KFC SuperCoach NRL 2023: Tom Sangster’s final team revealed

KFC SuperCoaches are faced with a rare problem this season – instead of scrambling for cheapies there are now too many to fit in, writes TOM SANGSTER.

Usually KFC SuperCoaches are scrambling for cheapies at this time of the year. But 2023 is very different.

In fact, there are so many cheapies it’s impossible to fit them all in.

With plenty of bargain buys on offer, Sangster’s Paradise have opted for a traditional guns and rookies strategy.

And the extra cash created by the confirmation of cheapies on Team List Tuesday has enabled the purchase of the one man I’d wanted all pre-season, but didn’t have the luxury cash for – Valentine Holmes.

I just had to find room for an attacking Cowboy given their outrageously soft run to start the season. They face just one top eight side from 2022 in the first eight weeks.

With goalkicking in tow, expect Holmes to sit very high for total points after two months, if not top.

Valentine Holmes is set to score big over the opening rounds. Picture: NRL Photos

In all, I’ve settled on nine changes to my original side, which is actually quite a calm pre-season compared to previous years.

1 Nicho Hynes ($902,600) to Brandon Smith ($478,200) via duals

2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($327,100) to Valentine Holmes ($724,600)

3 Soni Luke ($234,800) to Tanah Boyd ($384,600)

4 Ray Stone ($246,900) to Eliesa Katoa ($411,100)

5 Luke Garner ($435,100) to Jackson Ford ($281,200)

6 Matt Burton ($594,500) to Isaiya Katoa ($216,100)

7 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($330,200) to Sunia Turuva ($275,000)

8 Valynce Te Whare ($200,800) to William Warbrick $200,800)

9 Krystian Mapapalangi ($309,600) to Harley Smith-Shields ($300,300)

You need at least one gun hooker to start the year, and Harry Grant is the best of the best. Picture: NRL Photos

HOOKER

Harry Grant ($816,500)

You need to pay big for one hooker and Harry Grant and Damien Cook are so far ahead of the pack it’s not even worth considering any others. So how do we split these two? Well, it’s a fine line but Grant averaged 2.4 points per game more than Cook last year. He also played a game from the bench and was forced to switch to halfback in a number of matches last year, reducing his base stats. Take those matches out and Grant is a clear leader in the position, while the exit of Brandon Smith only gives more responsibility – and minutes – to the Queensland Origin star.

UPDATE Nicho Hynes ($902,600) to Brandon Smith ($478,200) via Tanah Boyd ($384,600)

Nicho Hynes is a definite sell after being ruled out for round one with a calf injury. I still think he’ll be a huge factor this season but just can’t carry a non-player in the opening round when so many guns have early byes – James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary all break in the opening month.

Meanwhile, I’ve been quietly waiting for a moment to create the cash for Brandon Smith and Hynes’ injury provides the perfect opportunity. Smith’s output from 2022 is basically impossible to gauge given constant switches between hooker and back row. But the fact Jake Turpin has been left out of the 17 for round one tells me The Cheese is going to play as many minutes as he can handle (although the man himself says he won’t play 80). He’s set for a flyer against the Dolphins and Warriors in the opening two weeks.

With Isaiah Papali’i losing his FRF status, Payne Haas is the cheapest of the guns. Picture: Getty Images

PROP

Payne Haas ($662,400)

The prop position is very different in 2023 with last year’s top-placed player Isaiah Papali’i changing clubs and losing FRF status. So now we are left with a relatively even spread on three guys for the gun prop spot – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Joe Tapine and Haas. Tapine is by far the most popular at 27 per cent ownership, but Haas is $40,000 cheaper so he gets the nod for Sangster’s Paradise. I actually think the family dramas over the off-season could see him fire up and come out of the blocks even harder.

Christian Welch ($464,000)

Suddenly the most senior forward at the Storm following the exits of Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich (Dolphins) and Felise Kaufusi. Starts at a decent price after an Achilles injury shortened his 2023.

Stefano Utoikamanu ($319,200)

Stefano was absolutely brilliant in the first trial, notching 73 points including a try with linebreak. But perhaps more impressive was the work rate of 11 runs for 124 metres, 16 tackles and five tackle busts. He backed it up with 33 points in pure base in the second trial. Big Stefano was considered one of the brightest young props in the NRL in 2021 before injury limited him to just nine games and 33 minutes last season. Fit again, KFC SuperCoaches are hoping for a return to his very solid output from 2021, which included 52 points per game at an impressive 1.16 points per minute.

Davvy Moale ($234,800)

Young forward building to something. Played just 21 minutes in 12 games last year, but won a round one bench spot at the Rabbitohs and can only improve. Outstanding in the pre-season, scoring 56 SuperCoach points in the final trial including a try, linebreak and 14 runs for 123 metres. Also impressive in the opening trial with 30 SuperCoach points, including 106 metres from 13 runs.

Cameron Murray was the second highest scoring 2RF in 2022, and is primed to finish on top in 2023. Picture: NRL Photos

BACK ROWERS

Cameron Murray ($749,200)

Only Isaiah Papali’I scored more points at 2RF last year and Papali’i is a no-go this season after switching to the Tigers. Translation: Murray is the best back row banker for 2023. Brilliant in the final trial with 81 points, including two try assists.

David Fifita ($689,800)

Last year was a stop-start season for Fifita as he was switched between starting, bench and even centre. But there’s no doubting Fifita’s talent and he has the highest ceiling of any 2RF in the game. Had some brilliant moments in the final trial with 80 points, including two try assists.

J’maine Hopgood ($298,800)

Cheapie of the year. The departures of Isaiah Papali’I and Marata Niukore open a starting lock spot at the Eels. Hopgood was stuck behind a premiership pack at the Panthers last season but dominated the NSW Cup and now is his time to shine. He was one of the best forwards on the field in the All Stars clash, notching 52 points including 10 runs, 29 tackles, four offloads and two tackle busts. He backed that up with 59 points in the final trial, essentially all in base.

UPDATE Ray Stone ($246,900) to Eliesa Katoa ($411,100)

I was keen on Stone following rumours he would start the year at lock for the Dolphins at close to bottom dollar after a string of injury interrupted seasons. But that dream scenario seems less likely by the day with Tom Gilbert set to take the role. Meanwhile, former Warrior Eliesa Katoa has only just scratched the surface of his talent and now moves into possibly the best system in the comp at the Storm. An edge back row spot is open following the exits of Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi, with Katoa a key contender. He averaged 59 when playing more than 60 minutes on the edge at the Warriors.

UPDATE Luke Garner ($435,100) to Jackson Ford ($281,200)

Garner has won the left edge spot vacated by Viliame Kikau at the Bulldogs and is therefore popular. But his pre-season was only solid without being spectacular, and he averaged 66 minutes at the Tigers last year so it’s hard to see massive improvement. Meanwhile, Ford was one of the revelations of the pre-season and has played his way into a starting back row spot at the Warriors. He scored 42 SuperCoach points almost entirely in base in the final trial. That followed on from an impressive 58 the week before, which included a try, linebreak and three tackle busts.

Josh Schuster ($241,200)

Won’t play until round three due to a calf injury and then the bye, but I’m still getting on from the start and saving a trade. The exit of Kieran Foran (Titans) opens the door for Schuster to become a full time five-eighth at the Sea Eagles. Schuster played mostly as a bench utility last year as he battled fitness issues, averaging just 43 minutes for the season. He therefore starts very cheap, but should up his game time to 80 minutes every match in the playmaking hot spot.

Lock Nathan Cleary into your teams for 2023. Picture: NRL Photos

HALFBACK

Nathan Cleary ($841,000)

Just lock him in and throw away the key. Cleary is the most consistent halfback in KFC SuperCoach, having topped the averages for three consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021) before finishing second to Nicho Hynes last year. The bye in round three is hardly ideal but I’m willing to take the hit on a player of Cleary’s calibre. Full lowdown on new bye rules here.

UPDATE Nicho Hynes ($902,600) to Tanah Boyd ($384,600) via duals

Nicho’s reluctant sell is explained above and Boyd’s dual positioning comes in handy. He starts just above cheapie price but averaged 60 as goalkicking halfback at the end of 2022. He has strong starting draw, played well in the trials and has the beast himself David Fifita running off his right hip.

The Tigers have recruited well and could be on the up in 2023. Adam Doueihi could be a big beneficiary. Picture: Getty Images

FIVE-EIGHTH

Adam Doueihi ($624,600)

Only played 11 games last season on return from an ACL injury but immediately added spark to the Tigers, despite being switched between bench, centre and his favoured position of five-eighth. But he has the five-eighth spot locked in this year at the Tigers, who shape as a considerably better side following the recruitment of John Bateman, Isaiah Papali’I and David Klemmer. Scored 71 points in the final trial, including two try assists.

UPDATE Matt Burton ($594,500) to Isaiya Katoa ($216,100)

18-year-old whiz kid Isaiya Katoa is confirmed to play round one for the Dolphins, pipping Anthony Milford, and he’s therefore one of the cheapies of the year. The Penrith product is one of the most hyped playmaking prospects in the game. The Dolphins hardly have the best attacking potential, but those who watched Katoa in the trials would have no hesitation.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has struggled for SuperCoach relevancy in the past. Picture: Getty Images

CENTRE/WING

UPDATE Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($327,100) to Valentine Holmes ($724,600)

I’m a little dirty about selling CNK, who I think is a great buy. But I just had to find room for an attacking Cowboy given their outrageously soft run to start the season. They face just one top eight side from 2022 in the first eight weeks. With goalkicking in tow, expect Holmes to sit very high for total points after two months, if not top.

UPDATE Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($330,200) to Sunia Turuva ($275,000)

I’m really worried about the attacking potential of the Dolphins this season so Tabuai-Fidow must go. I’m aware this contradicts the selection above of Katoa, but Katoa is basically bottom dollar, while Hammer has always struggled for base stats. Sunia Turuva is the logical replacement. The Fijian has won Taylan May’s (ACL, season) wing spot at the high-scoring Panthers.

UPDATE Valynce Te Whare ($200,800) to William Warbrick ($200,800)

I’m certain Te Whare will be a cheapie at some stage this year due to his Konrad Hurrell-like tackle busting ability, but it won’t be from round one. Which brings us to Warbrick. Justin Olam (round six), George Jennings (round four) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (round eight) are all unavailable for the Storm, meaning Warbrick has scored a wing spot for round one. Job security is an issue given he has earned his spot due to injuries, but he seems set for a decent run for at least three weeks. And going on his trial form – where he scored 73 SuperCoach points including a try, linebreak and a massive seven tackle busts – the Olympic Nines silver medallist may well play his way into the spot full time.

UPDATE Krystian Mapapalangi ($309,600) to Harley Smith-Shields ($300,300)

Mapapalangi is a player to monitor, especially due to the Dominic Young situation, which could see him promoted to first grade at any time. But he won’t play round one with Enari Tuala preferred to replace Dane Gagai (hamstring). Meanwhile, Harley Smith-Shields has won a round one centre spot at the Raiders due to the injury to Xavier Savage (broken jaw) and is ridiculously under-owned at just 1.2 per cent. I have an extremely good feeling about HSS. This kid is a serious player but hasn’t had a solid run at first grade due to a string of injuries. Scored only 13 SuperCoach points in the final trial in limited minutes and is coming back from an ACL injury, so hopefully the masses stay away. POD of the year.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira ($200,800)

As Travis Meyn reports, the Titans will blood one of the fastest players in the NRL in round one. Bottom dollar for KFC SuperCoach, AKP is set to become a KFC SuperCoach cult hero after scoring a stunning 25 tries in 19 games for Burleigh last season. The breakout star of the pre-season, scoring six tries in two games including a few miraculous put-downs.

Reimis Smith ($316,800)

Only played nine games last season due to a pectoral injury for an average of 30. But he averaged 51 the season before and 52 in 2018, so has big room for improvement from a bargain price.

Paul Alamoti ($200,800)

Locked in as Canterbury centre for round one. Very solid trial form with 34 SuperCoach points including a try in the final trial on the back of 22 points the week before. Job security is as good as it gets for a bottom dollar player given he has earned the spot on merit and his point scoring potential is high considering Alamoti is considered one of the brightest young guns in Bulldogs’ history.

James Tedesco is as safe as they come and is a near must have. Picture: Getty Images.

FULLBACKS

James Tedesco ($836,300)

Safe as they come. Hasn’t finished below seventh for total points in the last half decade. I’m a tad worried about World Cup players starting slowly after a short off-season and his round four bye, but Teddy is basically bulletproof.

Tom Trbojevic ($577,700)

Ridiculously cheap for those willing to run the gauntlet on what is becoming an increasingly worrying injury history. Put simply, Turbo is the best player in KFC SuperCoach when fit and is available for $700,000 less than his starting price last year. Hard to turn down at the price, particularly with the extra trades on offer for 2023, but take the round two bye into consideration.