SuperCoach NRL: The cheapies you should buy, and those you should avoid
Cheapies are the keys to SuperCoach success, and Trent Copeland is the man with all the answers. He gives his verdict on the most popular and relevant money makers heading into round five.
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‘Okunbor Fever’ has struck the SuperCoach community, and this heavenly cheapie ticks all of the boxes. We really are blessed.
Base price: Tick.
Dual position: Tick.
Ridiculous base stats that make him a lock for your starting 17 each week: Tick
Most importantly, Jonah Lomu style highlight reel each week: BIG TICK.
Cheapies are the keys to SuperCoach success, and each week I will have your verdict on the most popular and relevant names under the $280k bracket. Once a player eclipses that price we shall say bon voyage with a final verdict.
We’re looking at minutes played, relevant injuries, torrential rain and an outlook of the prospects moving forward.
Settle in for a HUGE edition of the Cheapie Bible. Here we go …
Jayden Okunbor CTW | 2RF (BUL | $168,100) — 102 points
Forget the Jamal Idris comparisons, I’m talking Jonah Lomu comparisons. This guy simply ran OVER the top of some very well established NRL players in the best defensive team in the competition — 14 points in tackle busts, a try, three line breaks and a massive 41 points in hit ups. This is crazy … Not even Jordan Rapana at his peak was able to produce a score like this against the Storm without a couple of tries. As you can tell by my excitement, just when we thought Briton Nikora was the locked in Cheapie of the Year for 2019, Okunbor may well have started a heavyweight fight for the ages. The best thing? We can sit back and enjoy.
VERDICT: BUY — Will be the most purchased player of the year, and with a BE of -100, could beat Briton Nikora’s third highest ever initial price rise of $115,800.
Chanel Harris-Tavita HFB (NZL | $168,100) — 79 points
What a debut for ‘CHT’ against the Titans! Mind you, the Titans aren’t a bad opposition to start against! Let’s start with the downside compared to Keighran — and that is the lack of dual position, listed as a pure HFB. That’s the only downside though, as CHT looked an accomplished goal kicker (20 points in conversions), took on the line with ball in hand with a line break, 10 points in H8’s and made 21 tackles as a nice baseline to his scores each week. Quite simply, CHT will be a must buy NEXT week after we’re sure he gets through a matchup with the Rabbitohs unscathed in similar style. How good.
VERDICT: WATCH — It’s tempting to go early, but make sure he gets that second game first. SJ owners who have both Keighran & Brown could feasibly make the trade now.
Bronson Xerri CTW (SHA | $168,100) — 49 points
What a talent. We all knew it after watching the trials, but even in a game where he didn’t score a try — Xerri managed to make us all stand up and notice, particularly chasing down Clint Gutherson with a 20 metre head start to save a try late in the game. Forty nine points in pure base stats is bloody exciting, with 11 tackles, 10 points in tackle busts and 28 points in hit-ups his only source of points. If Moylan is indeed out the full six weeks, then Xerri will likely be a must have, but it is important to wait a week on trading him in just to be 100% sure Moylan doesn’t miraculously return early.
VERDICT: WATCH — Give the kid one more week to make sure of the price rise, but he looks a ready-made NRL star. Exciting times.
Corey Waddell 2RF (MNL | $188,500) — 11 points
Oh man, the poor kid just can’t catch a break at the moment after a niggle to a quad stunted his round one prospects, just as he was starting to establish himself he cops a Burgess left hip to the head in a tackle and was badly concussed — taking no further part in the game. Prior to the knock, Waddell was playing very well in the middle rotation. So, owners must stick fat with the stunted cash growth initially and hold until the round 12 bye coverage where hopefully he is back up and flying to play big minutes that week.
VERDICT: HOLD — Will be the perfect slow burn to cover the first big bye round provided he doesn’t miss too much through injury.
Corey Allan FLB | CTW (STH | $180,400) — 28 points
OK, now the initial two-point debut off the bench is out of the rolling average (meaning the initial price rise was only $12,300), the real money-making can start. Even with the score of 28 points, Allan sits with a BE of -10 and has match-ups with the Warriors and Bulldogs the next two weeks. We have to hope for a try or two soon, but that’s no different to any other cheapie!
VERDICT: BUY — I think Allan makes some nice money, and will provide a valuable round 12 number when Dane Gagai and Greg Inglis are on Origin duty.
Kotoni Staggs CTW | 2RF (NZL | $271,200) — 55 points
A bench utility averaging 13 minutes per game across rounds two and three doesn’t perk many peoples interest, and that AE-nightmare is real down the track. But, for now, Staggs is looking at the centre position being his with the Broncos’ James Roberts currently rated as ‘indefinitely’ out with an Achilles injury (we won’t go into the drinking controversy!). In Staggs’ first full crack at it against the reigning premiers, he managed 55 points with no tries or try assists! Twenty seven tackles, six points in tackle busts, a line break and 12 points in hit ups is a nice start.
VERDICT: LOW END BUY — Not for me, but there’s potential there. Okunbor is a must, and most will be looking at CHT/Xerri next week, so Staggs is down the pecking order.
Nick Meaney FLB (BUL | $281,500) — 40 points
Just sneaking into ‘cheapie’ territory given he’s so close to the $280k barrier, Meaney has been excellent at the back — in NRL terms that is — in his first two outings for the Bulldogs against difficult opposition in the Tigers and Storm. In SuperCoach, scores of 36 and 40 points respectively don’t set the world on fire, but here’s where I think he may be of interest. Tom Trbojevic owners who have Tedesco, but DON’T have Damien Cook yet, could feasibly go down to Meaney as your bench fullback and make your starting/second hooker into Damien Cook. Food for thought.
VERDICT: LOW END BUY — Much like Staggs, I like Meaney, he just presents in a tricky week where all are focused elsewhere. Round 12 coverage an added bonus.
Bryce Cartwright 5/8 | 2RF (GCT | $289,500) — 34 points
Those that jumped on the #CartyParty will be disappointed by the score, but, the positives lie in the initial cash made and full 80 minutes played yet again, along with the coach Garth Brennan commenting on Bryce being ‘solid’ in defence so far this season. Twenty eight tackles along with 11 points in hit-ups is about the baseline. The Titans are in awful form so we can never be sure of selection, but as it stands you have to think some attacking stats will come his way.
VERDICT: HOLD/AVOID — You can’t buy if you don’t own him at this point already, those that do Carty is a hold until the round 12 bye coverage barring a role change/selection issue.
Mikaele Ravalawa CTW (STG | $258,300) — 59 points
After a slow-ish start to his Dragons career, Ravalawa has now scored in consecutive weeks to kick along his scores (66 & 59 points respectively) and price rises to now sit at $258k with another massive negative BE of -37 this coming weekend against the Bulldogs and a Turbo-less Sea Eagles on the horizon the week after. Ravalawa’s work rate is increasing each week with the added confidence, and he has produced eight points in tackle busts in each of the last two weeks.
VERDICT: HOLD — Do not sell Ravalawa to Okunbor. Find someone else to do it as the big man on the edge for the Dragons has at least another $60k-$100k to make.
Jacob Host FRF | 2RF (STG | $267,600) — 25 points
Oh no! Just as Host had the best game of his young career with 64 points in 80 minutes last week, he succumbs to an ankle injury midway through the second half and was unable to return, scoring just the 25 points largely in tackles. Judging by Mary McGregor’s post match presser, we can expect Host to be touch and go to take the field this coming weekend. Given Korbin Sims broke his arm in this match, Tyson Frizell’s return is much less of a concern and I would anticipate Host is looking at continuing with the 65-80 minute role when healthy.
VERDICT: HOLD — Host’s BE is still just two this week, so there is more money to be made but with another low score the pressure may be on to sell. Payne Haas in 3 weeks may be the perfect downgrade.
Jaeman Salmon CTW | 5/8 (PAR | $205,500) — 24 points
On an NRL level, Salmon had a pretty solid game, despite missing a few tackles and making one error he provided a nice foil for Mitchell Moses. SuperCoach wise, with such a low score, amazingly, Salmon has LOST cash. The luxury we have here is we can wait on purchasing Salmon until the first big game he has to kick start price rises as he currently has a BE of 36.
VERDICT: WATCH — Dylan Brown could pop back up at any stage also, so he’s definitely a wait and see.
Thomas Flegler FRF | 2RF (BRO | $231,700) — 24 points
Uh oh. Coach Seibold has only given Flegler 24 and 26 minutes respectively in the past two matches. Unfortunately, he is this year’s Junior Tatola and I fear he may even face the axe at the selection table this week due to the Broncos losing again. Flegler has shown flashes of brilliance and the talent is undoubtedly in there. With two scores in a row in the 20s he now sits with a BE of 33 — higher than his season average — the tell tale sign of when to sell a cheapie.
VERDICT: HOLD — Particularly if he gets dropped, as you wont lose any money, with an eye on downgrading to Payne Haas in a few weeks. The only case to sell now is via Okunbor in your 2RF.
Payne Haas FRF (BRO | $168,100) & Pat Carrigan FRF | 2RF (BRO | $168,100)
In the absence of TPJ, Broncos coach Anthony Seibold made mention that he sees this as the perfect opportunity to get Haas and potentially Pat Carrigan in to the mix against the Tigers. Certainly a must-watch situation given the Flegler/Mikaele situations many are dealing with.
VERDICT: WATCH — We all know the talent with these two, particularly Haas, so fingers crossed the bad news has passed, and he becomes the superstar cheapie he undoubtedly can be.
BON VOYAGE
Players who eclipse the $280k cheapie cut-off, or plateau in price will be given a final verdict for owners moving forward.
Briton Nikora CTW | 2RF (SHA | $283,900) — 62 points
Another week, another stellar 80 minute performance for 62 points with a line break and huge chunk of his standard base stats. Depending on whose place (either Capewell or Nikora) Wade Graham takes in about round 10 when he returns from injury, Nikora could be a season-long keeper. On SJ’s edge with this type of workrate, he’s a lock in your starting 17 every, single, week.
VERDICT: HOLD — Gun. Gold.
Blake Lawrie FRF (STG | $312,700) — 47 points
MA BOY! I dubbed Lawrie the best FRF cheapie of the season, and he has been incredible, maintaining the PPM-Monster title with scores of 42, 55, 48 and most recently, 47 points in just 31 minutes against the Knights. 34 tackles and 16 points in hit-ups in such a short space of time is ludicrous behaviour (in a good way!). Lawrie will soon hit the $400k mark, and with just one try or try assist may even go higher.
VERDICT: HOLD — Lawrie will continue to make solid money with his PPM even in reduced minutes, and still has a very manageable BE.
Maika Sivo CTW (PAR | $298,800) — 37 points
Sivo’s base stats were fantastic yet again (over 30 points in H8’s alone), meaning this score in the late 30s or even the early 40s is the norm. The Eels are looking to be the real deal after another fantastic win against the Sharks, so Sivo’s place in the side looks to be locked in with that upside on a weekly basis. A lot of the attack is going down the right edge with Moses/Niukore/Jennings/Fergo but if this is the low mark I shall be holding for the foreseeable future. BE of -34 is heavenly.
VERDICT: HOLD — Money is still rolling in, Sivo will likely be the perfect sideways trade to a fallen gun like Latrell Mitchell or Esan Marsters in a few weeks.
Reuben Garrick CTW (MNL | $280,100) — 17 points
Garrick unfortunately couldn’t find the try line for the third consecutive week, and a low score was always coming. This will halt the huge price rises somewhat, but Garrick was solid in the upset victory and now Tom Trbojevic will be out for a significant chunk of time with his hamstring injury — solidifying Garrick’s place on the wing.
VERDICT: HOLD — Garrick to Xerri next week could well be on, but there’s still a fair bit more cash to make here.
Lachlan Burr 2RF (NZL | $289,800) — 42 points
Burr has been brilliant in his changed role the past two weeks with scores of 63 and most recently, 42 points in 54 minutes. You would expect that is on the high side of the minutes equation on a week-to-week basis, but it takes Burr over the $280k mark and he maintains a negative BE of -6.
VERDICT: HOLD — A nice break for Burr owners, letting you put out other fires first before moving him on. Capewell, Nikora and Okunbor owners can sell Burr to Xerri next week via duals.
Junior Tatola FRF (STH | $291,500) — 60 points
Here we go! Just as George Burgess returns, Tatola throws down the gauntlet to keep his spot. After a late line-up switch where Bennett started Tatola in favour of ‘Gurgess’, Tatola whacked out 60 points in 56 minutes with 30 tackles, six points in tackle busts and 25 points in hit-ups. Throw in a $41k price rise and now -6 BE and you have yourselves a prospect of another $60k-$100k in slow burning cash until the round 12 bye coverage.
VERDICT: HOLD — This came from nowhere with most concerned his big minutes were over with Gurgess back, the best possible result for owners!
If a player is not on this list, they are deemed not relevant either because of role or price. Let us know if you think we’ve missed anyone @SuperCoachNRL or @Copes9.
Let the cash roll in!
Originally published as SuperCoach NRL: The cheapies you should buy, and those you should avoid
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