NRL Round 25 Teams: SuperCoach preliminary final specials emerge from mass changes

NRL coaches have been forced into mass changes right on SuperCoach preliminary final week – but the upheaval has created some big opportunities.

Teams are in for round 25!

And there are plenty of changes just at the wrong time for KFC SuperCoaches on preliminary final week.

Check out Rob Sutherland and Tom Sangster’s SuperCoach analysis and scroll down for full sides.

WINNERS

* Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad FLB/CTW $658,500 - Missed last week with his third concussion of the year but has been named to return this week. And this is the reason many held given the Warriors have by far the best run home of any side against the Sea Eagles, Dragons and Dolphins.

Of course, the flip side is that CNK is an obvious resting candidate, especially with the Warriors entrenched in the top four, so keep an eye on Late Mail and the 24-hour squad cut. Thankfully the Warriors play the second game of the round so we may even know CNK’s availability before kick-off in the first game.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has had his issues with concussion. Picture: Getty

* Shaun Johnson HFB $886,100 - SJ handed over the goal-kicking duties at stages last week to Adam Pompey due to a minor quad concern. He’s been named but like CNK above, keep an eye on mail. Johnson is also a genuine resting candidate given he’s played every game this year – it’s seven seasons since he played as many games.

* Harry Grant HOK $797,000 - Back into the starting side for the Storm after playing from the bench last week. The move to the pine didn’t effect his game at all. In fact if anything it made him more of an impact weapon with a try and two try assists. Looking at the numbers, Grant is probably owed a rest in the run home given his immense workload. He’s played every available game for the Storm plus three Origin matches (he backed up from all three) and averaged 77 minutes for the season. With two easy match-ups in the next fortnight against the Dragons and Titans, don’t expect Grant to play 80 minutes in either. And he may even sit out a full game, which could be dire for SuperCoaches without trades and minus a back-up hooker.

LOSERS

* Reece Walsh (FLB $665,100) and Payne Haas (FRF $669,100) - The Broncos are on the bye on a must-win week so it’s sell-time for head-to-head players. But if overall surely you can find more value with your trade than offloading Haas, a guy you will want for the final two weeks. Expect him to play huge minutes over the last fortnight as the Broncos gun for the minor premiership in what are essentially finals warm-up games against decent opposition the Raiders (sixth) and Storm (fourth). That said, the likes of Pat Carrigan and Brendan Piakura are hardly in the SuperCoach echelon of Walsh and Haas and are rightly on the most sold list.

Payne Haas is on the bye this week. Picture: Getty

* Jacob Preston 2RF $575,900 - Has copped a two-week suspension for a hip drop on Jackson Hastings. The fact he has taken the early plea means he will be available for round 27 when the Eels (J’Maine Hopgood in particular) are on the bye. He could therefore be a handy hold for overall players. But it’s must-win for head-to-head players this week and $575,900 is a lot to have sitting on the bench, so he’s justifiably the second most sold player.

* Soni Luke HOK $200,800 - Mitch Kenny is back from injury for the Panthers meaning Luke goes back to the bench and again becomes an auto emergency nightmare.

* Mitchell Moses HFB $626,900 - While he’s a hope of playing finals if the Eels make it, Moses is out for the rest of the SuperCoach season and is therefore a must-sell.

BUY

—Rob Sutherland

* Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 2RF/FRF $811,600 - BUY(BUT) - Last week we tipped Tino to have a big game post-suspension and big he went. His 60 points in base, a try, linebreak and multiple tackle busts added up to 105 points against the Sharks. Owned by just 15% of teams it is easy to see why Tino is the most bought player this week. Now the BUT – this week the Titans play Penrith and next week Storm. That’s two tough match-ups for the big guy. I’m not saying don’t buy him, but if you are looking for an upside FRF then I think I prefer the man next on this list.

* Addin Fonua-Blake FRF $700,100 - BUY - What ‘AFB’ lacks in workrate compared to the man above he makes up in terms of opposition. Manly/Dragons/Dolphins is a much easier trio of match-ups and while FRF can sometimes be played regardless of matchup in this case traders are chasing attacking upside and I think Fonua-Blake presents more of that than Fa’asuamaleaui.

Addin Fonua-Blake is a front rower with massive upside. Picture: NRL Photos

* Nick Meaney FLB/CTW $549,900 - BUY(BUT) - I want to accuse those buying Meaney of chasing last week’s points. But a quick look at his next two matches (Dragons/Titans) tells you why people are making this trade. The ‘BUT’ is here because Meaney could be a victim of Ryan Papenhuyzen’s return. That’s not to say Meaney will drop out of the team, but coach Craig Bellamy has talked about Meaney being able to “play any position in the backs” and any move away from fullback will almost certainly hurt Meaney’s SC output. I’d hate for that to happen in round 26 and ruin your H2H final so covering my butt with the ‘but’.

* Cameron Munster 5/8 $682,800 - BUY - If you excise Munster’s round 23 score against Penrith then the Storm playmaker has a 3RA of 88PPG and that was against fair opposition in Knights/Eels/Raiders. As mentioned above the Storm have two very positive match-ups on the horizon. Munster is a buy and captaincy option for the next fortnight.

* Latrell Mitchell FLB $719,600 - BUY/AVOID - Latrell looked good against his past three opponents without ever really turning that form into a big score. He has the in-form Knights this week, misses round 26 and then has the Roosters in round 27. If in need of a fullback I would look elsewhere.

HOLD

* J’Maine Hopgood 2RF $696,600 - Has a bye coming in round 27 and has been switched to the edge this week, so it’s understandable why plenty are dropping off. Note however, his poor score last week against the Broncos was Hopgood’s first score below 60 in 14 rounds hence the ‘but’.

SELL

* Cody Walker 5/8 $610,500 - Munster is calling with his two outrageously easy match-ups. While we should never discount Cody based on his near-unmatched SuperCoach pedigree at five-eighth, there’s no doubt the Rabbitohs are failing to click and Walker himself is in a bit of a slump with a 3RA of 63 (eighth for position) and 5RA of 64 (seventh for position). He also has two sneaky tough match-ups against teams with plenty to play for in the Knights and Roosters, with a bye thrown in on SuperCoach grand final week.

Cody Walker is a great of SuperCoach but has an upcoming bye. Picture: Getty

TEAMS WRAP: BROWN HOLDS EELS’ FINALS CHANCES

—Brent Read

Dylan Brown, so often the second fiddle to Mitchell Moses, has been handed the No.7 jersey and the chance to play the hero as Parramatta turn to their brilliant half to keep alive their hopes of a late-season miracle against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

Brown, seemingly content to let Moses to run the show this season, has now been given the keys to the Eels as they face a season-defying fortnight against the Roosters and Penrith. The Eels need to win both games to have any hope of playing finals football.

Brown will dictate whether that happens as he leaves his No.6 jersey to Daejarn Asi and takes over the chief playmaking role, which became vacant when Moses succumbed to a fractured cheekbone last weekend.

The Roosters, meanwhile, have named Sam Walker on an extended bench after he made a solid return from long-term injury in the NSW Cup last weekend.

Brown and Walker may not be the only halves thrust into the spotlight as the NRL season heads towards the finals.

In Newcastle, Adam Clune has been named on an extended bench and will likely come into the Knights side should Jackson Hastings fail to overcome an ankle injury in time to play against South Sydney on Sunday.

Hastings was named to play but is racing the clock to overcome injury.

The changes may not be restricted to clubs in finals contention. At St George Illawarra, Paul Turner has been named on an extended bench as the Dragons look to provide an insurance policy for court-bound five-eighth Junior Amone, who will face assault charges later this week.

Amone is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday to face charges emanating from an incident late last year, which resulted in him being charged with reckless grievous bodily harm, and destroying property and intimidation.

He was initially stood down under the game’s no-fault stand down rule but was subsequently cleared to play when the matter was moved to the local court.

He has been a fixture in the Dragons side since being cleared to return.

Dylan Brown has been handed the keys to the Eels. Picture: Getty

COWBOYS v SHARKS

Thursday, 7:50pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Murray Taulagi 4. Peta Hiku 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Heilum Luki 17. Griffin Neame

Interchange: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 21. Robert Derby 22. James Tamou

Sharks

1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazleton 17. Matt Moylan

Reseves: 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Kayal Iro 22. Jayden Berrell

WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES

Friday, 6pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Edward Kosi 23. Ronald Volkman

Sea Eagles

1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Jakob Arthur 15. Dean Matterson 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor

Reserves: 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19 Ben Condon 20. Samuela Fainu 21. Austin Dias 22. Jamie Humphreys

EELS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. J’maine Hopgood 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Brendan Hands

Reserves: 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Waqa Blake 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton

Reserves: 18. Sam Walker 19. Dylan Napa 20. Corey Allen 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Nathan Brown

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TIGERS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 3pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Shawn Blore

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Aitasi James 20. Triston Reilly 21. Josh Feledy 22. Kit Laulilii

Dolphins

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Robert Jennings 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Mark Nicholls

Interchange: 14. JJ Collins 15. Josh Kerr 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace

Reserves: 18. Trai Fuller 19. Max Plath 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Mason Teague 22. Valynce Te Whare

TITANS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Isaac Liu 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick

Reserves: 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. AJ Brimson 20. Tony Francis 21. Jo Vuna 22. Josiah Pahulu

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner 20. Zac Hosking 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Spencer Leniu

DRAGONS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

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. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo

Interchange: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove

Reserves: 18. Toby Couchman 19. Sione Finau 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Paul Turner 22. Max Feagai

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. Reimis Smith 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Alec MacDonald 19. William Warbrick 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Tariq Sims 22. Tyran Wishart

KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Brodie Jones 22. Jack Johns

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Shaquai Mitchell 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Tallis Duncan 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Siliva Havili 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Hame Sele 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Tevita Tatola 22. Dean Hawkins

RAIDERS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. James Schiller 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Trey Mooney 19. Matt Frawley 20. Ethan Strange 21. Brad Morkos 22. Adrian Trevilyan

Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Ryan Sutton

Interchange: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Luke Thompson 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Tevita Pangai Junior

Reserves: 19. Harrison Edwards 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Jayden Okunbor 22. Hayze Perham 23. Reece Hoffman

BYE: Broncos

Originally published as NRL Round 25 Teams: SuperCoach preliminary final specials emerge from mass changes