Round 2 Team Analysis

It’s now time for Dream Team coaches to put pedal to the metal after round two teams were announced on Tuesday. Panicked coaches are looking to flick or stick after the first week, but what should you do?

Each Wednesday, we’ll take a look at the teams named and give you the rundown on what this means for the wonderful world of Dream Team.

At the Eels, Joseph Paulo ($267,800) gets a start at five-eighth, although he is unlikely to play a full 80 minutes with Ben Roberts on the bench. Matt Ryan ($290,600) and Mitchell Allgood ($234,600) are both starting, and will be valuable selections, however Chris Sandow ($286,600) and Jarryd Hayne ($412,400) are the two to look out for with some low break-even scores two games out from a price rise. They also have a debutant in Kelepi Tanginoa ($101,600), who could prove to be a cash cow from the bench.

At the Bulldogs, Steve Turner ($209,500) has again been named to start at fullback, with Drury Low ($127,700) listed on the wing. Both players swapped positions in their match against the Cowboys, and you’d expect it to be the case again come Thursday. Other than that, there are no changes, meaning David Klemmer ($101,600) is one to keep an eye on.

St George Illawarra have named an unchanged squad for Friday night, despite concerns over Chase Stanley ($214,600) who has a knee injury. He is probably somebody to steer clear of anyway, however Trent Merrin ($385,500) and Jamie Soward ($343,000) were both solid in Rd 1, while Tyson Frizell ($258,800) and Brett Morris ($339,000) were both disappointing last week and will be hard pressed to maintain their price after Rd 3.

The Broncos are also unchanged, with Justin Hodges ($339,700) starting the season in fine form and Matt Gillett ($257,500) providing some good value as well. Corey Norman ($300,300) is at fullback again, but will drop in price significantly after Rd 3 due to a disappointing start.  

The Cowboys have named an unchanged squad from their 24-12 victory over the Bulldogs in Rd 1. Skipper Johnathan Thurston ($384,400) was their stand-out last week, and will most likely rise in price after Rd 3 with minimal break even scores in the next fortnight. Scott Moore ($171,900) is another Cowboy you might like to jump on after starting well. Again on the bench, Tariq Sims ($161,800) should probably be avoided, but Jason Taumalolo ($232,900) could be good value if he gets time on the park.

At the Storm, Bryan Norrie ($210,600) returns to the starting lineup after being a late exclusion last week, the only change for the defending premiers. Tohu Harris ($116,100) is still a good chance of a significant price rise after Rd 3, while Cameron Smith ($533,200) and Cooper Cronk ($442,600) will probably drop in price after failing to reach their break-even levels in the opening week. Junior Moors ($141,000) could be a valuable acquisition off the bench after starting with 29 points.

At the Warriors there were some key changes with Manu Vatuvei ($216,400) out injured, replaced by Bill Tupou ($128,800) on the wing. Tupou and Glen Fisiiahi ($127,700) may be cheap, but probably won’t get the return unless they cross the line multiple times. Feleti Mateo ($330,100) has been dropped to the bench, and you should jump off if possible, but his starting replacement Steve Rapira ($140,500) could be a good pick-up for your bench. 

The Roosters have made one significant change, with Sonny Bill Williams ($322,500) starting in place of Mitch Aubusson ($258,300), who was their top Rd 1 scorer with 52. SBW looks to be playing in the middle, and if so is good value after scoring 47 in the first week. Shaun Kenny-Dowall ($279,100) didn’t see as much ball with Michael Jennings on the opposite side, and thus will drop in price after playing his third game.

For the Titans, another unchanged squad presents a good chance for you to consolidate your squad. Greg Bird ($306,400) was a strong performer last week and will be in the thick of it again against a side he loves to play in the Raiders. Albert Kelly’s ($156,300) starring role last week means he’s another very good selection if you want to make money. Will Zillman ($242,000) was disappointing last week, but is playing his former side.

For Canberra, Josh Dugan ($365,000) and Blake Ferguson ($280,100) have been stood down indefinitely, but Jack Wighton ($215,400) starts in the centres and Reece Robinson ($272,900) at fullback as was originally named last weekend. Josh McCrone ($300,600) scored well in a beaten side last week and could be a valuable pick up with a price rise seemingly on the way. Shaun Fensom ($439,000) may be one to jump off for now, but Matt McIllwrick ($127,700) will be a good back-up hooker after starting well. 

The Tigers join the band of unchanged teams, with the same 17 who took on the Knights named along with Eddy Pettybourne ($186,800) on an extended bench. Robbie Farah ($436,100) was strong in a well beaten team and could be a very good alternative at hooker in the early rounds if you don’t already have him. Jack Buchanan ($101,600) scored 42 on debut to regain his starting place, and should be jumped on now before a significant price rise after next week’s game. Aaron Woods ($383,500) and Benji Marshall ($402,500) will both fall after Rd 3, with Woods on the bench again this week.

For Panthers, there are rather unsurprisingly no changes to the side that defeated the Raiders in round one. Nathan Smith ($130,600) again starts at lock, making him almost a must-have prospect, particularly given his 47 against Canberra. Lewis Brown ($197,300) could also be one to keep an eye on after playing the full 80 minutes in round one.

The Sea Eagles are unchanged, with only Tom Symonds ($157,000) addition to the bench. Perennial Dream Team favourite Daly Cherry Evans ($451,400) was on fire last week with 82, and expect him to back that up this week, as was Steve Matai ($193,900) although the latter is quite inconsistent with Dream Team scores. Brenton Lawrence ($252,600) was another to impress with a startin 45, and is named in the number eight jersey again this week.

Unsurprisingly the Knights have also gone with an unchanged team following a big win in Rd 1. Akuila Uate ($312,500) was the Dream Team standout for Newcastle, but you should get him quickly before his price jumps too high. Jarrod Mullen ($385,500) was solid with 38, but has got a lingering hand injury. Travis Waddell ($194,800) is definitely one to jump on early while starting at hooker. 

The Rabbitohs have only forced changes, with Sam Burgess ($378,900) suspended and Beau Champion ($171,300) injured. George Burgess ($136,900) was very good in the opening round, and will be in for a price rise soon, while Jeff Lima ($204,600) gained the elder Burgess’ starting spot and could be handy this week.

The Sharks round out the round two teams, and (you guessed it) they too are unchanged. Two players in particular impressed in round one - Paul Gallen ($514,400) and Andrew Fifita ($379,500) - with scores of 65 and 51 respectively. However both command a high price, and with both likely to drop in value after round three, is it worth drafting them in this week?