KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 18 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind analyses every NRL Round 18 game and sets you up with the two must follow rules for the run home.

We’re rounding the turn KFC SuperCoaches. State of Origin is over, we’ve navigated the byes and a tricky Round 18 where the big guns like Tom Trbojevic and James Tedesco where hopefully given their final rest of the season. With seven rounds to go there are still plenty of twists and turns like Tohu Harris owners will attest to. A miracle recovery from a shoulder injury, then a blow to the knee with 6 points to his name ends a mighty season from the Warriors backrower. Hopefully you’ve got the trades to deal with those and other situations like Kalyn Ponga HIA, Shaun Johnson losing the goalkicking duties. As the trades run low and you start to feel like a gamble, relax and remember you can rely on a couple things as proven again this week’s top scores... back the Storm (Nicho Hynes, 166), and back against the Broncos (Adam Doueihi, 154).

ROUND 19 LATEST: EARLY MAIL

Let’s take a look at the highs and lows from each game and the players to add to your watchlist.

TITANS 8-26 EELS

Highs: Ryan Matterson, 135, produced his best ever KFC SuperCoach score with the return of his offloads (seven of them) the big difference maker. He also had a try, try assist, linebreak, four linebreak assists and 55 in base stats. Clint Gutherson, 110, bounced back from a 28 against the Panthers with his fifth century of the season. No fullback has scored more points than him but they have one of the toughest runs home playing all five of the other top 6 teams. Nathan Brown, 100, had his first SuperCoach century with a try assist and four linebreak assists following on from scores of 77,76 and 77. Reed Mahoney, 98, returned after four weeks out with a try and try assist, showing the form that had him in the mix for Origin. He’s got the best average of any hooker at 73PPG and has to be considered since he’s fit and putting points on the board while Harry Grant is still out injured. Brian Kelly, 99, had three linebreaks, seven tackle busts and a try to make it five in his past six games.

Lows: Jamal Fogarty, 17, went off with a hand injury. Kevin Proctor, 28, was sin-binned for a lifting tackle.

Watchlist: Moeaki Fotuaika, 56, has a five-round average of 77 and is coming of an impressive Origin series. He’s got the fourth best average in the position and fifth most points but is only in 2.8% of teams.

SEA EAGLES 32-18 DRAGONS

Highs: Josh Schuster, 96, played his first game since Round 11 and delivered the goods for patient coaches who held him that long. He slotted into the halves with Daly Cherry-Evans rested and had nine tackle busts, two offloads, a try assist, linebreak and four linebreak assists. Haumole Olakau’atu, 95, scored his fifth try in five weeks since winning the 80-minute role on the right edge and has an impressive five-round average of 78.6PPG. Jack Bird, 84, is also on a hot run of form with a five-round average of 71.6PPG. He kicked goals to give his tally a boost. Reuben Garrick, 78, had 10 tackle busts and 6/6 with the boot.

Lows: Jason Saab, 11, had another stinker without the service from Tom Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans.

Watchlist: Moses Suli, 74, backed up last week’s 71 with another impressive score. He likely drops out with Tom Turbo back this week but if injuries hit anywhere else in the Manly backline he’s a cheap and effective option.

COWBOYS 18-34 ROOSTERS

Highs: Matt Ikuvalu, 123, had five tries against the Cowboys last year and delivered another big score with two tries, three linebreaks and 10 tackle busts. Five tries in four games for Ikuvalu while the other Roosters’ more popular winger Daniel Tupou is on a four-match try drought. Sam Walker, 120, posted his third century of the season with a try, two try assists, seven tackle busts and six linebreak assists. He was once in 65% of teams but is returning to form for the 28% who held onto him. Drew Hutchison, 119, had his best ever SuperCoach score with three try assists. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 98, played at fullback with Valentine Holmes out injured and had a try, two linebreaks and eight tackle busts. Reece Robson, 96, had a try, linebreak and 67 in base stats but he played the full 80 minutes with backup hooker Jake Granville replacing injured centre Javid Bowen, 68. Joey Manu, 89, again posted a big score at fullback with James Tedesco rested.

Lows: Murray Taulagi, 20, has gone four games without a try.

Watchlist: Billy Smith, 77, will drop out of the team with Tedesco back this week but is another cheap option to keep an eye on if the Roosters cop any more injuries. Jason Taumalolo, 72, had 56 in base stats and a few offloads. He’s starting to warm up with a three-round average of 73PPG, though he does have the Storm up next.

RAIDERS 34-18 SHARKS

Highs: Corey Harawira-Naera, 124, is a SuperCoach weapon when he plays like this, he had eight tackle busts, seven offloads, four linebreak assists and a try assist. Xavier Savage, 114, showed what he can do with room to move with a try, try assist, 10 tackle busts, two linebreaks and two offloads. His price hasn’t skyrocketed yet thanks to the 1 point game on debut. Hudson Young, 103, had a try, linebreak and nine tackle busts.

Lows: Ryan James, 11, is still in 24% of teams and proving an AE nightmare. He sure blocked me from using the VC loophole this week. Shaun Johnson, 17, had eight missed tackles and has lost the goalkicking duties to Brayden Trindall. Briton Nikora, 15 and Siosifa Talakai, 22, are eating into each others minutes.

Watchlist: Josh Papalii, 34, played just 33 minutes backing up for Origin. That will bring his price down a touch in the next couple weeks if you want him for the run home.

STORM 48-4 KNIGHTS

Highs: Nicho Hynes, 166, posted his fifth century of the season with a try, three try assists, 8/8 goals, five tackle busts, a linebreak and six linebreak assists. Has the Cowboys up next so expect more of the same. Justin Olam, 124, had his best ever SuperCoach score with two tries, a try assist, three linebreaks and six tackle busts. Cameron Munster, 115, Jarome Hughes, 96, had a try, two try assist and two linebreaks before he went off with a leg injury after 49 minutes. George Jennings, 85, scored two tries in 55 minutes before he went off injured.

Lows: Kalyn Ponga, 9, failed a HIA and could fall close to $500k in time for the Broncos match up in Round 21. That move will be hard to resist if you’ve got the trades left. David Klemmer, 18, and Dale Finucane, 22, also failed HIAs.

Watchlist: Josh Addo-Carr was rested for this game so expect he plays through the rest of the season and with the left edge firing again he’ll be on the end of it. Tyson Frizell, 43, had his first match back after missing the Origin series. He averaged 70PPG before his Round 12 injury. The Knights have a good run of fixtures to end the season.

WARRIORS 16-30 PANTHERS

Highs: The Warriors had a horrific run of injuries with three players out for the game inside 20 minutes then a fourth before half time meaning there were massive minutes and scores for their forwards. Matt Lodge, 116, played the full 80 minutes and had 53 in base stats along with a try assist, eight tackle busts, seven offloads and a linebreak. Reece Walsh, 98, was at the heart of everything in attack for the Warriors with a try, try assists, six tackle busts, two linebreaks, four linebreak assists and is now first choice goal kicker. Viliame Kikau, 95, scored two tries and played the full 80 minutes with Origin players Liam Martin and Kurt Capewell sharing minutes on the other edge. Tyrone May, 89, had three try assists and six linebreak assists doing a handy job of filling Nathan Cleary’s boots. Brian To’o, 88, had 45 points from hit-ups, six tackle busts with a try and linebreak. Addin Fonua-Blake, 78, played 76 minutes and had 41 points from hit-ups.

Lows: Tohu Harris, 6, is out for the season. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 9, failed a HIA. Kodi Nikorima, 20, was one of the best SuperCoach halves all season has been relegated to the bench and lost the goal kicking to Walsh. A real worry for owners. Wade Egan, 38, went off with a shoulder injury.

Watchlist: There are a few contenders to fill Harris’ shoes with him gone for the season... Jazz Tevaga, 76, Eliesa Katoa, 56, Josh Curran, 48, could all be worth a look.

BRONCOS 24-42 TIGERS

Highs: Adam Doueihi, 154, moved back to five eighth after a month or so in the centres and tore the Broncos apart with five try assists, eight linebreak assists, two offloads, 5/8 goals and 36 in base stats. Doueihi is in just 3.8% of teams but averages 76.3PPG, a touch below Cody Walker and better than Cameron Munster who has been rested the past three seasons in the final game. Daine Laurie, 100, did as most fullbacks do and posted a big score on the Broncos with a try, try assist and two linebreaks. Jordan Riki, 93, was at one stage in 58% of teams, he delivered a try, try assist, linebreak, five tackle busts and 50 in base stats for the 11% of owners still holding him. Stefano Utoikamanu, 91, had his best ever base stats game along with five tackle busts and his fourth try of the season. Payne Haas, 89, had a try assist for the second week in a row on top of 63 in base stats. The Tigers right edge backs both scored two tries courtesy of Doueihi’s work with Tommy Talau, 84, outscoring David Nofoaluma, 80.

Lows: TC Robati, 6, went off injured after 5 minutes. Jesse Arthars, 2, came on the field with just four minutes left, the Broncos seemingly forgot he was on the bench.

Watchlist: Kotoni Staggs, 50, showed glimpses of his best but he didn’t have a lot of touches with just seven hit-ups. With the Panthers up next it’s worth waiting until Round 20 if you’re keen on him. Luciano Leilua, 69, could be worth a look if you want a player with some attacking upside and a solid draw home to replace Tohu Harris.

RABBITOHS 32-24 BULLDOGS

Highs: Cameron Murray, 87, had a try on top of 62 in base stats in 80 minutes though some of that was playing in the centres. Murray is only in 8% of teams and has averaged 91PPG in the past five games he’s played without injury. Those two injury-affected games have kept his price and average down but he’s worth a look. Cody Walker, 79, a solid but not spectacular score for the most popular captain of the week. Walker had just one try assist but three try contributions. Alex Johnston, 69, scored two tries before going off with a hamstring injury after 44 minutes. After 15 tries in his past six games it might be time to sell. Jaydn Okunbor, 68,

Lows: Campbell Graham, 35, failed a HIA. Lachlan Lewis, 24, was sin binned for a bizarre halftime tackle on Cody Walker as the players left the field. Liam Knight, 15, failed a HIA.

Watchlist: Bailey Biondi-Odo, 62, sliced through the Rabbitohs defence with a try, linebreak and try assist. Which Rabbitoh will land the left wing with Alex Johnston out? Josh Mansour, Jaxson Paulo and Braidon Burns would all love to be on the end of those Cody Walker passes.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 18 best players and trade targets