SuperCoach NRL: Base point kings to bank on
It’s never too early to get ready for the campaign ahead. We’ve revealed prices and positions, and had an early look at PODs and cheapies, and now we look at the work horses to build your team around.
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The NRL season is still months away, but when it comes to SuperCoach it’s never too early to get ready for the gruelling campaign ahead.
We’ve revealed prices and positions, and had an early look at PODs and cheapies, and now we look at the base stat kings.
These following list looks at the leading metre-eaters and tackling machines at their position, whose base and creativity made them some of the best SuperCoach players in 2018.
While some have changed teams or positions, you can always rely on the base stats of these workhorses.
* For the purposes of this article, base stats refers to tackles and hit-ups, minus ineffective tackles.
2RF: JAKE TRBOJEVIC
Price: $667,600
Base stat average: 59
Honourable mentions: Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo
The undisputed base points king of the NRL, Trbojevic is the epitome of a tackling machine, averaging 39 per game (more than any other forward outside hookers). Playing 80 minutes in most games last year, Trbojevic is a near must own for SuperCoaches at some stage in the season, despite the big price tag. ‘Jurbo’ also has some decent offensive stats to add on to his base, scoring seven tries despite the disappointing year for Manly.
2RF is easily one of the most stacked positions for reliable base points, with guns like Jason Taumalolo and Angus Crichton, as well as value picks like Matt Gillett if you look a bit deeper.
FRF: DANIEL ALVARO
Price: $515,600
Base stat average: 53
Honourable mentions: Ryan James, David Klemmer
Daniel Alvaro was a decent pod for the 1.4% of owners who finished up with him in their sides, averaging 55 points in 2018, (53 of which were in base). While he didn’t offer much in offensive stats and didn’t play too many minutes, he could be interesting if he sees an increased role in 2019.
SuperCoaches will probably be more interested in the high base FRF’s that have the ability for a bit extra, like Ryan James who averaged 52 points in base, while also scoring six tries. David Klemmer was also tied with Ryan James in base, and looks to have an increased role at Newcastle after his big payday.
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HOK: DAMIEN COOK
Price: $726,000
Base stat average: 51
Honourable mention: Jazz Tevaga, Cameron McInnes
It’s really no surprise that hookers are among the high base scorers, with the best among them topping the tackle counts every week. Damien Cook is a standout in his position, averaging 39 tackles a game on top of his unreal attacking threat, breaking the line regularly and putting his teammates into space too.
While he is the most expensive player to start off with in SuperCoach this year, Cook is well worth the price as he is by far the best hooker for fantasy. While no hookers offer the same attacking flair as Cook, several do come close for base points. Jazz Tevaga is the surprise pick here, with the bench utility averaging 48 points in base, while Cameron McInnes averaged 46.
CTW: Blake Fergusson
Price: $617,700
Base stat average: 36
Honourable mentions: Elliot Whitehead, Will Hopoate, Kurt Capewell
Say what you want about Fergusson, but the man can run the ball. Ferguson led the NRL for hit-ups in 2018, taking the line on 504 times for 4986m giving him a juicy average base of 36 points. Backs tend not to have as high base points as forwards just because they often make less tackles and runs, so 36 points in base for a CTW is amazing (he also scored 17 tries in 2018). Assuming he plays in a similar role at Parramatta, he could be a must-own CTW for reliable points. But at his price he could be someone you wait on for a possible price drop.
Speaking of the reliable base of forwards, why not stick a dual position player in your CTW position? Elliot Whitehead averaged 39 points in base stats last season (making him the ‘best’ CTW option for base), while Kurt Capewell’s 2018 average base of 30 is deceptively low as he often came off the bench for limited minutes.
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FLB: JAMES TEDESCO
Price: $689,000
Base stat average: 31
Honourable mentions: Clint Gutherson, Cameron Munster
Fair warning, from here on out the base points from other positions is pretty average, but may help some SuperCoaches decide on certain players. While the gap between the top fullbacks is slim, there is a big difference between some gun options. Teddy cements his place as the best No. 1 for base, averaging 31 points per game thanks to his 432 hit-ups for 4826m throughout 2018 (the second most metres in the NRL).
Comparing him to other popular fullback options, Tom Trbojevic averaged 27 points in base per game, while Kalyn Ponga only averaged 22. SuperCoaches who had these guys pencilled in might want to go back to the drawing boards.
5\8: CAMERON MUNSTER
Price: $548,500
Base stat average: 29
Honourable mentions: Connor Watson, AJ Brimson
While Munster was only the third best fullback option for base points, he is the best option at five-eighth with the Storm playmaker averaging 29 points. Munster made the fourth most tackles of all five-eighth’s and was second for runs, behind in both stats to John Sutton who is no longer five-eighth eligible. While he does have a penchant for losing his cool and being sin-binned, Munster looks to be a great option at five-eighth thanks to his reliable base at the position.
The next best options aren’t far behind him though, with Connor Watson averaging 28 in base and AJ Brimson at 26. Both are also cheaper than Munster but could lose some base after switching from the halves to fullback for their teams in 2019.
HFB: Brodie Croft
Price: $424,200
Base stat average: 26
Honourable mentions: John Asiata, Bulldogs halves
Okay here is where it starts to get pretty ugly. In terms of halfbacks, there really are no reliable options for consistent base points, so SuperCoaches should probably target the base kings at other positions. While Brodie Croft had the best average base (other than Tyson Gamble who only played one game) you couldn’t really count on him every week, same for Bulldogs halves who were forced to make a heap of tackles in 2018.
John Asiata picks up a HFB dual position for the 2019 season which would have him topping the halfbacks with his base of 30, so if he can get a starting position or more minutes he could be a sneaky option. In terms of HFB guns, Nathan Cleary tops the bunch with his average base of 24 points, while Daly Cherry Evans isn’t far behind, averaging 22. It’s probably a good idea to manage your expectations around halfbacks for base and instead pick up someone who kicks goals!
Originally published as SuperCoach NRL: Base point kings to bank on
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