SuperCoach Plus article round 18: NRL’s form player is at just 3% ownership

How is the form player in KFC SuperCoach only at 3% ownership? We uncover the statistics set to decide your weekend match-up.

Round 18 of SuperCoach is here and these are the important stats set to define the week.

81% BACK BIG ONE FROM HYNES

Nicho Hynes is the obvious captaincy option this week and don’t just take our word for it - SuperCoach Plus backs us up. Of the top 10 per cent of SuperCoahes, Nicho is either VC or C for 81 per cent of them. It also seems top SuperCoaches are willing to give away a crack at the captaincy loophole, with Hynes captain in 51 per cent of teams even though he’s playing the first match of the round, compared to 31 per cent as vice-captain.

THE FORM PLAYER OF KFC SUPERCOACH IS ...

He has completely snuck under the radar at three per cent ownership, but Scott Drinkwater is officially the form player of KFC SuperCoach. The star Cowboy has the best five-round average of any player in the game at a massive 110.2. He’s also a decent chance to keep these scores coming given match-ups against the Tigers, Sea Eagles and Titans in the next month.

Scott Drinkwater has averaged 110.2 over his last five games.

BUT THE FORM PLAYER COULD VERY MUCH BE THIS MAN IF NOT FOR INJURY ...

Yes, Drinkwater is statistically the best player in SuperCoach over the last five rounds. But delve a little deeper and the argument could be made that David Fifita should actually have the mantle. Technically speaking, Fifita has a 5RA of 92.8. But take out his injury-affected 16 in round 14 and Fifita has averaged 112 over his last five games, about two points better than Drinkwater. Fifita is therefore a captaincy option every week – and a great POD captaincy option for those looking to go against Hynes.

NUFF SAID

Nuffs are suddenly starting to become commonplace as SuperCoaches set up their teams for the run home. This is the first week we’ve really noticed the shift with Jack Howarth the 10th most purchased player in the game. But how does Howarth’s ownership compare to other nuffs? Well, turns out Howarth is the most popular nuff in the game by a considerable distance, owned by almost 10 per cent. Next on the list is Viliame Fifita of the Dragons at 7.6 per cent.

WHY SELLING SCHUSTER IS THE RIGHT MOVE

Josh Schuster is the second most sold player this week and this is the stat that should seal it for many. Schuster’s base is about as bad as it comes for an 80 minute player in the NRL. In fact, Schuster scores just 15 points per game in base stats (runs + tackles - negative points). With the bye coming up next week, it’s time for Schuster to go at a profit of around $160,000.

Josh Schuster’s base is just 15 points per game.

CHEAPIE BIBLE ROUND 18

—Trent Copeland

Reece Walsh is down for the count (three weeks), to go along with a glut of superstar names on the sidelines, but thankfully we have plenty of cheapies turning heads at amazing value to focus on.

There are also lots of sub $300k traps about, and I’ll deliberately be leaving the ones I don’t believe in off this list. Shoutout to Joseph Suaali’i who is priced at $394k (just out of Cheapie Bible range) but is worth a look with a BE of 10.

I will also say, there’s not a great deal more money needing to be made by most teams, and factor in your trades remaining into the decision – as the trading in of a cheapie likely means two trades as you won’t want them clogging a great vice-captain loophole opportunity come H2H finals.

A cheapie by definition is any player under $350k, we will cover off on all of the most important cheapies with a verdict on whether to invest or not. If a player is not on the list, we’ve determined they are not a viable selection.

Let’s go!

Sandon Smith is the cheapie of the week. Picture: Getty

Sandon Smith | HFB|5/8 ($273,700 | SYD) - 78 points

Smith was top of the list for the Cheapie Bible last week, and duly delivered on the promising signs we saw in his first start for the tricolours. 78 points, with another 12 points via try assists, 12 points from goal kicking and a massive 27 points in tackles. The scoring output even in losses seems to be sustainable around the 50 mark, which will undoubtedly result in Smith eclipsing the $400k barrier quick smart.

VERDICT: BUY. Still a great purchase with a -42 BE even if you missed the initial price rise.

Brendan Piakura | 2RF ($289,100 | BRO) - 48 points

The dream result. Piakura showed what he’s capable of in a worst case scenario in the full 80 minutes (48 points), and now we get the decks fully cleared via injuries to Jordan Riki and Kurt Capewell. With a BE of -3 it’s really now or never considering the Broncos have a bye next week. Anyone struggling for cash AND on field points for their last reserve slot should very much consider this.

VERDICT: BUY. Outside of Sandon Smith, clearly the cheapie of the week. Schuster to Piakura is a slam dunk.

Valynce Te Whare | CTW ($297,600 | DOL) - 56 points

Te Whare starts, Te Whare scores. That’s just as easy as it will ever get. I jokingly said YOLO last week as a Cheapie Bible purchase, but seriously Brenko Lee is still listed as “TBC” on the official casualty ward, and anytime Te Whare is in the starting lineup he is a best 17 player for our KFC SuperCoach teams, and it may well stay that way through great bye round coverage next week for the remainder of the season.

VERDICT: BUY.

LISTEN TO OUR SUPERCOACH PODCAST!

Luke Metcalf | 5/8 ($384,000 | NZL) - 61 points

Metcalf’s talent is off the charts, and possessing coverage of the massive round 19 bye week, no bye for the Warriors until round 22, and scores of 53, 72 and 61 points the past three weeks it’s hard to ignore what we’re seeing in combination with the effervescent Shaun Johnson. Metcalf is still affordable at $384k, has a -5 BE and Te Maire Martin is still seemingly a ways away from even challenging for this spot.

VERDICT: BUY/HOLD. Love this as a zig from Schuster or Katoa, or even those that held Dylan Brown to this point.

Jake Simpkin | HOK ($296,100 | WST)

The Tigers are coming off the bye this week, and Simpkin has been very impressive in filling Api Koroisau’s shoes – with scores of 76 points (64 mins) and 49 points (48 mins) the past two weeks. Whilst I’d much prefer that he was playing the full 80 minutes, the fact that Koroisau is out until round 22 gives a nice buffer that from round 18 onwards Simpkin’s -29 BE will have time to cash in. Perfect combination of cheapie price and valuable onfield points in the absence of Grant or Cook in the massive round 19 bye round.

VERDICT: BUY/HOLD. Only buy if you have 10+ trades.

Xavier Coates | CTW ($414,600 | MEL) - 97 points

It was hardly believable that Coates was available at such a low price point following some indifferent form for the Storm, but those of you who listened last week and jumped on board (fully expecting the odd low score to come) will be laughing all the way to the bank with 97 points, and a tick under $100,000 made in one week. Coates now enters round 18 before the Storm hit their bye in round 19 with a BE of -30 against the Panthers. I would strongly advocate an AVOID if you didn’t jump on last week at $320k.

VERDICT: AVOID/HOLD. An amazing success story for those that jumped last week. Hold and hope for another $60k-$80k this week and sell sideways to a gun like Ronaldo next week for the run home.

Brayden McGrady | CTW ($200,800 | DOL) - 51 points

Last week’s Cheapie Bible rolled out the line… “Talk about try scoring machines! McGrady debuts on the wing for the Dolphins on the back of 10 tries in 11 matches in reserve grade this season.” Well, no surprises, McGrady delivered with a try on debut, and could have had another had it not been for an extravagant flick pass attempt when he could almost have fallen over the line himself for a double. Nevertheless, we’ll take 50+ points with eight points in tackle busts and 19 points in runs. Fingers crossed another good performance comes this week and he will be the perfect downgrade for round 19 coverage at base price.

VERDICT: WATCHLIST.

Kaeo Weekes | 5/8|HOK ($259,200 | MNL)

We had Weekes as a ‘RISKY BUY’ on Tuesday last week on the back of a best guess that with Turbo out for the season, rather than the odd week here or there that Reuben Garrick may move permanently to fullback – and that is exactly what transpired. Weekes dropped, and that has remained the case this week, so it’s bye bye for now. Probably for the best.

VERDICT: AVOID.

There you have it! Have we missed anyone? Be sure to tweet us what you think @copes9 and @SuperCoachNRL. Good luck this week!

Originally published as SuperCoach Plus article round 18: NRL’s form player is at just 3% ownership