KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 14 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind analyses every NRL Round 14 match to see which big names backed up best, as a new young gun emerged ready for the next testing bye round.

KFC SuperCoaches had the ultimate test of squad depth in Round 14. With stacks of Origin players rested it was a mad scramble to throw whatever you had in the mix. Some coaches found the right ingredients in a bare cupboard. Bailey Simonsson has frustrated with low scores all season but got a shot at fullback this round against the Broncos... well we all know what fullbacks do against the Broncos, score 100-plus. (Before you check, Latrell Mitchell is next in line for a century)

Congratulations if you got Simonsson’s score, others had to give Ben Trbojevic a run and plenty of teams only had 15 or 16 players. Depth and trades will be vital in the second half of the season. It’s hard to know who will back-up from State of Origin or how they’ll play if they do. Manly rested Origin Man of the Match Tom Trbojevic after he pummelled Queensland to a record 50-6 loss. His teammate Daly Cherry-Evans didn’t take the loss too well and came out with a point to prove making more hit-ups in a game than he ever has on his way to 148 points. DCE ran away his Origin misery and showed how to backup while fellow Queenslanders Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster and David Fifita put up some of their worst scores of the year.

With our eyes towards the next bye round the Sharks, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Raiders, Cowboys and Bulldogs players should be front of mind. So play close attention to the pick of their players below though two cheapies Greg Marzhew and Matt Timoko have put up incredible numbers in the CTW position and are demanding your attention first.

ROUND 15 LATEST: EARLY MAIL

Let’s take a look at the highs and lows from each game and the players to add to your watchlist.

SEA EAGLES 50-18 COWBOYS

Highs: Daly Cherry-Evans, 148, produced a massive response after captaining Queensland to a record loss in Origin 1 with 14 hit-ups, his most in a game ever, well at least back to 2013 where our SuperCoach Plus database starts missing some of the finer details. From those runs he had 10 tackle busts and six offloads (three ineffective). He had four try assists, a try contribution, four linebreak assists and two interceptions. Reuben Garrick, 106, has the second most points of any CTW and has a very nice run of fixtures ahead. He showed he can put up a big score even with Tom Trbojevic missing. He filled in at fullback and had a try, linebreak, six tackle busts and 7/9 goals. Brad Parker, 103, scored a double and now has five tries in three weeks. Haumole Olakau’atu, 88, grabbed two tries from kicks.

Lows: Jason Taumalolo, 42, after four seasons as the pick of the backrowers in SuperCoach doesn’t look like he’ll be an option this season. Valentine Holmes, 42, had his worst score since Round 1. Tom Dearden, 17, had six missed tackles and a couple errors on debut. Jason Saab, 26, didn’t get many opportunities with Cherry-Evans determined to turn back inside and run at every opportunity.

Watchlist: Martin Taupau, 69, continues to put up some of the best scores in FRF with 61 in base stats and a stack of tackle busts. Lachlan Croker, 76, produced his top score of the season with a try, linebreak and try assist. He has a five round average of 60PPG and is one of the few 80-minute hookers playing the next bye round. Karl Lawton, 76, had 49 in base points along with a try and linebreak, his third attacking returns in as many games but Manly forwards Curtis Sironen, Sean Keppie and Josh Schuster are listed for returns in the next couple weeks. Hamiso Tabui-Fidow, 70, had three linebreaks and scored a try for the fifth game in a row. Scott Drinkwater, 77, is in fine attacking form with just one score under 60 in his past 6 games, somehow missing out against the Broncos.

SHARKS 19-18 PANTHERS

Highs: Matt Burton, 108, almost single-handedly dragged the Panthers to victory with two tries, a try assist, six forced dropouts and two linebreaks. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 84, had a try, try assist, two linebreaks and five tackle busts in a nice follow up to his two-try 97 score last week. Shaun Johnson, 79, came up with matchwinning field goal, a try, four forced dropouts, four linebreak assists and 3/5 with the boot. He’s got the Cowboys and Broncos up next so now is the time to buy. Api Koroisau, 73, had 60 in base stats and a linebreak his second consecutive 70 plus score in 80 minutes. He could be worth a look in a tough position to fill. Toby Rudolf, 71, four tackle busts and a stack of base stats in just 51 minutes. Under $400k and a dual position 2RF/FRF might give you a budget version of Luke Thompson if you want a bye number.

Lows: Wade Graham, 18, off injured and now taking a break for a month after a number of head knocks this season. Charlie Staines, 20, his sixth score of 20 or under for the season it’s time to move him on. William Kennedy, 24, will be happy he doesn’t face the Panthers again this year though he did better his score of 4 from earlier in the season against them. He’s averaged 70PPG in games against all other teams.

Watchlist: Jesse Ramien, 49, is ripe to pick up this week with an average of 72PPG in his 80-minute games this season. Briton Nikora, 61, is another Shark with upside for the upcoming fixtures. He scored a massive 132 against the Cowboys last year his next opponent. Siosifa Talakai, 34, has only played small stints off the bench this season in three games, but should be on your radar if he gets Graham’s 80-minute edge role. Below $400k, CTW/2RF dual position, plays the next bye and averaged 70PPG in big minutes over the second half of last season.

TITANS 34-35 ROOSTERS

Highs: Jamal Fogarty, 150, had his best ever KFC SuperCoach score with two tries, two try assists, 5/6 goals, six tackle busts, three linebreaks and two linebreak assists. Matt Ikuvalu, 107, scored a double to make it eight tries in eight games for him this season. He’s the least popular of the Roosters CTW players but his 62PPG suggests he should be in a few more teams for the next bye round. He had nine tackle busts and 40 in base stats. Joey Manu, 97, filled in at fullback with James Tedesco rested and had a try, linebreak, try assist and 41 in base stats. Don’t rush to grab him for the bye though. He’ll be back to the centres the next two weeks in tough games against the Panthers and Storm. Jarrod Wallace, 91, had a stack of attacking stats with a try assist, five tackle busts, four offloads and four linebreak assists. Angus Crichton, 87, pressed his claims for a NSW Origin recall with some strong running including eight tackle busts, a try and linebreak. But his defensive game was a worry with nine missed tackles and three penalties conceded.

Lows: David Fifita, 47, played just 35 minutes and went off for a HIA. His price should plummet from $800k with this score in his rolling average ready to grab post Origin. Ben Marschke, -1, was sin-binned for a high shot and will be suspended for two weeks.

Watchlist: Greg Marzhew, 64, was again outstanding in his second game with 35 points from hit-ups, eight tackle busts and a linebreak. His form demands he hold his spot but Anthony Don and Corey Thompson are both scheduled to return in Round 15. Sitili Tupouniua, 36, is another to keep on the radar for Round 17 with Boyd Cordner’s retirement confirmed. He’s averaged just below 70PPG in 80 minute games. Sam Walker, 69, was once owned by 65% of teams now it’s 30%. Walker had a try, two try assists and the matchwinning field goal which will tempt some coaches to bring him back in for the Round 17 fixture against the Bulldogs. Daniel Tupou, 62, scored his seventh try in seven games and should be in more than 4% of teams. He’s next in line for a Blues wing spot which makes a trade before Round 17 risky.

RABBITOHS 24-10 KNIGHTS

Highs: The two most traded in players of the week both delivered for new owners. Alex Johnston, 124, had three tries, four linebreaks and seven tackle busts. Cody Walker, 76, had two try assists and six linebreak assists.

Lows: Bradman Best, 30, went off injured just after halftime and faces a long spell on the sideline. A nightmare for owners after he scored just 16 points the week before. Connor Watson, 34, played the full 80 minutes for just the third time this season and delivered his worst score. It looks like time to sell.

Watchlist: Braidon Burns, 60, had 42 in base stats and a try assist in just his third game of the season. As always with Burns injuries are a worry but if gets an extended run he’s a value pick up. Knights cheapie winger Dominic Young, 52, scored a try in his second game.

RAIDERS 38-16 BRONCOS

Highs: Bailey Simonsson, 116, scored just two tries in the opening 11 rounds on the wing frustrating his owners. He started in 51% of teams and the 30% who held him and are now reaping the rewards of a switch to fullback. Simonsson had two try assists, seven tackle busts, a linebreak, six linebreak assists and 36 points from hit-ups. Josh Papalii, 97, had 54 in base stats, a try, linebreak, three offloads and two tackle busts. Jack Wighton, 83, had a try, try assist and two try contributions.

Lows: Kobe Hetherington, -5, was sent off for a high shot. Tom Starling, 9, looks like he’s out of favour after earlier in the season keeping Josh Hodgson out of the team. TC Robati, 18, couldn’t repeat the two-try effort of the week before and will struggle to score with limited minutes off the bench.

Watchlist: Matt Timoko, 83, had an incredible debut with 46 in base stats, six tackle busts, a try assist and a linebreak. If he continues that form he’s a must buy playing Round 17 and potential keeper for the run home. He’s got the spot while Curtis Scott is stood down and Jarrod Croker still hasn’t played since Round 7. Selwyn Cobbo, 66, scored a try in his second game and also had four tackle busts and two offloads.

WARRIORS 16-42 STORM

Highs: Ken Maumalo, 105, scored a hat-trick in his final game for the Warriors before moving to the Tigers. Nicho Hynes, 87, had two try assists, a try contribution, 7/8 with the boot and four tackle busts. After ticking over $900k last week his price drops for the first time since Round 6 when he was just $271k. When Ryan Papenhuyzen returns Hynes will be a must-sell. Start thinking about where you want spend the money to strengthen your squad. Harry Grant, 83, has the best average in hookers and should be in your final 17. He’s only played more than 60 minutes once so once he gets on the field more consistently you’d think the scores will go up too. Brandon Smith, 80, is sharing the hooking duties with Grant at the moment and scored his sixth try in six games to keep up his incredible run of scoring.

Lows: Jesse Bromwich, 7, was injured early in the game. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7, went off injured. Cameron Munster, 30, produced his worst score of the season, his first under 50 points.

Watchlist: Addin Fonua-Blake, 32, played 50 minutes in his return from injury and will be priced close to $400k in time for the Round 17 bye. Kodi Nikorima, 73, continues to impress and is the pick of the halves playing Round 17. Pairing him with another dual position half like Shaun Johnson would provide great coverage across halfback and five-eighth.

EELS 40-12 TIGERS

Highs: Mitchell Moses, 112, produced his best score of the season with a try, two try assists, 8/8 goals, five tackle busts and two linebreaks. Could have been even more for Moses if not for dropping one over the line. Clint Gutherson, 95, continued his hot form with two tries, three linebreaks and five tackle busts even with being rested for the last 10 minutes. Isaiah Papali’i, 85, bounced back after his lowest score of the year last week with a massive 11 tackle busts. He could have scored his fourth century for the season if not for being sin binned for kneeing Luciano Leilua.

Lows: Adam Doueihi, 9, failed a HIA after being hit high by Maika Sivo in the 54th minute. Sivo, 44, was sin binned for that hit and faces a suspension. Dane Laurie, 21, had his worst score of the season and is ready to sell. David Nofoaluma, 26, played just 58 minutes. Ryan Matterson, 39, played just 53 minutes.

Watchlist: Joey Lussick, 81, scored a try filling in for the injured Reed Mahoney.

BULLDOGS 28-6 DRAGONS

Highs: Jake Averillo, 101, scored his first KFC SuperCoach century with two tries, 6/7 with the boot, five tackle busts and two linebreaks Adam Elliott, 90, started the season strongly but has been in a slump of late. He was back to his best with 50 in base stats, five tackle busts, two offloads a try and a linebreak. Jeremy Marshall-King, 75, had 45 in base stats and scored the easiest of tries under the posts after Matt Dufty fell for the dummy.

Lows: A number of the Dragons attacking weapons had their worst games of the season with Ben Hunt, 14, Matt Dufty, 21, Mikaele Ravalawa, 23, halting any price rises from big scores against the Broncos last week.

Watchlist: Luke Thompson, 59, just keeps pumping out solid scores in base stats. The dual position 2RF/FRF is the Bulldogs most owned player and should pick up a few more owners before Round 17. Jack Bird, 56, played his second game in the back row and was all base stats. Aaron Schoupp, 30, cheapie CTW played his third game but with Corey Allan and Jayden Okunbor on the way back he might not play the bye or make much money.