Expert SuperCoach analysis of club team lists and injuries ahead of round 14

SUPERCOACHES breathed a sigh of relief after the second most popular player in the game, Latrell Mitchell, was named for the Roosters despite injury.

SUPERCOACHES breathed a sigh of relief after the second most popular player in the game, Latrell Mitchell, was named for the Roosters despite an ankle injury.

Mitchell could have returned to the field on Sunday against the Tigers, but wasn’t risked in the monsoonal conditions.

The Roosters say his injury improved considerably on Monday and Tuesday and he is a genuine chance of taking the field on Saturday against the Storm.

In other SuperCoach news from the round 14 NRL team announcements:

* Tevita Pangai Jr looms as a popular cheapie after retaining a bench spot at the Broncos, despite the return of Origin forward Matt Gillett. Pangai was named ahead of 2016 regulars Herman Ese’ese and Joe Ofahengaue;

* Cheapie Bevan French retained his wing spot at the Eels following injuries to Kieran Foran (shoulder, season) and Brad Takairangi (hamstring, round 17);

* Bryce Cartwright is the SuperCoach loser from the axing of Jamie Soward. The NSW Origin hopeful moves to five-eighth, where his base stats will plummet (although he relies on attacking stats anyway). Potential round 16 cheapie Nathan Cleary is the SuperCoach winner after retaining his starting halves spot;

* SuperCoach target Konrad Hurrell has again missed the 17 for the Titans, named on an extended bench;

* Mitchell Pearce (calf) will miss another week, with early-season cheapie Jackson Hastings retained;

* Popular cheapie Brenton Lawrence (pectoral) has been ruled out for the season. The Sea Eagles are also without Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle, round 19) and Jamie Lyon (hamstring, round 16);

* Corey Oates, still owned by a quarter of SuperCoaches, returns for the Broncos after being rested last week;

* Michael Morgan (concussion) returns for the Cowboys after sitting out last week.

Latrell Mitchell has been named despite an ankle injury. Picture: Brett Costello

BRONCOS v RAIDERS

7.50pm Thursday at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 Jack Reed 4 James Roberts 5 Jordan Kahu 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGuire 9 Travis Waddell 10 Sam Thaiday 11 Alex Glenn 12 Matt Gillett 13 Corey Parker. Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace 15 Tevita Pangai Jr 16 Adam Blair 17 Kodi Nikorima

Ins: Corey Oates, Matt Gillett, Travis Waddell

Outs: Herman Ese’ese, Joe Ofahengaue, Lachlan Maranta

Other unavailables: Andrew McCullough (Broken thumb, Round 19), Jayden Su’a (Shoulder, Round 16)

Comment: Cheapie Tevita Pangai Jnr has been retained following two strong displays. We’ve been tipping Pangai as a SuperCoach buy for almost two years, and he’s finally got his break, overtaking Herman Ese’ese and Joe Ofahengaue in the pecking order. He therefore has great job security. Further, his work rate is off the charts. He has averaged 1.7 points per minute in two games. Even with his try and linebreak taken out, Panagi has averaged 1.32 points per minute, which places him in elite company. Game time for forward cheapies is always an issue with Wayne Bennett, but this could be negated as Bennett looks to ease his pack through the Origin period. That said, Pangai misses rounds 15 and 18. He definitely isn’t a must-have, especially given how rarely young forwards earn worthwhile cash. In fact, no running forwards sit in the top 10 cheapies this year, with James Fisher-Harris the best in 11th spot (and he was a very slow burner). But with money needing to be freed for all the great keepers on offer, Pangai is far from the worst cheapie this year.

Raiders: 1 Zac Santo 2 Brenko Lee 3 Jarrod Croker 4 Joey Leilua 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin 7 Aidan Sezer 8 Junior Paulo 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Paul Vaughan 11 Josh Papalii 12 Elliott Whitehead 13 Luke Bateman. Interchange: 14 Kurt Baptiste 16 Clay Priest 17 Joe Tapine 18 Sia Soliola

Ins: Paul Vaughan, Zac Santo

Outs: Jack Wighton (Suspension, Round 16), Shannon Boyd (Suspension, Round 16)

Other unavailables: Edrick Lee (Hamstring, Round 16), Jeff Lima (Hip, Round 20), Shaun Fensom (Rested, Round 16)

Comment: Zac Santo replaces Jack Wighton (suspension) at fullback. Paul Vaughan returns for Shannon Boyd (suspension). Shaun Fensom again misses out and is a must-sell ahead of the round 15 bye. It’s not too late for Joey Leilua, who is this year’s Semi Radradra. He costs essentially the same as Tohu Harris, but has a much lower break even (41 to 98). Jarrod Croker is somehow the ninth most sold player this week. Hello people, he is the best centre/wing in SuperCoach over the last three seasons and has averaged over 60 this year.

TIGERS v RABBITOHS

7.50pm at ANZ Stadium

Tigers: 1 James Tedesco 2 David Nofoaluma 3 Tim Simona 4 Kevin Naiqama 5 Josh Addo-Carr 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Luke Brooks 8 Aaron Woods 9 Robbie Farah 10 Ava Seumanufagai 11 Josh Aloiai 12 Chris Lawrence 13 Elijah Taylor. Interchange: 14 Sauaso Sue 15 Dene Halatau 16 Tim Grant 17 Kyle Lovett 18 Michael Chee Kam

Ins: Robbie Farah, Tim Grant

Outs: JJ Felise

Other unavailables: Nathan Milone (Knee, Indefinite), Rod Griffin (Knee, Round 15), Matt Ballin (ACL, Season), Curtis Sironen (Foot, Round 16)

Comment: Robbie Farah (rested) returns at hooker, with Elijah Taylor shifting to lock, Kyle Lovett to the bench and Michael Chee-Kam to 18th man. Tim Grant (rib) is also back, replacing JJ Felise. James Tedesco is the third most purchased player this week. But with a break even of 46 and the bye next week, SuperCoaches should wait until at least round 16. And if he appears likely for Origin III, he’s not an option until round 20. Josh Addo-Carr (BE 12) has one more price rise left before being sold at a massive profit for the likes of Bevan French, Tohu Harris or Konrad Hurrell.

Rabbitohs: 1 Cody Walker 2 Alex Johnston 3 Kirisome Auva’a 4 Bryson Goodwin 5 Dane Nielsen 6 Greg Inglis 7 Adam Reynolds 8 Tom Burgess 9 Cameron McInnes 10 Nathan Brown 11 Paul Carter 12 Kyle Turner 13 Sam Burgess. Interchange: 14 Luke Keary 15 Jason Clark 16 Siosifa Talakai 17 David Tyrell

Ins: None

Outs: None

Other unavailables: John Sutton (Pectoral, Round 18), Zane Musgrove (Wrist, Indefinite), Angus Crichton (Groin, Indefinite), Hymel Hunt (Pectoral, Season), Michael Oldfield (Hamstring, Round 17), Samisoni Langi (ACL, Season), Aaron Gray (Knee, Round 15), George Burgess (Groin, Round 21)

Comment: Unchanged. Early-season cheapie Cody Walker has averaged 81 since moving to fullback and is richly rewarding the nine percent who held for the round 15 bye. Sam Burgess is a near-must as captain every week. Siosifa Talaki scored a try on debut and has a break even of -30. He is worth jotting down as a cheapie for next week, but as mentioned with Pangai, beware of forward cheapies.

NRL SUPERCOACH PODCAST FOR ROUND 14

KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

3pm Saturday at Hunter Stadium

Knights: 1 Dane Gagai 2 Cory Denniss 3 Sione Mata’utia 4 Nathan Ross 5 Jake Mamo 6 Jack Cogger 7 Trent Hodkinson 8 Sam Mataora 9 Danny Levi 10 Daniel Saifiti 11 Tariq Sims 12 Pauli Pauli 13 Jeremy Smith (c). Interchange: 14 Tyler Randell 15 Korbin Sims 16 Jacob Saifiti 17 Mickey Paea 19. Josh King 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon

Ins: Jacob Saifiti, Korbin Sims

Outs: None

Other unavailables: Chanel Mata’utia (Knee, Round 16), James McManus (Concussion, Season), Kade Snowden (Various, Season), Peter Mata’utia (Knee, Round 16), Robbie Rochow (Broken arm, Round 16), Jarrod Mullen (Hamstring, Round 16), Brock Lamb (Ankle, Round 19), Will Pearsall (Ankle, Round 17), Jaelen Feeney (Ankle, Indefinite)

Comment: Korbin Sims (suspension) and Jacob Saifiti (wrist) join Newcastle’s extended bench. Nathan Ross (calf) is in doubt. Pauli Pauli has proven one of the great slow burners in SuperCoach 2016. He has risen $129,700 so far — $123,000 in the last three games. However, with his looming poor bye schedule, he’s a sell next week to Bromwich, Mannering, Harris etc.

Warriors: 1 Tuimoala Lolohea 2 David Fusitua 3 Blake Ayshford 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Thomas Leuluai 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Jacob Lillyman 9 Issac Luke 10 Ben Matulino 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman 13 Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14 Nathaniel Roache 15 Sam Lisone 16 Albert Vete 17 Charlie Gubb

Ins: None

Outs: None

Other unavailables: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Knee, Season), Ben Henry (Knee, Indefinite), Sione Lousi (ACL, Season)

Comment: Unchanged. Shaun Johnson is a must-have for final teams, and this is the week to jump on given the looming round 15 bye, break even of 37 and the fact he is playing the Knights. Simon Mannering is serious bargain this week at a $13,500 discount on his starting price, although he is yet to play 80 minutes since returning from injury. For the risk-takers out there, Tuimoala Lolohea looms as a POD at under three per cent ownership.

EELS v TITANS

5.30pm Saturday at TIO Stadium, Darwin

Eels: 1 Michael Gordon 2 Semi Radradra 3 Michael Jennings 4 Clint Gutherson 5 Bevan French 6 Kenny Edwards 7 Corey Norman 8 Daniel Alvaro 9 Isaac De Gois 10 Danny Wicks 11 Manu Ma’u 12 Beau Scott 13 Tepai Moeroa. Interchange: 14 Kaysa Pritchard 15 Peni Terepo 16 David Gower 17 Rory O’Brien

Ins: Rory O’Brien, Michael Jennings

Outs: Kieran Foran (Shoulder, Season), Brad Takairangi (Hamstring, Round 17)

Other unavailables: Anthony Watmough (Knee, Season), Luke Kelly (ACL, Season), Tim Mannah (Shoulder, Round 15), Kepeli Tanginoa (Ankle, Round 22), Bureta Faraimo (Fractured eye socket, Round 16), Mitch Cornish (Knee, Round 20)

Comment: Bevan French retains his wing spot among the injury crisis, which includes Kieran Foran (shoulder, season) and Brad Takairangi (hamstring, round 17). French looms as a serious cheapie, particularly if you can wait for next week. His appeal comes from: 1) Serious tryscoring potential (he broke the Nines tries record earlier this year). 2) Great bye schedule. 3) Great job security due to Parramatta’s injury issues. 4) The fact many SuperCoaches are looking to sell Kerrod Holland for a massive profit. 5) The fact ALL SuperCoaches need to free money for the awesome keepers on offer over the next two weeks. French’s biggest drawback is base stats — he is a Nathan Blacklock-style poacher, not a Josh Mansour-like battering ram. Kenny Edwards will play five-eighth in the absence of Foran. Rory O’Brien comes onto the bench while Michael Jennings (Origin) returns in the centres for Takairangi.

Titans: 1 William Zillman 2 Anthony Don 3 Josh Hoffman 4 Nathan Davis 5 Nene MacDonald 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ashley Taylor 8 Luke Douglas 9 Nathan Friend 10 Ryan James 11 Zeb Taia 12 Chris McQueen 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 14 Nathan Peats 15 Leivaha Pulu 16 Agnatius Paasi 17 Eddy Pettybourne 18 Konrad Hurrell 19 Cameron Cullen

Ins: Konrad Hurrell, Cameron Cullen

Outs: None

Other unavailables: Kane Elgey (ACL, Season), Matt Srama (Knee, Season), Daniel Mortimer (Hamstring, Indefinite), John Olive (Broken collarbone, Round 20), David Mead (PCL, Round 19)

Comment: Konrad Hurrell has been named out of the 17, but the mail is he will play right centre in place of cheapie Nathan Davis. Hurrell has a break even of 90 and will rival Bevan French as the most popular buy next round. Ryan James is a serious POD at $411,400 — essentially the same price as Jesse Bromwich and almost $50,000 cheaper than Tohu Harris. He has scored the seventh most points of any player but is owned by just 5.7 per cent, with a -27 break even. As always, SuperCoaches are on the case, with James the fifth most purchased player this week.

ROOSTERS v STORM

7.30pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1 Latrell Mitchell 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Mitchell Aubusson 4 Dale Copley 5 Blake Ferguson 6 Ryan Matterson 7 Jackson Hastings 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9 Jake Friend (c) 10 Dylan Napa 11 Sio Siua Taukeiaho 12 Aidan Guerra 13 Kane Evans. Interchange: 14 Sam Moa 15 Eloni Vunakece 16 Mitchell Frei 17 Connor Watson

Ins: Mitchel Frei

Outs: Isaac Liu (Ankle, Indefinite)

Other unavailables: Ian Henderson (Broken leg, Indefinite), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Foot, Round 15), Boyd Cordner (Foot, Round 17), Mitchell Pearce (Calf, Round 15)

Comment: Bye planners can breathe easy - Latrell Mitchell has been named, and if he isn’t right this week, he’ll be back for the big bye. Mitchell Pearce (calf, round 15) remains sidelined, with popular SuperCoach player Jackson Hastings to continue in the halves. Ryan Matterson produced as the most popular buy last week, scoring a $32,500 rise and predicted to see another $42,600 next week. Isaac Liu (ankle) is out, with Kane Evans to start at lock and Mitchell Frei coming onto the bench.

Storm: 1 Cameron Munster 2 Suliasi Vunivalu 3 Cheyse Blair 4 Ryan Morgan 5 Marika Koroibete 6 Blake Green 7 Cooper Cronk 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Cameron Smith 10 Jordan McLean 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Tohu Harris 13 Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14 Kenny Bromwich 15 Tim Glasby 16 Felise Kaufusi 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Ins: None

Outs: None

Other unavailables: Billy Slater (Shoulder, Season), Will Chambers (Fractured foot, Round 19), Jeremy Hawkins (Hamstring, Round 16), Mark Nicholls (Hamstring, Round 15), Ben Hampton (Calf, Round 15)

Comment: No changes. Jesse Bromwich (BE 69) is an obvious must this week or next. He is at his cheapest since round five. Cameron Munster (BE 97) and Tohu Harris (BE 98) are also must-haves, but can wait until the four-trade week next round.

SEA EAGLES v PANTHERS

4pm Sunday at Broovkale Oval

Sea Eagles: 1 Brett Stewart 2 Jorge Taufua 3 Tom Trbojevic 4 Brayden Wiliame 5 Matthew Wright 6 Dylan Walker 7 Apisai Koroisau 8 Darcy Lussick 9 Matt Parcell 10 Nate Myles 11 Lewis Brown 12 Jamie Buhrer 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Blake Leary 15 Josh Starling 16 Addin Fonua-Blake 17 Siosaia Vave 18 Liam Knight

Ins: Addin Fonua-Blake, Blake Leary, Jorge Taufua, Liam Knight

Outs: Brenton Lawrence (Pectoral, Season), Daly Cherry-Evans (Ankle, Round 19), Jamie Lyon (Hamstring, Round 16)

Other unavailables: Jayden Hodges (ACL, Season), Tim Moltzen (Knee, Season), Isaac John (Pectoral, Round 16), Martin Taupau (Suspension, Round 15), Feleti Mateo (Calf, Round 15), Steve Matai (Neck, Indefinite)

Comment: Jamie Buhrer looms as a POD at just $274,000 and 0.5 per cent ownership. He played 65 minutes on his return from injury two weeks ago and was on track for 80 minutes last week before going off concussed (although game time may have been inflated by injuries to Brenton Lawrence, Daly Cherry-Evans and Jamie Lyon). With Buhrer’s break even at 26, it’s worth waiting a week to take another look at minutes and just cop the projected $13,400 rise. The injuries to Lyon and Cherry-Evans ensure 80 minutes for Matt Parcell, with Apisai Koroisau to play in the halves. Addin Fonua-Blake, Blake Leary and the heavily-backed pre-season cheapie Liam Knight join the squad, while Jorge Taufua (broken collarbone) returns from injury.

Panthers: 1 Matt Moylan 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Tyrone Peachey 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Bryce Cartwright 7 Nathan Cleary 8 Leilani Latu 9 Peter Wallace 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Isaah Yeo 12 Trent Merrin 13 Suaia Matagi. Interchange: 14 Sitaleki Akauola 15 Jeremy Latimore 16 Chris Grevsmuhl 17 Moses Leota

Ins: Moses Leota, Sitaleki Akauola

Outs: Jamie Soward, Sam McKendry (Suspension, Round 17)

Other unavailables: Dean Whare (ACL, Season), Te Marie Martin (Shoulder fracture, Season), Peta Hiku (ACL, Season), James Fisher-Harris (Broken thumb, Round 18)

Comment: The dropping of Jamie Soward sees Bryce Cartwright shift to five-eighth. However, given Anthony Griffin’s love of late changes and mid-game positional switches, it’s impossible to know how much time Cartwright will actually spend in the halves. In any case, he’s a definite hold. Cartwright partners young gun Nathan Cleary, who looms as a cheapie for round 16, when the Panthers will have finished their byes. SuperCoaches should also be freeing cash for Trent Merrin in round 16.

DRAGONS v BULLDOGS

4pm Monday at ANZ Stadium

Dragons: 1 Jason Nightingale 2 Kalifa Faifai Loa 3 Euan Aitken 4 Tim Lafai 5 Kurt Mann 6 Gareth Widdop (c) 7 Benji Marshall 8 Leeson Ah Mau 9 Mitch Rein 10 Russell Packer 11 Tyson Frizell 12 Joel Thompson 13 Mike Cooper. Interchange: 14 Dunamis Lui 15 Will Matthews 16 Siliva Havili 17 Jake Marketo

Ins: Siliva Havili

Outs: Josh McCrone

Other unavailables: Dylan Farrell (Back, Indefinite), Mose Masoe (ACL, Season), Yaw Kiti Glymin (Hamstring, Indefinite), Ben Creagh (Knee, Indefinite), Jack De Belin (Shoulder, Round 16), Josh Dugan (Elbow, Round 16), Drew Hutchison (Broken hand, Round 15)

Comment: Siliva Havili replaces Josh McCrone on the bench in the only change. Euan Aitken and Mike Cooper are both important players to get through round 15, but they could be on the chopping block come round 18.

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hoppoate 2 Curtis Rona 3 Josh Morris 4 Kerrod Holland 5 Sam Perrett 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham 11 Josh Jackson 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13 David Klemmer. Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Adam Elliott 16 Tim Browne 17 Craig Garvey

Ins: None

Outs: None

Other unavailables: Brett Morris (Knee, Round 16), Greg Eastwood (Knee, Round 17)

Comment: No changes. Kerrod Holland is a sell prior to round 15 to the likes of Tohu Harris, Bevan French or Konrad Hurrell. James Graham is doing serious business as a bye purchase, averaging 73 in the last five rounds.

SHARKS v COWBOYS

7pm Monday at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Sharks: 1 Ben Barba 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Jack Bird 4 Gerard Beale 5 Valentine Holmes 6 James Maloney 7 Chad Townsend 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Michael Ennis 10 Sam Tagataese 11 Luke Lewis 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen. Interchange: 14 Ricky Leutele 15 Chris Heighington 16 Jason Bukuya 17 Joseph Paulo

Ins: None

Outs: None

Other unavailables: Connor Tracey (ACL, Season), Matt Prior (Knee, Round 16), David Fifita (Personal leave, Round 16)

Comment: Unchanged, but Sosaia Feki (groin) is in doubt. Ben Barba is far more than a cash cow — he’s back in keeper territory. He has scored the third most points of any fullback and fourth most points of any five-eighth. Pencil in Jack Bird as a round 16 buy if he’s out of the Origin picture. Many SuperCoaches have uttered the words “never again” when referencing Paul Gallen in recent times, but he’ll be very hard to turn down in round 19.

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote 2 Kyle Feldt 3 Justin O’Neill 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Johnathan Thurston 8 Matt Scott 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 Rory Kostjasyn, 15 John Asiata 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant

Ins: Michael Morgan

Outs: Ray Thompson

Other unavailables: None

Comment: Michael Morgan (concussion) returns in place of Ray Thompson. Johnathan Thurston backed up last week and therefore looms as a resting candidate in round 16. If so, he would play just one of five weeks from round 15. Thurston (BE 96) to Shaun Johnson (BE 37) is already the sixth most popular trade this week ... and rising.