NRL teams round 8: Nathan Cleary, Payne Haas and Adam Reynolds among stars back from injury

There is some SuperCoach gold among the injuries with a host of cheapies deserving serious consideration, write TOM SANGSTER and ROB SUTHERLAND.

Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland analyse the round 8 team announcements, revealing six cheapies to target over the next few weeks.

WINNERS

* Nathan Cleary HFB $883,600 - Second most popular buy after being named to return for the Panthers. Owners of Jamal Fogarty, Drew Hutchison and Luke Brooks should make this trade. Plenty with the right duals are even swinging from Ponga and fair enough given Cleary is the borderline GOAT of SuperCoach and has a good match-up against the Cowboys, who have leaked the second most points of any side.

* Taylan May CTW $414,500 – Popular CTW returns from personal leave and is a must-play against the leaky Cowboys.

* Dylan Edwards FLB $891,300 - Named despite failing to finish due to hamstring tightness. Edwards is very popular this week as SuperCoaches offload Ponga and the reasoning is clear given he has the highest average of any fullback this season by more than 10 points (four game minimum). The Cowboys match-up is juicy, but anytime the term “hamstring tightness” is mentioned it’s wise to duck for cover.

Nathan Cleary is back from a hamstring injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

* Nicho Hynes HFB $867,900 - Coming off a big ton and his role in the side should increase this week with Braydon Trindall out due to disciplinary reasons.

* Samuela Fainu FRF/2RF $355,100 - Named to start on an edge for the Wests Tigers with Fonua Pole dropping to the bench and John Bateman moving to lock. Fainu has been killing it through the middle off the bench averaging 47PPG. Will he go as well on an edge? Maybe. Fainu started one game on an edge last year for Manly scoring 48 points in 77 minutes.

* 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.

* Payne Haas FRF $750,400 – The SuperCoach gun is back for the Broncos alongside Adam Reynolds, Brendan Piakura and Deine Mariner. However, note the Brisbane losses below.

LOSERS

* Blaize Talagi CTW $279,100 - Dropped off the interchange bench and down to the reserves by coach Brad Arthur. A demotion for Talagi is a win for SuperCoaches though as Talagi will not leak cash or be an AE nightmare from the reserves.

* Peter Mamouzelos HOK $243,000 - The Rabbitohs hooker has a BE of -11 but he’s in the ‘no-go zone’ now with Damien Cook recalled to the starting side and Mamouzelos relegated to the bench.

* Four big Broncos return this week but the gains are offset by the losses of Ezra Mam (finger) and Selwyn Cobbo (shoulder).

* Kalyn Ponga FLB $877,600 - Out for three months and a definite sell. Full replacement options below.

* All Bulldogs - The Doggies are one of the most popular teams in SuperCoach this year but are on the bye. This means no Samuel Hughes, Josh Curran, Jaeman Salmon or Bronson Xerri.

CHEAPIES TO WATCH

* 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 (more below) 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.

* David Armstrong CTW/FLB $204,300 - Named in the fullback spot of Ponga, bottom dollar and dual position. Take a look and jot him down as the cheapie of the round in two weeks.

* 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.

* Ethan Sanders HFB $204,300 - Named to make his NRL debut and has the chance to carve out a decent role, with Mitch Moses not due back until round 12. Don’t jump on now though, take a week (or preferably two) to watch and see how the youngster handles first grade.

* Solomon Alaimalo CTW $238,900 - Close to bottom dollar and named to debut on the wing for the Tigers with Junior Tupou out due to a broken foot. Another to keep an eye on.

Simi Sasagi is set for a big price rise. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

INJURY WARNING

* Shaun Johnson HFB $786,700 - Tricky call. He is carrying an Achilles injury, but has been named. Word from the Wahs is that Johnson will play this week and then be sent for a rest soon after. And the matchup this week is against the Titans. At home.

The Warriors need to make a stand this week and I expect a big one from SJ. He may get a rest if the score is run up early, but if that does eventuate I expect he’ll be on plenty of points before he’s on the pine.

SJ is the one player (well one plus Hynes) I would NOT trade to Cleary this week. Every other option to get in the Prince of Penrith gets my nod of approval, and provided he gets through this week unscathed I’ll be joining you in the Cleary cabal next week.

PONGA REPLACEMENTS

* Reece Walsh FLB $616,600 – Hard to turn down one of the stars of SuperCoach at a $200,000 discount on his starting price. It’s not like his price is low because he’s in bad form - take out the injury-affected game and he’s essentially averaging the same as last season. Ponga’s injury makes Walsh and Origin certainty (if he wasn’t already) and that must come into thinking. But we have five games until Origin, starting with a great match-up against the Tigers this week, plus the Eels and Titans thrown in.

* Tom Trbojevic FLB $824,400 - The premium target. As an owner I’m both happy and frustrated. He has scored the fourth most points of any player in SuperCoach, yet hasn’t quite busted out. That could come this week at his favourite 4 Pines Park against the struggling Eels.

* James Tedesco FLB $656,000 - A top POD pick at just five per cent ownership. It wasn’t long ago that Teddy was averaging 90 and one of the hottest players in SuperCoach. Then he copped a concussion and dropped $126,000. The worry is the break even of 158, meaning his price likely drops more.

* Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad FLB $724,200 - He lacks the high ceiling of the Ponga/Walshes of the world but his tireless appetite for runs (he is averaging a monumental 28 runs per game over his three games this year) provides a massive base. The Warriors also have a pretty sweet short term draw with the Titans this round and the Knights the week after. Triple figures appear a strong possibility in both.

Tom Trbojevic scores a try against the Titans. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

NRL TEAMS ROUND 8

WARRIORS v TITANS

Thursday, 2pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Jacob Laban 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Zyon Maiu’u 17. Paul Roache

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Edward Kosi 23. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Isaac Liu 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Joe Stimson 19. Tony Francis 20. Aaron Schoupp 21. Keano Kini 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

DRAGONS v ROOSTERS

Thursday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Jack Bird 20. Toby Couchman 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Jesse Marschke

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Siua Wong 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Xavier Va’a 22. Fetalaiga Pauga

STORM v RABBITOHS

Thursday, 7:50pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Joe Chan 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Jack Howarth 19. Grant Anderson 20. Marion Seve 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Tristan Powell

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Jacob Gagai 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Shaquai Mitchell 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 20. Tallis Duncan 21. Sean Keppie 22. Dion Teaupa

SEA EAGLES v EELS

Friday, 8pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Aaron Woods 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Dean Matterson 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Ethan Sanders 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Brendan Hands 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Sean Russell 19. Luca Moretti 20. Daejarn Asi 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Blaize Talagi

TIGERS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Bateman

Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alexander Lobb 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Jake Simpkin 22. Tallyn Da Silva

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Jesse Arthars 5. Deine Mariner 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Jaiyden Hunt 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Benjamin Te Kura

COWBOYS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Tomas Chester 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Jason Taumalolo 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Thomas Mikaele

Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Marly Bitungane 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Jake Clifford

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 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

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Brad Schneider 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Tyrone Peachey

DOLPHINS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

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 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: 18. Mathew Croker 19. Thomas Cant 20. Jack Cogger 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

RAIDERS v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

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 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 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Royce Hunt 22. Kade Dykes

Originally published as NRL teams round 8: Nathan Cleary, Payne Haas and Adam Reynolds among stars back from injury