KFC NRL SuperCoach: The cheapies that earned the most money in past seasons

We’re all about the Cheapies in KFC NRL SuperCoach, but which bargain basement players actually fire, and which of those maintain the rage in future seasons? The Mastermind investigates.

As we count down the seconds to Team List Tuesday and an influx of new cheapies to fill our teams it’s worth looking back at the rookie ranks of the past to help guide your KFC SuperCoach 2020 vision.

The Mastermind has dug through the past three seasons worth of cheapies to see who made the most cash and posted the best average scores. We’re only looking at players who started the season under the $250k mark.

Remember the days when you could pick up a bargain basement cheapie for under $100k? You might be yearning for that soon enough, because last year’s batch of cheapies was probably the best ever and unlikely to be seen again.

Thirteen cheapies averaged 50 or more in 2019; just five in 2018; 10 in 2017. If you had the right players at the start they made you a stack of cash and in the case of Payne Haas 78.3PPG, Briton Nikora 60PPG or Maika Sivo 59PPG, likely stayed in your team all season as the points continued to flow.

There seemed an endless array of cheapies at different times through the season with Paul Momirovski 60.5PPG killing it in the last third of the season; Brian To’o 57PPG debuting in Round 10; Cade Cust 56.6PPG ran hot through the middle of the season; Bronson Xerri 56.3PPG arrived in Round 4; and Ryan Papenhuyzen 54.7PPG burst to life with 119 points in Magic Round.

Payne Haas was a cheapie beast in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

But what can you expect from last year’s stellar roster of cheapies in 2020?

The lean crop of cheapies from 2018 suggests second-year syndrome may be a factor, particularly for players relying on attacking points.

Manase Fainu dipped from 62.2PPG to 53.5PPG; Villiame Kikau 61PPG to 58.4PPG; Rookie of the Year Jamayne Isaako dropped from 55.7PPG to 45.2PPG; Remis Smith from 52.1PPG to 36.9PPG; and AJ Brimson from 49.4PPG to 38.7PPG.

Forwards Matt Lodge 52.9PPG to 62.6PPG; David Fifita 48.8PPG to 54PPG; Victor Radley 42.8PPG to 51.8PPG; and Mo Fotuaika 35.8PPG to 47.7PPG showed steady improvement with more minutes.

The 2017 class of cheapies topped by Angus Crichton with 68.6PPG showed a similar dip in second-season scores from attacking players. Matt Dufty dropped from 61.4PPG to 49.3PPG; Tyrone May from 59.3PPG to 37PPG; Corey Harawira-Naera 58.5PPG to 42.9PPG; Dylan Edwards from 57.6PPG to 50.6PPG; and Rookie of the Year winner Nick Cotric took a slight dip from 49.5PPG to 48.2PPG.

Jamayne Isaako suffered second-year blues in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

A couple 2017 cheapies bucked that trend in Kalyn Ponga up 52.6PPG to 65.7PPG and Esan Marsters up 53.3PPG to 60.8PPG.

The third season efforts for the cheapie class of 2017 show Crichton dipped to 57PPG after joining the Roosters; Lachlan Fitzgibbon dropped from 61.6PPG to 47.7PPG; while all the attacking players with the exception of Ponga and Harawira-Naera dipped further again.

If you’re thinking the likes of Brimson and Isaako just have to bounce back after a bad second season it’s far from a guarantee.

Another trend worth noting from this batch is the rise of Cameron Murray. Most forwards take a couple seasons to adjust to playing big minutes (Haas the obvious exception). He had 44.4PPG on debut, a steady rise to 49 PPG then 69.4PPG last season. Fifita, Fotuaika, Luciano Leilua and Victor Radley are all on a similar trajectory heading to their third season.

Top Cheapies (starting value under $250k) who cracked 50PPG

2019

Payne Haas 78.3PPG

Paul Momirovski 60.5PPG

Briton Nikora 60PPG

Maika Sivo 59PPG

Brian To’o 57PPG

Jayden Okunbor 56.6PPG

Cade Cust 56.6PPG

Bronson Xerri 56.3PPG

Ryan Papenhuyzen 54.7PPG

Reuben Garrick 52.5PPG

Lachlan Burr 50.6PPG

Ronaldo Mulitalo 50.3PPG

Liam Martin 50.3PPG

2018

Manase Fainu 62.2PPG

Villiame Kikau 61PPG

Jamayne Isaako 55.7PPG

Matt Lodge 52.9PPG

Remis Smith 52.1PPG

2017

Angus Crichton 68.6PPG

Matt Dufty 61.4PPG

Tyrone May 59.3PPG

Corey Harawira-Naera 58.5PPG

Liam Fitzgibbon 57.6PPG

Dylan Edwards 57.6PPG

Matt Eisenhuth 56.6PPG

Esan Marsters 53.3PPG

Kalyn Ponga 52.6PPG

TauTau Moga 52PPG