KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 23 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind analyses every NRL Round 23 game as Teddy turns it on and two of the best demand your final trades.

Amid all the Tommy Turbo turmoil of Round 23 it was James Tedesco, 182, who pulled out his second best ever KFC SuperCoach score to be the difference of who rose and who fell in a week stacked with underwhelming scores.

Tedesco and Payne Haas, 85, were the only two of the top 10 most popular players to score more than 50.

Trbojevic had a week off for his swollen cheekbone to recover, Brandon Smith was rested, David Fifita, 31, seemed to take a rest on the field, with his equal worst score and involvement of the season, then there was Isaiah Papali’i, 45, Matt Burton, 48, Cody Walker, 49 and Reuben Garrick, 50.

Among the disappointment, two absolute guns showed they are primed and ready for the final two rounds with Ryan Papenhuyzen, 101, playing his first full game since April and Nathan Cleary, 86, driving the Panthers to victory in his second game back from a shoulder injury.

ROUND 24 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 20-34 STORM

Highs: Josh Addo-Carr, 136, had two tries, two try assists, four linebreaks and nine tackle busts as he bounced back from three shocking weeks of 20, 16 and 20. With Jahrome Hughes out injured the ball went left at every opportunity to Cameron Munster, 111, who had a try, try assist, two linebreaks and five tackle busts. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 101, played his first full game since Round 5 and has a 120+ average in his five full games. He’s had six games affected by injury or coming off the bench at 36PPG so you can still pick up an incredible player for $426k. (He’ll also be a bargain next season). Papenhuyzen surely avoids getting a rest in the last couple weeks after missing so much of the season already. Harry Grant, 97, played 80 minutes for the first time this season and maintained his 1.3 points per minute scoring rate with 56 in base stats, a try, two linebreaks and five tackle busts. Greg Marzhew, 73, had a try, two linebreaks and five tackle busts. He scored 82 against the Storm on his debut earlier in the season too.

Lows: David Fifita, 31, played 73 minutes but only had seven hitups for little impact with just one tackle bust and no offloads for the second week in a row. He’s not providing value for money for KFC SuperCoaches or the Titans with that lack of involvement. George Jennings, 10, injured his knee and went off after 37 minutes. Kevin Proctor, 5, injured his shoulder after seven minutes.

Watchlist: Jayden Campbell, 64, had two tries from kicks and has averaged 53PPG in his four games this season. He has a chance to press his claims for the fullback position for 2022 with AJ Brimson out injured.

RAIDERS 18-19 SEA EAGLES

Highs: Harley Smith-Shields, 92, had a try, try assist, three linebreaks and five tackle busts. Has a five-round average of 59PPG. A cheapie that came too late in the season. Matt Timoko, 90, had 46 in base stats, seven tackle busts, a try assist, two offloads and two linebreak assists. He’s averaged 54.5PPG in his five 80 minute games without scoring a try. Daly Cherry-Evans, 84, notched points against a stack of categories with a try assist, try contribution, field goal, two forced dropouts, two offloads, a linebreak and 20 points from hitups. Haumole Olakau’atu, 77, had a try, linebreak and five tackle busts. He’s averaged 64PPG over 10 rounds since locking down the 80-minute right edge role. Moses Suli, 72, filled in for the injured Brad Parker and had nine tackle busts and a linebreak.

Lows: Jason Saab, 20, had just nine runs and a try contribution. Jordan Rapana, 37, came off after 64 minutes and his big base stat games at fullback seem to be over.

Watchlist: Charnze Nikoll-Klokstad, 41, returned for his first game since Round 5 playing 25 minutes off the bench and scored a try.

PANTHERS 25-12 RABBITOHS

Highs: Nathan Cleary, 86, scored a try, kicked 4/6 goals, had a field goal, and increased his runs after returning from a shoulder injury last week. Back-to-back scores in the 80s mean his value might not have dropped enough to make him a one trade move for some. Dane Gagai, 83, had two linebreaks, a try, six tackle busts and 31 points from hitups. A top five CTW for total points and average but only in 9.5% of teams. Damien Cook, 80, had 54 tackles a linebreak and four tackle busts and is finding form with a five-round average of 86. Though he’s a chance to be rested after picking up a quad strain. Cameron Murray, 71, made 57 tackles, 12 more than he’s made in any other game this year. He only made seven runs for the game.

Lows: Keaon Koloamatangi, 66, will miss the rest of the season suspended for a crusher tackle. A blow for the 6.8% of owners with the POD backrower punching out a five-game average of 74.6PPG. A torrid knight for Josh Mansour, 26, picking up a knee injury and headknock. Alex Johnston, 28, returned after four weeks out and his try streak was ended. His last blank was also against the Panthers in Round 11. Dylan Edwards, 7, failed a HIA after 25 minutes. Jarome Luai, 22, seemed to have bounced back with 63 last week but put up another low score to make it 34.8PPG from his past 10 a stunning drop from 78.9PPG in the first 10 games. Tevita Pangai, 32, played just 26 minutes off the bench and only had one offload in his first game for the Panthers.

Watchlist: These two teams are prime candidates for resting players in the final two rounds with all finals in Queensland and no home advantage to play for there’s no difference between a second or third position. Watch team lists closely and expect late changes.

TIGERS 20-50 SHARKS

Highs: Braydon Trindall, 130, put on four try assists, kicked 7/9 goals, had a 40/20 and eight linebreak assists. He’s averaged 71.7PPG in his eight 80 minute games this season, that puts him on par with Daly Cherry-Evans and Jahrome Hughes and ahead of Sam Walker. If not this year, one to remember for next season. The Sharks’ wingers both picked up centuries with doubles, three linebreaks and a try assist for Ronaldo Mulitalo, 112, and Sione Katoa, 101. Mulitalo, though suffered a broken jaw and will miss the rest of the season. Michael Chee-Kam, 95, had a try, try assist and six tackle busts filling in at left centre for the Tigers. Young half Luke Metcalf, 95, had his first game in the starting team for the Sharks and had a double, try assist and five tackle busts. William Kennedy, 87, had a double and a try assists to bring his total points for the season to 1408, the 14th best of any player in KFC SuperCoach.

Lows: Billy Walters, 14, in just his second game of the season had seven missed tackles. He did the same in his first appearance. David Nofoaluma, 30, has a three-round average of 33.7PPG and had just seven hitups, his lowest number of the season. Adam Douehei, 34, came off late in the game with a knee injury. He was unlucky to have a try disallowed

Watchlist: Luciano Leilua, 66, has the fourth most points at 2RF and is one of the few left standing in the position. Moses Mbye, 66, had two try assists and is averaging 60PPG since moving to fullback with Daine Laurie injured. Matt Moylan, 48, returned from injury with a linebreak, try assist and five tackle bust in just 19 minutes.

BULLDOGS 16-22 KNIGHTS

Highs: Jake Clifford, 98, had a try, two try assists, two linebreaks and six tackle busts. He’s coming up with the big attacking plays for the Knights, a worry for Kalyn Ponga owners. Connor Watson, 95, has been frustrating for owners at times but he’s played every game and is the second top scoring HKR of the season with 1313 overall points. Ryan James, 82, scored a try and had 50 in base stats in 43 minutes. KFC SuperCoaches would love him to stay at the Bulldogs for the rest of the season rather than languish on the bench at the Raiders. Mitchell Barnett, 71, had a try assist, two offloads and 50 in base stats. He’s the third best scoring 2RF of the season playing every game. David Klemmer, 68, had a massive 41 points from hitups but is now facing a one-week suspension.

Lows: Ponga, 43, had 17 hitups, his most of any game this season, but had little impact with just two tackle busts. Luke Thompson, 57, on his first game back from a three-game suspension, faces suspension yet again and missing the final two rounds.

Watchlist: Bailey Biondi-Odo, 63, topped the tackle count with 43 and had a try assist in 58 minutes at hooker for the Bulldogs.

EELS 32-16 COWBOYS

Highs: Mitchell Moses, 99, had three try assists, three forced dropouts a linebreak and four linebreak assists. Waqa Blake, 96, busted 12 tackles, had two linebreaks and scored a try. Mitch Dunn, 85, had two try assists and a linebreak. Shaun Lane, 78, filled the gap left by Ryan Matterson and scored a try in his first 80 minute game since Round 6. Dylan Brown, 68, scored a try and had his third try assist of the season.

Lows: Maika Sivo, 25, injured his knee and will miss the rest of the season. Valentine Holmes, 41, was switched to the wing. Isaiah Papali’i, 45, played just 46 minutes, the least amount of time he’s had in a game this year.

Watchlist: Heilum Luki, 59, scored a try and has averaged 50PPG since moving to an edge role the past three weeks. Laitia Moceidreke, 49, scored on debut for the Cowboys. Will Penisini, 49, scored his first try for the Eels in his second game. Reuben Cotter, 49, returned from injury and was all base stats in 52 minutes. His previous outing was 74 points in 60 minutes against the Tigers in Round 5. He’s listed at hooker but playing as a middle forward.

DRAGONS 22-40 ROOSTERS

Highs: James Tedesco, 182, scored his second best KFC SuperCoach score ever with four try assists, 14 tackle busts, three linebreaks, six linebreak assists and 38 points from hitups. Daniel Tupou, 112, was at his best with three tries, two linebreak, five tackle busts and 35 points from hitups. Drew Hutchison, 109, had a try, try assist and linebreak in his second century of the season. Zac Lomax, 95, continued his good form on return from injury with two try assists, three goals, a linebreak, four linebreak assists and three tackle busts. If you need a player to win your head-to-head match up this week Lomax against the Cowboys looks like one of the best options. Isaac Liu, 88, played the full 80 minutes for the first time in six weeks and had 55 in base stats along with 11 tackle busts. Sam Walker, 76, started on the bench but owners still got a good score with a second half containing a try, try assist, linebreak and two linebreak assists.

Lows: Adam Keighran, 7, failed a HIA after 10 minutes. Matt Dufty, 25, returned to the team after being overlooked for four weeks but couldn’t muster an attacking stat.

Watchlist: Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 73, kicked 4/5 goals and played 49 minutes. If Keighran is out he should be kicking goals ahead of Tedesco and Walker who have both struggled with the boot this season. Cheapie Dale Copley, 52, made it back to back tries on the right wing for the Roosters. Mikaele Ravalawa, 63 scored a try for the second week in a row, striking up a great combination with Lomax, but he did go off with a HIA after a 63 minutes.

BRONCOS 24-22 WARRIORS

Highs: Anthony Milford, 96, had his first start for the Broncos since round 12 and delivered his best KFC SuperCoach score since the last round of 2019. Milford had a try, two try assists, six tackle busts, two offloads and four linebreak assists. Peta Hiku, 91, 44 in base stats, a try, try assist and two offloads. A great battle between two of the top props with Payne Haas, 85, having a linebreak and six tackle busts to outscore Addin Fonua-Blake, 81. Haas has scored 498 points since Round 18 and Origin compared to Fonua-Blake’s 386 since Round 17.

Lows: Jazz Tevaga, 29, was switched to backup hooker after scoring 92 as a middle forward last week. Warriors halves Chad Townsend, 27, Chanel Harris-Tavita, 32, are posting scores close to half of what Kodi Nikorima was producing earlier in the season.

Watchlist: Herbie Farnworth, 73, had 46 in base stats, five tackle busts and kicked 4/4 goals. Reece Walsh, 71, had two try assists but only kicked 1/5 goals. A blow for the 7% of teams with him and also the Warriors’ chances of sneaking into the top 8. Josh Curran, 70, went off for a HIA with 8 minutes to go. He’s got a short turnaround with a Friday night game this round and KFC SuperCoaches can’t afford to lose another 2RF. Euan Aitken, 69, scored a somewhat dubious try, but regardless now has a 90PPG average since moving to the second row four weeks ago.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 23 best players and trade targets