NRL SuperCoach Cheapie Bible 2025: Top NRL bargains rated

Everyone loves a bargain – especially just before Christmas – and thankfully Santa has produced a ready-made shopping list for SuperCoach 2025.

Everyone loves a bargain – especially just before Christmas.

And thankfully Santa has produced a ready-made shopping list for NRL SuperCoach 2025.

There are a host of reasons why a player may start cheap including being a rookie, slumping in form last season or missing mass games through injury.

Note, we’ve limited the cheapie bracket to $300,000 (but you can find many more higher-priced bargains here).

START SELECTING YOUR SIDE IN THE TEAM PICKER HERE OR SIGN UP TO SUPERCOACH PLUS FOR ACCESS!

Sandon Smith HFB/HOK $237,600

Luke Keary is gone and Sam Walker is rehabilitating an ACL injury, meaning Chad Townsend and Sandon Smith are set to start in the halves for the Roosters. But as always, this comes with a caveat – there is a cloud hanging over Sandon Smith after he was charged with negligent driving in October.

His SuperCoach claims, however, are undeniable. Smith only averaged 24 points in 33 minutes last year after playing 10 of 15 games off bench. He therefore starts just above bottom dollar. But in the five games he started last season, Smith averaged 54.8. That equates to a price rise of over $300,000 if he repeats the effort.

Sandon Smith is set to start in the halves for the Roosters. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Josh Schuster 2RF $265,100

Set to be the most popular player in SuperCoach come season start. Schuster was a SuperCoach stud in 2021 when he averaged 61. That was a long time ago but shows the talent is there. He starts 2025 at close to basement price after some horror seasons on and off the field and is now at Souths under Wayne Bennett – a coaching great noted for bringing out every millimetre of talent.

Isaiah Iongi FLB $232,600

Made his NRL debut for the Panthers in 2024 starting at fullback, making 19 runs with five tackle breaks and a try contribution. They are the sort of high-workrate stats we like to see from a fullback. And they were no fluke given Iongi also backed up those numbers in NSW Cup, where he has started 59 times – 56 of those at fullback.

In 2024 he started 24 games and averaged 164 metres per game and almost five tackle breaks per game. Stuck behind the all-conquering Dylan Edwards, and perhaps even Daine Laurie and Blaize Talagi, Iongi has moved to the Eels and will likely start at fullback. In the past, fullback-only cheapies were a no-go for SuperCoach given it’s a position to run two guns. But the introduction of a Flex positon for 2025 gives an opportunity to run three fullbacks – two guns and Iongi.

Billy Smith CTW $317,200 and Robert Toia CTW $198,800

An unlucky rookie and an even unluckier ‘veteran’. Both sat out 2024 due to knee injuries and both are in the running to grab backline spots at the Roosters following the exits of Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, Joseph Manu and Michael Jennings. Toia ruptured his ACL in 2022, fractured his jaw in June 2023 and then ruptured his ACL in September of 2023.

Toia did get on the field in reserves late in 2024 and scored four tries from six appearances (all at centre). Roosters faithful have been expecting big things from Toia for years now and all he needs is luck. Speaking of luck, Toia’s teammate Billy Smith has had none of it. Smith made his NRL debut in 2019 but has suffered injuries to his elbow, ankle, hamstring and ACL to name a few. Handed a discount of $234,000 on his 2024 starting price, Smith will be very popular if he stays fit.

Jesse McLean CTW $234,900

Sunia Turuva is off to the Tigers, which leaves a wing spot open at the attacking juggernaut that is four-time premiers the Panthers. McLean was a serious chance of an NRL spot last season before injury struck. That said, McLean’s biggest hurdle may be from his own family in bother Casey, who starred in seven games last year.

Jesse made his NRL debut (at fullback) in round 26 of 2023 and then played another game in 2024 (on the wing) scoring a try against the Dragons in round 13. A little over one year older than his brother, Jesse holds an edge when it comes to experience on the wing having made 22 starts (16 tries) playing on the flank for Penrith in the NSW Cup.

Jacob Halangahu 2RF $198,800

Basement price rookie creating plenty of buzz at the Dragons. He has a fair bit of claim to being the best schoolboys league player in the country, and Halangahu backed up the hype in 2024.

The Patrician Brothers backrower capped off an incredible year on the field, which included an SG Ball title and NSW Under-19s Origin berth, by steering his team to the Peter Mulholland Cup. Halangahu is in the barnstorming mould of David Fifita (video below) with a work rate to rival Cameron McInnes.

Jaxon Purdue CTW $257,000

Backline spots are open at the Cowboys following the exits of Valentine Holmes and Kyle Feldt. Four games off the bench last year mean Purdue is underpriced – but he averaged 55 in games over 70 minutes last season. Other contenders for backline spots at the Cowboys include Zac Laybutt ($389,600) and Robert Derby ($214,000).

Tom Amone FRF $232,600

While Canterbury’s game plan of playing small middles got them to a commendable sixth spot last season, they bowed out rather meekly in the finals. Amone joins and adds size after spending three seasons with Leigh Leopards in the Super League. The price is good but it will be a slow burn.

Jesse Colquhoun 2RF/FRF $232600

Dale Finucane, Royce Hunt and Jack Williams have left the Sharks which could open a bench spot for the talented dual position forward. An ACL injury meant he only played one game last year for seven SuperCoach points, so he starts close to bottom dollar. Keep an eye on trials.

Royce Hunt FRF $249,000

Only averaged 25 minutes last year at Sharks but could play a bigger role at the Tigers – who have lost forwards Stefano Utoikamanu, John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’i (although they have recruited Terrell May). While never a big game time player, his PPM figures over the last five years are impressive – 1.31, 1, 1.35, 1.31, 1.07.

Cody Hopwood FRF 198800

He’s only played one game of NSW Cup and that was from the bench but note the name Cody Hopwood down in your little black book. Almost 200cm and weighing in well north of 100kg, Hopwood is an absolute unit. A NSW U19 and dual Australian Schoolboys selection, Hopwood has been promoted to the club’s top 30.

BORDERLINE CHEAPIES

Coen Hess 2RF/FRF $327,000

Coming back from an ACL injury. Didn’t play last season and therefore gets decent discount of close to $100,000 on his 2023 average of 42. More here

Isaiah Tass CTW $327,900

Placeholder for now but he could snag the wing spot of Alex Johnston (Achilles). More here

Lewis Dodd HFB $336,000

Super League star joins the Rabbitohs and is set to play halfback at a good price. More here

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Cheapie Bible 2025: Top NRL bargains rated