The League: Nine NQ NRL experts reveal final Rd 1 trades
Nine of North Queensland’s sharpest rugby league brains have revealed their final trades of Round 1 and their sides are complete. Meet the stars they say you cannot SuperCoach without.
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Sin City is in the rear view mirror and our North Queensland SuperCoach experts’ attention has turned to the rest of the round.
Team List Tuesday threw up a number of spanners across the league, forcing some to commit urgent repairs on the leaks that have sprung up in their line-ups.
This is the damage report.
MATTHEW WIGHT
2022 Overall Champion
IN: Joe Chan (MEL), Viliame Kikau (BUL), Tom Dearden (NQC), Max King (BUL), Poasa Faamausili (BUL), Solomon Alaimalo (WST)
OUT: Kane Bradley (MEL), Josh Curran (BUL), Dylan Brown (PAR), Thomas Mikaele (NQC), Viliami Fifita (STG), Drew Hutchison (BUL)
Bradley to Chan, no thought involved really. Curran to Kikau because his selection on the bench scares me and Kikau looks fit and needs a big year after injury last year.
Dylan Brown to Dearden frees up cash for other moves and I want back in to the Cows’ easy draw.
Mikaele and Viliami Fifita to Max King and Poasa Faamausili as I’m nervous starting with a ‘Dogs FRF in my 17 whose name is not Max King
Hutchinson to a Tigers rookie (Alaimalo) and hope he gets a nod
MICHAEL PARKER-WALSHE
Blackhawks legend
IN: Wayde Egan (NZL), Poasa Faamausili (BUL), Jaeman Salmon (BUL), Tom Dearden (NQC), Jack Bostock (DOL), Taine Tuaupiki (NZL)
OUT: Api Koroisau (WST), Samuel Hughes (BUL), Jason Taumalolo (NQC), Cameron Munster (MEL), Matthew Feagai (STG), Kayal Iro (CRO)
Tigers have the bye so traded Koroisau for Egan, who was in good form in 2023 playing behind a good forward pack. Cam Munster is under a slight injury cloud, just wasn’t willing to risk he doesn’t play. Salmon had a good couple of trials at lock.
ADAM SHAW
RLTD legend
IN: Danny Levi (CBR), Joe Chan (MEL), Luke Metcalf (NZL), Taylan May (PEN), Roger Tuivasa-Scheck (NZL), Taine Tuaupiki (NZL)
OUT: Brendan Hands (PAR), Heilum Luki (NQC), Xavier Savage (CBR), Euan Aitken (DOL), Bronson Xerri (BUL), Kane Bradley (MEL)
SHAUN CASEY
Ex-Foley Shield star
IN: Joe Chan (MEL), Viliami Fifita (STG), Joey Lussick (PAR), Will Penisini (PAR)
OUT: Morgan Smithies (CBR), Thomas Mikaele (NQC), Brendan Hands (PAR), Bronson Xerri (BUL)
Smithies to Chan to free up the cash for Penisini as I think Parra, with their draw, are set to have some high scoring games.
Also worried that Smithies, depending on his game, may get bumped once Big Red (Corey Horsburgh) comes back from suspension.
PETER REITANO
Herbert River life member
IN: Xavier Savage (CBR), Drew Hutchison (BUL), Luke Sommerton (PTH), Oregon Kaufusi (SHA), Jack Hetherington (NEW), Taine Tuaupiki (NZL), Solomone Saukuru (WST)
OUT: Josh Addo-Carr (BUL), Matt Burton (BUL), Mitch Kenny (PTH), Hamish Stewart (STG), Mavrik Geyer (PTH), Ali Leiataua (NZL), Michael Gabrael (SHA)
Addo-Carr is out of my squad, Xavier Savage is in. Also swapped Burton for teammate Hutchison. Have ensured I have a lot of money left in cap in case I need to trade a big name player.
ELLIOTT LOVEJOY
Triple M commentator
IN: Joe Chan (MEL), Aidan Sezer (WST), Kyle Flanagan (STG)
OUT: Morgan Smithies (CBR), Kaeo Weekes (CBR), Jesse Marschke (STG)
Joe Chan comes in for Morgan Smithies and I revamped my backup halves after Weekes and Marschke missed out during Team List Tuesday.
PATRICK WOODS
Bulletin Cowboys reporter
IN: Jason Taumalolo (NQC), Sam McIntyre (NQC), Jaeman Salmon (BUL)
OUT: Reuben Cotter (NQC), Thomas Mikaele (NQC), Jed Cartwright (NEW)
Thomas Mikaele and Jed Cartwright missing out on matchday 17s forced some changes, culminating in ‘downgrading’ from the Cowboys current captain Reuben Cotter to 2023 captain and 2016 Dally M Medallist Jason Taumalolo.
That extra $103,700 allowed me to bring in Sam McIntyre for Mikaele (moving Viliami Fifita to the front row bench) and upgrade Cartwright to Bulldogs starting lock Jaeman Salmon.
NIC DARVENIZA
Bulletin sports editor
IN: Joe Chan (MEL), Jack Bostock (DOL), Nick Cotric (CBR)
OUT: Thomas Mikaele (NQC), Kane Bradley (MEL), Xavier Savage (CBR)
It was a heartbreaker to drop Cowboys recruit Thomas Mikaele from my side after the most explosive performance from a North Queensland middle forward since Jason Taumalolo’s prime, but it seems the Cowboys believe Jake Granville and Sam McIntyre will do enough to complement Griffin Neame off the bench.
And who am I to argue?
Mikaele and Bradley are out after missing selection in their respective 17s while Nick Cotric is the only CTW left in my price range after making those selection enforced moves.
It’s a shame because I believe Cairns product Savage has $100k of growth in his current price - hopefully the same is true for his opposite wing.
MATTHEW ELKERTON
Ex-Bulletin sports editor
IN: Taine Tuaupiki (NZL), Zac Laybutt (NQC), Tom Eisenhuth (STG)
OUT: Euan Aitken (DOL), Jed Cartwright (NEW), Bronson Xerri (BUL)
No Euan Aitken and Bronson Xerri in the Round 1 team lists has sent a shockwave of concern through Camp Moose, while RTS starting in the centres instead of fullback could also be cause for concern. I have liked Zac Laybutt in the trials and think he will improve on his price tag with a favourable early draw. Honest toiler Tom Eisenhuth in the Dragons starting side is great news.
BRIGHTEST FOOTY MINDS IN NQ UNVEIL SUPERCOACH SIDES
- February 29, 2024
To launch the 2024 NRL SuperCoach season, the Townsville Bulletin has brought together nine of North Queensland’s sharpest rugby league brains to test their skills against the best in an experts pool.
The 2022 overall SuperCoach champion Matthew Wight will tussle with former stars of the Blackhawks and A Grade, both in the playing and coaching ranks, as well as top administrators and members of the media from Ingham to Charters Towers and Ayr.
Bragging rights will go on the line but readers will be the ultimate winners with nine of the very best local SuperCoach experts sharing their wisdom in a weekly column in the Bulletin.
MATTHEW WIGHT
2022 Overall SuperCoach Champion
HOK: Brandon Smith (SYD), Danny Levi (CBR)
FRF: Reuben Cotter (NQC), Sam Hughes (BUL), Thomas Mikaele (NQC), Viliami Fifita (STG)
2RF: Heilum Luki (NQC), Beau Fermor (GCT), Shaun Lane (PAR), Brendan Piakura (BRO), Josh Curran (BUL), Kane Bradley (MEL)
HFB: Nathan Cleary (PEN), Nicho Hynes (SHA)
5/8: Dylan Brown (PAR), Ethan Strange (CBR)
CTW: Jacob Kiraz (BUL), Taylan May (PEN), Drew Hutchison (BUL), Xavier Savage (CBR), Taine Tuaupiki (NZL), Ben Trbojevic (MNL), Jacob Gagai (STH)
FLB: Kalyn Ponga (NEW), Tom Trbojevic (MNL)
Here it is again, 86k left in the cap and team poised for a 50k prize purse.
KP, Turbo, Cleary and Nicho, no further comment required, bank the points and only trade if the dreaded casualty ward calls.
The other two spine positions I think both Dylan Brown and Brandon Smith are going to have breakout years and I’m hoping Levi and Strange can be money spinners early.
My second row is all about cash generation, we are spoiled for mid-rangers so find the player who can make you the most cash and trust your gut because there is up to 10 viable options. I’m huge on Shaun Lane and Heilum Luki.
The front row is where I have saved cash, I feel Cotter is a safe 60 and hopefully Hughes or Mikaele can emerge.
If Taylan May isn’t in your team, delete the app and start again.
But the other CTW positions is where teams will differ the most, I think Kiraz has unbelievable base and hoping the Dogs can attack much better this year.
Best case scenario Savage and Tuaupiki bag some tries early and I can make fast cash to upgrade.
Drew and Burbo will be slower burns but hoping can average 50 and make ~200k with some playable scores if needed.
MICHAEL PARKER-WALSHE
Blackhawks legend, Brothers A Grade coach
HOK: Api Koroisau (WST), Danny Levi (CBR)
FRF: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (GCT), Payne Haas (BRO), Xavier Willison (BRO), Sam Hughes (BUL)
2RF: J’maine Hopgood (PAR), Siua Wong (SYD), Jason Taumalolo (NQC), Brendan Piakura (BRO), Sitili Tupouniua (SYD), Ben Trbojevic (MNL)
HFB: Nathan Cleary (PEN), Aidan Sezer (WST)
5/8: Cameron Munster (MEL), Ezra Mam (BRO)
CTW: Joey Manu (SYD), Rocco Berry (NZL), Jaemon Salmon (BUL), Matthew Feagai (STG), Ethan Strange (CBR), Kayal Iro (SHA), Jacob Gagai (STH)
FLB: Kalyn Ponga (NEW), Keano Kini (GCT)
ADAM SHAW
Charters Towers Miners A Grade legend
HOK: Harry Grant (MEL), Brendan Hands (PAR)
FRF: Addin Fonua-Blake (NZL), Spencer Leniu (SYD), Sam Hughes (BUL), Thomas Mikaele (NQC)
2RF: Pat Carrigan (BRO), Cameron Murray (STH), Heilum Luki (NQC), Brendan Piakura (BRO), Sitili Tupouniua (SYD), Morgan Smithies (CBR)
HFB: Nathan Cleary (PEN), Braydon Trindall (SHA)
5/8: Dylan Brown (PAR), Ethan Strange (CBR)
CTW: Euan Aitken (DOL), Zac Laybutt (NQC), Bronson Xerri (BUL), Jack Bostock (DOL), Ben Trbojevic (MNL), Kane Bradley (MEL), Jacob Gagai (SOU)
FLB: Reece Walsh (BRO), Xavier Savage (CBR)
Probably the biggest decision (which I can see backfiring big time) was at fullback, leaving out Teddy, Turbo, Latrell, Ponga and Papenhuyzen.
As much as it hurts to say think the Broncs are the team to beat and will be off the back of Patty Carrigan and Walsh.
Walsh won’t have the base stats of the guys above but can ton it up in three plays a game.
Cleary over Nicho, at the price.
Always try to save money at CTW and go with a lot of cheapies to make some money.
2RFs at CTW are normally safe bets.
Best of luck.
SHAUN CASEY
Ex-Foley Shield star, Miners A Grade coach
HOK: Jeremy Marshall-King (DOL), Joey Lussick (PAR)
FRF: Joseph Tapine (CBR), Keenan Palasia (GCT), Xavier Willison (BRO), Thomas Mikaele (NQC)
2RF: Pat Carrigan (BRO), Cameron Murray (STH), Heilum Luki (NQC), Brendan Piakura (BRO), Sitili Tupouniua (SYD), Viliami Fifita (STG)
HFB: Nathan Cleary (PEN), Chanel Harris-Tavita (NZL)
5/8: Dylan Brown (PAR), Ethan Strange (CBR)
CTW: Valentine Holmes (NQC), Euan Aitken (DOL), Bronson Xerri (BUL), Jack Bostock (DOL), Ben Trbojevic (MNL), Nick Cotric (CBR), Kane Bradley (MEL)
FLB: Reece Walsh (BRO), Keao Weekes (CBR)
Nicho Hynes, KP (Ponga) and Tommy (Trbojevic) were first chosen because of their high ceiling.
Overlooked Cleary with the draw and price and chose Moses with easier draw.
Brooks will fire at Manly if Tommy stays healthy and DCE (Daly Cherry-Evans) calling the shots.
Complete backrow of mid rangers to make early money.
Interchange back row and centres with versatility with hopefully Salmon starting at lock.
Nicho, KP and Tommy Turbo were first chosen because of their high ceiling.
Overlooked Cleary with the draw and price and chose Moses with easier draw.
Brooks will fire at Manly if Turbo stays healthy and DCE calling the shots.
Complete backrow of mid rangers to make early money.
Interchange backrow and centres with versatility with hopefully Salmon starting at lock.
PETER REITANO
Herbert River Crushers life member
HOK: Reece Robson (NQC), Mitch Kenny (PTH)
FRF: Payne Haas (BRO), Addin Fonua-Blake (NZL), Viliami Fifita (STG), Hamish Stewart (STG)
2RF: Reuben Cotter (NQC), Shaun Lane (PAR), Kobe Heth (BRO), Ben Trbojevic (MNL), Karl Lawton (MNL), Mavrik Geyer (PTH)
HFB: Mitch Moses (PAR), Ethan Sanders (PAR)
5/8: Ezra Mam (BRO), Ethan Strange (CBR)
CTW: Valentine Holmes (NQC), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (DOL), Joseph-Aokuso Suaalii (SYD), Josh Addo-Carr (BUL), Ali Leiataua (NZL), Michael Gabrael (SHA), Jacob Gagai (STH)
FLB: Scott Drinkwater (NQC), Reece Walsh (BRO)
A few years ago I was boarding a plane when I came across a guy putting a bag into an overhead locker.
I helped him & when he turned around I realised it was NRL SuperCoach Wayne Bennett.
He said “Thanks mate”, so since then I have told people that Wayne Bennett and I are mates.
I have also been fortunate to spend time talking footy over the years with such legends as Queenslanders Artie Beetson, Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Daryl Brohman, Billy Moore, Gene Miles & Mal Meninga to name a few (Gene and Mal predicted Queensland’s State of Origin team would have a decade of dominance just before Queensland went on their dream run of so many series in a row) plus Ingham’s own first ever North Queensland Cowboys captain Laurie Spina plus a heap of other Cowboys past players (too many to name).
Then there have also been New South Welshmen such as Tommy Raudonikis & Mark Geyer. Hopefully some of the knowledge from these guys will rub off on me this season with this “NRL SuperCoach” competition.
Anyway, onto my original team.
Unfortunately we only have a certain salary cap to spend and I realised that at one stage I had 6 or 7 Cowboys in my squad.
That included one who it was suggested to me would be the Dally M winner this season that I had to trade out before the season started to fit 25 players in under my salary cap.
I thought that Scotty Drinkwater with the recent seasons he had deserved to be noted as Captain for at least the first round particularly taking into account how he went against the Dolphins last season.
I have then also ended up with other Cowboys Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter and Valentine Holmes in my team – hoping they can all continue to have another amazing 2024 season.
Other players such as Broncos Payne Has, Ezra Mam & Reece Parker Walsh had to be included taking into account their 2023 seasons.
The biggest name in the game (Nathan Cleary) could not fit under my salary cap, but I had Mitchell Moses in mind anyway as I am tipping he will have a big season in 2024.
I also have some other big name players such as Adam Fonua-Blake, Matt Burton and Shaun Lane as well as some other big NRL family names that I hope will shine through. There are some newer players that I will be keeping an eye on too this season.
I look forward to seeing how I progress in 2024!
ELLIOT LOVEJOY
Triple M rugby league commentator
HOK: Harry Grant (MEL), Api Koroisau (WST)
FRF: Keenan Palasia (GCT), Poasa Faamausili (BUL), Sam Hughes (BUL), Thomas Mikaele (NQC)
2RF: Heilum Luki (NQC), Beau Fermor (GCT), Shaun Lane (PAR), Brendan Piakura (BRO), Sitili Tupouniua (SYD), Morgan Smithies (CBR)
HFB: Nathan Cleary (PEN), Jesse Marschke (STG)
5/8: Luke Brooks (MNL), Keao Weekes (CBR)
CTW: Greg Marzhew (NEW), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (DOL), Roger Tuivasa-Scheck (NZL), Bronson Xerri (BUL), Tommy Talau (MNL), Ben Trbojevic (MNL), Ethan Strange (CBR)
FLB: Kalyn Ponga (NEW), Ryan Papenhuyzen (MEL)
Lovejoys Lard have loaded up on Kalyn Ponga Island this season.
The Dally M winner of 2023 is set to go back to back and lead us to glory.
As tempting as Reuben Cotter’s mullet was in the front row I’ve gone some cheapies there including the man that came from nowhere Tom Mikaele.
Expectations are high for this season.
GO Lard!
PATRICK WOODS
Townsville Bulletin Cowboys reporter
HOK: Brandon Smith (MEL), Danny Levi (CBR)
FRF: Joseph Tapine (CBR), Reuben Cotter (NQC), Spencer Leniu (SYD), Thomas Mikaele (NQC)
2RF: Jeremiah Nanai (NQC), Heilum Luki (NQC), Shaun Lane (PAR), Sitili Tupouniua (SYD), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (NQC), Viliami Fifita (STG)
HFB: Nicho Hynes (SHA), Jahrome Hughes (MEL)
5/8: Luke Brooks (MNL), Ezra Mam (BRO)
CTW: Valentine Holmes (NQC), Roger Tuivasa-Scheck (NZL), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (GCT), Zac Laybutt (NQC), Jed Cartwright (NEW), Ethan Strange (CBR), Jacob Gagai (SYD)
FLB: Reuben Garrick (MNL), Xavier Savage (CBR)
Cowboys forwards are a theme in my team with Leilua gone, Hess likely out for the season and JTB looking at a mid-season return.
Tom Mikaele and Kuli Finefeuiaki should lock down bench spots with minimal pressure coming from the squad’s extended depth.
Luki, Nanai and Cotter can expect big minutes and North Queensland has a relatively soft draw until their first bye which comes in round 16.
Brandon Smith, Tapine and Lane will remain in the team for the season
barring injury.
Will keep a close eye on Hynes’ quad heading into round 1 and could exchange him for Cleary if needed.
I think Hughes is in for a great season in Melbourne and he’s solid value at a smidgen over 700k.
Luke Brooks will play his first NRL finals game in 2024 after leading Manly back into the top 8 and Garrick will be the SuperCoach benefactor of their rise with his accurate goalkicking.
Plenty of great money-makers in the early rounds this year but I’m steering clear of rookies with the early bye – Tigers, Titans and Dolphins.
NIC DARVENIZA
Townsville Bulletin sports editor
HOK: Harry Grant (MEL), Api Koroisau (WST)
FRF: Reuben Cotter (NQC), Sam Hughes (BUL), Xavier Willison (BRO), Thomas Mikaele (NQC)
2RF: Heilum Luki (NQC), Viliame Kikau (BUL), Shaun Lane (PAR), Brendan Piakura (BRO), Morgan Smithies (CBR), Viliame Fifita (STG)
HFB: Nicho Hynes (SHA), Nathan Cleary (PEN)
5/8: Luke Brooks (MNL), Ethan Strange (CBR)
CTW: Zac Laybutt (NQC), Taylan May (PEN), Xavier Savage (CBR), Taine Tuaupiki (NZL), Ben Trbojevic (MNL), Kane Bradley (MEL), Jacob Gagai (STH)
FLB: Kalyn Ponga (NEW), Reece Walsh (BRO)
Fullbacks Latrell Mitchell and Ryan Papenhuyzen were set to be the twin engines powering my SuperCoach side to the stars but despite sitting unchanged in my line-up all pre-season, they are the latest casualties to exit my side.
Ponga and Walsh will duel for the Dally M this season and I simply had to have them.
Xavier Willison’s surprise inclusion on the Broncos bench for Las Vegas allowed me to go super cheap in my FRF, 2RF and CTW, allowing me to stockpile the greatest spine in SuperCoach with Grant/Koroisau at hooker, Hynes/Cleary at halfback, the resurgent Luke Brooks at five-eighth and the aforementioned fullbacks.
The Jimmy Maloney effect has my confidence in the Cowboys’ backrowers and centres scoring so have placed my faith in Luki and Laybutt, plus teammate Rueben Cotter, to be the backbones of my cheaper units.
MATTHEW ELKERTON
Ex-Bulletin sports editor and Cowboys reporter
HOK: Harry Grant (MEL), Api Koroisau (WST)
FRF: Reuben Cotter (NQC), Sean Keppie (SOU), Keenan Palasia (GCT), Thomas Mikaele (NQC)
2RF: Shaun Lane (PAR), Brendan Piakura (BRO), Josh Curran (BUL), Morgan Smithies (CBR), Ben Trbojevic (MNL), Joe Chan (MEL)
HFB: Nathan Cleary (PEN), Mitch Moses (PAR)
5/8: Dylan Brown (PAR), Ethan Strange (CBR)
CTW: Euan Aitken (DOL), Roger Tuivasa-Scheck (NZL), Taylan May (PEN), Bronson Xerri (BUL), Jed Cartwright (NEW), Kane Bradley (MEL), Haze Dunster (PAR)
FLB: Scott Drinkwater (NQC), Ryan Papenhuyzen (MEL)
If SuperCoach has taught me anything, it’s you can never spend too much on the big guns.
This is why I have shattered the piggy bank into a thousand pieces on my way to owning the most expensive hooker and five-eighth and the second most expensive halfback and fullback in the game.
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