NRL teams Round 19: Sandon Smith left out as Sam Walker returns for Roosters

SuperCoaches are forced to move this week with Sandon Smith left out entirely by the Sydney Roosters due to the return of Sam Walker.

Teams are in for round 19 and here are the big SuperCoach talking points.

SUPERCOACH LOSERS FROM TEAMS

* Sandon Smith - Left out of the 17 by the Roosters due to the return of Sam Walker and therefore the most popular sell.

* Cameron Munster - Named on the reserves by the Storm and a player to monitor post-Origin following the passing of his father.

* Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Zac Hosking - The Raiders are on the bye so all four are among the most popular sells.

SUPERCOACH WINNERS FROM TEAMS

* Ryan Papenhuyzen - Named to return from a calf injury after a late withdrawal last week. That means popular buy Nick Meaney goes back to the centres and is therefore a bust.

* Connor Watson - Named to back up from Origin and the most popular player of the week as SuperCoaches look to replace Sandon Smith.

* Tanah Boyd - Wins the halfback spot of Luke Metcalf (ACL, season) at the Warriors and will therefore surge through the ownership rankings.

* Payne Haas - Carrying a back injury that requires painkilling injections but named to back up for the Broncos.

* Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - Named to back up for the Titans despite a sternum injury.

* Valentine Holmes, Nathan Cleary, Jacob Kiraz, Harry Grant - Among a host of popular SuperCoach Origin players named to back -up, either in their regular slots or on reserves.

Sandon Smith has been left out of the Roosters’ 17. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Rob’s Sutherland’s round 19 analysis

What a bittersweet round that was.

The post-TLT injuries to the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen (more on him below) and Euan Aitken saw me reverse course and buy Mark Nawaqanitawase (more on him below).

That was a win.

Putting the armband on James Tedesco was not a ‘win’ but was not a loss. Watching the Tigers beat my Roosters live was a loss. Thoroughly deserved win by the way - well played.

Watching Kaeo Weekes rip it up against the Dragons after I labelled him ‘rocks or diamonds’ was tough (yes I could argue that was the ‘diamonds’ but I’ll be honest I was not expecting his diamond to shine that bright!).

Enough of my laments, let’s get into the Buy/Hold/Sell analysis - with the disclaimer that Origin injuries could alter some takes below.

As always, please join me via the comments section below for the live Q&A/Trade Talk

NRL Teams: Round 19. Picture: Supplied

Connor Watson - Hooker is a really tough position this year. How tough? In 2025 just three HOK eligible players (Connor Watson (67PPG), Blayke Brailey (60PPG) and Cam McInnes (60PPG)) are averaging better than 60PPG. In 2024 six players finished with a 60PPG (or better) average. Watson is clearly leading the position in terms of average this year, starting at hooker and then often spending some time either at 13 or on an edge. With a base that sits just below 50 and excellent attack - he is top five for tries and try assists (sixth if you include HOK eligible halfback Sandon Smith) all despite playing significantly fewer games than his competitors - Watson is the hooker I want to finish the season. Having played just 35 minutes combined over Origin I and II, I expect Watson to backup from game III and play near enough 80 minutes against the Dragons this round.

VERDICT: BUY

Mark Nawaqanitawase/Zac Lomax/Val Holmes - The rugby convert lacks the goalkicking floor of the likes of Val Holmes (GK adding 10.6PPG) and Zac Lomax (GK adding 9PPG). He is also ‘outworked’ by both; in Lomax’s case by a whopping 11PPG in base, with Holmes it’s a less significant 3PPG.

But what Nawaqanitawase has been doing so much better than both his rivals is breaking lines and scoring tries with his tallies in each of those statistical areas better than Lomax and Homes combined. As I mentioned last week, the Roosters have a mixed draw for the remainder of the season, with tough match-ups against the Storm (twice) and Bulldogs, the major obstacles. I still think Lomax and Holmes are the safer options, but you also cannot ignore the fact that each of those players has hit triple figures just once this year while Mark N has done it twice. If you can handle his odd rock then maybe his diamonds make it all worthwhile.

VERDICT: ALL THREE ARE BUYS HOW MANY YOU NEED IS UP TO YOU

Nathan Cleary - While 2025 has been Nathan Cleary’s worst season in the past six years, he’s still averaging 6PPG more than the nest best halfback (Nicho Hynes). The Panthers have won their past four matches and while they’re certainly not the juggernaut of years gone past they do seem to be finally finding their mojo. Penrith’s next five opponents (Eels (15th), Souths (16th), Wests Tigers (14th), Titans (17th) and Knights (13th) are the current bottom five on the ladder. With plenty to play for and a full 3.5 days break between Origin III and the Eels game then I expect Cleary to backup after the Blues beat Queensland on Wednesday night. Should he do so I think he’s almost a must have buy.

VERDICT: BUY

Angus Crichton - In 2024 the Mighty Angus averaged a mighty 78PPG. So far this year his return has been a little more pedestrian with the Roosters edge forward averaging just 65PPG. The good news is there’s nothing fundamentally wrong/changed around Crichton. He is in fact averaging slightly higher base and almost the same tackle busts/offloads. The work is there. The dramatic drop off has been tries and try assists. In 2024 Crichton averaged almost 14PPG across those two areas. In 2025 he is returning just 1.5PPG across the two key attacking areas with just one try and zero assists. Priced at $584K Crichton is worth a pick-up even if you don’t believe the attacking stats will return. He’s a bargain if, like me, you expect the return of crafty half Sam Walker to result in at least a couple of pies for his favourite hole running edge forward.

VERDICT: BUY

Ezra Mam - Since making his return from suspension, Mam has had just the one bad game (41 vs. Manly in round 13) and has averaged 83PPG across the other five matches. The Broncos have a rather soft draw for the run home with just two tough games (Storm in rounds 23 and 27) left and the rest all very positive. That said, the Bronx also have a round 20 bye which is not ideal. At a position which seems full of somewhat risky plays then Mam is far from the worst option. I still prefer Jayden Campbell (from round 20 onwards) and probably Cam Munster too but at a tough position Mam is a buy.

VERDICT: BUY

Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm has been largely contained of late. Picture: Getty Images

Ryan Papenhuyzen - The Storm fullback’s withdrawal from the match against the Cowboys (Calf tightness) is a worry. His recent form - a three-round average (3RA) of 61.7PPG and 5RA of 56.6PPG - is not great. Put the two together and I’m making the ‘brave’ call to sack Paps and replace him at flex with Cleary. The upside is obvious, as someone who captained him when he scored 182 versus the Wests Tigers, I’m well aware of it. And I expect Papenhuyzen will benefit from having the Origin spine stars Munster and Grant back too. I’m not saying this is the move for everyone, but if like me you’re hovering around the top 5% and want to make a move up then axing someone who is widely owned (Paps was in 90% of top 5% teams at the start of this week) and replacing him with a player with equal upside but far lower ownership (Cleary was in just 24% of top 5% teams at the start of the week) is the way to do it.

VERDICT: SELL

Sandon Smith - The return of Sam Walker sends Smith out of the 17.

VERDICT: SELL

Lyhkan King-Togia - Came into round 18 on a run of decent form. Could not get any attack going whatsoever and I feel a Flanagan axing looms.

VERDICT: SELL

Joseph Tapine - The big Raider has done a ‘reverse Tapine’ averaging 78PPG over the opening portion of the season and falling in a hole in the mid to latter part of the season. On a bye this week and then with the Rd 24 bye to serve too he’s a sell.

VERDICT: SELL

Tom Starling - Many of us held Starling hoping to farewell him after some attacking stats against the Dragons. The minutes held up, the attack never came as the Raiders instead spun it wide and tore the weak St George wingers to shreds. See above re Canberra’s bye schedule.

VERDICT: SELL

ROUND 19 TEAMS

SHARKS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolph 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21.Michael Gabrael

22. Jayden Berrell

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jake Averillo 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange: 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Harrison Graham 19. Trai Fuller 20. Tevita Naufahu 21. LJ Nonu 22. Peter Hola

KNIGHTS v STORM

Saturday, 3:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights

1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Kyle McCarthy

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 4. Nick Meaney 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange: 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Ativalu Lisati

Reserves: 18. Jack Howarth 19. Trent Loiero 20. Cameron Munster 21. Harry Grant 22. Kane Bradley 23. Moses Leo 24. Keagan Russell-Smith

DRAGONS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Jubilee Stadium

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Val Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Blake Lawrie Hame Sele 17. Michael Molo

Reserves: 18. Corey Allan 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Nicholas Tsougranis

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Sandon Smith 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Max 23. Tom Rodwell

COWBOYS v BULLDOGS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Reuben Cotter 11. Jeremiah Nanai 13 Harrison Edwards

Interchange: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kai O’Donnell17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. BRyan Rivett 19. Temple Kalepo 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Dane Aukafolau 22. Murray Taulagi 23. Marly Bitugane 24. Jaxson Paulo

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Sam Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Lachlan Galvin

Reserves: 19. Jake Turpin 29. Jaeman Salmon 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Blake Wilson 24. Jethro Rinakama 25. Jack Todd

WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Go Media Stadium

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Eddie Ieremia 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Edward Kosi 23. Kurt Capewell

Wests Tigers

1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Jack Bird

Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 19. Charlie Murray 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Brent Naden 22. Luke Laulilii

EELS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Dylan Walker 16. Matt Doorey 16. Sam Tuivaiti Reserves: 18. Dan Keir 19. Toni Mataele 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Bailey Simonsson 22. Joash Papallii

Panthers

1. Daine Laurie 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Matt Eisenhuth

Interchange: 14. Jack Cole 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Nathan Cleary 20. Dylan Edwards 21. Brian To’o 22. Liam Martin 23. Isaah Yeo 24. Preston Riki

TITANS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asumaleaui

Interchange: 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Arama Hau 20. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tom Weaver

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Tyson Smoothy

Reserves: 18. Selwyn Cobbo 19 Ben Talty 20. Cory Paix 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter

BYES: Raiders, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs

Originally published as NRL teams Round 19: Sandon Smith left out as Sam Walker returns for Roosters