KFC SuperCoach NRL: Ian Maybanks, AKA The Mastermind, reveals his team for 2023

Nicho Hynes’ injury has sent the SuperCoach Mastermind back to the drawing board, bringing a massive POD into his backline. See Ian Maybanks’ final team.

Tom Trbojevic, Nicho Hynes and Harry Grant are key members of The Mastermind's team for 2023.

Nicho Hynes’ injury has thrown a spanner in the works for me and 30% of KFC SuperCoaches who had the Dally M medal winner locked into their teams.

Missing round 1 and with a bye in round 6 he’s out of action at least 4 of the first six games. That’s way too much cash on the bench for me.

So while I was happy enough to dodge Nathan Cleary in my early drafts with his round 3 bye, there’s no better place to put my pile of Nicho bucks than on the Panthers halfback.

It makes my team feel a lot safer having Cleary who is now the most owned player in the game at 59% and rising.

Nicho Hynes’ absence has forced a reshuffle for the SC Mastermind, with Nathan Cleary earning a call up.

The other big move I was forced to make is at CTW with Greg Marzhew missing out on a spot at the Knights despite some strong attacking displays in the last trial.

I can stretch all the way to Valentine Holmes who has massive backing as the premium CTW at 36% ownership but it’s Daniel Tupou a massive POD at (3% ownership) who earns a late call up for me.

The Roosters winger is six tries off the club try scoring record and I won’t be surprised if he passes it in the opening rounds. Maybe even against the Dolphins! That may seem optimistic but Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Periera ran in four down that edge in half a trial. What might the Roosters do? He has the Warriors in Sydney in Round 2 which I like as well.

I really like the look of Brian To’o but with Sunia Turuva locked in as a CTW cheapie I’m reluctant to go too hard on one team in one position with an early bye.

Speaking of Panthers… left edge forward Luke Garner has made his way back into my team with certainty about his 80-minute role looking at the bench named.

The same can’t be said for Jackson Ford who moves out. I think he’ll be good for the Warriors but it’s worth taking a look at how their vast array of edge/middle forward options will rotate.

The other switch in the second row is Bulldogs cheapie Jacob Preston in for Ben Murdoch-Masila. There are huge wraps on the young Bulldog and I’m willing to back him in for now at bottom dollar.

Daniel Tupou is a massive POD at just 3% ownership. Picture: Getty Images.

The final change comes at CTW where I’m pulling in Harley Smith-Shields from the Raiders for Reimis Smith. Sebastian Kris scored 14 tries in 18 games for the Raiders in 2022. Kris moves to fullback with Xavier Savage injured and Smith-Shields gets that attacking hot spot at left centre alongside Jack Wighton and Hudson Young.

I’ve left $106k spare to help with any early round adjustments.

The tweaks I’ve made after TLT are…

Luke Garner in Jackson Ford out

Jacob Preston in Ben Murdoch-Masila out

Nathan Cleary in Nicho Hynes out

Daniel Tupou in Greg Marzhew out

Harley Smith-Shields in Remis Smith out

Here’s how we line up for KFC SuperCoach 2023:

HOOKER

NO CHANGES: Harry Grant ($816,500) and Brandon Smith ($478,200)

Harry Grant was last season’s best hooker. Picture: Brad Fleet

FRONT ROW

NO CHANGES: Reuben Cotter ($623,400), Christian Welch ($464,000), Stefano Utoikamanu ($319,200) and Sean Keppie ($274,800)

SECOND ROW

IN: Luke Garner ($435,100), Jacob Preston ($200,800)

OUT: Jackson Ford, Ben Murdoch Masila

NO CHANGE: Cameron Murray ($749,200), Patrick Carrigan ($654,600), Eliesa Katoa ($411,100), J’Maine Hopgood ($298,800)

Reuben Cotter is coming off a strong season. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

HALFBACK

IN: Nathan Cleary ($841,000)

OUT: Nicho Hynes

NO CHANGE: Tanah Boyd ($384,600)

FIVE-EIGHTH

NO CHANGES: Adam Doueihi ($624,600), Isaiya Katoa ($216,100)

Adam Doueihi has a game suited to KFC SuperCoach.

CENTRE/WINGER

IN: Daniel Tupou ($605,800), Harley Smith-Shields ($300,300)

OUT: Greg Marzhew, Reimis Smith

NO CHANGE: Tommy Talau ($301,600), Sunia Turuva ($275,000), Alofiana Khan Pereira ($200,800), Paul Alamoti ($200,800), William Warbrick ($200,800)

FULLBACK

NO CHANGES: Latrell Mitchell ($889,100), Tom Trbojevic ($577,700)