KFC SuperCoach NRL Cheapie Bible: Bargain Buy, Sell, Hold for Round 3
With five trades to play with every KFC SuperCoach NRL player is in the market for at least one quality cheapie and Trent Copeland has done all the selection work for you here.
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PODCAST: Round 3 team selection talk
FOOTY is back!
So too is the KFC SuperCoach-lover’s dream, ‘TLT’ and haven’t we got some storylines and team selections to sift through for our all important cheapies!
That’s what I’m here for! Sit back, settle in, because aside from the pre-round one Cheapie Bible, the trades you make this week could well be the most important moves you make all season.
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Tom Flegler and Tui Kamikamica are both just above Cheapie Bible price, but it would be remiss of me not to reference two young stars of the game who absolutely killed it with their opportunities prior to the hiatus. Both would ordinarily be popular purchases this week, that’s for sure, but Flegler does have the return of Matt Lodge, Joe O and Alex Glenn in the Broncos pack, and Kamikamica is out this week due to a minor back injury – and may battle for minutes on his return as the likes of Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Christian Welch and Brandon Smith return to fitness.
Cheapies are the single most important key to SuperCoach success, without them, you cant afford the Cook’s, Taumalolo’s and Tedesco’s of the world, and picking the WRONG cheapies can ruin your entire season burning trades to resurrect, or no cash generation if you choose to hold.
A cheapie by definition is any player under $280,000. As the season goes along we will give a running verdict on when to sell, sit, buy or hold every cheapie that hits our radar – if a player is not on the list, we’ve determined they are not a viable selection.
Here we go!
Jarome Luai | HFB|5/8 ($257,400 | Panthers) – Avg: 46PPG, Rd 2: 35 points
Lots of people doubted Luai, but for mine he is one of the best upside plays in the sub-$300k price bracket at any position this year, and importantly, the no. 6 jersey is HIS, no question. Luai could even take over the goal kicking duties in the absence of Nathan Cleary the next few weeks! I called him a best 17 player in the long run, and that running game he possesses is where the points will come at his dynamic best. Hopefully things land right for him, and we see Luai jet in price to the $450k-$500k range in no-time.
Verdict: BUY – The Panthers started on fire, and we can expect Luai to get better with time.
Toby Rudolf | FRF ($171,900 | Sharks) – Avg: 39.5PPG, Rd 2: 50 points
Rudolf’s first two games were very promising, particularly his second, where he kept Andrew Fifita and Jack Williams on the bench for large chunks of the game, scoring 50 points in base stats in 42 minutes. With the forward rotation unaffected by injuries or suspensions, the spot is Rudolf’s and hopefully the minutes (and role) continue to evolve.
Verdict: BUY – Rudolf is exciting, I had him atop the cheapie FRF trio (JTB, Musgrove, Rudolf) pecking order to start the season, and that is even stronger right now.
Jamayne Taunua-Brown | FRF ($171,900 | Warriors) – Avg: 41PPG, Rd 2: 46 points
As I mentioned in the first round edition of the Cheapie Bible when rating him above the likes of Zane Musgrove, this kid is exciting, with a high work rate and ball playing skills of a junior half back. What we saw in his first two games was the ‘getting the feet wet’ side of his capacity – with 36 and 46 points respectively at a tick over 1.0PPM, and impressively 39 minutes. The offloads, tackles busts and hopefully other attacking stats will come. We all figured the Warriors would have Jazz Tevaga back, and a healthy middle rotation, but, he has injured himself again along with Ah Mau going down – so we get JTB STARTING in the front row! Hallelujah.
Verdict: BUY – I’m a huge fan (as you can no doubt tell). Just beware of the potential arrivals of Murchie and loan middle forwards in future.
Blayke Brailey | HOK ($201,000 | Sharks) – Avg: 42PPG, Rd 2: 46 points
Surprisingly, lots of people are selling Damien Cook to purchase Api Koroisau. Is that a risky ploy with Brailey as your only backup in the event of injury? I would normally say yes, but given Brailey played the full 80 minutes in both of the first two matches this season for scores of 38 and 46 points respectively and Harry Grant will likely be there at $180k for us in two weeks time as a downgrade I’m all for it. Both matches saw favourable circumstances where injuries/HIA’s forced him into the full allotment of minutes, but thankfully, Brailey is one of the few players who is not affected by the hiatus. It’s his spot, without question. So, with a BE of -21 and no selection dramas, Brailey is a lock for the safest cash injection of the season.
Verdict: BUY – As expected, you can’t play Brailey in your best 17, but he should earn in the vicinity of $100k-$150k in a slow burn, or around $80k down to Grant in a few weeks.
Eliesa Katoa | 2RF ($171,900 | Warriors) – Avg: 50.5PPG, Rd 2: 50 points
What a start for the young back rower, with 51 points in 52 minutes and 50 points in 65 minutes as one of the best players on the field in his second game. Causing havoc with his footwork at the line, what looks like a really nice offload game and solid in defence, I find it hard to believe that Katoa doesn’t keep earning a spot in the 17. But, much like a lot of our cheapies who had early season opportunity – the scene has changed a little. While he was named on the bench in rounds one and two, Katoa was touted to start this week. That hasn’t happened with coach Stephen Kearney naming the youngster in jersey 17. Worryingly Josh Curran, who is a prominent edge forward returning from injury, has been named outside the 17, so we need to watch late mail closely.
Verdict: BUY – Quite simply, back in the eyeballs which told us he’s here to stay.
Jamil Hopoate | 2RF ($171,900 | Broncos) – Avg: 33PPG, Rd 2: 47 points
Named to start on the edge for the Broncos in this week’s return to action (in the absence of Tevita Pangai Jnr (suspension)), Hopoate is one of the few bottom dollar cheapies that is locked in to make money. Scores of 19 points (19 minutes) in round one, followed by 47 points (80 minutes) in round two are promising and given TPJ’s multi-week absence, along with the news David Fifita could be 5-6 weeks away he could well be looking at enough of a window to make some serious money. KFC SuperCoach Stats has Hopoate conservatively jumping $100k in the next three weeks even with scores in the 30s.
Verdict: BUY – Looks a solid, short-term win. Sell in round 6 or 7 when TPJ returns, or possibly even hold until Fifita is back.
Kurt Mann | CTW/FLB ($287,100 | Knights) – Avg: 53.5PPG, Rd 2: 58 points
Mann proved all the doubters wrong in the first two rounds, notching scores of 49 and 58 points respectively – including a try and a try assist, but also some very solid base stats around the 30-35 point range. His spot in the halves alongside Mitch Pearce is locked in with him being named to start there again this week, just keep an eye out for young gun Phoenix Crossland who may well have won the no. 6 jersey to start the season had it not been for an Osteitis Pubis injury.
Verdict: BUY – Every single Kallum Watkins owner should be making this move, and those who already own sit tight you’ll be making at least $100k over the coming weeks.
Emre Guler | FRF ($220,700 | Raiders) – Avg: 69PPG, Rd 2: 44 points
Guler was all the rage prior to the hiatus, scoring 138 points across his first two matches, sitting with a BE of -69 and with a projected $85,000 price rise after round three. But, as with all of these cheapies, a lot has changed. John Bateman’s likely inclusion in round four (after being initially forecast to miss many rounds with injury) will push Corey Horsburgh into the middle rotation exclusively leaving Guler entrenched as likely the last middle forward off the bench. On top of that don’t forget that Hudson Young (suspension) will return in round six. In layman’s terms – the 45 and 50 minutes Guler saw in the first two rounds is likely to dip to the 30s quick smart. So he will make money, just not as much as first thought.
Verdict: LOW END BUY – If you already own, great, but I wouldn’t be jumping on unless Bateman is ruled out for a few extra weeks in his recovery.
Braden Wiliame | CTW ($201,000 | Dragons) – Avg: 33PPG, Rd 2: 43 points
Scores of 23 and 43 points don’t jump off the screen and yell PICK ME, but the old fashioned eyeball test told me Wiliame has this spot locked down, and also came very close to scoring a couple of extra tries had things broken right. The Dragons welcome back a host of injured players upon the resumption but thankfully for Wiliame, all of them are in the pack. Put it this way, there was one player dropped in the backline, and that was the far more ‘established’ Tim Lafai, so
the safety is there that he’s first choice at this point well ahead of Lafai and Euan Aitken (on bench). A BE of -3 isn’t earth shattering, but all it takes is one try to accelerate things.
Verdict: BUY – A very safe (selection wise) low-priced option.
Tyrell Fuimaono | CTW/2RF ($201,000 | Dragons) – Avg: 51PPG, Rd 2: 75 points
EYEBALL TEST. Wow. If you don’t remember the Dragons’ round two clash against the Panthers, let me remind you that Fuimaono looked like Jason Taumalolo at times, and I don’t say that lightly, as the 75 points came in 72 minutes with 31 tackles, 10 points in tackle busts, a line break and 22 points in H8’s. Now, like seemingly every cheapie that was flying prior to the hiatus, Fuimaono had to deal with the return of previously injured established players – in this case it is the Sims brothers and Cam McInnes returning; but, he’s kept his spot with Lafai, Merrin and Luke all dropped before him! Amazing news, and well deserved.
Verdict: BUY – Bench edge players are normally KFC SuperCoach poison but that 75 point score will stay in Fui’s rolling average for three weeks even while he is off the bench. Handy dual position switch with Isaah Yeo, too.
Ben Hampton | CTW/FLB ($237,000 | Cowboys) – Avg: 55PPG, Rd 2: 61 points
Well, well, well. Just when you think Hampton wouldn’t have any upside, he finds his way into scores of 49 and 61 points in the first two rounds with a try in each game! That leaves Hampton with a BE of -36 and projected price rise of $60k after round three. Kallum Watkins owners should take a hard look here, but he is firmly below Kurt Mann in my opinion, as without a try he will put up a score of 25 or less and halt the price rises quick smart. A matchup with the Titans this weekend could well kick him on big time, though.
Verdict: LOW END BUY – Personally, I don’t think these scores will continue, but if they do it could be worthwhile jumping on. Crystal ball anyone?
Josh Kerr | FRF/2RF ($233,000 | Dragons) – Avg: 37PPG, Rd 2: 38 points
Kerr, who was talked up in pre-season after a stellar All-Stars performance, was rumoured to be one of the casualties of the hiatus with the Sims brothers and Cam McInnes returning. Playing around the 30-40 minute mark in his first two matches it was touted to be between him, Tyrell Fuimaono, Jacob Host and Trent Merrin for the final two bench spots. Well, teams have been named and Kerr remains, while Trent Merrin and Isaac Luke have been left out! Huge. There is still seemingly no real room for expanded minutes but it’s certainly great news Kerr’s kept his spot.
Verdict: HOLD – NOT a buy, but those of you who already own take the win.
Billy Walters | HFB/HOK ($201,000 | Tigers) – Avg: 49PPG, Rd 2: 47 points
Ugh. What a disaster the hiatus is for one of the KFC SuperCoach good news stories from the start of the season. Billy had started with 51 and 47 points respectively playing the FULL 80 minutes both weeks, has very handy dual position, and with Luke Brooks out injured along with having won the starting hooker jersey was looking at some fantastic early season price rises. Fast forward three months and we have “the next Cameron Smith” in Harry Grant named to START at hooker, along with Brooks and Moses Mbye fully healthy (leaving no opening in the halves). Walters played, and particularly defended, so well that I think he’s a fixture in this side off the bench where he is named this week – it just may be much less exciting in terms of output.
Verdict: HOLD – Make the switch to Harry Grant or Fogarty in the halves in a few weeks.
Harry Grant | HOK ($184,900 | Storm)
HUGE … Grant named to start in his first game at the club! Here’s the upside of the Walters discussion. The Cameron Smith comparisons grow louder by the day, and most predicted teams out there seem to have Grant leapfrogging Walters for a starting berth. Quite simply, if Grant finds his way into 65+ minutes at hooker he will likely not only be a buy, he will be a best 17 player most weeks given the attacking upside and solid defensive presence he possesses.
Verdict: WATCHLIST – You can almost certainly lock in a Brailey to Grant switch in two weeks.
Gehamat Shibasaki | CTW ($286,400 | Knights) – Avg: 39PPG, Rd 2: 37 points
Not a bad start for Gehamat in the opening rounds without any attacking stats. If 40-ish is his ‘floor’ then he will be a nice money maker for KFC SuperCoaches. Shibasaki holds his spot in the starting side on the back of those performances, and although Bradman Best is named on the extended bench, I would anticipate if a late change were to happen it would be for Tuala, not our mate Gehamat.
Verdict: LOW END BUY – Seems a solid low-priority cheapie in the CTW that no one is talking about.
Bradman Best | CTW ($240,700 | Knights)
OK, here’s potentially a GOOD result on the back of the hiatus. Pre-season cheapie favourite (was in 45% of teams prior to injury) Bradman Best has been named on an extended bench. While that isn’t amazing news, you’d expect him to feature over Enari Tuala at left centre, if not straight away as a late inclusion, then in the coming weeks for sure. One that we wouldn’t have had for multiple weeks had the hiatus not happened.
Verdict: WATCHLIST – Keep an eye on late mail.
Pat Mago | FRF ($184,900 | Rabbitohs)
What a monster this guy is, named on the bench for the Rabbitohs! One of the real beneficiaries of the COVID-19 break as he absolutely killed it in pre-season as the Rabbitohs best forward according to Damien Cook and was likely in for a debut – until he went down with a ruptured pec. Now, though, he is hitting the track hard and at $184k with a dream SuperCoach style game, with a real opening in the pack if he gets a game he’s a lock to make good cash and be one of our SuperCoach cheapies of the year in the front row.
Verdict: BUY* – But, wait a few weeks on this one. I’m predicting Braden Uele-style numbers from last year if he gets the chance.
Tex Hoy | 5/8 ($171,900 | Knights)
This kid is exciting. The roommate of Kalyn Ponga is a chip off the ol’ roommate if the reports out of the Hunter are to be believed, and with Ponga out suspended for round three the kid with all the talent in the world gets his chance to debut at fullback – and importantly is likely to kick goals too! One to watch, and if anything (god forbid) serious were to happen to Ponga at any stage to give Hoy a prolonged period in the side, Hoy will be a stellar KFC SuperCoach cheapie.
Verdict: WATCHLIST – With no Origin during the season, Hoy’s only look in is suspension or injury.
Josh Curran | 2RF ($216,900 | Warriors)
There was strong pre-season mail after a big AllStars match performance, that Curran would be at the forefront of the Warriors back row plans, then he got injured and missed the early rounds. Wacko now has Curran getting the starting edge gig that KFC SuperCoach cheapie favourite Elisea Katoa nabbed in round two and looked fantastic in. Curran found his way to the extended bench, but it looks like he’s a wait and see for now.
Verdict: WATCHLIST – Very good value if he does end up getting a start at some point. Hopefully not at the expense of Katoa!
Will Kennedy | CTW/FLB ($242,600 | Sharks) – Avg: 44.5PPG, Rd 2: 45 points
This one sucks, as Kennedy was your typical ‘pick him for a specific time frame to make money’ selection, knowing that Moylan and Josh Dugan were multiple weeks away with injury – and Kennedy has started brilliantly, scoring 44 and 45 points respectively. Now, switch on here. Even though Kennedy is named to start at fullback this week, expect Moylan (named on extended bench) to be a real chance of a late inclusion.
Verdict: AVOID – Not an urgent sell even if he is dropped in a late change. Will make $40k-$60k next time he plays a match.
Renouf To’omaga | 2RF ($244,700 | Bulldogs) – Avg: 44PPG, Rd 2: 54 points
To’omaga started the season very well, with scores of 33 and 54 points in rounds one and two, but that's all the more impressive when you read the fact that those points came in 30 and 25 minutes respectively. Joe Stimson is out long term, and we all know what has happened to CHN, so To’omaga, Britt (named to start) and the returning Faitala-Mariner look set to usurp all the available minutes. Don’t mind this as a POD-move with the extra trades negating the risk.
Verdict: LOW END BUY.
Sam Lisone | FRF ($242,500 | Titans) – Avg: 37PPG, Rd 2: 36 points
A $240k starting front rower seems too good to be true … Well, it likely is. Two scores in the 30s were solid, but at full health you would expect Lisone to only get the 30 minutes of game time, and that would be the case for other options at $50k cheaper like JTD, Rudolph and Jamil Hopoate with duals.
Verdict: AVOID – It could pan out, but at this stage it’s watch list for Lisone.
Zane Musgrove | FRF ($201,000 | Wests Tigers) – Avg: 26PPG, Rd 2: 29 points
There he goes! DROPPED after scores of 23 and 29 points in rounds one and two respectively. It has been extremely underwhelming for a guy with NRL experience, as opposed to some of the FRF rookies we’ve seen this season. There was a marked improvement in the eyeball test from week one to week two which can maybe be explained by the several year absence from the game – but thankfully those who read the Cheapie Bible had him firmly in third on the FRF-cheapie list to start the season behind Toby Rudolf and JTB.
Verdict: SELL
Lindsay Collins | FRF ($201,000 | Roosters) – Avg: 39PPG, Rd 2: 34 points
Collins likely makes way in the Roosters’ best 17 with Josh Morris pushing Crichton to the edge rotation, and skipper Boyd Cordner fully healthy. But, this week sees Aubusson out (compassionate grounds) and Collins keeps his spot – and likely makes a nice little cash injection. Regular starting prop Siosiua Taukeiaho is on an extended bench under an injury cloud which leads me to think Collins’ spot can’t last.
Verdict: AVOID
Jacob Saifiti | FRF/2RF ($208,400 | Knights) – Avg: 39PPG, Rd 2: 33 points
44 points in 40 minutes in round one, followed by 33 points in 35 minutes all in base stats is encouraging signs for a player with historically a poor PPM. The expected role will be that 30-40 minute man off the bench for the Knights when the squad is fully healthy so while it isn’t exactly a ‘sexy’ pick, the dual position FRF|2RF is extremely handy and the money should come in a slow burn. Sione Mata’utia does return from injury, replacing Mitch Barnett (injury) – enabling Saifiti to keep his spot on that bench.
Verdict: WATCHLIST – I’m not convinced this will continue, particularly when Barnett returns so we need to watch AT LEAST one more match
Jamal Fogarty | HFB | 5/8 ($171,900 | Titans)
The Titans have been forced into a backline reshuffle, with Brimson out long term with a back injury, and Kallum Watkins now back in the UK permanently. That means Philip Sami to a wing, Roberts moves to fullback, and highly rated youngster Jamal Fogarty comes into the halves. Exciting given the base price and likely long look at a starting spot. The only issues I see are, another young gun in Tanah Boyd waiting in the wings, and perhaps more relevantly, can the Titans score some points? Watch this space.
Verdict: WATCHLIST – Pleeeeaaaasssseeee start well
Brandon Wakeham | HFB ($277,600 | Bulldogs) – Avg: 29PPG, Rd 2: 31 points
I’ll keep this one brief. Dropped, and not even for Kieran Foran so has to go!
Verdict: SELL – If you don’t own Luai, Drinkwater or Dylan Brown I would be making that move.
GONE! Kallum Watkins | CTW ($271,800 | Titans) – Avg: 36PPG, Rd 2: 24 points
Tragically, England centre Watkins has been forced to quit the NRL to return home after his father was diagnosed with the coronavirus. He will not play another game this season. We wish he and his family the best.
Verdict: MUST TRADE prior to start
Others to watch …
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui | 2RF ($217,500 | Storm) – Avg: 37PPG, Rd 2: 38 points
“Big Tino” was pretty impressive in his first two matches this season, with an electric PPM of 1.3, but the cavalry have returned for the Storm so he’s a watch list man for now.
Verdict: WATCHLIST – Despite the HUGE upside, NAS, Welch and Brandon Smith back and healthy means the minutes likely stay at mid-20s at best. Lets hope he can stick in the side.
Sitili Tupouniua | 2RF ($267,000 | Roosters) Avg: 41PPG, Rd 2: – points
Tupouniua had a free run at 80 minutes on the left edge in the absence of Boyd Cordner but now with the Roosters fully healthy he won’t feature in the best 17 despite being named on the bench this weekend.
Verdict: AVOID – Jump on in the event of a long term injury to an edge backrower.
WATCHLIST
All players here were fancied for spots and just missed out, or had great preseasons and could make an impact at some stage this season.
Billy Magoulias | 2RF ($221,700 | Sharks)
Xavier Coates | CTW ($203,500 | Broncos)
Sean Keppie | FRF ($201,000 | Sea Eagles)
Morgan Boyle | FRF ($201,000 | Sea Eagles)
Tom Eisenhuth | CTW/2RF ($184,900 | Storm)
Haumole Olakau’ata | 2RF ($171,900 | Sea Eagles)
Caleb Aekins | FLB ($258,100 | Panthers)
Jack Hetherington | FRF ($201,000 | Panthers)
Keaon Koloamatangi | FRF/2RF ($171,900 | Rabbitohs)
Stephen Crichton | CTW ($252,800 | Panthers)
Jake Averillo | CTW/HFB ($171,900 | Bulldogs)
Greg Leleisiuao | CTW ($171,900 | Titans)
Stefano Utoikamanu | FRF ($171,900 | Eels)
Jason Saab | CTW ($271,100 | Dragons)
Oregon Kaufusi | FRF ($255,600 | Eels)
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | CTW/FLB ($171,900 | Cowboys)
Tommy Talau | CTW ($208,220 | Wests Tigers)
Tristan Sailor | CTW ($247,200 | Dragons)
Cody Ramsey | CTW/FLB ($171,900 | Dragons)
Phoenix Crossland | 5/8 ($184,900 | Knights)
Matt Burton | HFB/5/8 ($211,900 | Panthers)
Pasami Saulo | 2RF/FRF ($184,900 | Knights)
Tautau Moga | CTW ($245,400 | Knights)
Jaimin Jolliffe | FRF ($171,900 | Titans)