NRL SuperCoach POD watch: Players flying under the radar

SUPERCOACH expert Dave ‘VK’ Von Kotze takes a look at the men pulling big numbers but low ownership, including a standout Raiders star.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Josh Hodgson of the Raiders prepares to pass the ball during the round three NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canberra Raiders at Hunter Stadium on March 19, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

AS we head towards round five Dave ‘VK’ Von Kotze takes a look at the men pulling big numbers but low ownership.

It’s SuperCoach POD watch.

Josh Hodgson (2.3 per cent ownership)

Josh Hodgson? Josh Pod-gson seems more on the money. The Raiders hooker may require a name change if he continues this purple patch of form. Only owned by 2.3 per cent of SuperCoaches, Hodgson has played the full 80 minutes in all games so far this year, is ineligible for State of Origin and will head into round five with a three-game average of 65.

Josh Hodgson has been in fine form for the Raiders.

Ryan James (1.4 per cent ownership)

James has found the try-line in his last three games and will head into round five with a three-game average of 81. An impressive average considering his $319,000 asking price, however, it is unlikely this average will be able to be maintained if the tries dry up.

Matt Parcell (9.5 per cent ownership)

Parcell played the full game against the Roosters and has averaged 64 in his past two games when he has played big minutes. He will come with a price tag of over $220,000 this week but if he continues to be the first-choice hooker playing these big minutes, it may not be too late to get on board.

Jason Taumalolo (9.2 per cent ownership)

Taumalolo was a wrecking ball and laid a strong platform with 14 hit-ups over 8m for the Cowboys which enabled their backline to work their magic against the Broncos. Taumalolo will play during the important rounds 12 and 18 and firms as a more than able trade-in option with a three-game average of 69.

Jason Taumalolo was a wrecking ball against the Broncos.

Peta Hiku (2.2 per cent ownership)

Hiku has averaged 63 points a game this year and has been a try-scoring magnet finding the line in every game so far this season. Extremely low ownership and an impressive average but probably isn’t producing the base stats to warrant selection if he stops scoring tries.

Ethan Lowe (7.2 per cent ownership)

Scored his third try in four games and has continued his cracking start to the season where he has averaged 77 points a game. Lowe will be priced around $390,000 which is expensive but there is upside in the purchase as he plays two of the three big bye rounds. If he is on your radar, the smart bet would be to hold off and hope his try scoring run comes to an end before picking him up at a much lower price.

Elliott Whitehead (1.8 per cent ownership)

Whitehead has been a revelation in the halves scoring 83 and 89 at five-eighth for the Raiders and his 2179 owners have loved every second of it. Apart from scoring a try, Whitehead kept himself busy making 26 tackles and running on twelve occasions but will probably stay at low ownership with first choice halves Blake Austin and Aiden Sezer on the mend from their round one injuries.

Elliott Whitehead has been a revelation for the Raiders.

Jack De Belin (1.3 per cent ownership)

JDB has sprung back into SuperCoach contention over the past fortnight. De Belin has averaged 77 minutes and 70 points in his last two games and will be a super trade-in target if he maintains these minutes due to a favourable bye schedule.

Ben Matulino (7.9 per cent ownership)

Continues to post impressive scores and crossed for a try with a line-break to rack up 86 points. Potential owners may choose to solidify their teams with the barnstorming New Zealand prop when the early season cash cows are ready for trading as he has now averaged just under 70 points a game for the first four rounds of the season.

Matt Gillett (7.3 per cent ownership)

As mentioned in previous articles, Gillett is not a trade-in option for overall players, however, those SuperCoaches with aspirations of winning their head-to head leagues need look no further than the Queensland edge-forward. Gillett has maintained an average of 68 for the first four games this season after giving his owners another reliable score of 60 this round, however, he was terribly unlucky to have a try with a line-break taken from him by the bunker which would have given him a score closer to 90 and a season average of 75.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach POD watch: Players flying under the radar