KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 6 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind breaks down every KFC SuperCoach NRL Round 6 game with a group of super PODs banging down the door for a spot in your team.

Gambling in the game of fullback roulette might just be the best way to climb the KFC SuperCoach rankings this season. The rule was always bet on Teddy but he’s not even in the top 10 options for three-round averages in the position so the trade trigger finger is getting mighty itchy. Tedesco had just 9 runs in this anomaly of a game for him. You have to go all the way back to 2017 to find another game like it from him so expect a bounce-back. Ryan Papenhuyzen outgunned him in their showdown and only played 65 minutes, while super PODs Kalyn Ponga (1%), Tom Trbojevic (1%), Clint Gutherson (4%) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (5%) all posted hundreds and are banging down the door for a spot in teams brave enough to break from the fullback template of Teddy and Papi. Latrell Mitchell’s likely suspension means his owners are in a position to take their pick of the bunch.

ROUND 6 LATEST: CASUALTY WARD | EARLY MAIL ON TEAMS

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

BRONCOS 12-20 PANTHERS

Highs: Nathan Cleary, 125, so often labelled the master of KFC SuperCoach junk points loaded up in the last 10 minutes again with more than 40 points from a 40m field goal, try, linebreak, conversion and more. Luke Capewell, 82, bounced back after a couple underwhelming weeks with 51 in base points a try and linebreak. Jarome Luai, 81, had two try assists and extended his lead as topscoring five-eighth.

Lows: Jordan Riki, 19, played just 20 minutes. Sell this week if you’re one of the 38% of teams still holding him. Charlie Staines, 15, produced another low score against weaker opposition. He had 18 against the Cowboys and 10 on the Bulldogs.

Watchlist: Ethan Bullemor, 64, had as many points in this game as his previous three this season. Scored a great try but he’ll need more minutes to be an option. Tevita Pangai, 61, played 80 minutes on the right edge, but the score is a little underwhelming with a try included. Matt Lodge, 62, producing the sort of scores that made him a popular pick to start the season. He’s half the price of front row partner Payne Haas who scored 64.

KNIGHTS 26-22 SHARKS

Highs: Kalyn Ponga, 161, two tries, two try assists, 3/5 goals, nine tackle busts, three offloads, two linebreaks, four linebreak assists, in the second highest KFC SuperCoach score of his career while suffering from a virus. Connor Tracey, 114, was switched to the wing this week and had a try and four linebreaks. The Shark utility hasn’t nailed down a role yet but has put up a couple big scores for the 3% of teams with him. Tyson Frizell 113, had a massive 73 points in base stats, six tackle busts and a try assist. Mitch Barnett, 106, had 60 in base points and combined nicely with Ponga, setting each other up for tries on the left edge. Briton Nikora, 100, had a try, linebreak, and five tackle busts.

Lows: Hymel Hunt, 2, went off injured after 6 minutes. Matt Moylan, 25, is still in 19% of teams and while he looks to have peaked in price, it’s probably worth holding for the Bulldogs up next.

Watchlist: Brayden Musgrove, 32, a solid debut from the cheapie. Brodie Jones, 78, filled in at centre with Hunt off and had a cracking game that showed he’s worthy of more minutes. Connor Watson, 62, and Jayden Brailey, 57, have both levelled out in price for now and could be a stepping stone to Harry Grant or cut loose for Tigers cheapie Jake Simpkin.

STORM 20-4 ROOSTERS

Highs: Jahrome Hughes, 102, scored a try against the Roosters again, making it four in three games. He also had two linebreaks, three offloads and five tackle busts. Harry Grant, 98, tore through the injury ravaged opposition in his 46 minutes with a try, try assist, linebreak, four linebreak assists, two offloads and three tackle busts. Brandon Smith showed how blessed the Storm are in the hooker position with 86 points in 47 minutes. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 80, at one stage looked gone for the game. He passed a HIA and came up with a try and two linebreaks in 65 minutes.

Lows: James Tedesco, 40, had his lowest score in over a year with a last ditch kick boosting his score with a try assist. Injuries to two of the Roosters props, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 23 points in 28 minutes and Jared Warea Hargreaves, 10 points in 11 minutes. Victor Radley, 31, was sin binned for a high shot on Cameron Munster and missed 10 tackles. Sam Walker, 21, was kept quiet by the Storm.

Watchlist: Lindsay Collins, 58, played 44 minutes but will go up to 60 minutes with the Roosters pack hit by injury and suspension. A good option for those in need of a new FRF option.

SEA EAGLES 36-0 TITANS

Highs: Tom Trbojevic, 116, had a stunning return to the NRL with a try, two try assists, two linebreaks, four linebreak assists and six tackle busts. Most of that happened in the first half and coach Des Hasler gave Turbo an early rest, too. Reuben Garrick 113, was the beneficiary of the work of the exciting combination inside from Turbo and Josh Schuster, 93. Garrick had two tries, three linebreaks, five tackle busts and kicked 6/7 goals. Schuster showed his ball playing skills with two try assists and four linebreak assists. David Fifita, 78, had 44 in base stats, seven tackle busts, a stack of offloads and a linebreak to piece together a very impressive score in a well-beaten team.

Lows: Daly Cherry-Evans, 24, sat back and watched Turbo take care of things.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 41, had just 26 last week and is facing a suspension for a shoulder charge. He should be one of the most traded out players this week. Alex Brimson, 18, and Jamal Fogarty, 27, continued their run of underwhelming scores.

Watchlist: Jason Saab, 44, had two tries and might finally get some price rises. Jake Trbojevic, 59, has been all base stats bar two tackle busts in the opening five rounds. With his brother’s return he added a try contribution and two linebreak assists.

RABBITOHS 18-14 TIGERS

Highs: Cameron Murray, 105, finally found some attacking form after just one score over 60 in the first five rounds. He had a try, linebreak, two offloads and 63 in base stats. Thomas Burgess, 90, came up with the matchwinning play with a try and linebreak on top of 58 in base stats. David Nofoaluma 71, was switched to the left side of the field but it did nothing to limit his usual flurry of attacking stats. Nofo is close to levelling out in price and comes at a $120k discount on his starting price.

Lows: James Roberts, 16, has not a had a single linebreak or try in his five games. a big disappointment for the 23% of teams with him. Jai Arrow, 29, has seen his scores and minutes drop off the past two weeks after posting some big numbers coming off the bench in the opening rounds. Latrell Mitchell, 64, had some nice touches but faces a few weeks out after a high shot on Daine Laurie. Tommy Talau, 11, was sent to the sin bin late in the game.

Watchlist: Jake Simpkin, 56, played every minute on debut, topped the tackle count and finished on the same points as Damien Cook. Looks like one of the year’s best cheapies. Safest to take another look but if you need the cash to fix something there’s not much worry about bringing him.

RAIDERS 10-35 EELS

Highs: Isaiah Papali’i, 129, had two tries, two linebreaks, five tackle busts and 63 in base stats. Has the Broncos and Bulldogs up next, which suggest more attacking points, but when will Ryan Matterson return? Clint Gutherson, 103, had a try, two try assists and six linebreak assists. Mitchell owners should strongly consider trading to Gutho. Reed Mahoney, 101, has extended his lead as the top hooker with a try, try assist and linebreak on top of 59 in base stats. Mitchell Moses, 87, had two try assists, 5/6 goals and a linebreak. Jordan Rapana, 75, had a try, two linebreaks and five tackle busts.

Lows: Bailey Simonsson, 11, failed a HIA after 50 minutes. Bryce Cartwright, 5, only had five minutes on the field. Jarrod Croker, 22, was not getting a lot done with just eight runs and seven tackles. Junior Paulo, 39, was all base as he scored under 40 for the second week in a row.

Watchlist: Caleb Aekins, 37, produced a decent first game for the Raiders and could be an interesting option for some with the Cowboys up next.

DRAGONS 14-20 WARRIORS

Highs: Kodi Nikorima, 104, is the second best scoring halfback in KFC SuperCoach this season. He had two try assists, 4/4 goals, a linebreak and four linebreak assists. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 100, had a try, two linebreaks and six tackle busts in his 100th game for the Warriors. Tohu Harris, 96, had a try, linebreak, six tackle bust and 58 in base stats. Even going off for a HIA didn’t impact him pumping out a big score. Matt Dufty, 78, had a try and two try assists, coming off the back of a century last week. Another potential POD trade target for Mitchell owners.

Lows: Peta Hiku, 6, off injured after five minutes.

Watchlist: Josh Curran, 77, looks like an incredible SuperCoach player scoring at almost a point a minute. There are a stack of options in the Warriors forward pack though so it’s worth waiting a week to see how things shake out for Curran Paul Turner, 50, scored a try coming off the bench to replace Hiku. Could be a CTW cheapie option if he gets a good run in the team. Ken Maumalo, 59, had a massive 45 points from hit-ups and six tackle busts. Similar numbers to the much more expensive and popular Brian To’o. Zac Lomax, 62, had 46 in base points and a linebreak. His price continues to drop and he’s almost ripe to trade in with a very nice draw in the next two months.

COWBOYS 30-18 BULLDOGS

Highs: Valentine Holmes, 95, had a try assist, 5/5 goals, seven tackle busts and a line break. He’s scored 70, 70, 50 and now 95 since moving to his preferred position of fullback, producing the scores that made him such a tempting CTW option in pre-season. Renouf Atoni, 90, had a try, linebreak, three tackle bust and two offloads on top of 51 in base stats in 47 minutes as a starting FRF. Mitchell Dunn, 82, came off the bench and had a try and linebreak on top of 45 in base stats. Ben Condon, 71, played 70 minutes for 44 in base points, a try and linebreak in a huge win for the 20% of teams who brought him in. Luke Thompson, 65, was all base stats aside from four tackle busts. The dual position 2RF/FRF the Englishman should see some nice price rises in the coming weeks.

Lows: Jack Hetherington, 31, sent off for a high shot on Holmes. Nick Cotric, 23, still hasn’t scored a try.

Watchlist: Shane Wright, 63, was all base stats and played the full 80 minutes. Tui Katoa, 60, is a cheapie few have considered. He’s in 1% of teams and has secured a nice price rise with a try and two linebreaks but it’s hard to get excited about the attacking prospects of any player in the Bulldogs team.