Fletcher Sharpe has been handed the #6 jumper after a productive showing in the pre-season trials. He followed the ball like a shadow in both yardage & good-ball, collecting late offloads and injecting panic into the defensive line in the second phase.
Even when the offload isn’t on, Sharpe’s speed is enough of a threat to force defenders into poor decisions and create half chances on the following play. In an ideal world, it’s the perfect storm for Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga to go to work; two elite running threats free to scan the line and turn half breaks into points.
The challenge for Newcastle this year will be to consistently generate the momentum required to unleash Sharpe, Brown & Ponga in the second phase. That being said, I think North Queensland’s middle will offer up a few looks here.
Jason Taumalolo and Coen Hess provide tremendous go-forward for the Cowboys when fresh and rolling downhill, but both struggle in the washing machine of the ruck once fatigue sets in.
Force those big bodies into repeat defensive efforts and you’ll start seeing tired movements, ineffective legs tackles – that’s where Sharpe can come into the game.
As we saw in the trials, North Queensland’s attack is electric and capable of posting points fast. Heilum Luki made a compelling return from injury and appears to be a play-to target for Tom Dearden in attack; Luki skipping overs at the outside shoulder of the defending half as Dearden plays at the line can be a feature of the Cowboys good ball attack this season.
It won’t surprise to see North Queensland post early points but I’m leaning towards Newcastle in a grind.
Tips:
Newcastle Knights (+4.5) line @ $1.90
Heilum Luki Anytime Try Scorer @ $3.75
Dom Young Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.25
A new-look Canterbury left edge is the big watch here after some promising signs in the trials.
Stephen Crichton’s shift to left centre opens up an entirely new attacking playbook for the Bulldogs down that side of the field, and it’s a nice foil alongside the gravity of Viliame Kikau in the backrow.
Edge defenders now have to consider the brute power of Kikau and the ballplaying ability of Crichton whenever the Bulldogs shift left – not to mention the variety with which these two can fall into shape.
With so many questions being asked of the defence down that channel, we saw Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey spend a lot of time during the trials lurking in Kikau’s pocket. That’s where I’m looking again here.
There are new combinations for St George to consider here too; Daniel Atkinson slots in on a right edge that features debutant Setu Tu on the wing. Something happened every other time Tu touched the ball during the trials and he already appears to be a play-to target for the Dragons in good-ball.
On the other edge, left backrower Luciano Leilua holds the keys to unlocking Val Holmes and Christian Tuipulotu outside him. Look for Leilua to play a distributing role as the Dragons search left, passing at or through the line to Holmes and Clint Gutherson – two of the best support players in the game.
This St George side won’t beat itself often but it’s hard to back against this Canterbury defensive system
Tips:
St George-Illawarra Dragons (+7.5) line @ $1.95
Connor Tracey Anytime Try Scorer @ $3.50
Christian Tuipulotu Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.55