KFC SuperCoach NRL Cheapie Bible Round 5: Bargain Buy, Sell, Hold for 2020
A rookie putting in peak-Andrew Fifita PPM numbers? A cheapie set for the biggest price rise in HISTORY? TRENT COPELAND has the lowdown on the SuperCoach bargains to save your season.
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Can someone give Bradman a cricket bat?!
Best, that is. He deserves to parade around the stadium helmet off, bat raised, after Marnus Labuschagne-esque back-to-back hundreds… Even though he’s playing footy.
Bradman BEAST, The BEST, whatever you want to call him, the Knights youngster could be in for the largest single week price rise in the history of the Cheapie Bible – in excess of $150,000 – following scores of 100 and a monster 123 points against one of the premiership favourites and elite defensive side, the Raiders.
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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!
Bradman Best | CTW ($240,700 | Knights) – 123 points
My goodness. Another DOUBLE, this time against the Raiders. Impressively, even if you take the two tries and the respective attached stats to those sequences, Best had 50+ points in base stats. So, it goes without saying that you simply have to get Best in this week. The smart play is to get him straight into your 17 even against the Storm.
Verdict: BUY. Wowee, this could be historic.
Harry Grant | HOK ($184,900 | Storm) – 72 points
He’s still due a forced dropout stat, but let’s not go there… What a performance again from the Cameron Smith clone, 72 points in 62 minutes with no huge attacking stats. A BE of -88, heading into his third game, what could possibly be better? Well, he’s been named to start again, but this time with NO Billy Walters on the bench. 80 minutes of Grant. It’s ON.
Verdict: BUY. Play him in your 17 EVERY week, regardless of opposition.
Jamayne Taunua-Brown | FRF ($314,200 | Warriors) – 60 points
JTB has eclipsed the $300k mark, and would normally be in the ‘Bon Voyage’ section below with a final verdict, but a PPM to make Andrew Fifita at his peak look like a schoolboy demands some respect. Yep, If you weren’t aware, JTB scored 60 points on the weekend… In just 36 minutes for an insane PPM of 1.7, following on from his 1.8PPM the week prior. Seriously impressive stuff, just watch the return of Lachlan Burr to the pack and Paasi to the extended bench, but if his minutes get up around 45-50 at any point, WATCH OUT.
Verdict: BUY. Yep, he’s STILL worth buying for the 70% of teams (WYD?!) who don’t own him.
Lindsay Collins | FRF ($323,400 | Roosters) – 106 points
Much like JTB, Collins deserves to stay in the Cheapie Bible shop window for another week on the back of a MONSTER performance leading the pack of the Roosters to a 59-0 rout of the Broncos. 106 points with a try, in 55 minutes in the middle including 26 tackles, 12 points in tackle busts, and an astonishing FORTY TWO points in H8’s. The only thing Collins is missing is his Mullet.
Verdict: BUY/HOLD. Just like JTB, with the monster 106 points in the rolling average for a few weeks, Collins makes $100k just by stepping on the field against the Bulldogs and Eels.
Toby Rudolf | FRF ($268,900 | Sharks) – 51 points
That’s niiiiiice Toby, real nice. 51 points (all in base stats) in 46 minutes, follows on from a similar performance in round two against the Storm in encouraging signs. Yes, Andrew Fifita returns to the starting side this weekend, but I think Rudolf retains these minutes regardless of starting or not. Also, match-ups against the Dragons, Bulldogs and Titans in three of the next four matches may even present some attacking stats!
Verdict: BUY/HOLD. Rudolph is exciting, and should be the perfect slow-burn while we shuffle the deck with centres and fullbacks for now.
Tyrell Fuimaono | CTW/2RF ($256,300 | Dragons) – 0 points
After being dropped last week, thankfully one of the positives to come from another flogging – this time at the hands of the Bulldogs *mind-blown* – Fuimaono is named to START on an edge this weekend with Tariq Sims out injured for up to a month. Those that heeded the Cheapie Bible advice to hold last week on the back of the eyeball test were rewarded. Fingers crossed he gets a few weeks as he could be a really nice moneymaker with a BE of -23 and matches against the Sharks and Titans the next two weeks.
Verdict: BUY/HOLD. What a result!
Blayke Brailey | HOK ($277,700 | Sharks) – 40 points
Consistency. Scores between 38-46 points in all four 80-minute matches thus far have us right about what we expected from Brailey, a 0.5 PPM and low upside at least early on. With Harry Grant an absolute must this week, though, he is going to have to be moved on. A profit of $80,000 makes him a small win, but even though he has a BE of just 16 you simply can’t miss Grant.
Verdict: SELL. Thanks for the leg-up Blayke, it’s Grant’s time now.
Josh Kerr | FRF/2RF ($294,900 | Dragons) – 40 points
A steady 40 points in base stats is solid enough, but disappointingly, Kerr’s minutes went DOWN despite starting, to just 38. That's a real shame. If he was to somehow find the 45-50 minutes alongside Paul Vaughan, Kerr could be an absolute weapon with his workmate and attacking upside. With a BE of just 13, we can afford to wait a few weeks to see for sure. Surely, Mary.
Verdict: HOLD. For a few weeks to see how this plays out.
Jamal Fogarty | HFB | 5/8 ($171,900 | Titans) – 28 points
Scores of 29 and 28 points in his two games to this point don’t jump off the page, and a basement priced half with a BE in the positives (3) popping up the same week as Harry Grant and Bradman Best means he will likely be overlooked. One positive is if Fogarty was to come out and kill it this week, the price jump won’t be insurmountable for us to jump on next week for a match up with the Dragons. Watch this space.
Verdict: AVOID/WATCH.
Jake Averillo | CTW/HFB ($175,900 | Bulldogs) – 23 points
Averillo was a late inclusion to start in the centres for the BLOCKBUSTER match against the Dragons. Yes, that was a joke. The good news is that he’s been named to start there again this week. The bad news is, he only played 65 minutes because, well, Dean Pay. Why would you let a kid that's got serious talent and been unbelievable off the bench to earn a start… play a full game? Because Kerrod Holland was named on the bench, and Cristian Crichton is there this week. We can’t have nice Bulldog things. A quick hello to Rhyse Martin while we’re at it…
Verdict: WATCHLIST. Hopefully he jags a try or two to kickstart the price rises.
Corey Paix | HFB ($171,900 | Broncos) – 49 points
A nice debut for Paix points wise, albeit in one of the worst defeats in the history of the NRL 59-0 to the Roosters. The reality is, though, he’s the last hooker standing at the Broncos, with all 49 points in his 63 minutes coming from base stats we have to take notice. Jake Turpin is listed ‘indefinite’ so, there’s a very real prospect that Paix becomes an option to downgrade Jerome Luai to next week.
Verdict: WATCHLIST.
Jamil Hopoate | 2RF ($259,300 | Broncos) – 44 points
Oh man. Another 44 points, but one of the worst team performances you’ve EVER seen by the Broncos, and Jamil himself at times, and we see a host of changes coming into round five. One of which is Hopoate being dropped. So, despite the BE of just 2, so many players are still to return, and Hopoate has been dropped to accommodate a makeshift Corey Oates back-row move, so its safe to say his time in first grade is done in the short term.
Verdict: SELL.
Braden Wiliame | CTW ($234,900 | Dragons) – 7 points
Ugh. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the Dragons or Wiliame, they get smacked by the Bulldogs, and Wiliame himself comes off limping, doesn’t finish the game, and is subsequently not named for round five – having made a paltry $33,900 to this point. At such a low price, you would actually have to PAY money to get in Bradman Best, so I am advising to use someone else to facilitate that trade, making Wiliame a hold to see if he can’t work his way back in and make us some more money down the track.
Verdict: HOLD.
Matt Burton | HFB | 5/8 ($211,900 | Panthers) – 102 points
Burton has been fantastic in his two games with the full reign of the halves this season, scoring 43 and 102 points, the 102 this week included two tries, a try assist, to go with an impressive 40+ points in base. But, Cleary returns this week and Luai has been retained in the no.6 jersey so it’s KFC SuperCoach death by utility for Burton. What a killer. Hopefully he’s not going to be coming on for Luai during games – as that would kill BOTH of them for us.
Verdict: AVOID. Unfortunately.
Ever feel like you’ve ‘seen this movie before’? Yep, it’s Beale out of nowhere with a negative BE like Adam Sandler in yet another comedy that didn’t make it to the box office. It’ll likely be funny (make some money), but do you need to see it to know how it plays out? No.
Verdict: AVOID. A great story, and playing really well but far bigger priorities this week.
Brodie Jones | 2RF ($171,900 | Knights) – 17 points
The Knights are absolutely flying, and local Cessnock youngster Brodie Jones has been a solid rotation piece in that start, scoring 64 points in the full 80 minutes in round three, then moving back to the bench to score 17 points in 19 minutes in round four. In KFC SuperCoach terms, though, this is a huge red flag. Not only the move back to the bench, but also the looming return of Lachlan Fitzgibbon (named on extended bench) from injury. No go zone here.
Verdict: AVOID. May even miss out on the 17 this week.
Tex Hoy | 5/8 ($171,900 | Knights) – 13 points
It’s unfortunate, but 13 points in 9 minutes off the bench is likely the new norm for this uber talented fullback sitting in the Kalyn Ponga (My goodness – what a player!!!) sized shadow. There could be a window of opportunity for Hoy to fill in in the halves this week for an injured Kurt Mann, but Pheonix Crossland is also in the reckoning there. So, it’s a pass on one of the more talented youngsters we’ve seen take the field this year. *sad face*
Verdict: AVOID.
Pat Mago | FRF ($184,900 | Rabbitohs)
After some false starts the past two weeks, surely this is the debut – here is my blurb on him from last week when he was named to debut but didn’t end up playing. I like what I see.
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.
Adam Clune | HFB ($171,900 | Dragons) – 47 points
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | CTW/FLB ($171,900 | Cowboys)
Xavier Coates | CTW ($203,500 | Broncos)
Tommy Talau | CTW ($208,200 | Tigers)
Phoenix Crossland | 5/8 ($184,900 | Knights)
Verdict: WATCHLIST. All were early season favourites or in Clune’s case debuted last week, with unbelievable upside – set to come in to Cheapie Bible reckoning over the coming weeks. Fingers crossed!
BON VOYAGE
When cheapies eclipse the $300k mark, they will receive a ‘final verdict’ as they bid farewell to the Cheapie Bible superstardom.
Eliesa Katoa | 2RF ($329,600 | Warriors) – 34 points
The first disappointment for KFC SuperCoaches in the kid’s stellar start to his career, and you know what, he deserves a pass. The exciting this is the 72 minutes, and the fact that to the eyeball test, Katoa looks like Billy Kikau 2.0 – well that’s what I am dubbing him anyway. The 34 points this week will halt the immediate influx of cash, but don’t be scared off, Katoa is a $400k+ player and will find his way there as well as being a perfect 17th/18th man in the short term.
Verdict: HOLD. For the foreseeable future.
Jarome Luai | HFB|5/8 ($310,200 | Panthers) – 54 points
Luai has been overshadowed by Dubbo youngster and halves partner Matt Burton over the past two weeks, but he’s been retained in jersey no.6 alongside the returning Nathan Cleary this weekend which is a good sign. Matt Burton being named in jersey 14 is a bit of a worry, but Luai has SO much upside that I would be hesitant to sell anytime soon. A BE of 17 this week means he’s a hold in the short term for sure.
Verdict: HOLD.
Kurt Mann | CTW/FLB ($363,700 | Knights) – 53 points
Mann has been brilliant for his 21,258 owners to this point having made a nice $80,000, but, alarmingly he went down late in the huge win over the Raiders on the weekend with what looked a pretty serious ankle injury. So, while he’s been named to start again in team lists, I would be planning for/expecting him to miss this weekend. A sell to fellow Knight, Bradman Best seems a good move.
Verdict: SELL. It’s worked out relatively well here, but it’s time to move on with the injury and a BE of 27 anyway.
Ben Hampton | CTW/FLB ($365,800 | Cowboys) – 31 points
Hampton is OUT of the Cowboys team this weekend, having made a healthy $128,800 to this point and possessing a manageable BE of 18. Superstar prodigy Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow replaces Hampton on the wing and if the Nines are anything to go by, he won’t be giving that up anytime soon. Might be time to move from Hampton to Best?
Verdict: HOLD/SELL. You can definitely hold for a week and see what the plan is here, but a move to Best this week would be my call.
Emre Guler | FRF ($302,800 | Raiders) – 31 points
Guler retained his minutes share, and with the Bateman setback he will likely keep them for the foreseeable future – but the 31 points may become the ‘norm’ rather than the early season bigger scores. Guler now possesses a BE of 39 and given his last two scores have been below that, it’s time to move on.
Verdict: SELL. That money was nice, but it’s going to disappear just as quick.
Stephen Crichton | CTW ($307,500 | Panthers) – 30 points
Last week’s Cheapie Bible favourite didn’t deliver on his promise points-wise, tipping out at 30, but the eyeballs tell a different story. If he clicks with Kikau and Mansour like it looks as though he will, or nabs the starting fullback slot… Crichton could be a season long keeper.
Verdict: HOLD. For at least two or three more weeks.
Jacob Saifiti | FRF/2RF ($326,800 | Knights) – 39 points
There we go, Saifiti returns to the 35 minute range as we expected – and unfortunately that means Saifiti is going to continue to make cash this week, then start shedding cash QUICK smart. 39 points in 35 minutes is very impressive, and the base stats are a huge improvement from previous years, along with being in one of the form teams in the comp. A BE of -11 means there’s hopefully another $40-$50k coming this week then move him on.
Verdict: HOLD.
Billy Walters | HFB/HOK ($272,400 | Tigers) – 25 points
It’s over. Poor old Billy has played well. This is the old relationship “It’s not you, it’s me”, and when I say me I mean Harry Grant. The guy who tore up the field a-la Cameron Smith on the weekend yet again and has now been named as the sole hooker in the squad. Walters is dropped and it seems the halves or an injury to Grant are his only avenues back.
Verdict: SELL. Immediately to Grant if he’s in your hooker slot.
Will Kennedy | CTW/FLB ($316,900 | Sharks) – 50 points
Kennedy has been an early-season godsend for KFC SuperCoaches. With a large chunk of uncertainty around his position each week, he’s delivered scores of 44, 45, 46 and most recently 50 points. It’s a real shame that he loses out now with the lowly Dragons, Bulldogs and Titans in three of the next four matches. Nevertheless, Moylan returns to fullback so we must move on.
Verdict: SELL. A good option to use to go to Bradman Best this week.
Sam Lisone | FRF ($301,200 | Titans) – 41 points
Much like his build, Lisone has been solid as a rock for KFC SuperCoaches, playing between 40-47 minutes in all four rounds, and scoring between 36-51 points along the way. Eclipsing the $300k barrier and still possessing a manageable BE of 13 coming into round five is a great result. Hopefully with one or two more solid scores Lisone can get to the $360k range for a sell in round seven.
Verdict: HOLD.
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.
Josh Curran | 2RF ($216,900 | Warriors)
Chris Randall | HOK ($171,900 | Knights)
Troy Dargan | HFB ($171,900 | Rabbitohs)
Billy Magoulias | 2RF ($221,700 | Sharks)
Tom Eisenhuth | CTW/2RF ($184,900 | Storm)
Haumole Olakau’ata | 2RF ($171,900 | Sea Eagles)
Jack Hetherington | FRF ($201,000 | Panthers)
Keaon Koloamatangi | FRF/2RF ($171,900 | Rabbitohs)
Greg Leleisiuao | CTW ($171,900 | Titans)
Stefano Utoikamanu | FRF ($171,900 | Eels)
Jason Saab | CTW ($271,100 | Dragons)
Oregon Kaufusi | FRF ($255,600 | Eels)
Tristan Sailor | CTW ($247,200 | Dragons)
Cody Ramsey | CTW/FLB ($171,900 | Dragons)
Pasami Saulo | 2RF/FRF ($184,900 | Knights)
Tautau Moga | CTW ($245,400 | Knights)
Jaimin Jolliffe | FRF ($171,900 | Titans)