KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 12 Cheapie Bible

With just one week before the crucial first bye of the season, Cheapie connoisseur Trent Copeland gazes deep into his crystal ball to find you the best of the bargains.

There are so many moving parts in our landscape right now!

With only one round between KFC SuperCoaches, those little men (trades) staring at you at the top of your team page and the first big bye round – encompassing all Origin players, a massive EIGHT NRL teams and countless star players – never have your trade decisions been more important.

Not to mention the inevitable suspensions and injuries to come this round.

If only we had a crystal ball into NEXT week’s team lists, as we must be buying players that play round 13 … Nevertheless, we’ve channelled our inner Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn in Dodgeball for this long, so why stop now!

By definition a ‘Cheapie’ will be referenced when under $300,000 and actually relevant for KFC SuperCoach purposes. Key word being relevant. Once players eclipse the $300k mark they will be given a final verdict in the ‘Bon Voyage’ section.

Buckle up, here we go!

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Reece Walsh is no help in round 13, but could be a stepping stone to greatness with his low BE. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

REECE WALSH FLB (WARRIORS) $417,600 – 129 POINTS

OK, Walsh deserves to be front and centre here after back to back 100’s, this time a massive 129 points in the full 80 minutes at fullback scoring a try, with THREE try assists a gazillion tackle bust, offload and line break assist numbers and you have yourselves a superstar KFC SuperCoaches. Coach Nathan Brown has now named him at fullback permanently, possessing a -72 BE and coverage of the round 17 bye week, Walsh owners have saved themselves a lot of cash on the big dogs (Teddy, Turbo, Papenhuyzen, Gutho etc) and by round 18 you may well have made back that cash and not lost a huge amount of points. We might have ourselves a new contender to think about at fullback in 2022 – and the next 15 years. For now, though, enjoy the ride.

VERDICT: HOLD – What a player. The Warriors have a wonderkid right here.

KEENAN PALASIA 2RF (BRONCOS) $186,800 – 81 POINTS

What a season debut by Palasia! 81 points including hitting a great hole for a try in the second half in the Broncos huge upset of the Roosters, playing the full 80 minutes and having a nice baseline with 35 tackles, 8 tackle busts, an effective offload and 10 points in hitups. If 40-50 points in the worst case scenario at $186,800 that is absolute GOLD as bye coverage and money making. But, to throw a little cold water on things (sorry, it’s my job) Jordan Riki, Alex Glenn and Matt Lodge (if he’s not at the Knights) are all potentially returning next week along with Kotoni Staggs, so this Broncos team may look significantly different. As always, given Palasia has played just one game it makes sense to just sit tight here and watch.

VERDICT: WAIT! Yes, it’s tempting to jump early, but there’s a chance (albeit slim given his performance) he doesn’t play next week.

PHOENIX CROSSLAND 5/8 (KNIGHTS) $328,900 – 49 POINTS

Well, when we were discussing the possibility of Crossland staying in the Knights line-up long term to make us some money and score some crucial points in the bye round next week I was not for a second factoring in a Blake Green retirement effective immediately.

Not only has Crossland been fantastic, but now looks locked in past the bye at least until Mitch Pearce returns. With a BE of just 1 and $120,000 already in the kick, Crossland looks a hold until round 14 then sell to Cody Walker (or similar).

VERDICT: HOLD. Crossland was indeed worth the risk.

MOSES MBYE CTW | FLB (TIGERS) $245,400 – 45 POINTS

This one is my left-field, POD buy of the week, and given he’s a well renowned Mr Fix-it, bench utility, and very much on the outer at times at the Tigers with Madge as his coach, Mbye comes with risks*. But, at $240k, named to start at five eighth yet again, coverage of the all important round 13 bye next week and a BE of just 5 there is also some nice upside built in. If you’ve got a David Fusitua or Bailey Simonsson sitting there and no other pressing issues, this is a move that could net an extra 40-60 points in a bye round.

* Product disclosure statement – Madge could (probably will) drop Mbye next week.

VERDICT: POD BUY. Not for the faint-hearted that’s for sure!

Moses Mbye could be a sneaky buy bye for round 13. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

JOSEPH SUAALII CTW | FLB (ROOSTERS) $173,700 – 33 POINTS

The long awaited sighting of Suaali! One of the most hyped teenagers in the entire

landscape of Australian sports in the past 18 months, Suaali debuted at centre for the Roosters in what can only be described as a shock upset. 33 points was the outcome from Suaali with some flashes of what we have heard he’s capable. 8 points in tackle busts, and 20 points in H8’s is a great sign, given the coverage of the round 17 bye and likelihood of Tedesco and potentially Daniel Tupou absent from the team that round Suaali looms as the perfect downgrade option for round 14.

VERDICT: WATCHLIST. Not selected this week, so don’t be jumping on now.

JAVID BOWEN CTW (COWBOYS) $232,600 – 28 POINTS

Bowen jumped a nice chunk of $45,800 in cash this week, possesses a -10 BE, and has been named to start at centre once again for the surging Cowboys, but that is unfortunately where the good news ends in my book. Bowen somehow avoided any noteworthy attacking stats in the 36-20 win over the Knights to score just 28 points which will halt any prospective long term money making that may have been there. Add to that the bye in round 13 and it’s a tricky situation. You obviously have to hold if you’re already aboard, but it may be a tough decision to trade or hold next week.

VERDICT: AVOID/HOLD. Hamiso coming back coincided perfectly with Lemuelu’s (thumb, round 18) long term injury, so his place looks secure for now.

CODY RAMSEY CTW | FLB (DRAGONS) $255,300 – 24 POINTS

Ugh, why can’t things just go to plan! Both Ramsey and Max Feagai have been stifled in the Cheapie stakes due to failed HIA’s on game day (obviously we hope he is OK), but the 24 points in 40 minutes is a real shame. Named to start yet again at fullback this weekend with a BE of 38, you can afford to wait another week to make sure A) he plays well, and B) Matt Dufty doesn’t make an early return from injury – pushing Ramsey back to the wing.

VERDICT: WATCHLIST. I’m potentially interested if things go well this week!

ALBERT KELLY HFB | 5/8 (BRONCOS) $304,400 – 71 POINTS

He’s BACK! Albert Kelly made a triumphant return to the NRL leading the Broncos to a seriously unlikely win over the Roosters in Sydney at the SCG, and in doing so scored 71 points including a try assist, try contribution, 18 tackles, 8 points in tackle busts, a 40/20 and a forced drop out. That’s niiiiice Gary. If Kelly turns it on this weekend against the Storm, a juicy matchup against the Dragons will be waiting in round 13 with a negative BE plus handy points in a bye round. Josh Schuster to Albert Kelly and pocket close to $200,000 anyone?

VERDICT: WATCHLIST. Don’t go early, as it is the Broncos he’s playing for …

Tyson Gamble promised so much but has so far delivered little. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

TYSON GAMBLE HFB | 5/8 (BRONCOS) $227,000 – 22 POINTS

When I say “It is the Broncos he’s playing for” in regards to Albert Kelly, well, I give you Tyson Gamble. Seemingly a lock to make big money and cover the bye round in the process after scores of 60 and 55 in his first two matches, only to then score a horrifically low 8 points against the Sea Eagles and then 22 points against the Roosters, getting sin-binned in BOTH games – and now suspended for round 12 as a result. Surely if coach Kev Walters is serious about holding his players accountable then Gamble won’t be running out with the halfback jersey on in round 13 despite being available for selection again. Mind you, his competition for places have also been dropped multiple times, so who knows … Either way, you’ve got to hold and hope.

VERDICT: HOLD.

MAX FEAGAI CTW (DRAGONS) $230,900 – 67 POINTS

As mentioned with Ramsey above, Feagai was on a tear scoring twice and sitting on 67 points in just 63 minutes before copping a head knock which not only ruled him out of the rest of the match, but also this coming weekend against the Tigers. So, we sit, we wait, and if named to play in round 13 against the Broncos he may well be worth looking at.

VERDICT: WATCHLIST.

Not only is Nathan Cleary the first $1 MILLION man in KFC SuperCoach history, he also wins our Play of the Week 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/scRO8N0PVb

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) May 26, 2021

BRANDON WAKEHAM 5/8 | HFB (BULLDOGS) $265,400 – 65 POINTS

Don’t look now, but the Bulldogs have actually been putting some points up lately, and Wakeham has been at the centre of that in the past two weeks – scoring 62 and 65 points respectively. With that has been a nice baseline of 20+ tackles each week but the negatives significantly outweigh the positives here, and even the most optimistic of Bulldogs’ fans will see the Panthers matchup this coming week and realise the likelihood of bulk attacking stats is unlikely, then comes the bye the week after. It’s an easy pass for mine here.

VERDICT: AVOID.

BON VOYAGE

TOM FLEGLER FRF (BRONCOS) $333,800 – 53 POINTS

Another 50+ points from Flegler takes his price up over the $300,000 mark and keeps the BE at a very achievable 26 meaning we’re likely looking at a $370k-$400k price to be moved on after coverage of the round 13 bye next week. The minutes did drop down to 37 which is of some concern, but an impressive late intercept and offload for a try assist kept his score afloat. That’s 57, 45 and 53 points the past three weeks, with match-ups against the Storm this week, then the Dragons in round 13 where the middle rotation will be without Payne Haas.

VERDICT: HOLD. Going to be a very handy number next week, then sell up to a gun.

WATCHLIST:

Shawn Blore 2RF (Tigers)

Ofahiki Ogden FRF (Bulldogs)

John Asiata FRF | 2RF (Broncos)

Sebastian Kris CTW (Raiders)

Zach Saddler 2RF | FRF (Sea Eagles)

Christian Tuipulotu CTW (Sea Eagles)

Dean Ieremia CTW | FLB (Storm)

Ben Trbojevic CTW | 2RF (Sea Eagles)

Greg Marzhew (formerly Leleisiuao) CTW (Titans)

Joe Stimson 2RF (Bulldogs)

Jock Madden HFB (Wests Tigers)

Jayden Sullivan HFB (Dragons)

Haze Dunster CTW (Eels)

Mat Feagai CTW (Dragons)

Brayden Wiliame CTW (Dragons)

Matt Timoko CTW (Raiders)

Semi Valemei CTW (Raiders)

Paul Turner HFB (Warriors)

Tom Ale FRF (Warriors)

Isaac Lumelume CTW (Storm)

Franklin Pele FRF (Sharks)