NRL teams round 18: Brandon Smith eyes Souths debut, Roosters blood rookies
Brandon Smith is in contention to play his first game for South Sydney, while the Roosters are set to unleash another graduate of Scots College.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Sydney Roosters are set to unleash another graduate of Scots College – as well as their academy program – on Sunday when Max McCathie makes his first grade debut against the Wests Tigers in a side shorn of State of Origin stars.
McCathie, a star of the side’s Jersey Flegg side two years ago, has been named on the interchange bench for a Roosters side missing a handful of notable names.
He won’t be the only Roosters player making his first grade debut – Tom Rodwell, the son of Brett Rodwell and brother of Toby Rodwell – has also been named on the wing only days after being elevated to the top 30 NRL squad.
Rodwell has been on a try-scoring rampage in the NSW Cup, scoring 15 tries in 14 games for the Roosters this season.
McCathie, a local junior who played for the Paddington Colts and grew up a Roosters fan, has played nine games in the NSW Cup and becomes the latest academy star to get a taste of the top grade.
He is also the latest advertisement for the club’s connection with Scots College – Suia Wong, Angus Crichton, Blake Steep, Billy Smith and Hugo Savala have all come through the ranks of the prestigious Sydney school.
Given as much, it was no surprise that McCathie was also a rugby union star – he was a member of the NSW’s Gen Blue squad a few years back.
McCathie clearly has some classy pedigree. The 21-year-old, who celebrates his 22nd birthday next week, was awarded the NSW Rugby League Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year two years ago as well as the Arthur Beetson Medal for the Roosters player of the year in the Jersey Flegg competition.
He now gets his chance in a Roosters side bereft of a handful of Origin names led by Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia.
So does Rodwell, who has had to be patient in his wait to get a shot at the big time. The 23-year-old spent four years with Newtown in the NSW Cup before moving to the Roosters this season and going on a scoring blitz.
So impressive has Rodwell been this season, his contract was upgraded last week and he now gets his shot at the big time against the battling Tigers.
SUPERCOACH LOSERS FROM TEAMS
* Jacob Kiraz and Reece Walsh - 18th men for Origin and therefore unavailable for their SuperCoach sides.
* Luke Metcalf - Out for the season with an ACL injury and therefore the most sold player.
* Gehamat Shibasaki - A shock selection for Queensland in a blow for 35,060 SuperCoaches.
* Thomas Jenkins - On the bye. Has made over $400K and now sits with a BE of 124. Second most popular sell.
* Kalyn Ponga - Out long-term with a foot injury and also on the bye. Sell.
* Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - On Origin duty and also carrying a sternum injury that has limited his average to 50 in the last four rounds.
* Toby Couchman - Star POD is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
* Nathan Lawson - Popular cheapie misses selection for the Dragons due to a shoulder injury and is out until round 23.
* Herbie Farnworth, Addin Fonua-Blake, Nicho Hynes, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary - Among a host of big guns out due to the bye or Origin this week.
* Fletcher Sharpe (lacerated kidney, ruptured spleen), Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder), Jack Bostock (ACL) - Last week’s news but plenty of SuperCoaches will only get around to selling this week.
SUPERCOACH WINNERS FROM TEAMS
* Sandon Smith - Popular SuperCoach player retains his spot this week despite injury concerns (he’s been cleared of a serious knee injury). But his time in the top grade appears limited with Sam Walker (broken thumb) due back next week.
* Jed Stuart - Retains his spot for the Raiders, with good job security, and therefore the cheapie of the week. Yes, even with the bye next week.
-Tom Sangster
BRANDON SMITH EYES SOUTHS DEBUT
Brandon Smith is in contention to make his debut for South Sydney after being named on the extended bench.
Smith hasn’t played since injuring his knee while at the Sydney Roosters last season but, having made the switch to their bitter rivals earlier this year, it is understood he is in contention to return against the Sea Eagles slightly ahead of schedule.
Smith had been penciled in for a return in round 20 but was named in the Rabbitohs squad in a pointer to his return at 4 Pines Park.
-Brent Read and Michael Carayannis
ROB SUTHERLAND’S ROUND 18 ANALYSIS AND LIVE CHAT
With weeks to prepare for the final big bye round of the season the vast majority of SuperCoaches should be sitting pretty heading into round 18.
That’s even with the Jacob Kiraz and Gehamat Shibasaki Origin selection curveballs.
All of which is leading up to a surprise confession - I’m not trading this week.
Which is not to say that there are no good buys this week.
Those of you who own Luke Metcalf can choose from one very good half, two somewhat risky five-eighths and one very risky five-eighth/fullback.
Elsewhere, in the popular trades to dissect there’s a CTW I very much like (but possibly prefer others later), a second-row I very much like (but definitely prefer others later) and a CTW cheapie who I think buyers may regret.
Let’s dive in!
As always join our live SuperCoach Q&A and trade talk via the comments section below …
BUY/SELL ANALYSIS
The very good CTW - and the guys I’d possibly prefer to wait for …
Mark Nawaqanitawase: The Roosters ‘rookie’ keeps doing spectacular things in attack, has scored nine tries in his past seven games, and has match-ups against the battling Wests Tigers and Dragons in his next two matches. So, ‘why do you prefer others’, you might ask - and even if you didn’t I will tell you.
How many CTW do we need?
Let’s start with the fundamental question - do we need more CTW.
By this stage of the season I am willing to bet (all are in over 80% of teams currently ranked in the top 10%) you own the following CTWs: Dylan Lucas, Reuben Garrick, Herbie Farnworth and Jacob Kiraz. You also almost certainly own late season Broncos money maker Josiah Karapani.
That leaves two CTW slots to fill.
And, perhaps more pertinently, you also almost certainly have three gun fullbacks, at least three gun halves and almost certainly eight, but at a minimum seven gun FRF/2RF combined.
We only have four reserve slots. Assuming your fullback is largely locked into one, then that leaves three.
I’ll almost always want my half to take another.
The gun forwards are doing their job providing a safe 70 (ish) PPG - let’s assume you have Terrell May/Payne Haas locked into FRF and Eliesa Katoa/Keaon Koloamatangi/AN Other locked into 2RF. That’s your five starters. Around those you’ll have others - and I think there are two forwards we should definitely target post-Origin - but with the CTW cohort performing so well I think it is fair to suggest that you will be saving two reserve slots for them.
So in answer to my own question: I think we definitely need five and strongly desire six quality CTWs.
Is ‘Marky Mark’ one of the CTW we need?
This hurts me to my Rooster Booster core - but I say no. Barring injuries I have Nawaqanitawase outside my top-four CTW. That means I am playing him as a reserve based on match-ups. And the match-ups are not great. After the aforementioned Tigers and Dragons the Roosters’ draw toughens right up.
From round 20 onwards the draw goes like this:
* Rd 20 Sharks (Away)
* Rd 21 Storm (Home)
* Rd 22 Manly (Away)
* Rd 23 Dolphins (Away)
* Rd 24 Bulldogs (Home)
* Rd 25 Eels (Away)
* Rd 26 Storm (Away)
* Rd 27 Souths (Home)
The Sharks are not travelling great, but still have the sixth best record defending against CTW. He’s a play there but with risk.
The Storm are never a great team to play against. Rounds 21 and 26 are No Play.
Manly at home is tough, and are equal 9th at defending CTW, I’d still say he’s a play - but again with risk.
The Dolphins can be a little hit and miss but I feel the injuries have finally become too much - play.
The Bulldogs have the best defence in the league - no play.
They will still win games but I expect teams to score okay there. Even away he’s a play.
The Eels are a play.
Which leaves round 27 against Souths. This game is always a, pardon my french, shitshow. There’s be high hits, sin bins and no matter their respective places on the radar either team could win. Play - but risky.
That’s two strong plays, three risky plays and three no plays. Not great.
Chuck in rounds 18 and 19 and that’s four plays, three risky plays and three no plays. That’s better.
But I prefer the two men below.
Once Origin is over I will be chasing one or both of Zac Lomax and Val Holmes. I’m already waaaaay over Tom’s laughable 300 word limit for this story so won’t do a deep dive into their respective draws. But rest easy knowing that in my opinion they have roughly the same number of Play/Risky and No play games as Mark N.
But the crucial difference is that both Lomax and Holmes are goalkickers. That job provides a 10-12PPG buffer for each men and so makes them more reliable even in ‘risky’ games. Holmes has scored 60+ in 85% of games. Lomax has scored 60+ in 80% of games. Nawaqanitawase has scored 60+ in just 67% of games.
Conclusion: As tempted as I am by Nawaqanitawase, I really do think we’re better off waiting till after Origin III and buying Lomax and/or Holmes to finish the position.
The very good 2RF - and the guys I’d prefer to wait for …
Jacob Preston is the second most popular buy of the week. And while I do not oppose it - it’s hard to knock a forward who has scored five times from his past seven games and has the fifth best average at his position - I still think that the better option is to wait until after Origin III and target either Hudson Young or Angus Crichton.
Young has a better base than Preston and at least as good a try scoring potential. The Canberra left edge has scored triple figures four times (Preston once) and 85+ three other occasions (as has Preston). Unavailable for selection this week due to Origin, then on a bye in round 19, Young then has an enviable draw (though the round 24 bye is not ideal) with five matches against bottom-eight teams, four which are at home, and three of which are against cellar dwellers the Knights, Tigers and Eels.
Crichton is more of a gamble. Currently averaging fully 13PPG less than his 2024 output, the Roosters left-edge forward has scored just one try so far this year. That will change. Available for less than $600K, in under 5% of teams and with a pedigree of going big when he scores, I think the Mighty Angus is the 2RF POD who could win you a H2H battle late in 2025.
A DISCLAIMER
Now, I realise that maybe those buying Preston or Nawaqanitawase this week plan to ALSO get the likes of Lomax/Holmes/Young next week. In which case go for it. But if it is an either/or scenario then you know my position.
The Luke Metcalf replacement options …
Jahrome Hughes: The Storm halfback has been rather rocks or diamonds this year with three tonnes (and one 90+) to his name but also three under 50 in the past five games alone. Melbourne’s medium-term draw is great (Cowboys (without Origin stars), Knights, Manly, Roosters and Eels. But their draw to finish the season - Broncos, Panthers, Bulldogs, Roosters and Broncos - is not. MEDIUM BUY
Ethan Strange: The Canberra five-eighth has the second-best 3RA of any 5/8|HFB and as mentioned above the Raiders draw (other than still having two byes left) is good. I do feel that Strange has made the most of what has been a very soft recent draw. RISKY BUY
Ezra Mam: The Broncos five-eighth has been good on his return from suspension. Good not great. I prefer Hughes or Strange. PASS
Kaeo Weekes: Speaking of rocks or diamonds, the Canberra fullback posted his third triple-figure score of the season last weekend. However, in the weeks before that big score, Weekes went 25, 45, 24 and 29. PASS
The CTW cheapie we don’t need …
Jed Stuart: ‘Ricky’s son’ has scored a try in each of his NRL games so far which is a fair strike rate. He also upped his workrate last week making 16 runs and 11 tackles (with two misses) both numbers a big lift on his debut. What I don’t love is that despite scoring tries in each match Stuart has scored just 45 then 44 points. Despite the negative BE and the aforementioned draw, I just don’t think Stuart has the SC game we need from a late cheapie. PASS
NRL ROUND 18 TEAMS
BULLDOGS v BRONCOS
Friday, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Enari Tuala z 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Harry Hayes 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Sam Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward
Interchange: 14. Lachlan Galvin 15. Josh Curran 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin
Reserves: 19. Jake Turpin 20. Jethro Rinakama 21. Jack Todd 22. Luke Smith 23. Jack Underhill
Broncos
1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington
Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Tyson Smoothy 17. Jack Gosiewski
Reserves: 18. Delouise Hoeter 19 Ben Talty 20. Blake Mozer 21. Va’a Semu 22. Josh Rogers
RAIDERS v DRAGONS
Saturday, 5:30pm, GIO Stadium
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies
Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota
Reserves: 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Joe Roddy 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Corey Allan 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 16. Hame Sele 17. Michael Molo
Reserves: 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Viliami Fifita 20. Nicholas Tsougranis 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Jacob Halangahu
COWBOYS v STORM
Saturday, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Sam McIntyre
Interchange: 14. Temple Kalepo 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kaiden Lahrs 17. Coen Hess
Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Jamal Shibasaki 21. Jaxson Paulo 23. Mason Kira
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 4. Nick Meaney 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Interchange: 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Ativalu Lisati
Reserves: 18. Josiah Pahulu 19. Coby Williamson 20. Gabriel Satrick 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Siulagi Pio
ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS
Sunday, 2:00pm, Allianz Stadium
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Tom Rodwell 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Egan Butcher 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Blake Steep
Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Max McCathie 16. Taylor Losalu 17. De La Salle Va’a
Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Ethan Roberts 20. Chad Townsend 21.Ben Johnson 22.Tyler moriarty
Wests Tigers
1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Luke Laulilii 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Tristan Hope 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Jack Bird 13. Alex Twal
Interchange: 14. Charlie Murray 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar
Reserves: 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Brent Naden 20. Royce Hunt 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Izaac Tu’itupou
SEA EAGLES v RABBITOHS
Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley
Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jai Arrow 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner
Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Davvy Moale 17. Lewis Dodd
Reserves: 18. Ryan Gray 19. Sean Keppie 20. Jacob Host 21. Cody Walker 22. Brandon Smith
Originally published as NRL teams round 18: Brandon Smith eyes Souths debut, Roosters blood rookies
Early Mail: Cobbo set for Broncos recall, more pain for Wahs
Selwyn Cobbo is one of two out-of-favour Broncos players set to receive an SOS from Michael Maguire, while the season has gone from bad to worse for the Wahs. See the full round 18 early mail.
Buy, Hold, Sell: Origin shocks create SuperCoach scramble
The final big bye is here and with it a host of issues, including the shock Origin selections of Jacob Kiraz and Gehamat Shibasaki, while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s form is plummetting.