KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021: Best premium and mid-range CTW’s revealed
It’s the position where many KFC SuperCoaches look to save money, but avoiding some of the best gun CTW’s could cost you in 2021.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With CTW absolutely stuffed with cheapies, it’s often one of the positions that gets neglected or where SuperCoaches look to save some money … but don’t be fooled, you’ll want to have at least one reliable CTW in your side to start the year or you may come to regret it!
While these guys can be notroiously inconsistent and hard to predict how they’ll go, having one big name from the start that has solid base stats or kicks goals can help you in the early rounds, considering your cheapies may not set the world on fire.
Given KFC SuperCoaches will need a total of seven CTW’s in their side, you ideally want to have at least one gun, one midranger, and then have 4-5 cheapies. CTW has more cheapies than any other position, and these guys are some of the most consistent money makers in the game, especially if they nab a few tries in the early rounds!
There aren’t too many genuine guns here, since so many are reliable on tries or goal kicking for the big scores, but there is still a lot of value in the mid-rangers.
We rate the best and even a few of the rest here:
NB This is not an exhaustive list of every player available at CTW and if you think we missed any player worth considering please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
GUNS
David Nofoaluma $670,200 CTW, Tigers
2020 avg.: 75.7
Analysis: The highest scoring CTW of 2020 comes with an incredible price tag in 2021 (and the seventh most expensive player overall), but its easy to understand why when you see his numbers. Nofoaluma was arguably the most well rounded CTW and wasn’t completely reliant on any particular stat, finishing the year with the most tackle breaks, third most tries, eighth most try assists, sixth most offloads, equal fifth most linebreaks, the second most hit-ups, and equal most interceptions. Obviously his output is down significantly in games when he doesn't score (averaging 90.5 in games with a try and 53.4 without), but even if Nofa hypothetically didn’t score a single try in 2020, he still would have finished in the top 25 CTW. History shows that it’s very difficult for gun CTW’s to keep up this kind of KFC SuperCoach output without kicking goals, but if anyone of the current crop can keep it going you’d think it would be Nofoaluma, even with the Tigers rough draw.
Brett Morris $637,200
2020 avg.: 71.9
Analysis: Like Nofoaluma, Brett Morris was a machine when he was on the field, but unlike Nofa, B-Mo was far more reliant on scoring tries, averaging just 42.6 in games without one. He also missed five games through injury and at 34-years-old, he isn’t getting any younger. If SuperCoaches are going to be shelling out big money for a CTW, you may be better off spending it elsewhere.
Daniel Tupou $626,900
2020 avg.: 70.8
Analysis: Now while I’m not buying into Brett Morris in 2021, I am very interested in his opposite man Daniel Tupou, despite him missing even more game time in 2020. With solid base stats and just two scores below 50 last year, Daniel Tupou was one of the most consistent players at the position. And although it is hard to consistently find the line, Tupou scored at least one try in all but four of his games last year. While some thought having no Latrell Mitchell there would hurt Tupou, having Josh Morris instead actually took his game to another level, with his average jumping from 56 in 2019 to almost 71.
Zac Lomax $605,000
2020 avg.: 68.3
Analysis: Of all the gun CTW options you have at your disposal, only Zac Lomax has the goal kicking duties, making him not only one of the safest guys at the position, but also one of the most likely to be able to replicate his amazing 2020 numbers. The goal kicking and solid base stats really gives Lomax an added level of security since he doesn't score as many tries as some of the other gun CTW’s, yet still finished as the second highest scoring back. The Dragons attack was pretty poor in 2020, with Lomax alone scoring 54% of their total points, but if they can improve in 2021 Zac could very easily end the year as the highest scoring CTW.
Josh Mansour $594,500 CTW
2020 avg.: 67.1
Analysis: Before his move to the Rabbitohs was confirmed, Mansour wouldn’t have even featured on this list, but with the Panthers now in his rear-view mirror, he is firmly back into gun territory. After a form slump in recent years, The Sauce was back to his best in 2020. seeing his average grow from 45 in 2019 to a very impressive 67 (even without an abundance of tries). Most impressive for Mansour was his base stats, with his massive hit-ups total putting him in the top four for true CTW’s in 2020, something which Souths will no doubt need him to continue this year, particularly with their set starts.
MID-RANGERS
Campbell Graham $541,800 CTW
2020 avg.: 61.2
Analysis: With a permanent move from left wing to right centre in 2020, Graham took his game to another level, ending the year 10 tries in his last seven games. His move to centre has also saw his base stats up almost 55%, making him tied with Euan Aitken as the best of the true CTW’s. He isn’t the most gamebreaking CTW, but he’s consistent (with just five scores under 50 last year), likely to be a massive POD and could be even better with a full pre-season at centre.
Brian To’o $522,000 CTW
2020 avg.: 58.9
Analysis: With Josh Mansour gone, there will be lots more work to be done from the wingers and Brian To’o will need to pick up the slack. To’o already has respectable base, and with his solid average he could have ended up much higher on the top scoring CTW’s of 2020 had he not missed seven games through injury. Penrith were the second best attacking side in the league last year and with Nathan Cleary feeding him in 2021, To’o could end up as one of the best midranger CTW’s.
Valentine Holmes $509,400 FLB, CTW
2020 avg.: 57.5
Analysis: It’s fair to say 2020 wasn’t the year for Val, missing eight games through injury and spending time on the wing. But with his first year back in the NRL behind him and a full pre-season under his belt, 2021 could be the year we see Val back to his best, and with the goal kicking AND the dual position, has the potential to be one of the best at the position, especially if he can replicate or get close to his incredible 2018 numbers.
Brian Kelly $498,900 CTW
2020 avg.: 56.3
Analysis: With a new look team and one of the best draws to start the season, the Titans are one of the most hyped teams heading into 2021 and if they can live up to the hype Brian Kelly looks set to be a big part of their success. It’s worth noting that if you remove injury affected games and a game off the bench his average actually jumps to a much more respectable 62.5, making him somewhat undervalued. With good base stats and a great offload, you could even call him Nofo-lite. The biggest issue for Kelly is inconsistency … while his base is solid he can struggle in games without tries, while also going massive in games with or without tries, (including scores of 71 and 105 score with no tries). When he can string together some consistent performances he can be a real asset, like in rounds 10-14 last year where he managed a five round average of 74.4. He could be one to watch for the possibility of some big price rises, but if you’re willing to take a risk he could be one to consider starting with given their early draw.
Stephen Crichton $484,700 CTW
2020 avg.: 54.7
Analysis: With 17 tries in 2020, Stephen Crichton was one of the breakout stars and cheapies of the year, and his lethal combinations with Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary makes him another enticing option. If you take away his two games off the bench, his average actually jumps up to 56.5, but that falls back down to just 40.5 in games without tries. Unfortunately Crichton is another CTW dependant on tries for big scores, but does that really matter when you’re scoring almost every week? Either way, at almost $500k, he may not be worth the risk in 2020.
Ken Maumalo $481,700 CTW
2020 avg.: 54.4
Analysis: 2020 was a tough year for the Warriors gun, missing three games through injury and another eight after returning home to New Zealand, we really didn’t get to see him live up to his strong 2019 numbers, but we still saw enough to peak my interest. The Warriors have recruited well for 2021 could be set to go to another level, and with a monster forward pack leading the way, Maumalo could find himself in the red zone more often.
Maika Sivo $456,200 CTW
2020 avg.: 51.5
Analysis: While the Eels managed a top-four finish in 2020, they did it on the back of the lowest points scored of any top-eight team, and their star wingers suffered as a result. While Sivo was still destructive at times, the decline in tries saw his average fall from 59 in his debut season to 52. Not having Michael Jennings inside him is a concern given he’ll probably playing with someone like Michael Oldfield, Tom Opacic or possibly rookie Haze Dunster. But if the top-tryscorer of 2019 can find the line a few more times he could be an asset, especially given the Eels great schedule to start the year.
Will Hopoate $398,600 CTW, FLB
2020 avg.: 45
Analysis: 2020 was a rough year for the Bulldogs and Hopoate especially, recording his worst KFC SuperCoach year since 2015 … but the Dogs rebuild could really help him get back to some great numbers this year. After spending most of his time in 2020 at the back, Hopoate gains the dual position flexibility, but the arrival of Corey Allan at the dogs means he’ll likely stay at centre. Being able to get a CTW who averaged 58.3 in the three years before 2020 at under $400k with a dual position status is an enticing prospect and Hoppa could prove to be one of the value picks at the position.
Jack Bird $381,100 CTW, 2RF
2020 avg.: N/A
Analysis: After missing the entire 2020 campaign after suffering another ACL injury, Jack Bird finds himself at a new club and looks set for a move into the forwards in 2021. With many other CTW/2RF players losing their dual position this year, Jack Bird looks like he may be one of the few players with it who is set to start. Being able to stuff your backline with forwards in SuperCoach can be a real asset, since they typically score more points in base than other CTW’s, and with Bird in line to play lock he’ll be making a lot of tackles. That being said, if Bird does end up playing at centre for the Dragons I think he should probably be avoided given he is coming back from injury.
Jordan Rapana $370,400 CTW
2020 avg.: 41.8
Analysis: Another potential value pick, Rapana rejoined the Raiders in 2020, after leaving to play Japanese Rugby before COVID hit. Without a proper pre-season, Rapana came back into the Raiders side underdone and understandably saw his average drop from 45 in 2019 to 42 in 2020, but still looked impressive, ending the year with a five round average of 56 despite not scoring a try in that time. He moved around a lot in 2020, playing off the bench, at fullback, centre and on the wing, but now a move back to the edge, as well as a full pre-season under his belt will do wonders for him and he could be another great value pick if he can keep those kinds of numbers up.
Blake Ferguson $352,900 CTW
2020 avg.: 39.8
Analysis: It was a tough year for the Eels star, going from the most expensive CTW in 2019, to not scoring a single try until Round 17! As a result Fergo lost a tonne of cash and comes extremely cheap. Playing on a right edge of Mitch Moses, Ryan Matterson and Waqa Blake, Fergo didn’t see much ball last year and as a result his stats aren’t pretty, but if he can back to the numbers that made him the best CTW a few years ago, he could be one of the best mid-range purchases this year.
Jamayne Isaako $346,400 CTW, FLB
2020 avg.: 39.1
Analysis: After a very up and down year in 2020, Jamayne Isaako is back for the Broncos and looks set to start the season at fullback under Kevin Walters. After failing to fire under Anthony Seibold and being moved back to the wing, maybe a new coach is just what Isaako needs to take his game to the next level. He actually looked really solid in the Broncos first two games of the season before COVID forced the competition to be suspended, and if Walters sticks with him, he could be in line for some massive price rises. Isaako may not be a keeper for the whole year, but there is money to be made here if you’re willing to take a gamble.
Reimis Smith $324,600 CTW
2020 avg.: 36.6
Analysis: While he had a pretty unremarkable year at the Bulldogs, Smith now finds himself in Melbourne and potentially in line to replace Suliasi Vunivalu after his move to Rugby Union. It’s hard to hold his poor stats at the Bulldogs against him and think it’s fair to saw we haven’t seen the best of Smith so far. Craig Bellamy seems to have a nack for getting the most out players that have underachieved elsewhere, and Reimis Smith could take his game to another level in 2021.
Charlie Staines $297,700 CTW, FLB
2020 avg.: 112
Analysis: While he only played two games in 2020 he certainly caught the attention of SuperCoaches, scoring six tries in that short time for an incredible average of 112. So highly rated is he by coach Ivan Cleary that the club told Josh Mansour he wouldn’t make the starting side in 2021. While his 2020 stats have forced him just outside cheapie territory and into the mid-rangers, he’s clearly proved himself as a try-scoring machine, and is definitely worth taking a punt on.
CHEAPIES
Please see our Cheapie Bible here.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021: Best premium and mid-range CTW’s revealed
$50K richer: SuperCoach champ’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan
SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.