KFC SuperCoach NRL 2020: Bye Round preparation is essential
Don’t forget to plan for the Bye rounds when setting your team or you might regret it later!
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SuperCoaches! The 2020 season is here and as you all finalise your teams make sure you’re keeping the bye rounds in mind! NOW is the time to start preparing.
The NRL Round 12 and 16 byes are some of the best times to make up lost ground if you’ve had a bad start to the year. On the flip side, failing to prepare for the bye rounds could absolutely cripple your 2020 season, pushing you well down the SuperCoach rankings.
With some players on bye, and others away for State of Origin commitments, you will want to try and have at least one player covering a bye round at most positions, if possible.
So with that let’s take a look at each position to see which players you might want to consider starting with or at least keep an eye on.
*Note that all players likely to play State of Origin will be omitted.
ROUND 12 BYE COVERAGE
The Broncos, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters, Sharks, Storm, Tigers and Warriors are all on bye in round 12
HOOKER
Best options: Cameron McInnes ($633,200)*, Reed Mahoney ($490,200)
While Damien Cook is arguably the best hooker in KFC SuperCoach, he will miss the Round 12 bye due to origin. And with Api Koroisau and Blayke Brailey being very popular, many SuperCoaches could be without a starting hooker in Round 12.
Cameron McInnes was the best choice to cover Round 12 before going down at the NRL Nines with an MCL injury, potentially ruling him out for some time. But he should still be back in time for the bye round. Definitely not an option to start with, but could be someone to consider bringing in at a discount at some point in the season.
Reed Mahoney could be another POD option to go with at hooker, who looked very promising in 2019 with an average of 52.8 and costing just $490,200. He could be an upgrade target for the bye round from someone like Apisai Koroisau or Blayke Brailey after they’ve made you some cash.
FRONT ROW FORWARD
Best options: Addin Fonua-Blake ($612,900), Martin Taupau ($571,200), Aidan Tolman, ($557,200), Liam Knight ($437,300)
The Manly front row is looking like the way to go ahead of the bye rounds, with both Addin-Fonua Blake and Marty Taupau set to play, but both have their risks, especially when it comes to suspension. Fonua-Blake looks set to shake off injury worries and not miss any games at the start of the NRL season and could drop in price if he is eased back into the side.
Aidan Tolman is a very consistent option to go with from the start of the season, averaging 60 points and 60 minutes a game.
Players like Junior Paulo, and Jordan McLean could also be POD options to keep an eye on, but aren’t as consistent.
Liam Knight and Jaydn Su’a are a popular midrangers in 2020 and will cover the bye, as will someone like Coen Hess if he messes State of Origin selection.
Moeaki Fotuaika is set to miss the start of the season as he returns from injury, but could be a great target to bring in for the bye.
SECOND ROW FORWARD
Best options: Jason Taumalolo ($723,400), Cameron McInnes($633,200), Ryan Matterson ($626,200)
The more I look at this list, the more I start to think Jason Taumalolo is a near must have for KFC SuperCoach in 2020, as he is the only player at any position with a 2019 average above 69, who also covers Round 12.
Ryan Matterson could also cover the bye if he misses out on origin selection once again and should play big minutes at the Eels, as will Nathan Brown.
With a new coach at the Knights, Mitch Barnett has some risk but locked down an 80 minute role in 2019 and averaged just under Jake Trbojevic.
Josh Jackson isn’t the most amazing KFC SuperCoach player, but you can’t say he isn’t consistent and he will also play in Round 12.
Another player to consider is Dragons forward Trent Merrin, who also has a FRF dual-position which could be handy during the bye rounds if he wins a starting role.
HALFBACK
Best options: Mitchell Moses ($579,300), Adam Reynolds ($509,900)
With players on origin duty, halfback is looking pretty thin for the first bye round, with Mitchell Moses and Adam Reynolds looking like the best targets. Moses had a huge bounce back year in 2019, leading the competition in try assists, so I like him a lot in 2020 for more than just his bye coverage.
Reynolds on the other hand is arguably the most consistent SuperCoach option at halfback, but has a lower ceiling and is by no means a standout.
If Mitchell Pearce misses out on Origin selection in 2020 he will be another option, but again not a great one.
FIVE-EIGHTH
Best option: Cody Walker ($602,800)
Five-eighth is shaping as the most affected position for the Round 12 bye, with only one real option in Cody Walker. Likely to miss out on origin after a game to forget in 2019, Walker is looking like the only real choice unless you fancy taking a punt on the likes of Corey Norman, Dylan Brown, Alexander Brimson or Tyrone Roberts?
Walker could be a player that you can upgrade to before Round 12 instead of starting with if need be.
CENTRE/WING
Best options: Latrell Mitchell ($653,100), Maika Sivo ($547,900), Blake Fergusson ($505,700), Will Hopoate ($531,700), Reuben Garrick ($487,500), Esan Marsters ($482,900), Braidon Burns ($454,400), James Roberts ($392,700), Zac Lomax ($324,600)
While the depth at CTW for KFC is incredibly deep, it doesn't look too pretty for the Round 12 bye. Assuming most SuperCoaches are mostly filling their CTW’s with cheapies and midrangers, it might be a good idea to have 1 or 2 mid-range or gun CTW’s to cover the bye, with most of the best cheap options unavailable that week.
Eels wingers Maika Sivo and Blake Fergusson look like two of the best options, while Will Hopoate is probably the most consistent.
Latrell Mitchell is also actually a possibility on missing out on origin selection in 2020 after being dropped from Games 2 and 3 in 2019. He’ll likely be the most expensive option that covers the bye, but he looks to be playing at fullback and could have the highest ceiling of any CTW in round 12.
There are some decent mid-range players who could be cheapie upgrade targets, like James Roberts, or Waqa Blake.
FULLBACK
Best options: Valentine Holmes* ($563,700), Clint Gutherson ($532,400)
Fullback coverage for the Round 12 bye is a real worry, with Clint Gutherson the only standout option assuming Valentine Holmes earns a State of Origin recall.
If you don’t want to start the season off with Gutherson fullback might be one of those positions that you’ll have to leave empty during the first bye round.
Alexander Brimson is also there, but did not look good for KFC SuperCoach at fullback in 2019 and I can’t recommend him. Fingers crossed Val doesn’t play for the Maroons.
ROUND 16 BYE COVERAGE
*The Bulldogs, Cowboys, Dragons, Eels, Knights, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, and Titans are all on bye in Round 16
HOOKER
Best options: Cameron Smith ($684,600), Josh Hodgson ($505,800), Api Koroisau ($338,800), Blayke Brailey ($201,000)
Off the best premium hookers, only Cameron Smith covers a bye round although he does come with some risks. Surely father time will catch up with Smith eventually?
On the cheaper end of the spectrum, Josh Hodgson is there but he had a shocking start to 2019, and does not seem like someone you should start off with.
Many SuperCoaches are starting the season off with Api Koroisau , Blayke Brailey and Billy Walters, who will not only make you some decent cash (hopefully) but they will both cover the bye if you hold them for that long.
If Jazz Tevaga drops in price after his return to injury he could be another option, but don’t start with him.
Jake Turpin could be another player to consider bringing in if he gets decent minutes at the Broncos.
FRONT ROW FORWARD
Best options: James Fisher-Harris ($615,700), Andrew Fifita ($553,900), Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($537,500), Aaron Woods ($450,400), Patrick Carrigan ($326,300)
Front Row is one of the positions with solid options across both bye rounds, but with just 4 spots SuperCoaches will have to plan very carefully to be fully covered across the byes.
James Fisher-Harris is looking like the best option for Round 16, averaging big points, playing big minutes and also carrying a handy dual position.
Andrew Fifita, Tevita Pangai and Sio Siua Taukeiaho are the last of the premium options I’d consider.
There are decent mid-range options that cover the bye but probably wont make money, so may not be worth bringing in just to cover a bye.
That being said, players like Jarred Warea-Hargreaves, Alex Twal, Nelson-Asofa Solomona, Jesse Bromwich and Leeson Ah Mau are pretty consistent and affordable mid-rangers, as well as being PODs. If Zane Tetevano impresses early in the season he could be another potential option to bring in.
SECOND ROW FORWARD
Best options: James Fisher-Harris ($615,700), John Bateman ($668,200), Kenneath Bromwich ($594,800), Briton Nikoa ($557,600), Tohu Harris ($546,200), Viliame Kikau ($543,200), Tevita Pangai ($540,600), Jack Williams ($397,200)
Second row for the Round 16 bye is absolutely stacked, with a number of great premium options, so I wouldn’t worry too much about being overprepared here. There are several candidates for players you may not be able to start with but could upgrade to, like the John Bateman who starts the year injured and very expensive, but could drop in price.
Jazz Tevaga and Angus Crichton and Victor Radley are also interesting options as cheaper upgrade targets depending on how they start the season, but might not be worth starting with.
I’d try to start the season with one premium 2RF option who covers round 16, and bringing in another as the season goes on.
HALFBACK
Best options: Shaun Johnson ($585,500), George Williams ($333,800), Luke Brooks ($539,800), Jahrome Hughes ($524,000), Jarome Luai ($257,400)
With their dual position flexibility and bye coverage, I think SuperCoaches need to have one of either Shaun Johnson or George Williams in their teams to start the year, and at his low price Williams looks like a near-must. Luke Brooks is a bit of a premium POD but looked surprisingly good in 2019, finishing the year with a five round average of 76!
Jahrome Hughes is also halfback eligible and was very productive for KFC SuperCoach there in 2019 with an average of 71, but historically he is less efficient in the halves.
For mid-rangers, you could take a punt on Chad Townsend, Kyle Flanagan or Brodie Croft, but all come with risk, while cheapie Jarome Luai also covers the bye.
FIVE-EIGHTH
Best options: Shaun Johnson ($585,500), George Williams ($333,800), Luke Keary ($569,400), Anthony Milford ($476,000), Jarome Luai ($257,400)
Again I think George Williams is a near must have to start the year with. while Anthony Milford looks set to bounce back after a terrible run since 2017. Luke Keary was very consistent in 2019 despite being dependant on try assists to score well, and there is also a chance he plays origin. Kyle Flanagan and Jarome Luai can also cover you, but outside of these guys it looks pretty grim at five-eighth.
CENTRE/WING
Best options: David Nofoaluma ($604,700), Ken Maumalo ($557,200), Bronson Xerri ($523,500), Jarrod Croker ($494,900)
While CTW is a bit dire for the Round 12 bye, there are some prime targets for round 16, either to upgrade to or even start with, especially cheapies!
For the most consistent CTW’s, someone like David Nofoaluma, Jarrod Croker or Ken Maumalo are the best options, while Bronson Xerri has a very high ceiling.
There are a number of good mid-range options as well, including players like Isaah Yeo, Josh Mansour, Joey Leilua, and Jesse Ramien.
FULLBACK
Best options: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($659,800), Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad ($529,700), Ryan Papenhuyzen ($508,200)
Like the Round 12 bye there are still very few quality fullbacks that cover the bye with just three reliable premium options. While Roger Tuivasa-Scheck has the highest season average here and is arguably the most consistent, Ryan Papenhuyzen is probably the best option here given his price point and his 2019 average of 95.3 when starting at fullback. But it is admittedly a small sample size. Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad is another option here, but probably only as an upgrade target if you start the season with a cheapie fullback. Anthony Milford and Jamayne Issaako can also cover FLB thanks to their dual-position status, but I’d only really consider playing them at their other positions.
CHECK OUT MORE EXPERT KFC SUPERCOACH NRL ANALYSIS