NRL teams round 19: Cruel SuperCoach blows add to bye round drama

First, Origin selectors weren’t kind to us SuperCoaches. And now the NRL injury gods haven’t lived up to the hype either, writes TOM SANGSTER.

First, Origin selectors weren’t kind to us SuperCoaches with Cody Walker, Clint Gutherson and Corey Horsburgh coming from the clouds to be named for their states.

Then injuries and other dramas hit, with Shaun Johnson in doubt and Tyrell Sloan and Paul Alamoti out.

Combine the above and add the seven teams on the bye and it’s going to be tough for SuperCoaches to fill a full 13 this week.

WINNERS FROM TEAMS

* Shaun Johnson HFB $798,300 - The good news first. Johnson has been named for the Warriors. But the bad news is he may not play due to the impending birth of his second child. We should know his availability early based on whether he gets on the plane. Johnson’s potential unavailability would be huge for SuperCoach given his brilliant form and 25 per cent ownership. However, the above-mentioned brilliant form ideally makes him a hold.

Shaun Johnson is in doubt this week. Picture: Gdetty

* J’Maine Hopgood 2RF $717,400 - Named 19th man for the Maroons but will be released to play lock for the Eels, provided Billy Slater’s men get through camp unscathed.

* Nicho Hynes HFB $853,000 - NSW’s loss is a SuperCoach gain. Hynes has missed the Origin squad and is therefore available for what is close to a full-strength Sharks team against the last-placed Tigers, who were beaten 74-nil last week. Plays the first game of the round so a definite VC or C depending on numbers.

* Stefano Utoikamanu FRF $459,000 - Dropped by the Blues and a big inclusion for many SuperCoaches on a tough bye round. Still very popular at 14 per cent ownership.

* Jeremy Marshall-King HOK $599,700 - The in-form Dolphins hooker has been a popular bye coverage option but shockwaves went through SuperCoach over the weekend when coach Wayne Bennett mentioned he could miss the rest of the year. “We may have to go the season without him, I’m not sure. These things are about pain and what you can handle and what you can’t handle, so we just have to wait and see,” Bennett said. JMK seems to have responded to the challenge and has been named this week.

Jeremy Marshall-King is carrying a shoulder injury.

LOSERS FROM TEAMS

* Hayze Perham and Paul Alamoti - Both early-season cheapies are still relatively popular but have been dropped on the week it matters most for SuperCoaches.

* Tyrell Sloan CTW/FLB $527,300 - Another early season cheapie and bye cover option ruled out due to a minor calf issue.

* Cody Walker and Clint Gutherson - Freddy’s final fling has claimed a number of SuperCoach guns. Fittler woke up on the yoga mat on Monday and decided Walker and Gutherson were his guys for the dead rubber and so now SuperCoaches must adjust. Both are ideally holds. Cody Walker has the most points of any five-eighth this season by a massive 156 points and Gutherson has the most SuperCoach points of any player this year, in any position.

* Corey Horsburgh 2RF/FRF $651,800 - While Freddy has copped plenty of flak for his selections, Billy Slater is hardly immune from the wrath of SuperCoaches. Horsburgh has been a SuperCoach revelation in notching the fourth best five-round average of any 2RF.

* Dylan Brown 5/8 $815,000 - Suspended for seven weeks and handed a $40,000 fine by the NRL after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual touching. He is aiming to make his comeback in round 23 against St George Illawarra.

BUY

* Tyrone Munro CTW $200,800 - Most popular purchase this week. Notched a try and try assist on the weekend in a very strong debut. The base of 12 is hardly appealing but it looks like he could play this week and nuff out nicely with Campbell Graham (sternum) and Latrell Mitchell (calf) due back for the Rabbitohs’s next game, which comes after a bye next week.

* Ronaldo Mulitalo CTW $633,800 - Yet to go 100+ but also one of the most consistent CTWs going around. Good match-up against the Tigers and great bye schedule.

* Briton Nikora 2RF $661,400 - Two tries last week against the Dragons and has a great mix of base (45 per game) and attacking upside (seven tries for the season).

HOLD

* Jahream Bula FLB $646,200 - After being one of the best cheapies in the history of SuperCoach, it’s time for Bula to go given the Tigers’ dramatic slide. Sitting with a BE of 151 and massive projected price drops to come, it makes absolute sense to sell. Except that he’s a crucial extra number this week so hopefully you can cop the projected $62,000 hit and turn him into Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster or Latrell Mitchell in coming weeks.

SELL

* Billy Smith CTW $360,900 - Most popular sell this week. Battling injury, well-and-truly peaked and has the bye this week.

* William Warbrick CTW $595,800 - The Storm winger has had a few peaks and troughs this year but well done to those who held this long given he can now be sold at a profit of almost $400,000.

* Josh Schuster 5/8-2RF $380,900 - Another peaked cheapie on the bye this week. Schuster’s base of 15 is clearly not enough to hold as a 19th or 20th player, although hopefully his base goes through the roof next year when he switches to the back row. 

The Bulldogs have swung the selection axe, after one of the worst losses in the club’s history. Picture: NRL Imagery.

FULL NRL TEAMS LOWDOWN WITH PAMELA WHALEY

Former Gold Coast halfback Toby Sexton has been rushed into the Canterbury side to face South Sydney on Saturday as part of an immediate overhaul for the struggling Bulldogs.

The 22-year-old was released from his Titans contract on Tuesday after signing a two-year deal with the Bulldogs, and has been named in the No.7 jersey for this weekend.

It’s a quick turnaround for Sexton, with Bulldogs boss Phil Gould admitting earlier in the day they were working with the NRL to have his contract approved to ensure his availability.

“We’ve spoken to the salary cap auditor this morning to get an idea of the process of that as we go through the change over of contracts and all of that sort of thing,” Gould said.

“I don’t know that the coach (Cameron Ciraldo) will use him this weekend but we’ll try to make him available if he wants to select him.”

It appears that process is well underway as the Bulldogs look to recover from a 66-0 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

He’s been named to start in the halves alongside Matt Burton, who missed NSW Origin selection for game three, while Blake Wilson has been named on the wing to replace Blues star Josh Addo-Carr.

New recruit Toby Sexton has been rushed into the starting side for the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Imager

Hayze Perham and Paul Alamoti are the two casualties from Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Knights, with Jake Averillo named at fullback and Jackson Topine and Braidon Burns named in the centres.

Sexton has struggled for NRL time at the Titans this season behind Kieran Foran and Tanah Boyd, and comes into a Bulldogs side desperate to earn back the respect of passionate fans who booed players off the field in their los to the Knights.

However, he’s been backed by ex-teammate Foran to handle the dicey situation.

“I think you’ll find with Toby, he learnt a hell of a lot last season, and I think he’s in a far better position to deal with what’s in front of him and that’s the thing that’s impressed me the most about him,” Foran said.

“He’s a guy that, despite the setback this year of not getting selected week in and week out for NRL, he’s worked tirelessly on his game and I know first hand if you’ve got the work ethic and apply yourself the way Toby does, you’ll be successful in the NRL.

“All our young halves do that here and it’s a great opportunity for Toby and the Dogs have picked up a handy one.”

Souths have also made a raft of changes with Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi in Origin camp, with Dean Hawkins moving into the halves, Siliva Havili named at hooker and Ben Lovett and Shaquai Mitchell in the pack.

The Rabbitohs will be without a host of stars, including Cody Walker, after a surprise Origin recall. Picture: Getty Images.

Elsewhere, St George Illawarra have named ex-Warrior Paul Turner to make his club debut at fullback to replace the injured Tyrell Sloan (calf).

Jayden Sullivan and Talatau Amone have been named in the halves to face Canberra on Friday night with Ben Hunt on Origin duty with Queensland.

Parramatta have also made changes to the backline after skipper Clint Gutherson earned an Origin recall for NSW, with Sean Russell to start at fullback against the Warriors on Saturday night.

Ryan Matterson will again partner Daejarn Asi in the halves while Mitch Moses is in Origin camp, while Ofahiki Ogden starts at prop with Reagan Campbell-Gillard on Blues duty too.

For the Titans, Jayden Campbell returns at fullback as a replacement for AJ Brimson, who has been recalled to the Maroons side.

Kleese Haas, Iszac Fa‘asuamaleaui and Jaimin Jolliffe have been named to replace Queensland stars Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita in the pack against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Interestingly, the third-placed Sharks have no disruptions for the final Origin camp, but have named Toby Rudolf to make his return from a foot injury to face a depleted Wests Tigers outfit on Thursday night.

Tyrell Sloan is out for the Dragons with a calf injury. Picture: Getty Images.

ROUND 19 TEAMS

TIGERS V SHARKS

Thursday, 7.50pm, CommBank Stadium

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jake Simpkin 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Aistasi James

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Will Smith 20. Triston Reilly 21. Brandon Tumeth 22. Josh Feledy

Sharks 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Wade Graham 16. Jesse Colquhoun 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Braydon Trindall 20. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell

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DRAGONS V RAIDERS

Friday, 8.00pm, WIN Stadium

Dragons: 1. Paul Turner 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Dan Russell

Reserves: 18. Sione Finau 19. Ryan Couchman 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Max Feagai 22. Billy Burns

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Emre Guler 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13.

Bench: Ata Mariota 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Nick Cotric 17. Peter Hola

Reserves: 18. Matt Frawley 19. Danny Levi 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Xavier Savage 22. Clay Webb

EELS V WARRIORS

Saturday, 5.30pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels: 1. Sean Russell 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Isaac Lumelume 6. Ryan Matterson 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Shaun Lane 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Haze Dunster 19. Waqa Blake 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Matt Doorey 22. Jack Murchie

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Tom Ale 17. Freddy Lussick

Reserves: 18. Brayden Wiliame 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Kalani Going 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Taine Tuaupiki

RABBITOHS V BULLDOGS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Taane Milne 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Ben Lovett 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Shaq Mitchell

Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Davvy Moale 17. Hame Sele

Reserves: 18. Richard Kennar 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Liam Knight 22. Jacob Gagai

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Braidon Burns 4. Jackson Topine 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Jayden Okunbor 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Harrison Edwards

Reserves: 19. Reece Hoffman 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Ethan Quai-Ward 23. Chris Patolo

TITANS V DOLPHINS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 11. Klese Haas 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Chris Randall 15. Erin Clark 16. Jojo Fifita 17. Jacob Alick

Reserves: 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Keano Kini 20. Kruise Leeming 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Tony Francis

Dolphins: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace

Reserves: 18. Max Plath 19. Harrison Graham 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Brenko Lee 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Originally published as NRL teams round 19: Cruel SuperCoach blows add to bye round drama