NRL SuperCoach Last Word round round 5: Top 10 bye purchases revealed
THEY don’t start for seven weeks, but SuperCoaches should already be planning for the looming byes. Here are the best 10 buys purchases.
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THEY don’t start for seven weeks, but SuperCoaches should already be planning for the looming byes.
The Eels are by far the most valuable team, followed by the Dragons, then the Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders and Tigers (check out full bye schedule here).
Below we reveal the best 10 purchases to get SuperCoaches through the toughest weeks of the season.
Semi Radradra
Price: $467,200
Break even: 50
Predicted price change: -$900
Byes: Rounds 13, 16 (both non-Origin)
The Eels are the only side to play all three Origin rounds and are therefore absolute gold for the byes. The new-look Eels backline took a few games to work out how to use Radradra, but he blitzed the Bulldogs in round three with 136 and could have had another whopper last week if not for a brilliant James Tedesco trysaver.
Nathan Peats
Price: $367,400
Break even: 40
Predicted price change: +$19,400
Byes: Rounds 13, 16 (both non-Origin)
Set to return from injury next week and is Mr Consistency for SuperCoach due to his impossible tackle counts. Peats’ schedule covers Cameron Smith perfectly over the byes, provided Smith backs up.
Manu Ma’u
Price: $348,800
Break even: 62
Predicted price change: +$2,700
Byes: Rounds 13, 16 (both non-Origin)
Avoided a two match ban at the judiciary on Wednesday and is locked into an 80 minute edge back row role at the Eels. Ma’u is the final Eel on our list, but given their fantastic schedule, also keep an eye on Michael Gordon and Junior Paulo.
Anthony Milford
Price: $501,100
Break even: 17
Predicted price change: +$55,700
Byes: Rounds 15, 18 (both Origin)
Milford’s Origin ban means the hottest player in the NRL will be available for the all-important round 12, before two tough byes in rounds 15 and 18. His price is predicted to spiral beyond the $550,000 mark this week. Those who own him will be doing the happy dance. Those who don’t are hoping for price drops.
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Jack De Belin
Price: $358,400
Break even: 33
Predicted price change: +$16,000
Byes: Rounds 13 (non-Origin), 18 (Origin)
The workaholic Dragon lock has averaged 78 minutes in the last two weeks for an average of 71 points, all in base stats. He’ll be a must for the byes if those stats continue, especially given the Dragons miss just the one Origin week – and it’s not until round 18. Teammate Tyson Frizell will also be hot property as he eases back to big game time following a disrupted pre-season.
Brad Abbey
Price: $113,800
Break even: 18
Predicted price change: N/A
Byes: Rounds 15 (Origin), 19 (non-Origin)
With Will Hopoate to miss rounds 10, 11 and 12 due to religious beliefs, cheapie Brad Abbey looms as his logical replacement at fullback. Alternatively, coach Des Hasler could shift Sam Perrett to the back, which could open the door for goalkicking centre Kerrod Holland.
Shaun Fensom
Price: $364,000
Break even: 38
Predicted price change: +$14,500
Byes: Rounds 15 (Origin), 19 (non-Origin)
The SuperCoach great is available this week at a $43,000 discount on his starting price due to an injury-affected zero two weeks ago. But wait to see how Elliott Whitehead’s return to the forwards affects his minutes.
James Graham
Price: $364,600
Break even: 68
Predicted price change: -$2,900
Byes: Rounds 15 (Origin), 19 (non-Origin)
Graham and partner in crime Aiden Tolman are not quite SuperCoach keepers, but incredibly consistent and good for 60 averages over the byes.
Jarrod Croker
Price: $353,200
Break even: 81
Predicted price change: -$12,600
Byes: Rounds 15 (Origin), 19 (non-Origin)
The most consistent centre/wing keeper in SuperCoach over the past three years is available for two tough Origin rounds and can stay in your side for the rest of the year.
Moses Mbye
Price: $414,000
Break even: 40
Predicted price change: +$35,400
Byes: Rounds 15 (Origin), 19 (non-Origin)
His price has spiraled beyond reach following a brilliant opening to the season. Many SuperCoaches will be hoping for a price drop because he offers crucial coverage in a position that is tough to fill over the byes.
Winning tips
“Building up team value remains a priority but equally important is remaining true to your long term strategy. Do not trade out a keeper simply because of a high BE. For example Tedesco is likely to lose $70K of value in the next two weeks and it might be tempting to trade him in this week for a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. The better strategy is to trade up to a Tuivasa-Sheck through a midrange player and trading down a Paul Carter to say a Brenton Lawrence. If you have missed cash cows like Garvey, whose short term hold on the position is unknown, do not chase as there is enough value elsewhere.”
Mary Kaye (2015 winner)
“Another week with plenty of money making opportunities. Lawrence, Martin, Denniss and Oates will all make plenty of cash but not all of them have the same job security. Fensom and Tolman offer handy bye coverage and can be picked up for a great price this week. It’s nearly time to start planning for the byes.”
Dave Von Kotze (2014 winner)
“Many SuperCoaches are trying to fit 3 into 2 this week, with Corey Oates, Te Maire Martin and Brenton Lawrence all standout trade-in targets. For me Oates is a must have, given his likely R12 coverage and potential CTW keeper status. This leaves Lawrence or Martin, and unless you have Nikorima or DCE to sell it may be a reluctant decision to let the Martin boat sail. With Sam Burgess and Anthony Milford playing early in the round, this week shapes up well to have a crack at the VC loophole.”
Darren Thompson (2013 winner)
“Round 5 has produced a few more cows but unfortunately you can’t have them all. Consider your team balance, player job security and availability during the Origin period. Remember that backs tend to mature more quickly than the slower burning forward cows.”
Matt Mullen (2009 winner)
Captain, my captain
Anthony Milford - average v this week’s opponent 98.50
Andrew Fifita 90.33
James Roberts 87.00
Moses Mbye 84.00
Corey Parker 79.56
Sam Burgess 78.83
Most traded in
1 Brenton Lawrence, 9700 trades (14.06%)
2 Corey Oates, 8713 trades (12.63%)
3 Te Maire Martin, 6677 trades (9.68%)
4 Craig Garvey, 2072 trades (3.00%)
5 Matt Parcell, 1793 trades (2.60%)
6 Moses Mbye, 1585 trades (2.30%)
7 Cory Denniss, 1446 trades (2.10%)
8 Anthony Milford, 1431 trades (2.07%)
9 Sam Burgess, 1243 trades (1.80%)
10 Ethan Lowe, 1129 trades (1.64%)
Most traded out
1 Paul Carter, 5427 trades (7.86%)
2 Kane Evans, 4992 trades (7.23%)
3 Jayden Nikorima, 4842 trades (7.02%)
4 Dale Copley, 2052 trades (2.97%)
5 Ashley Taylor, 1724 trades (2.50%)
6 Daly Cherry-Evans, 1647 trades (2.39%)
7 Agnatius Paasi, 1640 trades (2.38%)
8 Nathan Green, 1562 trades (2.26%)
9 Jaelen Feeney, 1228 trades (1.78%)
10 Bryce Cartwright, 1066 trades (1.54%)
Top 10 SuperCoaches
1 wrights immortals 4,700
2 Shimmy Shimmy Zoom 4,658
3 PugziesDoggies !! 4,645
4 Queen of da Queeef 4,609
5 Beaverrr 4,608
6 OldBlueHeeler 4,599
7 forkheads 4,598
8 Bombers Broncos 4,583
9 nana 4,575
10 MyMumSaysImCool 4,574
Lowest break evens
1 Te Maire Martin -64
2 Corey Oates -47
3 Nathan Davis -42
4 Daniel Saifiti -41
5 Zane Musgrove -39
6 Cory Denniss -36
7 Craig Garvey -35
8 Kerrod Holland -33
9 Brenton Lawrence -24
10 Matt Parcell -22
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Last Word round round 5: Top 10 bye purchases revealed
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