KFC SuperCoach NRL teams analysis: Shocks galore in Round 6 squads

Team List Tuesdays have been relatively predictable in 2021, but the KFC SuperCoach gods made up for it this week with a number of shocks, writes TOM SANGSTER.

WINNERS

* Jake Simpkin - NSW Cup’s top tryscorer has been named to start at hooker for the Tigers with Jacob Liddle dropped. Simpkin therefore looms as a major cheapie going forward, while Liddle is a sell despite a BE of 9.

* Sam Walker - By far the most popular buy for the second week in a row and could easily surge beyond 60 per cent ownership by the end of the week. Opening scores in the 80s have led to a BE of -106 and projected rise of almost $140,000. Absolute must.

* Ben Condon - Second most popular player this week. Last week’s 62 was no doubt encouraging, but the base was poor and the minutes dropped back considerably from 80 to 49. KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts a rise of almost $50,000, but factor in the looming returns of Jason Taumalolo (hand) and Mitch Dunn (foot) and he’s hardly an automatic cheapie, although perhaps a necessary one for many to create cash for David Fifita, Brian To’o etc.

* Teig Wilton – The Cronulla young gun was a popular cheapie last week despite job security issues. And in huge news for KFC SuperCoach, those dramas have been delayed for at least a week with Wade Graham (concussion) out and Wilton therefore retaining a starting spot, even with Briton Nikora (suspension) and Siosifa Talakai (shoulder) back. Wilton surged by $63,100 last week and KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts another $53,600 this week.

* Cody Walker - Returns from a one-game ban and should improve on an already keeper average of 75.3 against the struggling Tigers this week. Left-field captaincy option.

* Tom Trbojevic - The KFC SuperCoach great returns from a hamstring injury for his first game of the year. One to watch over the next few rounds, although the Teddy/Pap combo at fullback will be hard to unseat.

Ryan James has been rested by the Raiders. Digital image by Robb Cox - NRL Photos

* David Fifita - Looks like an adult playing against under 6s and has therefore scored the second most points of any player. He has played some poor opposition this year (all five sides sit eighth or lower) and he also has easy match-ups coming in the next month against the Sea Eagles, Broncos and Tigers. The $754,400 price tag (+$184,500 on starting price) is outrageously steep for an edge player, but KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts his price won’t drop for at least another month - and then we hit the Origin period. Translation: It’s basically now or never and he’s therefore the third most purchased player this week. Sangster’s Paradise will shoulder arms on Fifita and refuse to watch Titans games.

* Brian To’o - Only Brett Morris, who is on an almost unprecedented tryscoring spree, has averaged more at CTW. To’o’s pure base of 39 makes him one of the safest players in the position. Add in tackle busts and you’re looking at a base of almost 50, while bulk tries are near-certain on the end of a stacked backline. KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts a rise of $43,700 this week, so like Fifita he sits in “now or never” territory. Available for the first bye, although at this rate he’s putting together a serious case for NSW selection.

* Josh Curran - Named to start on an edge for the Warriors and costs just $203,000. Cheapie to keep an eye on.

* Stefano Utoikamanu - Surges into a starting prop spot after an impressive opening to his time at the Tigers. With a BE of 14 he’s set for more massive rises and may even be a hold for the first bye.

LOSERS

* Tesi Niu - Dropped to reserves for the Broncos after a number of poor defensive displays. However, the axing is great timing for KFC SuperCoach after peaking at a $113,400 rise (BE of 41) and he is therefore the most sold player by a considerable distance. Brian To’o, Sam Walker, David Fifita and even Ben Condon are calling, so trade away.

* Jordan Riki – Already the second most sold player heading into teams day, but his demotion to the bench confirms the trade. Has made a very handy $113,000 but could start leaking cash now he’s on the interchange (BE 49).

* David Fusitu’a – The popular cheapie has been ruled out with a hamstring issue. The Warriors are hopeful the injury is not serious but even the most minor hamstring strains can mean two weeks on the sideline. Either way, unless you can upgrade to To’o, The Fus is barely worth selling given he’s lost $14,000.

* Ryan James - Rested after two head knocks in three weeks. Definite hold given the BE of 12.

BRONCOS V PANTHERS

Thurs 15 Apr, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:50pm

BRONCOS

1 Jamayne Isaako, 2 Xavier Coates 3 Richard Kennar, 4 Jesse Arthars, 5 David Mead, 6 Brodie Croft, 7 Tom Dearden, 8 Matt Lodge, 9 Jake Turpin, 10 Payne Haas, 11 Alex Glenn, 12. Tevita Pangai Jnr, 13 Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. John Asiata 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Jordan Riki

Reserves: 18. Rhys Kennedy 19. Cory Paix 20. Keenan Palasia 21. Corey Oates

Team news: Overhaul. Anthony Milford has been dropped with Tom Dearden and Brodie Croft the new halves. Talented youngster Tesi Niu has also been axed with Jess Arthars to play centre. Ben Te’o (bicep) is out for 12 weeks, replaced on the bench by Ethan Bullemor. Jordan Riki is a big KFC SuperCoach loser after being pushed to the bench to accommodate the return of Patrick Carrigan (suspension), which sees Tevita Pangai switch to an edge.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Jesse Arthars is a cheapie to watch at $267,100 after taking over the centre role from Tesi Niu. David Mead is the fifth most sold player after making almost $80,000. With a break even of 59 and projected loss of -$11.4k according to KFC SuperCoach Plus, it’s definitely time to cash in. The Broncos also have a tough upcoming schedule against top eight teams the Panthers, Eels and Titans. See Jordan Riki and Tesi Niu analysis above.

PANTHERS

1 Stephen Crichton, 2 Charlie Staines, 3 Paul Momirovski, 4 Matt Burton, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 James Fisher-Harris, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Kurt Capewell, 13 Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Matt Eisenhuth, 17 Liam Martin

Reserves: 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Robert Jennings 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Jaeman Salmon

Team news: No changes for the top-of-table Panthers. Api Koroisau (wrist) and Dylan Edwards (hand) are both on track to return in Round 8.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Amazingly, Nathan Cleary is 52 points clear at halfback despite missing a game. If you don’t own him, do you even SuperCoach? He may even be a hold for the entire Origin period given the dearth of talent behind him in the position. After being one of the most sold players over the opening weeks (his ownership dropped from 58.3 per cent to 44 per cent), Charlie Staines is suddenly one of the flavours of the week yet again as the seventh most purchased player. The match-up against the Broncos is a huge opportunity so definitely include in 17s this week. Kurt Capewell is somehow the 10th most sold player after scores of “just” 51 and 40 in the last fortnight. However the minutes are still great (average 66 for the year), the dual position is crucial and his season average of 58 sits in the borderline keeper range. Surely you have bigger issues to deal with. Definite hold. Find another way to get Brian To’o or David Fifita. See Brian To’o analysis above.

KNIGHTS V SHARKS

Fri 16 Apr, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 6pm

KNIGHTS

1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Brayden Musgrave, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Hymel Hunt, 6 Kurt Mann 7 Blake Green, 8 David Klemmer, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Connor Watson

Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Phoenix Crossland, 21. Gehamat Shibasaki

Team news: Three big ins with Bradman Best (elbow), Jacob Saifiti (suspension) and Kurt Mann (concussion) all returning. Best’s comeback sees Gehamat Shibaskai make way, allowing Enari Tuala to move back to right centre. Mann returns at five-eighth, partnering Green in the halves, with Connor Watson moving to lock. Pasami Saulo makes way on the bench for Jacob Saifiti. Cessnock product Brayden Musgrove has been named to make his debut on the wing and could be a KFC SuperCoach cheapie down the track.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Connor Watson is the ninth most sold player as KFC SuperCoaches go for Sam Walker. He’s made $186,000 so far and the BE of 66 suggests he’s peaked for now. But he’s averaged 65.2 this year which essentially places him in keeper territory. Hold if you can and keep him up your sleeve for a trade to Jake Simpkin in two weeks. Mitchell Barnett is the ninth most sold player as KFC SuperCaoches move up to Fifita. Barnett lost the goalkicking duties to Kalyn Ponga last week and produced his lowest score of the season (53), although realistically he hasn’t kicked for three weeks anyway due to injury. Barnett has played 80 minutes every round, so don’t lose faith just yet. All indications suggest last week’s 53 is about as low as it gets, which is a fair floor.

SHARKS

1 Will Kennedy, 2 Mawene Hiroti, 3 Connor Tracey, 4 Jesse Ramien, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Aaron Woods, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Billy Magoulias, 15. Aiden Tolman, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Siosifa Talakai

Reserves: 18. Brayden Trindall, 19. Nene Macdonald, 20. Franklin Pele, 21. Jenson Taumoepeau

Team news: Wade Graham and Josh Dugan are both out due to multiple concussions. Young gun Teig Wilton switches to Graham’s left edge with Briton Nikora (suspension) returning on the right. Connor Tracey replaces Dugan at centre with Siosifa Talakai (suspension) joining the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Will Kennedy is in the midst of an unexpectedly amazing season, having scored the 14th most points of any player despite starting in just 0.3 per cent of teams. See Teig Wilton analysis above: Buy vindicated and more big rises on the way.

STORM V ROOSTERS

Fri 16 Apr, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7:55pm

STORM

1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2 George Jennings, 3 Reimis Smith, 4 Justin Olam, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Brandon Smith, 10 Christian Welch, 11 Felise Kaufusi,12 Ken Bromwich, 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Bench: 14. Harry Grant 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nicho Hynes

Reserves: 18 Aaron Pene 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Brenko Lee 21. Chris Lewis

Team news: Same 17. Harry Grant remains on the bench despite an impressive return last week. Dale Finucane (calf) misses out altogether despite a mooted return. Cooper Johns and rookie Jack Howarth are both unavailable due to hamstring injuries.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Ryan Papenhuyzen hasn’t scored below 73 this year and has three tons. He’s scored the third most points of any player despite missing a game. However, he’s hard to captain this week against the miserly Roosters. Popular early-season buy Christian Welch finally cranked it over the past two weeks with scores of 71 (no big attacking stats) and 100 (try and linebreak). He is set to peak in two weeks at a $120,000 rise and will be the perfect upgrade to someone like Payne Haas. Harry Grant is definitely one to keep an eye on after scoring 66 in just 53 minutes on the weekend, albeit against the struggling Bulldogs. In an ideal KFC SuperCoach world he produces a poor score this week against the Roosters before dropping to an affordable price, at which point he resumes 80 minute duties and becomes a serious buy.

ROOSTERS

1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Joey Manu, 5 Brett Morris, 6 Drew Hutchison, 7 Sam Walker, 8 Isaac Liu, 9 Benjamin Marschke, 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Angus Crichton, 12 Sitili Tupouniua, 13 Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Adam Keighran, 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Matt Ikuvalu 20. Jesse Marschke 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Team news: The hooker position remains up in the air. Ben Marschke retains the No.9 jersey but will only play if he beats a potential two-game suspension at the judiciary on Tuesday, with fellow hookers Jake Friend (retired), Sam Verrills (knee) and Freddy Lussick (arm) all missing. Utility Adam Keighran (wrist) returns ahead of schedule on the bench and could fill the hooker role if Marschke misses out. Lindsay Collins (concussion/ankle) returns on the interchange.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: KFC SuperCoach has officially gone mad with James Tedesco the fourth most sold player this week. Reverse. Trades. Now. The captaincy is wide open this week. Teddy and Pap are playing each other in a tough match-up, meaning Nathan Cleary as straight C in the opening round against the Broncos could be the way to go. Brett Morris, of all people, has the most points of any player after 11 tries in five games. But it hasn’t all been tries — even the pure base of 32 is good for a winger.

SEA EAGLES V TITANS

Sat 17 Apr, Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee, 3pm

SEA EAGLES

1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jason Saab, 3 Brad Parker, 4 Morgan Harper, 5 Reuben Garrick, 6 Kieran Foran, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Taniela Paseka , 9 Lachlan Croker, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Haumole Olakau’tau, 12 Josh Schuster, 13 Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Cade Cust, 15.Toafofoa Sipley, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Tevita Funa 19. Zac Saddler 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Ben Trbojevic

Team news: Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is a huge inclusion after passing a fitness test on the weekend. He returns at fullback replacing Dylan Walker, who is out due to his own hamstring injury. Cade Cust missed the weekend game due to illness but returns on the bench with Tevita Funa making way. Haumole Olakau’atu (elbow) scores the starting back row spot of Jack Gosiewski, who is out for the season with a foot injury.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Josh Schuster is a contender for cheapie of the year, essentially playing 80 minutes each week and sitting with a keeper-like average of 62, of which 44 is pure base. KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts a rise of $264,000 overall, although a trade to Simpkin (via Watson) could be on in two weeks. Jason Saab finally scored a try on the weekend but still lost money. He’s a very frustrating cheapie — going so poorly he can’t really be sold. See Tom Trbojevic analysis above.

TITANS

1 AJ Brimson, 2 Phillip Sami, 3 Brian Kelly, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Ash Taylor, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Mitch Rein, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleui, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 David Fifita, 13 Tyrone Peachey

Bench: 14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Erin Clark

Reserves: 18. Beau Fermor, 19. Herman Ese’ese, 20. Sam McIntyre, 21. Jonus Pearson

Team news: No changes, although Phillip Sami (concussion) is in doubt and must pass protocol. Corey Thompson will play despite a knock to the sternum. Anthony Don (hip) is another week away.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is the third most sold player as KFC SuperCoaches move to David Fifita. Big Tino’s 26 points in 66 minutes was incredibly disappointing last week. But he did score 91 the week before and the average of 57.2 hardly screams “sell”, although KFC SuperCoaches have to sacrifice something to get Fifita and perhaps his teammate Tino is just that. Tyrone Peachey is a major POD play this week. He has averaged 65.8 and scored the seventh most points at CTW, yet cost under $500,000 (and more than $100,000 less than the far more popular Brian To’o). See David Fifita analysis above.

RABBITOHS V TIGERS

Sat 17 Apr, Stadium Australia, Sydney, 5:30pm

RABBITOHS

1 Latrell Mitchell, 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Campbell Graham, 5 Josh Mansour, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Tevita Tatola, 11 Jacob Host, 12 Jaydn Su’a, 13 Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Benji Marshall 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Liam Knight 20. Troy Dargan 21. Jaxson Paulo

Team news: Welcome back Cody Walker from suspension at five-eighth with Benji Marshall moving back to the bench and Dean Hawkins dropping out, although the rookie wasn’t available anyway after a nasty cut to his knee. Liam Knight (concussion) has been included on the extended bench and could come into contention.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: POD alert. Dane Gagai’s numbers rival the far more popular Brian To’o this season yet he sits at just three per cent ownership. The base of 37 is very, very good for the position and he’s almost guaranteed attacking points on South Sydney’s stacked left side. Damien Cook sits third at hooker for total points despite the huge asking price. Given current form and looming Origin section, Cook is a genuine sell option to Jake Simpkin in coming rounds (but definitely not this week as he could go gangbusters against the Tigers). Latrell Mitchell has snuck under the radar to sit just 12 points behind James Tedesco at fullback. See Cody Walker analysis above.

TIGERS

1 Daine Laurie, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 James Roberts, 4. Asu Kepoa, 5 Tommy Talau, 6 Adam Doueihi, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 James Tamou, 9 Jake Simpkin, 10 Stefano Utoikamanu, 11 Joe Ofahengaue, 12 Luciano Leilua, 13 Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Moses Mbye, 15. Luke Garner, 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Zane Musgrove Reserves: 18. Jacob Liddle, 19. Alex Seyfarth, 20. Tom Amone, 21. Michael Chee Kam

Team news: Mass changes. Jake Simpkin, the top tryscorer in NSW Cup, scores the starting hooker role with incumbent Jacob Liddle out of the 17. Simpkin starts at bottom dollar for KFC SuperCoach and looms as serious cheapie prospect down the track. Joey Leilua (concussion) is replaced at prop by Asu Kepaoa. Stefano Utoikamanu surges into a starting prop spot after an impressive start to his time at the Tigers.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Daine Laurie is averaging 56.6 and a keeper at least until the first bye in Round 13. Don’t even think of selling despite the BE of 38. James Roberts started the season as a very promising cheapie but has actually lost $8,000 and is therefore the sixth most sold player. With no sign of significant price improvement any time soon (BE 41), the upgrade to To’o or Peachey is on. See Stefano Utoikamanu and Jake Simpkin analysis above.

RAIDERS V EELS

Sat 17 Apr, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7:35pm

RAIDERS

1 Caleb Aekins, 2 Bailey Simonsson, 3 Jarrod Croker, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Jack Wighton, 7 George Williams, 8 Josh Papalii, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Iosia Soliola, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Joseph Tapine

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton, 16, Saliva Havili, 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Sebastian Kris, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Corey Harawira-Naera, 21. Dunamis Lui

Team news: In a big blow for KFC SuperCoaches, Ryan James is out of the Raiders squad completely this week, while Curtis Scott makes his return from injury at the expense of Sebastian Kris. The injured Charnze Nichol-Klokstad will be replaced by former Panther Caleb Aekins.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Frustrating times for Bailey Simonsson owners. KFC SuperCoach Plus tells us he’s essentially peaked (BE 28), but he’s yet to score a try despite sitting on the end of a lethal backline so surely a sharp spike is on the way soon. See Ryan James analysis above.

EELS

1 Clint Gutherson, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Tom Opacic, 4 Marata Niukore, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Will Smith, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Shaun Lane, 12 Ryan Matterson, 13 Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi, 15. Isaiah Papali’i, 16. Keegan Hipgrave, 17. Bryce Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Joey Lussick, 19. Haze Dunster, 20. Wiremu Greig, 21. Jordan Rankin

Team news: Dylan Brown is out with suspension, with Will Smith filling in at five-eighth, while Ryan Matterson is set to make his return from concussion, forcing Isaiah Papali’i back to the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: A definite team to target after this week. From here the Eels have the Broncos, Bulldogs, Roosters, Warriors and Sea Eagles, plus they also play the first bye week. The likes of Clint Gutherson (pending Origin selection), Maika Sivo and Ryan Matterson (after a big price drop) could be very handy over this period. Meanwhile, Reed Mahoney currently tops the hooker position and Isaiah Papali’i sits fourth at 2RF position. Who would have thunk it?

DRAGONS V WARRIORS

Sun 18 Apr, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, 2pm

DRAGONS

1 Matt Dufty, 2 Cody Ramsey, 3 Jack Bird, 4 Zac Lomax, 5 Mikaele Ravalawa, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Adam Clune, 8 Blake Lawrie, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Josh Kerr, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Tyrell Fuimaono

Bench: 14. Kaide Ellis, 15. Trent Merrin, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Brayden Williame

Reserves: 18. Jackson Ford, 19. Billy Burns, 20. Josh McGuire, 21. Jordan Pereira

Team news: The Dragons have unsurprisingly made no changes after their shock upset win over Parramatta. New recruit Josh McGuire has been named in the reserves, and skipper Ben Hunt is still a few weeks away from returning.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: After losing $35,000 already, Zac Lomax has a BE of 104 and will be very juicy in coming weeks. He’s one of a number of “fallen guns” currently under consideration by Sangster’s Paradise at CTW alongside the likes of David Nofoaluma.

WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Peta Hiku, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Marcelo Montoya, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Tohu Harris, 11.Josh Curran, 12. Jack Murchie, 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Paul Turner

Reserves: 18. Rocco Berry, 20. Tom Ale, 21. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 22. Taniela Otukolo

Team news: Peta Hiku is back for the injured David Fusitua, while last week’s 18th man Josh Curran starts in the back row with Eliesa Katoa dropped.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: As we’ve become accustomed to, Tohu Harris is again the POD of PODs. He has scored the third most points of any 2RF, yet is owned by just 11 per cent. He misses the round 13 bye but is essential from then onwards. See David Fusitu’a analysis above.

COWBOYS V BULLDOGS

Sun 18 Apr, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 4:05pm

COWBOYS

1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Connelly Lemuelu, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Ben Hampton, 8. Coen Hess, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Shane Wright, 12. Ben Condon, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Lachlan Burr, 16. Francis Molo, 17. Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18. Esan Marsters, 19. Mitchell Dunn, 20. Peter Hola, 21. Jake Clifford

Team news: Fresh off their first win of the season, the Cowboys are boosted by the return of skipper Jason Taumalolo, who was named last week but was a late withdrawal. Coen Hess moves to the front row, with Francis Molo to the bench and Reben Cotter out of the squad, potentially a massive boost for Taumaolo’s minutes. Justin O’Neill makes his return from concussion and will replace the injured Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The Cowboys are near-irrelevant for KFC SuperCoach with no player over 6.1 per cent ownership. However, keep an eye on Jason Taumalolo as a cut-priced keeper in a few weeks. The BE of 127 should lead to big price drops and he is confirmed out of Origin contention after the NRL refused to change eligibility rules. Clearly, a return to KFC SuperCoach stardom for Taumalolo hinges heavily on Todd Payten’s tactics and unfortunately Lolo doesn’t play the first bye round. But a player of his caliber must stayed glued to the top of the watchlist.

BULLDOGS

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Corey Allan, 5. Tuipulotu Katoa, 6. Jake Averillo, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Jack Hetherington, 11. Adam Elliott, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Luke Thompson

Bench: 14. Jackson Topine, 15. Renouf Atoni, 16. Chris Smith, 17. Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves: 19. Brandon Wakeham, 21. Dean Britt, 22. Joe Stimson, 23. Matt Doorey

Team news: The Bulldogs have lost skipper Josh Jackson to injury and is replaced at lock by Luke Thompson, who looked solid in his return from suspension last week. The only other change for the winless Doggies is Chris Smith joining the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Very little doing. This game is basically the spoon bowl. Jake Averillo is the only player to prick the ears after bouncing back from a poor start to the season with 90 last week. He is now $17,500 less than his starting price with a break even of -7, but it would take a brave KFC SuperCaoch to back any player — let alone a half — in the worst attacking team in the competition.