NRL live round 8: Sharks v Raiders, Nicho Hynes tons up, David Armstrong must-have cheapie
It was back to back tons for Nicho Hynes as the most popular captain of the round, but a host of Canberra Raiders cheapies loom as sells.
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Well, that was a bloodbath.
The Sharks dominated 40-nil and therefore produced the top 10, yes TEN, SuperCoach players for the game.
Meanwhile, only two Raiders cracked the half ton in Matt Timoko (57) and Joe Tapine (51).
Winners:
* Nicho Hynes (157): Well-and-truly back in form. Second ton in a row - a 157 point whopper - and this time as most popular captain at 21 per cent.
* David Armstrong (68) - We have our new must-have cheapie. Named in place of Kalyn Ponga at fullback and on debut, David Armstrong (68) looked dangerous with every touch and will be the most popular player in SuperCoach in the coming rounds. Plenty will get on this coming week but it’s wise to wait another round and get him for the same price.
* Jesse Ramien (111): A late flurry with a try, try assist and eight tackle busts.
* Sione Katoa (103): Two tries, two linebreaks and nine tackle busts. The Sharks went right all day and Katoa and Ramien were the beneficiaries.
* Kayal Iro (64): Missed the big attacking stats but you’ll take this base-laden score from a cheapie any day. Will boost his price rises to the $160K mark when lockout opens on Monday.
* Dane Gagai (88): Always on the verge of SuperCoach gun status but this could be the year he truly gets there. Gagai now has the goalkicking duties in place of Ponga. And while he’s hardly a sharpshooter, it could be enough to push him into elite territory. Assuming he again misses Origin, Gagai will be an important bye round purchase given he covers round 13.
* Jamyane Isaako (109): Big attacking stats in junk time to notch the ton.
* Trai Fuller (99): Where has this guy been? Fuller is a mature-age rookie at 27 but has taken the NRL by storm in his two games so far. Unfortunately he’s only available at fullback for SuperCoach and that’s a position for guns-only. Reluctant pass.
* Morgan Smithies (45): A shining light in a well-beaten side. The popular early-season mid-ranger tackled himself to a standstill.
* Euan Aitken (80): A backrower available at CTW averaging close to 60. A serious option for the round 13 bye, if not for the full season.
* Max Plath (73): One of the most popular players of the round and well done to those who got on. Played big minutes in this base stat monster.
Losers:
* Ronaldo Mulitalo (48): Extremely popular SuperCoach buy after averaging 90 for the year. But he just couldn’t jag an attacking stat despite Cronulla’s dominance, with the Sharks favouring the right and not the left of Mulitalo and Iro. Still, 48 points is nothing to be sneezed at.
* Jack Bostock (25): Back to earth after his big ton but still made plenty of cash. He’s ripe for sale to Armstrong in coming weeks.
* Greg Marzhew (28): Former SuperCoach gun has barely struck a blow since his return from injury and was limping around during this clash. Obviously missing Ponga, but could be very cheap for round 13.
Canberra cheapies to sell:
The rookie Raiders look directionless without Jamal Fogarty and it’s showing in the stats. SuperCoaches no doubt can’t wait to offload these players:
* Xavier Savage (37): With a BE of 76, expect a serious drop this week. David Armstrong is calling.
* Danny Levi (39): Bombed a try, looked gassed, and didn’t come back on the field. His time as an NRL stater could be over. Didn’t get close to his BE of 61 and will start leaking cash.
* James Schiller (34): Price will stay steady given the BE of 43 but he’s done his job for SuperCoaches by making $230K.
* Ethan Strange (22): Looked a borderline keeper at stages this year but it’s hard to see him producing now he needs to organise the side while Fogarty is out. Will leak cash for the first time after failing to hit his BE of 51, but a big thanks for the $270K.
* Simi Sasagi (35): Made some decent cash in this game given the BE of -40. But it likely won’t last long given the seven missed tackles, while Elliott Whitehead is due back next week.
57TH MIN: NICHO CRACKS TON WITH 23 MINS LEFT
It’s back to back tons for Nicho Hynes - and there’s still more than a quarter of the game to go.
Hynes has notched a second half try and try assist, on top of 20 points in goals, to hit 116.
He is the most popular captain of the round at 21 per cent.
The Sharks are up 30-nil so let’s hope for more junk points.
HALF-TIME: SHARKS 18 LEAD RAIDERS 0
The Sharks have been dominant and it’s reflected in the stats.
The top six SuperCoach scorers are all from Cronulla and the Raiders can barely get a look in, let alone complete a set.
Nicho Hynes appeared to pick up a shoulder injury late but recovered well and looks fine.
SuperCoach stud Danny Levi also bombed a try and was immediately taken from the field.
Nicho is chugging along well for captainers with 45 points.
But those forced to play their Canberra cheapies are looking the other direction with the likes of Ethan Strange (15), Simi Sasagi (19) and James Schiller (16) barely featuring.
SuperCoach top scorers:
- Sione Katoa (65)
- Tom Hazelton (62)
- Cameron McInnes (60)
- Oregon Kaufusi (51)
- Teig Wilton (47)
- Nicho Hynes (45)
18TH MIN: CULT HEROES ON FIRE EARLY
Cronulla’s cult heroes have struck an early double blow with Cameron McInnes and Tom Hazelton getting the Sharks to a 12-nil lead.
McInnes, sporting a huge cut over his eye, was the first the charge over before Hazelton stood up Joe Tapine with what is becoming trademark late footwork.
“He is one of the great improvers in this competition,” said Michael Ennis. “He was a 20 minute bench forward but is now a genuine starter.”
BIG TOM HAZELTON. 💪
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 28, 2024
The Sharks burst right through the Raiders' defence for their second.
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FULL-TIME: KNIGHTS 18 BEAT DOLPHINS 14
We have our new must-have cheapie.
Named in place of Kalyn Ponga at fullback and on debut, David Armstrong (68) looked dangerous with every touch and will be the most popular player in SuperCoach in the coming rounds.
Plenty will get on this coming week but it’s wise to wait another round and get him for the same price.
70TH MIN: BIG INJURY TOLL
Jesse Bromwich - Calf, won’t return
Kenny Bromwich - Concussion, won’t return
Jacob Saifiti - Achilles, update pending, likely won’t return
Jed Cartwright - Ankle, won’t return
48TH MINUTE: Tyson Gamble is in for the Knights, who have now taken a commanding 16-6 lead.
Ever the support player, Gamble backed up a Phoenix Crossland break to score next to the posts.
FINAL TEAMS: SHARKS AXE VETERAN FORWARD
Just the one change for our later game with the Sharks calling young prop Tuku Hau Tapuha onto the bench for Toby Rudolf.
Rudolf was dropped to reserve grade, playing for the Newtown Jets this afternoon.
The Raiders are 1-17.
Raiders: 1. Chevy Stewart 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Simi Sasagi 13. Morgan Smithies
Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Pasami Saulo
Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate
Players cut: 19. Emre Guler 20. Zac Woolford 21. Nick Cotric 22. Peter Hola
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes
Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Reserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti
Players cut: 16. Toby Rudolf 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Royce Hunt 22. Kade Dykes
HALF-TIME: KNIGHTS 10 LEAD DOLPHINS 6
Trai Fuller is set to be the SuperCoach cheapie that got away.
The mature-age Dolphins rookie, 27, is on fire with 61 points so far without notching a big attacking stat.
He’s been the most dangerous player on the field with 13 runs, two linebreaks and seven tackle breaks
Unfortunately, he’s only available at fullback for SuperCoach so he’s set to go under-appreciated in fantasy land.
Half-time top performers:
- Trai Fuller 61
- Dane Gagai 57
- Jake Averillo 53
- Jeremy Marshall-King 45
- Tyson Gamble 44
33RD MIN: KNIGHTS UTILITY INJURED
Jed Cartwright is off with an ankle injury.
He’s yet to be ruled out but it doesn’t look good at this stage.
25TH MIN: ANOTHER GREAT MOMENT FOR YOUNG GUNS
Just moments after David Armstrong scored on debut for the Knights, Oryn Keeley has scored his first try in the NRL in just his second NRL game.
And boy did the Dolphins celebrate.
It’s 10-6 to the Knights.
Oryn Keeley gets his first NRL try and boy was it a BEAUTY! ðŸ‘
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 28, 2024
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23RD MIN: BIG INJURY BLOW FOR DOLPHINS
Kenny Bromwich is off with concussion and on first impressions he is very unlikely to return.
Looks like the Dolphins are down to 16 men.
17TH MIN: GAGAI CROSSES AND KICKING GOALS
It was a big week for Dane Gagai. Would he play after a calf injury? Would he switch to fullback for Kalyn Ponga?
Well he reacted to all the chat emphatically by barging over to take the Knights to a 10-nil lead.
Gagai is also kicking goals which will no doubt pique the interest of SuperCoaches.
8TH MIN: ARMSTRONG’S DREAM START TO NRL CAREER
Kalyn who? Kalyn Ponga’s replacement David Armstrong has started his NRL career on fire by scoring the opening try against the Dolphins.
David Armstrong took an inside ball from Jackson Hastings and scored untouched.
Armstrong is a try scoring machine in lower grades and a definite cheapie option for SuperCoach given he is bottom dollar and available at both FLB and CTW.
"It's a dream!" ✨
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 28, 2024
The seas part for young fullback David Armstrong's debut try! ðŸ˜
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LATE MAIL: GAGAI CLEARED FOR KNIGHTS
The Knights are 1-17 with David Armstrong to debut at fullback and centre Dane Gagai (calf) cleared.
The Dolphins are also unchanged with Kurt Donoghoe confirmed to return.
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath
Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Ray Stone 17. Oryn Keeley
Reserves: 18. Mason Teague
Players cut: 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. Connelly Lemuelu
Knights: 1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott
Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Brodie Jones
Reserves: 19. Thomas Cant
Players cut: 22. Krystian Mapapalangi 18. Mathew Croker 20. Jack Cogger 21. Will Pryce
EARLIER ....
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Sunday’s clashes – Dolphins v Knights and Raiders v Sharks.
The big SuperCoach watch is on David Armstrong, who has been named to replace Kalyn Ponga at fullback for the Knights.
Ponga is out for three months due to a foot injury so the job security is solid for Armstrong for now, although the Knights have a number of options breathing down his neck including Dane Gagai, Will Pryce and young gun Fletcher Sharpe.
But Armstrong is at bottom dollar and dual position, so jot him down as cheapie of the round in two weeks and see how it unfolds.
On top of Armstrong, a number of current and potential money-makers are taking the field so keep an eye on:
* Simi Sasagi CTW $219,900 - Great for the Raiders last week in scoring 77, starting in the back row and then switching to the halves when Fogarty went down. He now sits with a BE of -40 and is the most popular cheapie this week. But with Kaeo Weekes preferred in the halves and Elliot Whitehead due back next week from a calf injury in the back row, Sasagi could be a trap.
* Chevy Stewart FLB/CTW $204,300 - He copped a “welcome to first grade” hammering against the Broncos, but Stewart is still the cheapie of the week for mine in a rather rough field.
The Canberra young gun showed great ticker to bounce back in a tough Suncorp initiation. We won’t see big price rises (BE 17), but the work rate is solid with an average of 15.5 runs over his first two games and the job security is decent with Jordan Rapana not due back until round 11.
* Kaeo Weekes FLB/5-8 $273,400 - Star pre-season cheapie finally gets a chance in the Canberra halves following the injury to Fogarty. Take a look and keep him up your sleeve.
* Max Plath 2RF/5-8 $382,000 - Plath scored a whopping 94 points last week with two tries, two try contributions and 46 points in base. Named to start at lock and predicted to add over $110K across the next two weeks, Plath has plenty of appeal.
* Trai Fuller FLB $204,300 - Scored 87 on debut and is set for huge price rises, but the fullback-only positioning is a blow.
* Kayal Iro FLB/CTW $327,300 - If you somehow missed this all-time cheapie last week, you simply have to get on.
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