NRL SuperCoach 2019: Tom Sangster’s team revealed

Tom Sangster has made 14 changes to his original side. But the injured Tom Trbojevic is not one of them.

After one of the craziest pre-seasons in NRL history, I’ve settled on 14 changes to my original side.

However, Tom Trbojevic is not one of them.

While most SuperCoaches have deserted Tommy Turbo following his pre-season hamstring injury, the Sangster’s Paradise coaching staff see a fat P.O.D.

The Manly superstar should miss just the one round and will be the best point of difference in the competition from then on at six per cent ownership.

Tom Sangster unveils his SuperCoach team for 2019.

HOOKERS

IN: Cameron Smith ($594,400), Kerrod Holland ($428,100)

OUT: Victor Radley ($400,700), Kurt Mann ($258,900)

This is the worst batch of hookers in SuperCoach history. No buy is enticing. Damien Cook is well-overpriced and there are grave fears new coach Wayne Bennett will ruin his running game. Josh Hodgson’s price is inflated after assisting 13 tries in 11 games last year, an impossible rate to keep up. There is no improvement in Cameron McInnes, Andrew McCullough or Jake Friend.

Sangster’s Paradise has therefore plumped for the GOAT in Cameron Smith, which I’m hardly happy about. He showed serious signs of slowing down last season, averaging just 51 over the last two months. But with so much uncertainty at hooker I want to carry at least one expensive player. Smith will drop less value than Cook and also provides an extra $130,000 to spend elsewhere.

Kerrod Holland played most of last year off the bench and his price is therefore based on an average of 46. However, he averaged 71 in the 10 games played the full 80 minutes. And that was without the goalkicking, which he is set to inherit this year from Rhyse Martin, who is tipped to play reserve grade. The unique HOK/CTW flexibility also bodes well for future trades. With my current duals, I have the choice of nine players to trade for Cook later on.

Note, there are whispers that Holland may not make the cut come TLT and I’d likely replace him with Reed Mahoney who averaged just under 50 PPG in the four games he started last year and is priced almost $100K below that average.

FRONT ROWERS

IN: Junior Tatola ($224,200)

OUT: Tevita Pangai ($495,000)

Pangai spend all off-season working on his hamstrings, then popped them again in the first trial. He is a potential great of SuperCoach, but can’t get his body right. Tatola passes the eye test every week and is set to start in Wayne Bennett’s side for at least the first three rounds before George Burgess (suspension) returns. Hopefully that’s enough for a decent rise.

SECOND ROW FORWARDS

IN: Jai Arrow ($598,000), Cameron Murray (458,900), Tui Kamikamica ($196,900), Lachlan Burr ($196,900)

OUT: Jason Taumalolo ($657,400), John Bateman ($400,000), Joe Stimson ($352,900), Taane Milne ($181,100)

Jason Taumalolo’s switch to the edge creates uncertainty and he’s therefore a wait-and-see. John Bateman (side strain) failed to trial and may play from the bench, Joe Stimson (back) is in doubt and Taane Milne is no chance for Round 1.

Jai Arrow is the next most reliable back rower behind Taumalolo and Cameron Murray is impossible to leave out following his Charity Shield romp. Storm cheapie Tui Kamikamica somehow sits outside the top 100 players despite being assured of increased game time following the exits of Tim Glasby, Ryan Hoffman and Sam Kasiano.

HALFBACKS

IN: Adam Keighran ($168,100), Nathan Cleary ($577,000)

OUT: Chanel Harris-Tavita ($168,100), Anthony Milford (($511,900) via duals

The swap from Chanel Harris-Tavita to Adam Keighran is an obvious one, with Keighran to win the Warriors’ halves spot vacated by Shaun Johnson. Nathan Cleary is the best base stat halfback in SuperCoach history and I can’t ignore his certainty in an uncertain position.

CENTRE/WINGS

IN: Jack Bird ($320,900), Jordan Kahu ($278,700), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($265,500), Reuben Garrick ($168,100), Mikaele Ravalawa ($168,100)

OUT: Jarrod Croker ($509,700), Zac Lomax ($196,900), Albert Hopoate ($168,100), Bronson Xerri ($168,100), Morgan Harper ($168,100)

All these changes are based on team predictions. Zac Lomax, Albert Hopoate, Bronson Xerri and Morgan Harper will miss Round 1 teams. This leaves Jordan Kahu, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Reuben Garrick and Mikaele Ravalawa as the best cheapies in the position.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach News section / Cheapie Bible / Predicted round one teams / Sangster’s team / Champ’s team / Wilfred’s team / Tallis’s team / Copes’ team / Huge rule change / Top 10 rookies in NRL

HOOKERS

Cameron Smith ($594,400)

See above

Kerrod Holland ($428,100)

See above

FRONT ROWERS

Andrew Fifita ($634,300)

The best prop in SuperCoach over the last four years, finishing with averages of 73, 72, 64 and 68. Set and forget.

Josh Papalii ($595,900)

Flies under the radar every year. Papalii has averaged above 63 points for three consecutive seasons, yet always sits in POD range. Set to take up a permanent middle role this season and has therefore scored dual-position status.

Josh Papalii is always in the POD range.

Junior Tatola ($224,200)

See above

Payne Haas ($181,100)

Yes, Haas is suspended for the first four games. But he’s still a SuperCoach option for Round 1. The Brisbane young gun is certain to make the 17 on his return and with a lack of quality cheapies in the front row, just save the trade and get him in now. General consensus around the office has a trade worth $100,000, so there is definite benefit in running with Haas from the get-go. Even if your team suffers early injuries, he’ll be easy to cover as long as you have dual 2RF/FRF flexibility.

SECOND ROW FORWARDS

Jake Trbojevic ($667,600)

The most reliable player in SuperCoach, finishing second for total points two years in a row. Low score of 44 last year.

Jai Arrow ($598,000), Cameron Murray (458,900), Tui Kamikamica ($196,900), Lachlan Burr ($196,900), Briton Nikora ($168,100)

See above

HALFBACKS

Adam Keighran ($168,100), Nathan Cleary ($577,000)

See above

FIVE-EIGHTHS

Kalyn Ponga ($614,300)

The move to five-eighth isn’t ideal in terms of scoring potential, but at least it means he’s dual position for SuperCaoch. Ponga is so talented he’ll score big no matter what number is on his back.

Dylan Brown ($168,100)

Deserves his spot as the second most popular player in SuperCoach. Confirmed to start the year at five-eighth and at bottom dollar, Brown is simply a must-have. The New Zealand product is so highly-rated the Warriors attempted to poach him to replace Cronulla-bound Shaun Johnson, which prompted a stern reaction from the Eels.

CENTRE/WINGS

Kurt Capewell ($340,200)

The Cronulla utility is set to walk straight into Luke Lewis’s starting back row spot. Capewell’s price for 2019 is based on a season average of 36.4, which is down due to playing seven of 17 games off the bench. However, as you’d expect, Capewell’s output improves dramatically when starting. He averages 49.95 as a starting player over his career — 45 as a backrower and 53 in the backline (including an epic 156, the equal 16th highest SuperCoach score of all time). SuperCoaches can therefore expect borderline keeper scores from Capewell in 2019 with the added bonus of dual flexibility between 2RF and CTW.

Cronulla's Kurt Capewell is an underrated POD. Picture: Brett Costello

Jack Bird ($320,900), Jordan Kahu ($278,700), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($265,500), Reuben Garrick ($168,100), Mikaele Ravalawa ($168,100)

See above

FULLBACKS

Tom Trbojevic ($691,200)

An absolute freak of SuperCoach, finishing third for total points in successive seasons. Will miss Round 1 but a huge POD from there at six per cent ownership.

James Tedesco ($689,000)

Scored the fourth most points of any SuperCoach player last year. Impossible to leave out. Boasts averages of 74, 70, 68 and 74 over the last four years.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2019: Tom Sangster’s team revealed