KFC NRL SuperCoach 2022 Round 7 wrap: Highs, lows and trade targets

The KFC SuperCoach Mastermind crunches the stats to help you answer the biggest trade issues of the round. ANALYSIS FOR EVERY GAME

Four players put their hands up this round to demand a place in your team with monster scores but nobody could top Siosifa Talakai’s 40 minutes of mayhem against Manly.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Morgan Harper had Talakai in his KFC SuperCoach team the way he ushered the Sharks centre through gaps to the tryline for 150 first half points.

The points kept flowing across the weekend and Sunday afternoon saw Isaiah Papali’i crash over for two tries for the Eels before Nathan Cleary did typically Cleary things for the Panthers. That is building pressure on the opposition until they’re at breaking point then making it rain second half SuperCoach points.

Come Monday night and Ryan Papenhuyzen and the Storm sent records tumbling with 56 second half points in a 70-10 win over the Warriors.

Where should your trade priorities be? Get whichever one you don’t have and if you have them all laugh your way to the near top of the leaderboards.

Cleary is the player you probably want first, given he’s put on back to back 150 point games without appearing to do anything spectacular. If you were hoping for a big price drop, it hasn’t happened and probably won’t barring injury.

Papenhuyzen’s 153 came with a slightly dodgy ankle and an early rest. He could have easily topped his season high score of 193 from Round 4.

Talakai, is the cheapest of them all and still has price rises in him. He also has dual CTW status all but locked in for the next positional update after his run in the centres. The only worry though is you’ll pay big and get the 15 points second half version of Talakai rather than the 150 first half. I expect the points to keep flowing with the Sharks expansive play to the edges and draw through the end of the season looking pretty appealing. They play the Storm in the Round 17 Origin bye round and don’t face the Panthers until Round 19.

Papali’i has dual 2RF/FRF status and with a five-round average of 92 is just about the best option available in both spots. A lower priority given he doesn’t have the ceiling of the others but he’s one that will eat away at you every week.

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As usual, let’s salute the other players with centuries. Hope you had a few of these along for the ride this round. Cheers to Adam Reynolds, 115, Scott Drinkwater, 102, Keaon Koloamatangi, 111, David Nofoaluma, 102, Stephen Crichton, 104, Joey Manu, 100, and of course the other Storm boys - Xavier Coates, 123, Cameron Munster, 110, Jahrome Hughes, 108.

Sharks 34-22 Sea Eagles

Highs: Siosifa Talakai, 165, had two tries, two try assists, eight tackle busts, three offloads, three linebreaks, a linebreak assist and 39 in base stats. Nicho Hynes, 97, bounced back from a season low of 33 last week with another game ticking off most of the stat categories. He had a try assist, 5/7 goals, five tackle busts, one offload, a line break, two linebreak assists and 33 in base stats. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 84, had two tries, two linebreaks and is benefiting from the commotion caused inside by Talakai. Since Talakai started inside him in Round 4 Mulitalo has averaged 100 and is owned by just 3% of teams. The Sharks left edge duo could be the Tom Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick double act from 2021, the sooner you get on the sooner you get ahead. Speaking of Garrick, 80, He had another solid game at fullback with a try assist, kicked three of four goals, three tackle busts, a linebreak, linebreak assist and 34 points in hit-ups. He’s holding value in the low 600k mark when many hoped for a price crash ahead of the byes. Haumole Olakau’atu, 79, was sin binned for a high shot that will likely see him suspended for a week and still came up with a big score thanks to his fifth try in four matches.

Lows: Braydon Trindall -1, played the last 13 minutes with Will Kennedy going off with a shoulder injury. He’s come off the bench for limited minutes a few other times this season for scores of 3, 3 and 10 so his price has dropped dramatically. One to snap up if he scores an 80 minute role at any point. Morgan Harper, 7, missed four tackles and was pulled at half time. Sione Katoa, 18, after scoring five tries in the past four games he hardly saw the ball on the right with the Sharks using their left edge in attack. Andrew Davey, 19, was switched to starting prop and played 33 minutes before injuring his shoulder. Tolutau Koula, 20, replaced Harper at half time and did a much better job in defence. Surely the popular cheapie keeps that position now. Dylan Walker, 22, went off injured after 29 minutes.

Watchlist: Teig Wilton, 68, scored his third try of the season and is averaging more than 60PPG but Sharks captain Wade Graham should be back soon. Christian Tuipulotu, 55, scored a try in his third game to lock in a nice initial price rise. Can he keep his place in the team though? He could be a handy number for the first bye round. Cameron McInnes, 47, had a lot of people interested last week when he was named at lock but he only played 53 minutes.

Broncos 34-14 Bulldogs

Highs: Adam Reynolds, 115, had a try, three try assists, two linebreak assists, a forced dropout and 5/6 goals. He orchestrated the second half comeback to get a win and has been quietly putting up decent scores with a five-round average of 70PPG. Josh Addo-Carr, 98, scored his first try for the Bulldogs last week and followed it up with a double and got plenty of ball with 25 points from hit-ups and eight tackle busts. Tevita Pangai, 84, had 40 in base stats and a stack of attacking stats, something few other FRF options can match, with a try assist, linebreak, linebreak assist, two tackle busts and 14 points from offloads. Selwyn Cobbo, 82, finally found the tryline with a double, try assist, linebreak and six tackle busts. Owners who remained patient after his error-riddled start to the season are set for some nice price rises. Matt Dufty, 82, scored his first try of the season, had a linebreak, seven tackle busts, two offloads and 26 points from hit-ups. Cory Paix, 77, came off the bench to play 49 minutes at hooker for the Broncos. He had a try, two linebreaks, three tackle busts, a try contribution and 32 in base stats. Could be a good downgrade option if the minutes continue with popular Knights hooker Chris Randall peaking in price.

Lows: Billy Walters, 11, started at hooker but played just 31 minutes conceding two penalties. Tyson Gamble, 11, playing his first game of the season, missed nine tackles and had just three hit-ups.

Watchlist: Te Maire Martin, 38, made a solid return to the NRL with 27 in base stats, two tackle busts and twice holding up a player in goal. If he holds the position and finds more attacking stats could be a nice downgrade for Lachlan Ilias or Blake Taaffe with dual FLB/58 status. Payne Haas, 73, gave owners a scare when he went off early with a shoulder injury but returned to punch out a big score all in base stats. Aaron Schoupp, 70, had 37 in base stats, two offloads, five tackle busts, a linebreak assist and a try assist as he clearly won the battle over rival centre Kotoni Staggs, 37. Jacob Kiraz, 56, looked like a SuperCoach weapon on debut with four offloads, six tackle busts and 32 in base stats but the Covid and injury hit Bulldogs had to get an exemption to play him as he’s outside their Top 30.

Cowboys 30-4 Titans

Highs: Scott Drinkwater, 102, had a try, a linebreak, two try assists, two linebreak assists, two tackle busts, a forced dropout, an intercept in an impressive attacking display. Can he hold the position with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow set to return from injury? Murray Taulagi, 75, had a try, try assist, linebreak and five tackle busts on the left wing. Heilum Luki, 70, played 80 minutes last week but reverted back to 51 minutes this week. Still he pumped out a decent score to set off some big price rises with a try, linebreak, five tackle busts and 33 in base stats. Jason Taumalolo, 62, played 62 minutes and was had two offloads and three tackle busts.

Lows: Toby Sexton, 13, missed five tackles. Kevin Proctor, 24, conceded two penalties and played 66 minutes.

Watchlist: David Fifita, 42, played in the centres in an experiment I would not expect to see repeated. Fifita had the try assist and linebreak assist for the Titans’ only try but otherwise had 15 points from hit-ups and made three errors. Reuben Cotter, 43, played 56 minutes but produced his first score below 50 of the season. He’s made $100k in solid but unspectacular fashion. You could hold him through to the bye or upgrade. Jeremiah Nanai, 37, has played 80 minutes every game and came up with another try off a kick but also was sin binned, made two errors and conceded two penalties. In a promising sign, he didn’t miss a tackle this week after topping the league with 34 over the first six rounds.

Tigers 23-22 Rabbitohs

Highs: Keaon Koloamatangi, 111, had a massive 68 in base stats. That’s 13 points more of work than his previous best this year. He had a try, linebreak, linebreak assist and seven tackle busts to go with it. David Nofoaluma, 102, looked back to his best last week and was at it again with two tries two linebreaks, six tackle busts and two offloads. Cameron Murray, 82, had two try contributions and was otherwise all base stats. Luke Brooks, 80, had a try, try assist, linebreak assist, four tackle busts and the matchwinning field goal. The lethal left combination on the Rabbitohs edge is showing signs of clicking Cody Walker, 77, and Alex Johnston, 77, both had tries and try assists and are maybe the cheapest they’ll be for the season.

Lows: Blake Taafe, 21, was the week’s most popular trade in and delivered a very disappointing score. He made three errors and was on the periphery of the Rabbitohs’ attacking plays. Of his 122 SuperCoach points this season, 52 have come from goalkicking. Jacob Host, 8, went off injured playing 34 minutes. Taane Milne, 17, was sin binned and faces a suspension.

Watchlist: Campbell Graham, 71, had 44 in base stats and two linebreaks and looks like one of the most reliable CTW options. Alex Seyfarth, 61, replaced the sick Kelma Tuilagi on the left edge and worked his socks off. In his other 80 minute game he scored 56 in most base stats too. He’s had injuries and limited minutes off the bench so remains under $300k. Jackson Hastings, 54, has the goalkicking and is heavily involved for the Tigers. Jai Arrow, 51, could score the left edge for 80 minutes now with Host injured but if not is worth upgrading. Lachlan Ilias, 46, had two try assists but still couldn’t crack 50. He’s made $100k and downgrade options are looming or you could upgrade to Hastings or Walker. Starford To’a, 50, switched to fullback when Daine Laurie went off injured and could be a cheap POD play if he scores that role in a resurgent Tigers team.

Knights 2-39 Eels

Highs: Isaiah Papali’i, 123, had two tries, two linebreaks, six tackle busts and 55 in base stats and came off with 12 minutes to go. Shaun Lane, 88, has the 80 minute left edge locked down where points usually flow for the Eels and he scored a try and set one up. Reed Mahoney, 84, played 80 minutes after being spelled in the past two games. He came up with two try assists and three linebreak assists.

Lows: Jake Clifford, 17, started the season well but has now scored the same amount of points in the past five weeks as he did in the opening two rounds. Jacob Arthur, 20, missed five tackles. Clint Gutherson, 35, missed out on the attacking stats and scored under 50 for the second week in a row. Kalyn Ponga, 35, couldn’t back up his century from the week before and went off for a HIA in the first half. Junior Paulo, 27, played 43 minutes and most of his points came from hit-ups.

Watchlist: Chris Randall, 30, played just 48 minutes after playing 80 minutes the past three weeks. A good time to sell. Leo Thompson, 29, has made close to $100k and can be sold when a good option pops up. Brodie Jones, 37, injured his elbow and played just 59 minutes. Nathaniel Sasagi, 35, came off the bench for 35 minutes and is a dual CTW/5/8 could come into the mix as a downgrade option. Edrick Lee, 46, had 31 points from hit-ups. Not quite a cheapie but had 38 last week also without any big attacking stats. Hayze Perham, 61, played on the left wing for the Eels and scored a try. Dylan Brown, 77, was a late switch to the centres but still came up with a try, two linebreaks and six tackle busts.

Panthers 36-6 Raiders

Highs: Nathan Cleary, 158, had four try assists, a try contribution, 6/7 goals, three tackle busts, a forced dropout, four offloads, four linebreak assists and 28 in base stats. Stephen Crichton, 104, scored three tries, had two linebreaks and five tackle busts benefiting from Cleary’s work. Joseph Tapine, 84, scored a try and had five tackle bust s on top of 48 in base stats in 45 minutes. Dylan Edwards, 81, had 39 points from hit-ups, a try assist, linebreak assist and linebreak. Isaah Yeo, 79, had a try and linebreak on top of 49 in base stats.

Lows: The Raiders backline really struggled with Xavier Savage, 7, Nick Cotric, 13, Matt Timoko, 15, Semi Valemei, 19 and Jack Wighton, 15, all below 20 points. Jarome Luai, 20, should be sold with Cleary taking charge of the team. Charlie Staines, 17, posted his third score in the teens for the season. He surely makes way when Brian To’o returns after Taylan May, 59, scored his eighth try of the season in just five games.

Watchlist: Brad Schneider, 30, was a popular sell this round but for those who held he’s got a couple favourable fixtures and bye coverage. Tom Starling, 72, set up Tapine’s try and had 50 in base stats in 65 minutes. Izack Tago, 31, missed out an a big attacking stat for the first time this season but you really shouldn’t be selling until after the first bye round. Apisai Koroisau, 39, played just 54 minutes sharing the hooker duties with debutant Soni Luke, 35, who had a try assist.

Dragons 14-12 Roosters

Highs: Joseph Manu, 100, bounced back from a 27 last week with a try, three linebreaks, nine tackle busts and 37 in base stats. Sitili Tupouniua, 84, scored a try, had two tackle busts, a linebreak and linebreak assist. James Tedesco, 76, really increased his involvement and had 23 hit-ups for 40 points, 11 tackle busts and a linebreak. Tedesco has averaged 15 hit-ups a game this season so it’s a positive sign for owners with the Bulldogs and Titans up next. Francis Molo, 76, scored the opening try and had 42 in base stats.

Lows: Moses Mbye, 11, made two errors and missed three tackles but wasn’t involved. Matt Feagai, 12, had just 8 points from hit-ups. Jack Bird, 21, went off with an arm injury. Daniel Tupou, 26, made three errors and should have been sin binned for a high shot he’s on report for.

Watchlist: Joseph Suaalii, 56, had 29 in base stats, two offloads, one which was a try assist and linebreak assist for Manu’s try. If you don’t have him already he’s got to come into your team this week. Zac Lomax, 67, kicked 3/3 goals, had a linebreak and 35 in base stats. He hasn’t scored below 50 yet but hasn’t posted a massive score either. Angus Crichton, 43, played 80 minutes on the right edge for the second week in a row. Josh McGuire, 64, had a surprising eight tackle busts.

Storm 70-10 Warriors

Highs: Ryan Papenhuyzen, 155, pushed even further ahead as the season’s top point scorer after two quiet weeks of 67 and 39. He won the Anzac Medal as man of the match with two tries, three try assists, 7/10 goals, five tackle busts, two linebreaks and a linebreak assist. Xavier Coates, 123, scored four tries, two of them off kicks, had two linebreaks and seven tackle busts. A return to form and price rises for Coates after two scores under 20. Cameron Munster, 110, had three try assists, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists and six tackle busts. Jahrome Hughes, 108, posted his first century since Round 1 with two tries, three try assists and a linebreak. Harry Grant, 80, crashed over for a try and had 44 in base stats. Missed a shot at goal near the posts and coach Craig Bellamy said he’d lost his kicking licence with that effort.

Lows: Josh Curran, 32, went off with a knee injury. Reimis Smith, 20, went off just before half time after taking a knock to the head. Edward Kosi, 4, made three errors and missed his break-even of 9. Warriors centres Adam Pompey, 10, and Jesse Arthars, 12, both struggled and their performances could open the door for Warriors cheapie Viliami Vailea to return after going down injured in Round 1.

Watchlist: Josh King, 56, was all base stats playing 72 minutes. He’s primed to be upgraded or downgraded. Jazz Tevaga, 58, played 68 minutes at lock and could stay there with Curran out injured.

Originally published as KFC NRL SuperCoach 2022 Round 7 wrap: Highs, lows and trade targets