NRL SuperCoach 2025: Mastermind’s final verdict on top round 16 buys

The NRL SuperCoach Mastermind gives his last word on tactics for round 16, two teams to target, the POD way out of the Turbo trap + the full SuperCoach watchlist.

It’s Storm season! SuperCoach can be a tricky game but this week things are simple enough. The best attacking team in the comp is also the first team with all three byes behind them.

With a clear run of fixtures, non-Origin attacking weapons from Melbourne Jahrome Hughes, Eliesa Katoa and Ryan Papenhuyzen should be top of the buy list if you don’t have them already.

The Cowboys are the only other team clear of the bye round chaos, but steer well clear of them with just one win in the past six and now the second most points conceded.

Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is a serious POD option for those stuck with Tom Trbojevic. Picture: Getty Images

Aside from the Storm, Warriors assets are worth a look this week against a depleted Panthers outfit. In round 12, Knights Dylan Lucas and Fletcher Sharpe posted monster scores against the Panthers line-up missing Origin stars.

The Warriors are at home and a slicker attacking unit than the Knights so consider Luke Metcalf goalkicking and at the heart of the attack or even Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for anyone looking for a POD trade from Tom Trbojevic. CNK is priced under $600k but has a three-round average of 82PPG with only James Tedesco and Fletcher Sharpe ahead of him on form at fullback. If you’re looking for a CTW, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has a three-round average of 75PPG and is pumping out plenty of work to go with tries.

The Warriors don’t play the next major bye in round 18 but if you’re well covered for that already this is a great entry point with juicy home matches against the Tigers and Titans in 19 and 21.

Check out more strong buy options in the watchlist below.

Roosters fullback James Tedesco is a strong captaincy option against the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

Captain’s call

The easy choice is to lock in Roosters fullback James Tedesco as captain at home against the struggling Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. On the VC front Ryan Papenhuyzen should be a winner with fullbacks averaging 80PPG against the Rabbitohs this season. As mentioned above the Warriors are also strong options for a VC with POD appeal. Terrell May is the pick of the safe options against the Raiders on Friday. Payne Haas has been cleared to play the Sharks on Sunday but it’s no guarantee he gets big minutes backing up from Origin.

Crystal ball

The Bulldogs and Dragons are clear of the byes from next week. Definitely make plans for Jacob Kiraz at CTW, while Toby Couchman is the pick of the Dragons.

SuperCoach watchlist explained

To help with your trade calls and to track players of note we’ve pulled together our SuperCoach watchlist with a quick form guide alongside their names so you can at a glance see what we like about each player.

The boxes players want to tick are...

Form: F (Strong recent performances)

Draw: D (Weak opposition to target in coming month)

Minutes: M (Consistent minutes and job security)

Base: B (Reliable scorer through workrate on tackles and hit-ups)

Value: $ (Value buy) $$$ (Buys of the week)

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2025: Mastermind’s final verdict on top round 16 buys