It’s now time for Dream Team coaches to put pedal to the metal after round five teams were announced on Tuesday. There are some massive changes this week, as head-to-head competition becomes the forefront of Dream Team coaches minds.
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.
Bulldogs v Sea Eagles - ANZ Stadium 7:35pm 5/4/13
At the Bulldogs, the suspension of Krisnan Inu ($289,400) opens up a chance for Tim Lafai ($242,900), who was quite a handy scorer when given his chance last year. Tim Browne ($113,700) joins the bench, pushing David Klemmer ($135,100) to the extended bench. Ben Barba ($398,900) scored 31 in his return at fullback, but will struggle to maintain his price without two big performances over the next fortnight.
The Sea Eagles made a couple of chances, most notably sticking with the starting 13 from the Tigers victory, with Tom Symonds ($190,300) starting a lock in place of Jamie Buhrer ($254,500) who you should probably look at trading if possible. Richie Fa’aoso ($181,000) returns on the bench as David Gower ($129,000) drops back to NSW Cup, while Brenton Lawrence ($324,400) holds his starting spot ahead of Jason King ($244,300). Daly Cherry Evans ($480,100) dropped slightly after a loss fruitful week, but remains a reliable player.
Titans v Broncos - Skilled Park - 7:35pm 5/4/13
The Titans have named the same team as originally last week, with Ashley Harrison ($327,400) at lock and Brad Takairangi ($162,900) in the centres. Luke O’Dwyer ($204,200) and Steve Michaels ($139,800) are both added on an extended bench after performing well against Penrith.
Five-eighth Albert Kelly ($212,200) and prop Ryan James ($198,200) again have achievable break even scores and could continue to rise in price.
The Broncos also name the same starting 13 as last week, with Justin Hodges ($339,700) there despite a lingering hamstring injury and Sam Thaiday ($370,000) named pending a judiciary hearing on Wednesday evening. Should the skipper be unsuccessful, the stocks of Corey Parker ($443,000) are sure to rise,along with bench options David Hala ($148,700), Dunamis Lui ($127,700) and Scott Anderson ($155,500).
Eels v Sharks - Parramatta Stadium 5:30pm 6/4/13
The Eels have named an unchanged side despite a heavy loss to the Roosters last weekend. Fullback Jarryd Hayne ($362,300) has struggled for DT points in recent weeks, along with halfback Chris Sandow ($313,400), as both players dropped in price. Jacob Loko ($186,400) and Vai Toutai ($126,700) remain solid options with some price rises to come despite low scores on Monday.
The Sharks have made a couple of key changes, with Todd Carney ($342,600) missing with a foot injury, replaced by Chad Townsend ($313,900). While Townsend performed well last year, that was as goal kicker and central focus of attack. Matt Wright ($150,300) drops out of the side, with Jonathan Wright ($150,300) moving to the centres and Nathan Stapleton ($127,700) on the wing. John Morris ($209,500) is again starting at hooker, and has a low break-even score.
Cowboys v Panthers - 1300SMILES Stadium 6:30pm 6/4/13
The Cowboys recall Glenn Hall ($193,600) to the second row with Jason Taumalolo ($250,600) dropping to the bench. Kalifa Faifai Loa ($166,400) is again on the wing in place of Ashley Graham ($245,700). Tariq Sims ($145.900) is also on the bench after being a late inclusion last week, while Anthony Mitchell ($201,900) can’t find a place on the bench with Rory Kostjaysn ($225,400) taking his place in jersey 14.
The Panthers have made significant changes, with Blake Austin ($171,100) at halfback alongside Tom Humble ($132,200) who has a price rise ahead of him. Luke Walsh ($268,100) is dropped to NSW Cup, but Humble is the man to be on as he is most likely to control the team and is in good form. Clint Newton ($206,300) is on the bench, with Nathan Smith ($148,100) not even in the squad, while Cameron Ciraldo ($299,000) is again at lock.
Dragons v Knights - WIN Jubilee Oval 3:00pm 7/4/13
St George Illawarra have an unchanged starting 13, with Jack Stockwell ($131,100) retaining a spot in the front row in the absence of Michael Weyman ($279,000). Chase Stanley ($214,600) takes his place in the centres, while Daniel Vidot ($210,800) is on the extended bench. Trent Merrin ($426,300) is still the main man for the Red V, with an average of 57.75 Dream Team points per game. Mitch Rein ($346,100) is one to look at, with back-up hooker Cameron King ($130,700) suffering an injury.
The Knights have gone with the same 17 who took on the Raiders last week, with Kurt Gidley ($233,200) named at hooker and Danny Buderus ($272,900) on the bench. Alex McKinnon ($247,300) is again in the centres while Timana Tahu ($267,500) is the only addition on an extended bench. Two-try hero Adam Cuthbertson ($266,400) is on the bench and has a negative break-even, but Korbin Sims ($101,600) misses out.
Warriors v Rabbitohs - Mt Smart Stadium 4:00pm 7/4/13
The Warriors have named the same 17 that defeated the Cowboys at home last Sunday, with Nathan Friend ($327,700) at hooker and Feleti Mateo ($260,300) back starting in the second row. Ngani Laumape ($101,600) is again on the wing for his third game, while Glen Fisiiahi ($127,700), Manu Vatuvei ($216,400) and Sebastine Ikahihifo ($159,300) are all on an extended bench. Look for Jacob Lillyman ($253,600) to replace Ben Matulino ($281,500) in the starting lineup, as Matt Elliott did last weekend.
The Rabbitohs have made some very interesting changes in their forward pack, with Sam Burgess ($375,000) shifting to lock replacing captain Michael Crocker ($275,100) who is on the extended bench. David Tyrrell ($175,500) is starting at prop in place of Burgess, as Jeff Lima ($197,200) moves to the bench. George Burgess ($207,500) is on the bench, but you may have missed the boat with him now as he begins to reach his peak price.
Raiders v Roosters - Canberra Stadium 6:30pm 7/4/13
The Raiders have made a couple of forced changes this week, with Blake Ferguson ($268,700) out with a broken cheekbone, replaced by Jack Wighton ($180,800) in the centres and Edrick Lee ($157,800) coming onto the wing. Joel Thompson ($263,700) returned on the bench last week, and starts ahead of Joel Edwards ($223,200) this week, while Matt McIllwrick ($127,700) takes Shaun Berrigan’s ($185,600) spot on the bench.
The Roosters have made one change to the team that demolished the Eels on Monday night, with Frank-Paul Nuuausala ($212,500) out with a knee injury, replaced by Boyd Cordner ($289,100) at lock, and Mitch Aubusson ($283,500) starting in the second row. Issac Lui ($101,600) is again on the bench, as is Aidan Guerra ($302,700), while Luke O’Donnell ($263,800) is on the extended bench.
Storm v Tigers - AAMI Park 7:00pm 8/4/13
The Storm have named the same starting 13 that defeated Brisbane on Good Friday, with Slade Griffin ($118,000) and Junior Moors ($141,000) added to the bench. Tohu Harris ($203,000) continues to be one of the best cash cows so far this year, and will be heavily involved again.
The Tigers have made a couple of key changes to the their side, with halfback Jacob Miller ($144,200) dropped to NSW Cup, replaced by Braith Anasta ($231,000). Bodene Thompson ($127,700) has been named in the second row to replace Anasta for his first game of 2013. Don’t be too fooled into thinking Anasta will immediately jump in points however, as Benji Marshall ($393,900) and Robbie Farah ($473,800) will shoulder the majority of the playmaking workload, the latter particularly with no back-up named on the bench. James Tedesco ($141,600) is again on the wing and Ava Seumanufagai ($101,600) is added to the bench.
