SuperCoach Buy, Hold, Sell for round 2: The cheapies you can’t miss

After two weekends of action in multiple states and countries – plus a cyclone – SuperCoach round one is finally done. Here are the players to target and avoid in the coming week.

So after two weekends of action in multiple states and countries – plus a cyclone – SuperCoach round one is finally done.

Below we reveal the hits, misses and players to target for round 2.

And it all starts with a big question mark over a Canberra cheapie.

THE BIG WATCH

* Savelio Tamale (73) - This week, TLT stands for TamaLe Tuesday. He was a controversial SuperCoach pick at the Raiders given rival Albert Hopoate is available for round 2 following the birth of his child.

But those who jumped on the former Dragon, and especially those who started, will be extremely happy given two linebreaks and an incredible 11 tackle busts.

Did he do enough to keep the spot ahead of Hopoate or even push out Sebastian Kris? All will be revealed on Tuesday and if he does, he’ll be the most purchased SuperCoach player of the round or very close.

SuperCoaches hope Savelio Tamale is named for round two.

BUY

* Gehamat Shibasaki (90) - A journeyman no longer. Shibasaki was good enough in Brisbane’s opening match to show the left centre spot at the Broncos is his to lose and he won’t lose it any time soon. 90 points including a try, try assist and two try contributions. But perhaps the most pleasing stats for SuperCoaches were the strong work rate (15 runs and 10 tackles) and solid defence (just one missed tackle). In 29 per cent of teams but will be in over 60 per cent by the end of round 2.

* Lachlan Hubner (45) - Played 59 minutes and has clearly won the trust of Wayne Bennett. It was also encouraging to see both him and the man mooted to steal his minutes, Tallis Duncan (57 minutes), on the field together for long periods.

* Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (73) - A shining light for the well-beaten Warriors. The switch to the wing suits RTS. Theoretically it means more more tries - he only scored five tries last year but was a big threat in Vegas with one meat pie and coming close to another. His runs also seem likely to improve, notching 22 against the Raiders compared to an average of 17 last year.

* Addin Fonua-Blake (92) - Plenty of pundits, including myself, said to not spend big at prop. But AFB made us look foolish. Plenty of work (17 runs with an almost obligatory five tackle busts) plus a late try.

Gehamat Shibasaki will be a very popular buy in round 2 and for good reason. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

* Robert Toia (87) - If you somehow missed this buy - not many did - he should be top of the shopping list for round 2. His two try assists and six tackle busts stood out for a well-beaten Roosters.

* Corey Horsburgh (62) - You should already own him and if you don’t you’re doing it wrong. Played 59 minutes and made all of them count. SuperCoaches are vindicated given he is the second most popular player in the game at 59.1 per cent. Looks a genuine FRF2 and not just a FRF3.

* Isaiah Iongi (64) - The Eels were smashed but our cheapie of the year still scored 64 points, including a try and try contribution. Translation: He was involved in 2/3 Eels’ tries despite the team being dominated. Surely you own him already, but if you don’t, just do it. Yes, even the Three Gun Fullback Crew.

* Sandon Smith (50) - Sorry to state the obvious on the most popular player in SuperCoach, but his 50 points in a well-beaten side were promising, even if the Roosters weren’t.

HOLD

* Casey McLean (4) - Popular mid-ranger went down with concussion in the opening moments. It’s a shame because replacement Daine Laurie scored two tries in his place. Thank heavens for the new Flex position.

* Nicho Hynes (50) - He notched a respectable score, including the opening try assist. But he didn’t kick goals for the Sharks with Braydon Trindall preferred. This looms as a huge issue going forward but is a hold for now with not many others firing in the position.

* Luke Metcalf (12) - Couldn’t get into the game and had -12 points in errors, missed tackles and missed goals. Fifth most popular SuperCoach player and plenty will consider moving him on over coming weeks. But have some faith at least until prices change after next round.

* Demitric Vaimauga (16) - Took some strong carries but only played 14 minutes, which is a huge worry going forward. He’s worth another week because he could be up to big minutes with just one injury.

* Peter Mamouzelous (37) - The 72 minutes and 36 tackles are no doubt encouraging. But only three runs is not. Still, he’s worth another crack especially with Harry Grant on the bye this week.

* Jaxon Purdue (28), Tom Duffy (23), Naufahu Whyte (43) - Don’t go panic selling cheapies from teams who were thrashed.

WATCHLIST

* Kobe Hetherington (57) - Owners are laughing all the way to the bank but is Hetherington worth buying? 57 points in 43 minutes certainly stands out, but take out the two linebreaks and he only scored 37. Also, the 43 minutes was probably on the low side compared to what we were expecting from his move to lock.

* Jack Gosiewski (66) - Plenty will go there after a star showing. But realistically the Broncos played a very depleted side and he only scored 39 in 80 minutes if you take away the try and linebreak. He’s never had a good work rate (career PPM of 0.65) so let’s see if he can produce again next week.

* Tom Gilbert (64) - 44 tackles in 56 minutes - a serious return from an ACL injury.

* Max Plath (83) - A revelation in the middle in 2024 getting through a mountain of work defensively. There was a fear his shift to an edge would see a drop off in base stats but the little nugget still made 40 tackles and 11 runs for a base of 57 points.

* Jeral Skelton (62) - Enormous for Wests. Not only did he score the Tigers’ only try he made 22 hit ups and a line break.

BROWN’S $13M MISSION

Dylan Brown notched three try assists despite the Eels being thrashed by the Storm. In other words, he assisted all Parramatta’s tries – a pretty serious effort given the flow of the game. Perhaps he is playing for a contract or something.

PAYNE HAAS IS A MASSIVE POD … FOR NOW

Despite being the best front-rower in SuperCoach, Payne Haas was in just 11.4% of teams heading into Round 1. But starting next week, SuperCoaches will be scrambling to get him into their teams after putting in a massive performance.

ALWAYS CAPTAIN TURBO AT BROOKVALE

Tom Trbojevic has a tremendous record at Manly’s home ground, he rarely scores below 100 there and this week was no different. He was simply a class above and was involved in all of Manly’s game-breaking plays.

Originally published as SuperCoach Buy, Hold, Sell for round 2: The cheapies you can’t miss