KFC NRL SuperCoach 2022 Round 12 wrap: Highs, lows and trade targets

The KFC SuperCoach Mastermind crunches the stats to help you answer the biggest trade issues of the round. ANALYSIS FOR EVERY GAME

A second-row star is a standout as the KFC NRL SuperCoach buy of the week with a State of Origin snub presenting a perfect trade targets.

Angus Crichton couldn’t make the extended squads for Origin but his availability to play for the Roosters is a massive win for SuperCoaches looking for a quality option to cover the first tricky bye round.

Crichton is coming off his best score of the season with an 84 including four offloads.

Navigating the bye rounds when you’re missing Origin players, injured players and only half the teams are playing, is when the best of the best SuperCoach players rise to the top.

KFC SuperCoaches have three trades to use this week and potentially four if they choose to use a trade boost.

But those trades need to be used wisely and on players who’ll work not just for the one week but the rest of the season. Crichton should be near the top of your list, while Reuben Garrick, Joey Manu, Tohu Harris and Haumole Olakau’atu would round out my top 5 targets.

It’s no surprise with Origin upon us that NSW captain James Tedesco, 144, produced the best score of the week and his best of the season for the Roosters running the Sharks ragged with 100+ points on them at halftime. Queensland’s key player, Cameron Munster, 112, also turned it on with two tries in a masterclass against Manly. Can we get one-on-one steals added to the scoring next year? Munster’s the master of it and nabbed two from unsuspecting Sea Eagles players.

Captaincy selections proved tricky this week with the most popular options Nicho Hynes 23% and Nathan Cleary 21% both underwhelming with scores in the 50s. Just 5.5% went with Tedesco, myself included, as Munster’s big score on Thursday had 15% of SuperCoaches trying to play the VC-loophole and facing obstacles along the way like the shock return of Raiders cheapie James Schiller for a 4-point game.

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Here’s where we salute the centuries of the week and there where plenty joining Tedesco and Munster in triple figures. Hopefully you had a swag of these players in your squad Tedesco, 144, Bailey Simonsson, 123, Campbell Graham, 119, Alex Johnston, 114, Cameron Munster, 112, Dylan Brown, 110, Daniel Tupou, 107, Herbie Farnworth, 105, Cody Walker, 103, and Dylan Edwards, 100.

Storm 28-8 Sea Eagles

Highs: Cameron Munster, 112, had two tries, a try assist, four tackle busts a linebreak, linebreak assist and 41 in base stats. Kenny Bromwich, 91, scored his first try of the season and had 55 in base stats, his biggest tally of the year. A Kiwi so good for round 17 bye coverage but this is only his third score over 50 all season. Haumole Olakau’atu, 70, got through 55 in base stats and had four tackle busts and a linebreak. Should be a popular trade in this week to cover the bye round and potentially a keeper. Nick Meaney, 70, kicked 4/5 goals, made a linebreak and set up a try. Will switch to the wing and lose kicking duties once Ryan Papenhuyzen returns so I’d avoid. Reuben Garrick, 67, is locked in at fullback for the rest of the season with Tom Trbojevic injured and showed signs he could be a keeper. He had 33 points in hit-ups, three offloads, a try and linebreak assist. Also missed his two shots at goal. Should be one of the most popular trade ins this week.

Lows: Josh Schuster, 20, played 49 minutes and is set for some big price drops which is probably a turn off for many who would have earmarked him as a trade target for this round. Justin Olam, 27, missed the attacking stats for the fourth week in a row. Daly Cherry-Evans, 29, had his fewest number of runs this year and went under 50 for the first time in 2022. Tyran Wishart, 13, popular cheapie has hit a wall for the moment but should get more minutes around the Origin period.

Watchlist: Jahrome Hughes, 55, returned from injury and should be on your radar for Round 14 onwards. The Kiwi covers round 17 and has two centuries to his name this season but owned by just 10%. Brandon Smith, 54, priced under $400k with dual position HKR/2RF and sure to cover Harry Grant at hooker through the next five rounds like he did this week. Tolutau Koula, 35, has performed solidly but still hasn’t found a try. Jorge Taufua, 63, scored a try in his first game since 2020. Another potential Manly cheapie back if he can hold the spot.

Panthers 22-0 Cowboys

Highs: Dylan Edwards, 100, was busy as always posting 37 points from hit-ups and found the attacking stats too with a try, try assist, seven tackle busts and a linebreak. One of the few key Panthers players to miss Origin and playing the Bulldogs in the bye round, then the Knights and Warriors. Could be a short term option before you trade into another premium fullback like Papenhuyzen for Round 17 and the run home. Isaah Yeo, 83, had a try, linebreak and 53 in base stats. The Panthers lock has the third most points of any 2RF and an average of 66.5PPG. Reuben Cotter, 72, showed his incredible workrate with a score of mostly base stats in 64 minutes. He’s averaged 64.5PPG this season, increasing value by $200k+ and deservedly earning selection for Queensland. Apisai Koroisau, 81, had a try assist and two linebreak assists on top of 44 in base stats. Named in the Blues extended squad and wore jersey 14 in Game 3 last year, but should be available to play this round.

Lows: Viliame Kikau, 36, missed four tackles, conceded two penalties and made two errors. Hamiso Tabui-Fidow, 22, named in the extended Maroons squad but should be released back to the Cowboys this week where he’ll be very cheap and playing on the wing until Kyle Feldt returns from injury. Definitely a trade in option this week. Scott Drinkwater, 12, struggled to put points on the Panthers as most players do. If you own expect a huge bounce back against the Titans this week, especially if he picks up the goalkicking duties over Chad Townsend with Valentine Holmes on Origin duty.

Watchlist: Brian To’o, 71, scored his first try of the season and had five tackle busts and 38 in base stats. He’s bottomed out in price and you can pick him up next round at a massive discount from his starting price. James Fisher-Harris, 61, a few tackle busts and the rest base stats. He usually plays bigger minutes over the bye rounds but you can probably pick up a better forward option. Reece Robson, 50, had only a couple runs with his score mostly tackles but did played the full 80 minutes with Jake Granville spelling Cotter instead.

Broncos 35-24 Titans

Highs: Herbie Farnworth, 105, continued his attacking form with a try, try assist, 10 tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak and 36 in base stats. Has an impressive five-round average of 68PPG with four tries in his past five games. Toby Sexton, 85, set up three tries, had two linebreak assists and two forced dropouts in his best game of the season but only played 48 minutes going off with an injured shoulder. Ezra Mam, 81, followed up last week’s 89 on debut with another stack of attacking stats again filling in for the injured Adam Reynolds. He produced a try, try contribution, two tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak, linebreak assist and 37 in base stats. Will make a stack of cash whenever he next takes to the field. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 72, had a massive 41 points from hit-ups as he locked in his spot in the Marrons team.

Lows: Titans players Esan Marsters, 14, and Sam McIntyre, 22, were both sin binned within minutes of each other.

Watchlist: David Fifita, 70, played 48 minutes in his return from injury and barged over from dummy half for a try. He’s now out for 2-3 weeks with a knee injury. Payne Haas, 62, played 54 minutes after requesting a release from his contract days before. Broncos fans booed his every touch which included 44 in base stats and seven tackle busts. Selwyn Cobbo, 65, scored his 10th try in six games and had 10 tackle busts on his way to a Queensland debut. Patrick Carrigan, 68, had four offloads and 54 in base stats in 70 minutes as he continued his impressive season averaging 62.5PPG.

Warriors 16-24 Knights

Highs: Enari Tuala, 95, came into the team for the injured Bradman Best and had two tries, two linebreaks, four tackle busts and 31 in base stats. Kalyn Ponga, 72, set up two tries, had five tackle busts and three linebreak assists as he locked himself into the fullback spot for Queensland. Tyson Frizell, 71, earned a return to the Blues squad with a try on top of 57 in base stats. Euan Aitken, 66, had 57 in base stats, three tackle busts and an offload. He’s averaged 60PPG which puts him below the top tier options in 2RF or CTW but he could be a hold for the season the way he’s going and the dual flexibility will continue to be handy.

Lows: Daniel Saifiti, 12, went off injured after 22 minutes. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 6, made three errors and conceded two penalties.

Watchlist: Tohu Harris, 50, was all base stats and played the full 80 minutes. Was on most coach’s radars for a trade this week but Crichton is more enticing. David Klemmer, 65, continued his good form and picked up more minutes with Saifiti injured. Reece Walsh, 56, had a try assist, 2/4 goals, two offloads, three tackle busts, and a linebreak assist. Missed out on the Queensland squad and could be a nice bye round POD. He had three centuries last season but hasn’t hit those heights yet in 2022. Viliami Vailea, 55, scored a try to set up some nice price rises and hopefully lock in his spot in the team for the bye round for the 25% of coaches who’ve patiently held him this long.

Rabbitohs 44-18 Tigers

Highs: The Rabbitohs left edge poured on the points with Campbell Graham, 119, scoring a try and setting up two, Alex Johnston, 114, scoring a hat-trick, and Cody Walker, 103, scoring two tries and setting up another. Graham missed the Blues squad and should be a trade target for Round 14. Siliva Havili, 93, scored a try, had eight tackle busts and 48 in base stats in 48 minutes.

Lows: Blake Taaffe, 12, should be the most sold player this week with his relegation to the bench and playing just 19 minutes. Stefano Utoikamanu, 16, played just 30 minutes off the bench. Was so good last year but he’s not gone close to those levels in 2022. Kelma Tuilagi, 22, played 30 minutes off the bench. Another to sell if you haven’t already. Jackson Hastings, 25, had a try assist but not much else in his lowest score of the season.

Watchlist: Ken Maumalo, 79, scored a double for the second week in a row to make it 10 tries in 10 games this season. Daine Laurie, 79, produced his best game of the season on his return from injury with a try assist, two linebreaks and two try assists.

Sharks 16-36 Roosters

Highs: James Tedesco, 144, had a try, two try assists, two linebreaks, three linebreak assists, nine tackle busts, three offloads and 35 in base stats. He’s averaged 94PPG in the past six games scoring six tries after starting the season with one try and a 58PPG average in the first six games. Daniel Tupou, 107, scored two tries and had three linebreaks as he scored a surprise selection to the Blues. Cameron McInnes, 94, had 48 in base stats and picked up a try and two linebreaks in 53 minutes. He has a five-round average of 69.4PPG and has only played one 80 minute game this season. Angus Crichton, 84, had four offloads, a try assist and linebreak assist along with 45 in base stats. After missing selection for the Blues he’s near top of the transfer targets for this week. Nat Butcher, 83, scored a try and had 52 in base stats playing 80 minutes for the second week in a row.

Lows: William Kennedy, -2, missed seven tackles, conceded a penalty and made an error. Terrell May, 4, played just three minutes. Sitili Tupouniua, 19, played 53 minutes and missed four tackles. Joseph Suaalii, 20, failed a HIA after 56 minutes.

Watchlist: Joseph Manu, 77, should slot into fullback while Tedesco is on Origin duty and that makes him an obvious trade target for this week. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 71, scored a try and had two more linebreaks. He’s up to 19 linebreaks for the season from 10 games. Fellow Shark winger Sione Katoa, 66, had a try and another two linebreaks and has 13 linebreaks from 10 games. Either would be a good option for Round 14 with the way the Sharks draw is looking.

Bulldogs 24-34 Dragons

Highs: Zac Lomax, 98, followed up last week’s 93 with a try, try assist, 5/6 goals, seven tackle busts, a linebreak and linebreak assist, Matt Dufty, 91, set up three tries in his best score of the season. Jake Averillo, 79, scored two tries in his first score above 30 for the season. Matt Burton, 75, continued his good form with a try assist, 4/5 goals, five tackle busts, a forced dropout and a linebreak. Gets a shot at his former club the Panthers next week in the bye round.

Lows: Jacob Kiraz, 29, was the most popular trade in of the week but three errors, and a penalty conceded hurt SuperCoaches who played him this week.

Watchlist: Blake Lawrie, 66, scored his first NRL try after debuting five years ago. Max King, 63, played 57 minutes and had a stack of base and a few offloads. A similar score this week for the bye round would be fantastic for the 36% of coaches still holding onto him. Cody Ramsey, 54, followed up last week’s 94 with another good score at fullback for the Dragons. Michael Molo, 29, played 19 minutes compared to 40+ last week. Could still be a FRF downgrade option come round 14.

Raiders 20-28 Eels

Highs: Bailey Simonsson, 123, saved his best performance of the season for his former team. He’d only scored one try and scored more than 50 once this season. He had two tries, two linebreaks, 10 tackle busts, a linebreak assist, a few offloads and 28 points from hit-ups. Dylan Brown, 110, continued his career best season with his third century of 2022. His running game is so strong and helped deliver three linebreaks, eight tackle busts, two tries and 19 points from hit-ups. Shaun Lane, 91, produced a try assist for the second week in a row and had 51 in base stats playing the full 80 minutes. Ryan Matterson, 80, got through a stack of work in just 55 minutes with 40 tackles, 28 points from hit-ups, three tackle busts and two offloads.

Lows: James Schiller, 4, played just five minutes. He was a popular cheapie to start the season and is still in 23% of teams but became an AE nightmare for a few looking to VC loop Cameron Munster’s big score. Tom Starling, 28, only played 25 minutes. Clint Gutherson, 31, made three errors.

Watchlist: Joseph Tapine, 73, had 65 in base stats and a couple offloads. In good form and a solid option if you need a dual to cover the bye round. Xavier Savage, 34, had 33 points from hit-ups and is a decent cheapie target if he stays at fullback for the Raiders. Corey Horsburgh, 58, was all base stats in 52 minutes. He had 62 in 49 minutes last week. Finding form and minutes and is a cheaper dual 2RF/FRF option than teammate Tapine.

Originally published as KFC NRL SuperCoach 2022 Round 12 wrap: Highs, lows and trade targets