiata and Coen Hess are set in stone on the bench, meaning Patrick Kaufusi or Sam Hoare will likely get the final spot for Round 1. But they may only be keeping it warm for Shaun Fensom - who signed a 2 year deal with the Cowboys last week and could yet play against the Raiders in Round 1. In Canberra - Fensom played in the middle almost exclusively so Green can pick him on the bench as part of the prop rotation without a second thought. Beware SuperCoaches who want value from Kaufusi or Hoare as a result.
  • Apart from Thompson - also look for Blake Leary to come into utility role contention should Hampton not work out.
Injured List:
Antonio Winterstein (Ankle - Opening Rounds), Shaun Hudson (Leg - Season), Josh Chudleigh (Knee - Season).
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By Warrick D. Nicolson