KFC SuperCoach NRL: 2021 Bounce back players
Comeback kings! These are the NRL players who let you down in 2020, but could bounce back into KFC SuperCoach calculations in 2021.
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Everyone deserves a second chance in KFC SuperCoach, and just because they let you down once before, doesn’t mean they can’t deliver again.
Who knows, the players being written off after a poor year could be the PODS who can help win your league or help you crack the top 1011.
Maybe they underperformed and didn’t deliver on their big price tag or maybe they missed way too much game time through injury or suspension. Whatever the reason, these are the players who let you down in 2020 but could bounce back in 2021.
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Tom Trbojevic $593,500 FLB, Sea Eagles
After ending 2019 as one of the best players in KFC SuperCoach, Tom Trbojevic managed just seven games in 2020, making him arguably the most disappointing player to own. His average of 67 points a game still put him among the other elite options, but was considerably down on his typical average of 75.6. As a result Turbo starts 2021 at a more than $120k discount on his starting price last year, making him a virtual must have player for anyone willing to take the risk. After skipping State of Origin to get his body right Tom should head into 2021 fit and firing and KFC SuperCoaches will be hoping his hamstring concerns are behind him.
Mitch Moses $481,000 HFB, Eels
Moses began 2020 as one of the most owned halfbacks in the game but his numbers suffered, as his average dropped from 62 to 54 and was largely abandoned by KFC SuperCoaches after injury struck. Moses had just seven try assists for the season, a stat which seems unlikely to repeat itself for a player in a likely top eight team. We did see glimpses of his best, with five scores above 60, and if the Eels’ attack can improve in 2021 we could see Moses bounce back.
Michael Morgan $386,700 HFB & 5/8, Cowboys
It’s been a rough few years for Michael Morgan in KFC SuperCoach, with his average fluctuating wildly each year and missing most of 2020 through injury. But now the Cowboys’ co-captain finds himself at his cheapest price since 2016, making him one of the most affordable starting halves in KFC SuperCoach. With one of the worst attacks in 2020, the Cowboys ended the season with just five wins, and if they are any chance of improving in 2021 Morgan needs to drastically improve.
Valentine Holmes $509,400 FLB/CTW, Cowboys
Sticking with the Cowboys, and Valentine Holmes is another player who could bounce back in 2021, after a pretty disappointing first year back in the NRL. Val started off strong, before really dropping off and missing eight games through injury, being forced back to the wing and finally ending the season on a high note. Now with a full season behind him after his NFL adventure, Val gains a CTW dual position, has seemingly locked down the fullback role and should remain their goal kicker in 2021. He’s ticking all the boxes so far!
Jordan Rapana $370,400 CTW, Raiders
After missing the start of 2020 with his move to Japanese Rugby, Rapana was rushed back into an injury depleted Raiders side without a proper pre-season and still ended the season with an average of 42. Not bad considering he played two games off the bench and managed just two tries in the year. Despite their injury toll, the Raiders’ offence was still up there for best in the league and with a full pre-season under his belt, Rapana could be a great POD in 2021.
Blake Ferguson $352,900 CTW, Eels
From the most expensive CTW in KFC SuperCoach to a bargain mid-ranger all in just two seasons... it’s been a massive fall for Fergo. But despite scoring just three tries in 2020, Blake Fergusson remains one of the best base CTWs in the game. If he managed to score just six more tries last year (not a huge ask for a winger), his average would have jumped from 40 to a much more respectable 45 and that’s not even factoring in linebreaks. I’m backing the Eels’ attack to improve in 2020, and Fergo to be a winner from that.
Corey Oates $245,500 CTW/2RF, Broncos
2020 was nothing short of a disaster for Corey Oates, with just two scores over 40 (both of which were after his move to the backrow) and four scores under 20! Luckily for Oates a permanent move to the forwards is on the cards for 2021 which could be a huge boost to his base and making him an enticing option if he can lockdown big minutes on an edge. If he does stick on the left wing he’d be dependant on an Anthony Milford resurgence and should probably be avoided, but there is a lot of upside at that price and with the dual position (if he starts).
Latrell Mitchell $524,600 FLB, Rabbitohs
It was a rough start for Latrell in his move to the Bunnies and fullback, with three scores under 25, but did get better as the season went on until injury struck. His base was poor compared to elite fullbacks, but there was a lot to like from his scoring and creative stats (with five scores above 70, including two tons) and after a season at fullback he should see some improvement when he gets on the field. But he could also be one to watch and pick up cheaper if he starts slow.
James Roberts $277,700 CTW, Tigers
Jimmy the Jet featured prominently in last year’s Bounce Back list, but off field issues and the COVID affected season meant he never really took off. But now with a move to the Tigers it could be the year we see the best of Roberts once again. Jimmy finished 2017 as one of the best centres in the game but just wasn’t able to repeat it at the Broncos or Bunnies, so perhaps a shift was just what he needed. While it’s unlikely we see a return around his 2017 average of 60, if Michael Maguire is the man to get the best out of the Jet, he could just be a great mid-ranger in 2021, coming in at less than $300k.
Anthony Milford $304,600 5/8 & FLB, Broncos
Very reluctantly, Milf makes the Bounce Back list yet again in 2021, despite a shocking 2020 season that saw him average just 34 points... a far cry from his 2017 average of 70. Milf has been on a downward trajectory since the departure of Ben Hunt, but really hasn’t been quite the same, and is one of the players who has made many of our ‘Never Again’ lists. But what Milford does have going for him is Kevin Walters as head coach, the same man who led the Broncos attack as assistant coach when Milf was at his prime. If Kevvie can’t get the best out of Milford again, perhaps nobody can. While the average of 70 is probably too ambitious, even if Milford can get back to a generous average of 55, at $304k he’d still be in line to make some decent cash, while the dual position could also come in handy.
Matt Moylan $253,600, FLB & 5/8, Sharks
Another player who previously made my ‘Never Again’ list, Matt Moylan has deservedly earned his reputation as one of the most inconsistent players in KFC SuperCoach, averaging a measly 29 points in 2020. But as a result, Moylan starts the year in the cheapie price range, despite looking set to play in the halves with Shaun Johnson likely out injured for 8-10 weeks. If Moylan can find his 2016-2018 form then you’re getting a player capable of averaging double his asking price and that’s some reward. But lets be generous and assume he can increase his average to just 45, that would still be a 55.2% increase and would he see some solid price rises. He may not be a keeper, but he could be the perfect stepping stone to a gun five-eighth if the stars align.
Tevita Pangai $616,200 FRF/2RF, Broncos
Just months ago TPJ’s time at the Broncos seemed all but over, after he narrowly avoided being sacked. But with the arrival of Kevvie at the club, he now looks like a key part of their forward pack once again. His numbers in 2020 actually weren’t bad at all, averaging 70 points a game, with 69 minutes at a PPM of 1, solid base stats, tackle breaks, and offloads. The problem was more with his behaviour, suspended for four games at the start of the year, before being suspended by the Broncos for the final seven games of the season. It remains unclear whether he will start, or whether the drama from 2020 will leave him relegated to the bench or reserve grade, but there is a vacancy with David Fifita gone. If he can get the starting spot he could be one to consider despite the heavy price tag, but for now he is definitely just one to watch. Make no mistake he is on his last chance at the Broncos, and any issues could lead to his immediate sacking, while any suspension would rub him out for a long time.
Will Hopoate $398,600 FLB/CTW, Bulldogs
2020 was Hoppa’s worst KFC SuperCoach year since 2016 and while I’m still not expecting great things for the Bulldogs this year, the addition of Kyle Flanagan could really help. If you take out an injury affected game in Round 7 2020, Hopoate’s average jumps from 45 to a much more respectable 48.6, while his average at fullback was 51.4. The arrival of Corey Allan means Hopoate will likely return to the centres, but this could also be a blessing in disguise given he typically averages just shy of 60 points when playing at centre in previous seasons. If the Dogs are to score some decent points in 2021 I think Hopoate will play a big part in that and is worth the risk at >$400k.
Ken Maumalo $481,700 CTW, Warriors
After averaging 60 in a breakout 2019, Maumalo went into 2020 with a lot of expectation, but it just wasn’t his year. He started slow, before returning from the COVID shutdown and being injured, looking good on return and then going back to New Zealand on compassionate leave. Had he stayed in Australia for the remainder of the season he could have been a solid POD CTW by the end of the year. Despite all the drama, he still averaged 54 points, thanks largely to his pretty consistent try scoring on the Warriors’ left edge (five tries in eight games) and solid base stats. He could be playing outside Euan Aitken which is slightly concerning, but if he can continue his great combination with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, I expect the tries will keep coming in 2021.
David Fusitua $251,800 CTW, Warriors
Sticking with the Warriors, and Fusitua’s season played out very similarly to Maumalo, with just one try in seven games before leaving the Warriors’ bubble and returning to New Zealand for family reasons. He averaged a lowly 28 KFC SuperCoach points and therefore starts cheap, but you can expect significant improvement based on past output – he averaged 37, 48, 42 and 51 in the previous four seasons. He’s more dependant on tries than someone like Ken Maumalo, but also has a much higher ceiling and could be in for some big price rises if things go his way.
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