KFC SuperCoach teams analysis: Winners and losers from Round 4

A Penrith youngster is an obvious cheapie, but it’s time to part ways with a host of underperformers. Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland have the lowdown.

KFC SuperCoach experts Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland run their eyes over team announcements for Round 4.

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WINNERS

• Taylan May – Coming off a massive season debut with three tries for 106 points. He’s now the most purchased player this week and rightly so with a break even of -55 and five more weeks in the top grade until Brian To’o returns from injury.

Taylan May (No. 5) is a popular purchase this week.

• Harry Grant - Returns from a Covid break and therefore the sixth most purchased player this week. Many people rate him the number one man at number nine, for both KFC SuperCoach and actual NRL.

• Nicho Hynes - Second most purchased player and rightly so after scoring the most points of any player this season. Captaincy option every week and that’s why so many are jumping on.

• Cameron Munster - Third most purchased player. Averaging a massive 97.5 in his two games and set for a career year after a serious rev up over the off-season. Get on now before a predicted rise of almost $60,000.

• Kelma Tuilagi - Top cheapie named to return from concussion. KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts a $25,000 rise after this week.

LOSERS

• Ethan Bullemor - Named on the bench again and a real chance to slip all the way to the reserves should Josh Aloiai be promoted from the reserves. In a way the best thing for SuperCoaches would be Bullemor being demoted as he cannot lose cash if he does not play.

• Stefano Utoikamanu - The young prop is out (high ankle) for as many as 10 weeks creating opportunity for Zane Musgrove. Don’t be fooled by Musgrove though, even when given starter minutes in 2017 he failed to score well.

• Talatau Amone - Named to start at five-eighth, Amone is not a ‘loser’ in that sense. Rather the worry is that with a bench composed of four middle forwards, when stand-in hooker Moses Mbye needs a rest, Amone is the man most likely to fill his boots and the youngster scored exactly zero points when doing so last week. Third most sold player.

• Kotoni Staggs - When running with the ball Staggs is his destructive self with three linebreaks and seven tackle busts from three games so far. The problem is Staggs is seeing so little of the ball with the Broncos making just 15 runs in three games. What a waste.

• Joseph Suaalii - Still yet to be sighted, Suaalii is not even in the reserves for the trip to Queensland.

• Jirah Momoisea - The struggling cheapie (season average 10.7) is set to struggle again for game time. There was hope he’d be named to start with Mitch Barnett (suspension) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (knee) out, but he remains on the bench.

ROUND 4 TEAMS

TITANS v TIGERS

Thursday, 8.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

TITANS

1. Jamayne Isaako, 2. Corey Thompson, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Will Smith, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Kevin Proctor

Reserves: 18. Jarrod Wallace, 19. Esan Marsters, 20. Sam McIntyre, 21. Paul Turner, 22. Sosefo Fifita 23. Tony Francis 24. Jacob Alick.

TEAM NEWS: Jamayne Isaako will make his debut for the Titans replacing the injured Jayden Campbell (ribs). Corey Thompson returns from injury (hand) replacing Phillip Sami (Covid).

TIGERS

1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Jock Madden, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Alex Twal, 16. Luke Garner, 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Thomas Mikaele, 19. Starford To’a, 20. Jake Simpkin, 21. Austin Dias, 22. Tukimihia Simpkins. 23. Junior Tupou 24. Rua Ngatikaura.

TEAM NEWS: Kelma Tuilagi, Ken Maumalo and James Roberts all return which sees Luke Garner and Alex Seyfarth go to the bench and Starford To’a pushed to the reserves. Stefano Utoikamanu suffered a high ankle injury and is expected to face a lengthy stint on the sidelines, his place is taken by Zane Musgrove.

SHARKS v KNIGHTS

Friday, 6pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Sydney

SHARKS

1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Braydon Trindall, 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti, 19. Jack Williams, 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Royce Hunt 22. Lachlan Miller, 23. Jenson Taumoepeau 24. Franklin Pele.

TEAM NEWS: Connor Tracey and Matt Ikuvalu are both out. Ronaldo Mulitalo returns taking Ikuvalu’s place on the wing and Siosifa Talakai shifts from 2RF to centre creating a gap for Teig Wilton’s return.

KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Jirah Momoisea, 16. Leo Thompson 17. Sauaso Sue

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi, 19. Tex Hoy, 20. Edrick Lee, 21. Matt Croker, 22. Pasami Saulo, 23. Dylan Lewis 24. Brayden Musgrove.

TEAM NEWS: Kalyn Ponga is back after again being a late scratching last week in a straight swap for Tex Hoy. Mitchell Barnett is facing a lengthy suspension after being sent off in the loss to Penrith and the Knights have named Brodie Jones to start at second row. Sauaso Sue (suspended) returns for his first game of the season joining the bench at the expense of Mat Croker.

Nathan Cleary is back for the Panthers. Picture: Jeremy Piper

PANTHERS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 8.05pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Taylan May, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Matthew Eisenhuth, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. Spencer Leniu, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Scott Sorensen, 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. J’maine Hopgood, 16. Lindsay Smith, 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Robert Jennings, 19. Liam Martin, 20. Soni Luke, 21. Eddie Blacker, 22. Christian Crichton, 23. Kurt Falls, 24. James Fisher-Harris.

TEAM NEWS: Nathan Cleary is back and named to start. James Fisher-Harris and Liam Martin and are a chance of a late call in to the 17. Scott Sorensen is named to start with Lindsay Smith joining the bench.

RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Taane Milne, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Mark Nicholls, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Jacob Host 15. Siliva Havili, 16. Thomas Burgess, 17. Liam Knight

Reserves: 18. Blake Taaffe, 19. Davvy Moale, 20. Josh Mansour, 21. Richard Kennar, 22. Dean Hawkins, 23. Isaiah Tass, 24. Peter Mamouzelos.

TEAM NEWS: No changes for the Rabbitohs.

WARRIORS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 3pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

WARRIORS

1. Reece Walsh, 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matt Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Josh Curran

Bench: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Aaron Pene, 17. Jack Murchie

Reserves: 18. Taniela Otukolo, 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 2 Pride Patterson-Robati 22. Valingi Kepu, 23. Junior Ratuva, 24. Shaun Johnson, 25. Edward Kosi.

TEAM NEWS: Bayley Sironen is out (Covid) which sees Jack Murchie come on to the interchange and Shaun Johnson is back! Well sort of, the veteran has been named in the reserves.

BRONCOS

1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Albert Kelly, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Ryan James, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Keenan Palasia, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Thomas Flegler, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. TC Robati, 17. Billy Walters

Reserves: 18. David Mead, 19. Rhys Kennedy, 20. Corey Jensen, 21. Jordan Pereira, 22. Corey Paix, 23. Brenko Lee, 24. Corey Jensen, 25. Kurt Capewell.

TEAM NEWS: The Broncos have pulled a swifty telling us that Jordan Riki would be ruled out only to name him but then dropping his second row partner Kurt Capewell (calf) to the reserves. Tom Flegler returns from suspension and will start from the bench. Ryan James named to start pushing TC Robati to the bench.

Ryan James will start at prop for the Broncos against the Warriors. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

SEA EAGLES v RAIDERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Sean Keppie, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Andrew Davey, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley, 19. Josh Aloiai, 20. Tolutau Koula, 21. Jorge Taufua, 22. Kurt De Luis, 23. Christian Tuipulotu, 24. Alec Tuitavake.

TEAM NEWS: An unchanged 17 for Manly. Josh Aloiai returns from suspension and is listed in the reserves.

RAIDERS

1. Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Elliott Whitehead

Bench: 14. Matt Frawley, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh

Reserves: 18. Xavier Savage, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. Adrian Trevilyan 21. James Schiller, 22. Sam Williams, 23. Trey Mooney, 24. Peter Hola.

TEAM NEWS: Nick Cotric (quad) returns just in time to replace Seb Kris who is out (Covid).

COWBOYS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

COWBOYS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Coen Hess, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Helium Luki, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 19. Scott Drinkwater, 20. Connelly Lemuelu, 21. Brendan Elliot, 22. Ben Condon, 23. Emry Pere, 24. Daejarn Asi.

TEAM NEWS: Coen Hess suffered a shoulder injury in the strong QLD Derby win over the Broncos but has been named in the team.

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Billy Smith, 6. Sam Walker, 7. Luke Keary, 8. Lindsay Collins, 9. Connor Watson, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Nat Butcher, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchison, 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Reserves: 18. Naufahu Whyte, 19. Renouf Atoni, 20. Lachlan Lam, 21. Freddy Lussick, 22. Kevin Naiqama, 23.Adam Keighran, 24. Tuku Hau Tapuha.

TEAM NEWS: Coach Trent Robinson (Covid) will miss the trip to Townsville, just one change to the team that lost last week with Fletcher Baker staying in Sydney and Daniel Suluka-Fifita coming on to the interchange bench.

Harry Grant slots back in at hooker for the Storm. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

STORM v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 4.05pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Dean Ieremia, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Alec MacDonald, 16. Trent Loiero, 17. Tepai Moeroa

Reserves: 18. Chris Lewis, 19. Nick Meaney, 20. Jayden Nikorima, 21. Will Warbrick, 22. Marion Seve, 23. Tyran Wishart, 24. Sualauvi Faalogo.

TEAM NEWS: Harry Grant (Covid) returns and is straight into the starting lineup. Brandon Smith is pushed to the bench with Josh King holding on to his job as starting lock. Xavier Coates (hamstring) returns with Nick Meaney going to the reserves.

BULLDOGS

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Braiden Burns, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Brandon Wakeham, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Tevita Pangai Jr, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 15. Chris Patolo, 16. Max King, 17. Ava Seumanufagai

Reserves: 19. Reece Hoffman, 20. Jake Averillo, 21. Joe Stimson, 22. Kyle Flanagan, 23. Jayden Okunbor, 24. Josh Cook, 25. Jackson Topine.

TEAM NEWS: Jack Hetherington (shoulder) is out, Corey Waddell starts on the edge, with Luke Thompson starting at prop. Ava Seumanufagai joins the bench.

EELS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 6.15pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

EELS

1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Waqa Blake, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Makahesi Makatoa, 15. Ryan Matterson, 16. Bryce Cartwright, 17. Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves: 18. Mitch Rein, 19. Wiremu Greig, 20. Hayze Perham, 21. Ky Rodwell, 22. Solomone Naiduki, 23. Samuel Loizou, 24. Elie El-Zakhem.

TEAM NEWS: Match-winner Ray Stone (ACL) is replaced on the bench by Ryan Matterson while the more versatile Bryce Cartwright comes in to the 17 in place of Wiremu Greig.

DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Moses Mbye, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Jack Bird, 12. Jack Gosiewski, 13. Tariq Sims

Bench: 14. Jack de Belin, 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Jackson Ford, 17. Aaron Woods

Reserves: 18. Tautau Moga, 19. Poasa Faamausili, 20. Daniel Alvaro 21. Andrew McCullough, 22. Jaiyden Hunt, 23. Jonathan Reuben, 24. George Burgess.

TEAM NEWS: Jaydn Su’A (suspended) is replaced in the starting lineup by Jack Gosiewski, Cody Ramsey (hamstring) by Mat Feagai.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach teams analysis: Winners and losers from Round 4