KFC SuperCoach NRL: The Mastermind reveals the best CTW cash cows

Who will be this year’s David Nofoaluma and Josh Mansour? Here are the backs set to break try-scoring dry spells and score big in 2021.

David Nofoaluma and Josh Mansour were the prime examples of hardworking wingers finally getting their SuperCoach rewards with tries and linebreaks pumping up their numbers in 2020.

Mansour had just 1 try in 19 games in 2019 at 44.8PPG then 10 tries in 2020 helped lift his average to 67.1PPG. Nofoaluma had 17 tries in 20 games in 2020 at 75.7PPG and 8 tries in 14 games at 65.1PPG in 2019.

Roosters wingers Brett Morris (12 tries in 15 games) and Daniel Tupou (11 tries in 13 games) both lifted their averages from the 50s beyond 70PPG in 2020 with impressive strike rates.

The Courier Mail’s Mastermind has runs his eye over the CTW options stuck in a try-scoring dry spell who are ready to get the points flowing in 2021.

THE MASTERMIND’S ULTIMATE POD SQUAD

THE MASTERMIND’S TEAM REVEALED

THE MASTERMIND’S BEST FORWARDS

BRIAN KELLY ($498,900)

Averaged close to 65PPG when he played the full 80 minutes and that was scoring just 6 tries 13 games. He’s partnered with David Fifita on a potentially lethal left edge fo the Titans.

BRIAN TO’O ($522,000)

Takes plenty of runs and makes a stack of tackle busts with 32PPG in base stats.  He switches to the left side of the Panthers attack and should improve on his six tries in 13 games at 58.9PPG in 2020.

Jarrod Croker of the Raiders scores one of his five tries for 2020. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

JARROD CROKER ($388,400)

5 tries in 19 games for the Raiders in 2020. His leanest spell for tries since 2010 and it knocked his average down 10PPG to 43.8PPG.

REIMIS SMITH

4 tries in 14 games for the Bulldogs in 2020. Had 12 tries in 23 games in 2019 but at an unspectacular 36.6PPG, which doesn’t get me too excited. A repeat of the seven tries in 11 games at 52.1PPG in 2018 would be much nicer.

REUBEN GARRICK ($363,200)

4 tries in 17 games for Manly in 2020. Struggled to match the heights of his rookie season where he scored 16 tries in 24 games at 52.5PPG.

Parramatta's Blake Ferguson gets some air in a tackle. Picture: Brett Costello

BLAKE FERGUSON ($352,900)

Went close to scoring most weeks but only managed 3 tries in 19 games for the Eels in 2020. He had 9 in 17 in 2019 and a massive 17 tries in 24 games in 2018 for the Roosters at 65.4PPG.

Jamayne Isaako lines up a shot at goal. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

JAMAYNE ISAAKO ($346,400)

3 tries in 10 games for the Broncos in 2020. 4 tries in 21 games in 2019. Can he recapture his 2018 form of 11 tries in 24 games at 55.7PPG?

Will Hopoate of the Bulldogs is tackled by Michael Jennings of the Eels. Photo: AAP Image/Mark Evans

WILL HOPOATE ($398,600)

2 tries in 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2020 as his average dropped under 50 for the first time since 2015 He’s always had one of the best workrates of any CTW, but the Bulldogs just haven’t had much scoring potential the past few years as shown by his 5 tries in 24 games in 2019 and 2018.

Jordan Rapana of the Raiders. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

JORDAN RAPANA ($370,400)

2 tries in 16 games for the Raiders in 2020 as he returned from a brief stint in Japanese rugby. In 2017 Rapana was the best CTW in SuperCoach with 21 tries in 23 rounds at 71.1PPG. He’s been nowhere near that level since but a 50% strike rate is a reasonable expectation with a proper pre-season under his belt.

DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK ($351,900)

2 tries in 18 games for the Bulldogs in 2020. He’s never averaged above 50PPG in his career with 10 tries in 24 games in 2016 his best. As mentioned above with Hopoate, the Bulldogs have not scored a lot of points in recent seasons, but attacking coach Trent Barrett and the addition of Nick Cotric, Corey Allan and Kyle Flanagan should change that.

DAVID FUSITUA ($251,800)

1 try in 7 games for the Warriors in 2020 and 5 tries in 16 in 2019. Prior to that he had one of the best strike rates in the competition, including 23 tries in 23 games in 2018, thanks to playing outside Shaun Johnson.

DYLAN WALKER ($306,300)

1 try in 7 games for Manly in 2020. It’s been an injury-riddled three seasons for Walker but back in 2017 he crossed for 12 tries and a 55.7PPG average.

James Roberts runs with the ball during a Wests Tigers NRL training session. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images

JAMES ROBERTS ($277,700)

1 try in 6 games for the Rabbitohs in 2020. Now with the Tigers and nicely placed inside attacking weapon Nofoaluma. He’s had a lean couple years but his best was 17 tries in 23 games at 60.1PPG in 2017.

THE MASTERMIND’S ULTIMATE POD SQUAD

THE MASTERMIND’S TEAM REVEALED

THE MASTERMIND’S BEST FORWARDS