Dave Von Kotze recaps Super Saturday with injuries highlighting the season opening round

2014 NRL SuperCoach winner Dave Von Kotze recaps a massive Super Saturday with a host of very popular players looking as if they will spend long periods of time on the casualty list.

Sharks Andrew Fifita looks for a gap between Cowboys defenders James Tamou, left, and Ethan Lowe during their round 1 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sharks at 1300 Smiles Stadium in Townsville, Saturday, March 5, 2016. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Super Saturday was anything but Super for thousands of SuperCoaches with a couple of very popular players looking as if they will spend long periods of time on the casualty list. It was not all doom and gloom with a host of players starting the season well.

Shaun Fensom (88)

Broke his arm in the off-season, played zero game time in the trials, yet showed why he has been one of the out and out greats of SuperCoach over the years. Only played 52 minutes and had his score boosted by a late try, but ‘the Fense’ still managed some respectable base stats with 34 tackles and 13 hit-ups.

Trent Merrin (76)

Played 58 minutes which is around 5 minutes more than his season average last year. Merrin also had his score inflated due to a try, nevertheless, his owners will welcome a first-up performance at a rate of 1.31 points per minute.

Aidan Sezer (82)

It was all ‘Hail Sezer’ for the Raiders new recruit who had an afternoon of very mixed emotions. Scored a double and set up another but unfortunately won’t become a SuperCoach option in the near future due to a suspected fractured cheekbone.

Josh Mansour (67)

Ticked all the boxes for his owners scoring a try, making two line breaks and three tackle busts.

James Tedesco (77)

Two tries and six tackle busts for this SuperCoach weapon who looks as if he is in for another cracking season. Will be the most prized possession during the bye rounds should he miss selection for the Blues.

Shaun Johnson (95)

Johnson had two try assists and split the line for a superb solo try to fall just short of a triple figure score. Surprisingly has given up the goal kicking duties early in the season to Tuimoala Lolohea (42) which will have a negative impact on his scores and owners will be hoping he returns to kicking goals quick smart.

Simon Mannering (90)

Played the full game and made his pre-season doubters pay by bagging a try, throwing the last pass for another and making an incredible 48 tackles. Will be a popular trade-in target this week for the injured Paul Gallen.

Ethan Lowe (109)

Ethan Lowe has started the year on a high for the second time in as many seasons with a barnstorming performance that included 36 tackles, 4 tackle busts, 11 runs over 8m, a try assist off a lovely weighted kick and a strong individual try. Potential owners should hold off until after round two and not chase ‘last week’s points’ just yet.

Andrew Fifita (68)

Excellent return from suspension for Fifita who scored a brilliant 1.38 points per minute during his 49 minutes of game time. Typically scores better when Paul Gallen is not in the team which could be the case as of next round if Gallen’s injury keeps him sidelined for an extended period.

Andrew Fifita could become a brilliant purchase as a result of Paul Gallen’s injury

Johnathan Thurston (59)

Just the one try assist for the most expensive HFB/5/8 in SuperCoach, but kept the numbers ticking over with 22 points coming from his boot as he kicked four goals and forced a line drop-out.

Ben Barba (47)

Showed potential from the back and could be an early-season cash cow. Set up a try for Jack Bird (74), made two in-effective offloads and stayed relatively busy with 14 runs.

Josh Aloiai (36)

The pick of the cheapies so far and will become a cash cow if he can hold down his spot. Played 38 minutes and scored at just under a point per minute.

Jordan Rankin (32)

The popular 5/8/FLB cheapie opened up his SuperCoach account with a respectable 32 points. Many predicted that he would take on the goal kicking duties, however, this didn’t eventuate with Mitchell Moses (82) assuming the role.

James Fisher-Harris (13)

Another one of the cheapies who have failed to deliver so far this round. A young gun who has received plenty of wraps but only saw 18 minutes of game time which just isn’t enough to become a decent cash cow.

Blake Austin (54)

Made his way into the starting line-up after a last minute switch-a-roo from Ricky Stuart and didn’t disappoint scoring a try and throwing the last pass for another. However, injury struck in the second half and Austin had to cut his afternoon short due to a knee injury.

Blake Austin was on fire before leaving the field injured against the Panthers

James Segeyaro (43)

Set up a try with a line break assist but left the field after 55 minutes with a suspected broken arm souring the first game of Super Saturday for the 14.3 per cent of coaches who own this now fallen gun.

Ben Henry (14)

Heart-break again for Ben Henry and half of the SuperCoach world with the $133,300 cheapie suffering what looks like another serious knee injury.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (35)

Last year’s top SuperCoach point scorer definitely didn’t give his owners value for his $489,500 price tag. RTS did make a line-break and three tackle busts but is definitely experiencing a few speed bumps at his new club.

Issac Luke (26)

Underwhelming start for the New Zealand hooker in his new team. Played 57 minutes and delivered virtually no attacking stats.

Manaia Cherrington (20)

Cherrington made way for Kyle Lovett in a late team change for the Tigers and only played 37 minutes. Disappointing for owners of the cheap hooker who had high hopes of big minutes.

Paul Gallen (43)

Went off the field for a rest after 30 minutes and then injured his knee during his second stint only playing a total of 48 minutes. The seriousness of his injury is unknown but things don’t look good for his owners.

Originally published as Dave Von Kotze recaps Super Saturday with injuries highlighting the season opening round