KFC SuperCoach Cheapie Bible 2023: Trent Copeland’s final word on best bargain buys
The panic has set in as we countdown to the start of the KFC SuperCoach season. This is the most important story you’ll read this year.
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HERE. WE. GO.
After a million ‘what ifs’, ‘training the house down’, injuries and suspensions shaped our best laid plans… Team list Tuesday (aka KFC SuperCoach Christmas) has finally come and gone, now comes the really tricky part – actually settling on a lineup before kickoff Thursday night!
Thankfully, we’ve got some absolute beauties, and I’m here to help you sift through the good and the bad, so sit down, relax and take it all in.
This could be the most important article you read all season, and no, it’s not because I’ve written it, it’s because cheapies are the single most important ingredient to KFC SuperCoach success!
Without them, you cant afford the Nathan Cleary, Nicho Hynes and James Tedescos of the world, and picking the WRONG cheapies can ruin your entire season burning trades to resurrect, or no cash generation if you choose to hold. This year, importantly, there is one team on a bye every week, which adds a layer of complexity to when price rises will happen, and picking starting players.
A cheapie by definition is any player under $350,000 with the rise in salary cap, and this MONSTER round one edition will cover off on all of the most important cheapies with a verdict on whether to invest or not.
IMPORTANT: Remember during round one you have the luxury of unlimited* trades ALL the way through until the kickoff of the last game of the round. So, keep an eye on final teams for late changes – as you can still shuffle the pack. *Once a player has played, they are locked in.
As the season goes along we will give a running verdict on when to sell, sit, buy or hold every cheapie that hits our radar – if a player is not on the list, we’ve determined they are not a viable selection.
J’maine Hopgood | 2RF ($298,800 | PAR)
Over 50% owned at time of writing, and rightly so! Somehow the Eels managed to snatch Hopgood away from the Panthers, and he has looked every bit a superstar in the making. Tough stuff, workrate, a penchant for an offload and a huge role to play in a diminished pack – you love to see it. The All Stars and trials performances alone were enough to say that we could very well have not only a ‘Cheapie-of-the-Year’ contender here, but a player in the Briton Nikora rookie season mould that made him a season-long keeper. A few questions about how significant the role may be (will remain a great buy/hold regardless) once both Shaun Lane and Ryan Matterson are back, but I’m not worried.
VERDICT: BUY. Throw away the key, in my starting 13 - ON field I’m that confident.
Isaiya Katoa | HFB|5/8 ($216,100 | DOL)
I cannot hide my excitement! It was Friday last week when word started to trickle through that Anthony Milford was running off to the side with the reserves at Dolphins training, and it was this young man, Isaiya Katoa, who was running the halves for the First Grade side. Now named to START! Tick. Dual position. Tick. Base price. Tick. Talent you ask? TICK!
The Panthers junior prodigy kicked the match-winning field goal in the Jersey Flegg grand final last year, was lured to the Dolphins by Wayne Bennett and then Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf (assistant at the Dolphins) who took the 18-year-old to the World Cup. Katoa made a few errors in the trials, but had a hand in a few tries, kicked an important 40/20 and absolutely passed the ‘eyeball’ test. Think Ezra Mam from last season, but better (in my opinion). Best case scenario we get a 50PPG average and a truckload of cash! The main concern is the lack of scoring power at the Dolphins. Fingers crossed!
VERDICT: BUY. YESSSS Wayne! Cannot get this kid into my team quick enough!
Stefano Utoikamanu | FRF ($319,200 | WST)
Big Stefano feels like Bryce Cartwright (more on that later *insert insanity defence*) in a KFC SuperCoach sense. So much hype. So much has gone wrong … But you cannot deny the upside if things break right. Freddy Fittler famously dubbed Stefano an “Origin bolter” before he’d even debuted in first grade, and the historical PPM and nose for the try-line means I’m in at the price – especially after a really good pre-season and being named to start alongside Klemmer for round one.
VERDICT: BUY. Ideally as FRF3, but FRF2 on field is a viable strategy too.
Josh Schuster | 5/8|2RF ($241,200 | MNL)
Really unfortunate injury timing, as Schuster was set to be the most owned player in all of KFC SuperCoach, the number one ‘BUY’ in the Cheapie Bible, and startable every week on your field. There’s some merit in buying with him given the dual flexibility and known job security, but… Missing round one, bye in round two, we will not see Schuster until round three at the earliest which means his first price rise will be round five.
VERDICT: AVOID. Owned by over 40% of KFC SuperCoaches!! Remember… Perfect downgrade opportunity at round five once we know he’s healthy and playing well, for a cheapie that has inevitably peaked, been dropped or injured.
Sunia Turuva | CTW|FLB ($275,000 | PTH)
Ironically, Taylan May is my comparison for the opportunity that lies ahead of Turuva, after May’s season-ending injury a few weeks ago. Quite simply, he’s on the dominant Panthers left edge (at least the way team lists have been named) at cheapie price and you’re absolutely crazy if you’re not starting with him! Has a few competitors for this spot so hopefully Turuva can jag a few early tries to cement his place and then we’re away!
VERDICT: BUY. What a dream result. Should be 100% owned.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | CTW|FLB ($330,200 | DOL)
The Hammer is one of the Dolphins’ biggest signings, starts at fullback and is owned by almost 30% of KFC SuperCoaches (one of the highest owned in the entire game). Easy decision, right? Not for me! Last year in one of the best attacking teams in the comp at the Cowboys, Hammer played five games at fullback for scores of 34, 60, 26, 12 and 44 – an average of 35.2PPG and an alarming lack of work rate. With the Dolphins’ likely struggles for cohesion early, and results generally speaking, I’m going off script here and saying that at least until I see it, I’m calling the Hammer an AVOID.
VERDICT: AVOID. Better options in the price range, and even much lower towards $200k.
Paul Alamoti | CTW ($200,800 | BUL)
Playing at centre in a much improved Bulldogs outfit, Alamoti showed flashes last season that he has some serious KFC SuperCoach chops. Work rate is solid, gets involved with tackling and has an offload in him. Alamoti even kicked goals in Burton’s absence in the final trial! Job security seems fantastic, so lock him in, you’re only decision is whether to play him in your 17.
VERDICT: BUY. One of the ‘safest’ cheapie CTWs this season.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira | CTW ($200,800 | GCT)
How does SIX tries in two trial matches sound, KFC SuperCoaches? Dollar signs appear in my brain, and quick cash is what we’re after. If the signs are to be believed, including the Titans’ form from round 18 of 2022 onwards where they were one of the highest scoring teams in the NRL… then Khan-Pereira could go berserk! Named to start on the wing, with matches against the leaky Tigers, Dragons (twice), Broncos and Dolphins in the first eight rounds, hopefully the attacking stats come! The only concern is the imminent return of Brian Kelly from suspension in round three.
VERDICT: BUY. Screams upside, with serious pace. Hopefully plays well enough that it’s Jojo Fifita that makes way for Kelly.
Shawn Blore | 2RF ($234,800 | WST)
With John Bateman having had visa troubles (missed the entire preseason), and now rumoured to be carrying a niggle, will Shawn Blore FINALLY get the chance to show us what he’s capable of? There’s real tackle-busting, offloading ability here, but obviously at full strength the Tigers likely have Isaiah Papali’i and John Bateman playing 80 minutes on either edge. Is that full strength side going to be on the park as soon as round two?
VERDICT: As much as it’s tempting, it’s a TRAP for me.
Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad | CTW|FLB ($327,100 | NZL)
‘CNK’ makes the move from the Raiders to the Warriors, and slots in at his favoured fullback position straight away. Last year we didn’t see the best of CNK, averaging a disappointing 31.1PPG in quite a few bench utility roles for Ricky Stuart’s Raiders. But, if he can rekindle the 2019-2021 form where he averaged 57PPG, 54.4PPG and 48.6PPG we will be laughing all the way to the bank. Gets the leaky Knights to start, so make sure he’s in your starting 17.
VERDICT: BUY. The safest CTW cheapie there is, full stop.
William Warbrick | CTW ($200,800 | MEL)
Warbrick is IN! Starting on a wing after a stellar preseason, Warbrick had 70+ KFC SuperCoach points in the last trial with a try and plenty of tackle busts – so until Justin Olam (arm, round six), George Jennings (illness, round four) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee, round eight) return, the spot is Warbrick’s to lose. Fingers crossed.
VERDICT: BUY.
Soni Luke | HOK ($234,800 | PTH)
Luke has been named on the bench for the Panthers as expected, behind Mitch Kenny. There is some strong mail that he will play 50-60 minutes and be their ‘dominant’ hooker as Api Koroisau was, but I don’t see a scenario where it’s worth starting with Luke when you can watch from the outset and jump on in round four (after the Panthers’ round three bye!) if it is as the rumours suggest and he’s scoring well.
VERDICT: AVOID. For now…
Jackson Ford | 2RF ($281,200 | NZL)
Ford has earned a starting gig on the left edge for the Warriors on the back of a stellar pre-season, and given he’s priced at $280k, it’s hard to pass up. Ford’s scoring prowess in previous seasons leaves me with optimism (basically regardless of minutes played, consistently sitting between 0.9-1.2PPM), but he does come with his red flags.
Mitch Barnett has been named at prop, Tohu Harris named at lock, and Josh Curran on the bench who can all cycle through or even play 80 minutes on an edge (with Marata Niukore tipped to play 80 on other edge) – along with Jazz Tevaga who is set for a round two return from his chest injury, presumably at lock – which would push one of the aforementioned players to an edge.
VERDICT: RISKY BUY. As good as Ford has been, along with being named to start, I’m calling by round three it’s minimal minutes off the bench. I hope I’m wrong and will happily jump on in round three if so!
Ray Stone | HOK|2RF ($246,900 | DOL)
I was very excited about Ray Stone when KFC SuperCoach first opened up. Dual flexibility, almost base price, and a very good chance at big minutes for the Dolphins. Fast forward a few months and we’re looking at Tom Gilbert’s best preseason (really like Gilbert as a prospective buy!) and the likelihood that Stone caps out at 30-40 minutes, which isn’t enough.
VERDICT: AVOID.
Sean Keppie | FRF|2RF ($274,800 | MNL)
Keppie is named to start at lock! Excitingly, if he plays well, I don’t see how this role wouldn’t be his for the taking long term given Jake Turbo is in the front row, and Marty Taupau has left for the Broncos. Don’t expect 55+PPG scoring or anything, but at $275k and dual position, Keppie looks an absolute lock. See what I did there? Ok, it’s early let me get my dad jokes out of the way.
VERDICT: BUY. Straight into my team, all I needed to see were the team lists, and won’t be moving.
Franklin Pele | FRF ($216,100 | BUL)
Pele has been named on the Bulldogs’ bench, and if you weren’t aware, Luke Thompson hurt his ankle at training and is (via Phil Gould) out for six months, along with TPJ who is out until at least round four with his calf – meaning Pele may well have some decent minutes in front of him, as opposed to the 15-20 we were anticipating. Basically unseen in the NRL whilst at the Sharks, the potential for big PPM with H8s, tackle busts and offloads is absolutely there.
VERDICT: LOW END BUY. It’s a decision between Davvy Moale and Pele for me, and I’m leaning Moale after his 50+ minute trial performance.
Davvy Moale | FRF ($234,800 | STH)
Speaking of Davvy Moale, the big man impressed me way more than I was expecting through the trials on the back of a huge 50+ minute performance with good PPM, and teammates like Damien Cook calling a ‘massive year ahead for Moale’. The other thing working in his favour is the departure of Mark Nicholls, and inevitable absence of Cam Murray over the Origin period. The vibes are good here, I’m in.
VERDICT: BUY. Ahead of Pele in the pecking order for me.
Tommy Talau | CTW ($301,600 | WST)
Talau has long showed promise, but is this the year he breaks out alongside one of the hottest names in footy now in Adam Douehi? In his two main seasons so far in his career, Talau has averaged 47.5PPG and 41PPG and a remarkably high ration of those points have come from tries (ie. work rate/base stats are minimal). Up against the Titans, Knights and Bulldogs to start the year is as juicy as it gets so fingers crossed for tries galore!
VERDICT: LOW END BUY.
Harley Smith-Shields | CTW ($300,300 | CBR)
Smith-Shields has long been a Cheapie Bible favourite on the back of a big frame and serious footwork, but has been starved of playing time for numerous reasons – mainly injury. Averaging 47.6PPG in the final seven rounds of 2021 with scores of 43, 53, 31, 30, 92, 28 and 56, the main thing that sticks out is that the base is low, so without tries it could get ugly. Add to that the Xavier Savage (broken jaw, round four) return date and it’s a tricky proposition. Given he starts at $300k, and other options are much closer to $200k it seems we may have to wait and watch first.
VERDICT: WATCHLIST.
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Reimis Smith | CTW ($316,800 | MEL)
Smith is a locked in member of one of the best teams in the competition and is a very good actual NRL player, so surely that translates to KFC SuperCoach, right? Well, for three of the past four seasons it most certainly has not – as averages of 36.9PPG, 36.6PPG, and 30.1PPG suggest. In 2021, Smith did average 51.3PPG across 23 matches and that has to be what we’re dreaming of.
VERDICT: PASS. Better options at the position.
Pasami Saulo | FRF|2RF ($243,000 | CBR)
Saulo has given it the old ‘trained the house down’ in the pre season, apparently setting records in the gym, Ricky Stuart referencing his impact in trials and just generally making good strides. With Josh Papali’i out for round one Saulo has come from the clouds to be named to start alongside Joe Tapine in the front row for the Raiders. At $234k and dual position, you’d have to think even upon Papali’i’s return – given Saulo is starting – that this is a fantastic sign in terms of job security and pecking order for minutes.
VERDICT: BUY. Can’t believe I’m saying it, but the PPM is nice, and if it clicks it will be heavenly.
Matt Doorey | 2RF ($234,800 | PAR) & Bryce Cartwright | 2RF ($234,800 | PAR)
I’ve coupled the two Eels starting, yes, starting back row together – as this is one tricky scenario to read. Both possess serious upside at the price, particularly the Carty Party as we well know (here’s the insanity defence). But the reality is that Ryan Matterson (suspended) is returning in round four, and Shaun Lane (broken jaw) is listed as indefinite, so could return at any stage and BOTH of those players, along with Hopgood are on for big minutes and well ahead in the pecking order.
VERDICT: Doorey: RISKY BUY. Carty: AVOID. Personally, I’m trying to avoid both if I can.
Jacob Preston | 2RF ($200,800 | BUL)
Preston has HUGE raps on him via Phil Gould and numerous other well renowned NRL heads as a “Josh Jackson clone”. Well, we LOVE that in KFC SuperCoach land. Having come from the clouds to play good minutes on an edge in the Bulldogs’ final trial, and with Luke Thompson (ankle, TBA), TPJ (calf, round four) and a few others out injured it seems Preston could make some noise … but, not from the outset.
VERDICT: WATCHLIST.
Isaac Thompson | CTW ($336,700 | STH)
The NSW Cup guru. What Tom Sangster is to KFC SuperCoach legend, Thompson is by way of try scoring to that competition. Now named to start round one, Thompson’s green light and obvious upside in such a great offense at the Rabbitohs is luring a lot of you in. I’m here to tell you that Taane Milne is back next week for round two, so you should pass and at least wait to see if he can hold his spot.
VERDICT: AVOID/WATCHLIST.
WATCHLIST
Tyrell Sloan | CTW|FLB ($298,600 | STG)
Ben Murdoch-Masila | FRF|2RF ($234,800 | STG)
Valynce Te Whare | CTW ($200,800 | DOL)
Viliami Fifita | FRF|2RF ($200,800 | MNL)
Siua Wong | 2RF ($200,800 | SYD)
Jack Howarth | CTW|2RF ($200,800 | MEL)
Haze Dunster | CTW ($234,800 | PAR)
Jack Bostock | CTW ($200,800 | DOL)
Trey Mooney | 2RF ($234,800 | CBR)
Luke Metcalf | 5/8 ($250,400 | NZL)
There you have it! A huge edition to kick off the Cheapie Bible for 2023. Be sure to tweet us what you think @copes9 and @SuperCoachNRL. Good luck for first lockout!
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Cheapie Bible 2023: Trent Copeland’s final word on best bargain buys
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