KFC NRL SuperCoach: How to pick a Maroons-only team

Want to play KFC NRL SuperCoach but don’t want the grubby feeling of picking any cockroaches from down south? The Mastermind has your back.

If you can’t stand the sight of Blues, Cockroaches or anything else from south of the Tweed, the Mastermind has pulled the mightiest of Maroons into a KFC NRL SuperCoach squad just for you.

This squad of banana benders is going to struggle around Origin but will put up a good fight with guns loaded up in every position.

QUEENSLANDER!

Billy Walters will be in just about every SuperCoach team for Round 1. Picture: Grant Trouville

HOOKERS

Cameron Smith, Storm, $684,000

Scored more SuperCoach points than any other player last year, including six centuries. Every year people say he’s too old – every year he proves them wrong.

Billy Walters, Tigers, $201,000

Has the starting hooker spot at the Tigers and should make some decent cash. Unless of course Storm reserve Harry Grant gets sick of waiting for Cameron Smith to retire and makes a move to the Tigers.

FRONT ROWERS

Josh Papalii, Raiders, $605,300

Papa’s minutes were cut drastically in 2019 but he made the most of it and posted an impressive average of 65.1PPG in just 53.3 minutes per game. He’s averaged in the mid 60s for four consecutive seasons but always seems to be a POD.

Patrick Carrigan, Broncos, $326,300

What a difference a year makes. Was a $168k rookie this time last year. Now he’s captaining the Broncos and looks set for massive minutes in the middle.

Corey Horsburgh is on the way up for the Raiders. Picture: John McCutcheon

Corey Horsburgh, Raiders, $375,700

Another from last year’s batch of rookies. Big Red is sliding over to the right edge for some big minutes while John Bateman is out injured. With his impressive 1.2PPM he’ll fly past last year’s average of 40PPG.

Lindsay Collins, Roosters, $201,000

Cheapie front rower at the Roosters has a chance to grab some more minutes this year. He scores at 1PPM so whatever he plays he’ll score and hopefully make some money.

SECOND ROWERS

Jai Arrow, Titans, $575,700

Arrow has one of the best workrates in the NRL and scores at 1.1PPM. Plenty of weight on his shoulders with Ryan James out for the season. He should score better than last year’s 61.9PPG.

David Fifita, Broncos, $501,900

Fifita’s form in the last 8 rounds of 2019 suggest he could rival the best SuperCoach forwards in the game. He grabbed the 80-minute edge backrower spot and scored 615 points at 76.8PPG.

Jaydn Su’A, Rabbitohs, $303,600

Su’A averaged 32.7PPG in 41.3MPG in 2019. He’s locked in to play on the right edge and if he gets close to 60MPG he should score about 48PPG. Ker-ching.

Coen Hess is a massive bounce back candidate. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Coen Hess, Cowboys, $354,000

Hess averaged 58PPG in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Last year he dropped to 38PPG after being moved into the centres during the Cowboys injury crisis.

Thomas Flegler, Broncos, $294,900

Played 22 games last year averaging 31 points in 31 minutes. Should get more game time with the Broncos missing Matt Lodge and Joe Ofahengaue serving a suspension.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Storm, $217,500

Scores a spot on the Storm bench despite signing on to join the Titans next year. Big wraps on him but he’s got a stack of big name forwards in front of him at the Storm.If he gets a move to the Titans early he’ll get the minutes to be a must for all SuperCoaches.

Daly Cherry-Evans is a safe bet at halfback.

HALFBACKS

Daly Cherry-Evans, Sea Eagles, $576,200

He’s averaged 62PPG for three consecutive seasons. Pretty impressive numbers for a half that hasn’t always had the goal kicking job. He’s never popular in SuperCoach but he should be.

Ashley Taylor, Titans, $329,000

Making his NRL return after some off-field issues. His 2016 and 2017 seasons saw him average more than 50PPG. Could be a nice money maker.

FIVE-EIGHTHS

Cameron Munster, Storm, $644,400

Top scorer and average in this position for 2019. Had a career best 69.3PPG. Can post monster scores like few other players, just think back to the 159 against the Eels in Magic Round.

Michael Morgan, Cowboys, $471,600

Morgan averaged 58PPG from 2015 to 2017. Then the injuries hit and his scores have dipped. Could be due for a resurgence and look forward to seeing his combination with Valentine Holmes.

Corey Oates is cheap, but a tough pre-season will work against him early in the year. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

CENTRES & WINGERS

Corey Oates, Broncos, $427,100

Oates is cheaper than usual after he slipped below the 50PPG mark for the first time in four years. He relies on points from tries to pump up his numbers..

Kurt Mann, Knights, $287,100

Named at five-eighth for the Knights. When he’s played in that position recently he’s averaged 42.5PPG. He’s been a victim of his own versatility throughout his career and he’s priced lower because of stints coming off the bench.

Gehamat Shibasaki, Knights, $286,400

What is it with the Knights and QLD CTWs? They’ve also got Hymel Hunt, Edrick Lee, TauTau Moga and Enari Tuala on their books. Shibasaki comes in cheap after playing a few games off the bench for the Broncos last year.

Ben Hampton, Cowboys, $237,000

Named on the wing for Round 1 and is super cheap after an ordinary season that lasted just 8 games and ended with a ruptured bicep. Back in 2018 he averaged 54.6PPG when playing 80 minutes.Will have to perform to keep the spot with a stack of other options at the Cowboys.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow hasn’t been picked for a Round 1 debut. Picture: Alix Sweeney

CTW Cheapies

Yeah, we’re running low on budget and options that don’t make our whole backline the QLD Knights. So here are three Queenslanders who will come into consideration throughout the season.

Corey Allan, Rabbitohs, $231,800

A cheapie last year and is still at a cheapie price. Tells you all you need to know about his last season. Still there are massive wraps on him and he’s next in line if any of the star-studded Rabbitoh back go down injured.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Cowboys, $171,900

Teen showed his incredible pace at the Nines. Not in the top squad just yet but he’s too exciting to leave out all season.

Tristan Sailor, Dragons, $247,200

Played three games last year at 38PPG. Another youngster who looked great at the Nines. Should come into contention at some stage in the season.

Valentine Holmes is a popular pick across the board. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

FULLBACKS

Kalyn Ponga, Knights, $634,300

Ponga played 20 games in 2019 for an average of 68.3PPG. Ditch the games from the failed five-eighth experiment and his six games without kicking duties and you’re looking at a player with an 86.2PPG average across 11 games.

Valentine Holmes, Cowboys, $563,700

Back from a year off chasing the NFL dream. He averaged 67.4PPG in 2018 with the Sharks. You get him at a nice discount if he’s anywhere near that level again with the Cowboys.