KFC SuperCoach NRL: Wilfred’s Zee’s left-field cheapies for 2023 season
Former SuperCoach champion Wilfred Zee has added four new names and made a massive 10 updates in all to his list of left-field cheapies.
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Most KFC SuperCoaches know all about cheapies, but the value of a lower rostered, left-field cheapie cannot be understated.
Landing on a sleeper cash cow can pay off dividends when your team value is sneakily $150,000 or $200,000 more than other teams just off the back of one really good, left-field cheapie.
So it definitely pays to do your research, and with that in mind, let’s take a bit of a deep dive into some potential left-field, low roster percentage cheapies for 2023.
Now we’ve had a chance to look at all the Preseason Challenge games, and plenty of potential cheapies were given a chance to showcase their skills and abilities.
Just like the Colonel’s 11 secret herbs and spices, I’ve picked out 11 left-field cheapies that everyone should at least know the name of!
NEW ADDITION 23 FEB – Braydon Wiliame (Warriors) – 2RF/CTW $234,800 – 1.9% rostered
Some who have played KFC SuperCoach for a while will recognize the name, and the last time we saw him in the NRL was struggling as a bench utility/backrower for the Dragons. He’s back as a Warrior now, and apparently has been training at left centre for most of the preseason. His trial form was above average and he showcased some attacking flair; but the Warriors have a brutal opening draw which is the biggest downside. However, his slightly-above-bottom dollar price tag coupled with dual position status is very appealing!
NEW ADDITION 23 FEB – Jack Bostock (Dolphins) – CTW $200,800 – 5.6% rostered
Bostock played in the second trial on the wing, and scored himself a preseason try. Otherwise it wasn’t an entirely happy showing, but with Edrick Lee apparently injured, and Isaako and other backline options currently behind Bostock (at this stage, anyway), if Bostock is named to start on one of the wings for Round 1, well, a starting bottom dollar winger at least needs to be considered, even if he’s a bit ‘shaky’ all around.
NEW ADDITION 23 FEB – Jackson Ford (Warriors) – 2RF $281,200 – 1.4% rostered
Another former Dragon, Ford shone during the trials. And with word that he and Wiliame trained together as a combo on that left side for most of the preseason, it’s promising for a potential Round 1 start. It’s not without risk of course, given the quality of the players around him like Josh Curran, but if named to start Round 1, even if he’s not a starter in your squad, he deserves to be watched pending minutes.
NEW ADDITION 23 FEB – Harley Smith-Shields (Raiders) – CTW $300,300 – 1.0% rostered
HSS is returning from an ACL injury and while he’s not in that 18-24 month sweet spot, he has done his chances no harm during the preseason. It may only be a short term spot pending the injury to Savage, but Smith-Shields showcased some serious KFC SuperCoach ability with his workrate and tackle busting ability, and might be more reliable as a starter in your CTW positions while available. One for the risktakers!
Trey Mooney (Raiders) – 2RF $234,800 – 8.3% rostered down to 5.9%
Update: This reduction in ownership (above) is probably accurate, as other cheapies around this price tag have shown up, but you still need to keep this name on the watchlist as the kid has a bright future waiting for him!
While I’m starting off with a higher roster percentage than I usually would, Mooney needs to be mentioned specifically. Firstly, the kid can definitely play and he has come through all the junior ranks as a constant fixture in all the representative teams.
His progression to first grade was effectively only halted by a worldwide pandemic, and it has been a matter of finding opportunity since then. The hope is for Mooney to be a long-term starting lock forward for the Raiders, and with the departure of Adam Elliott the signs are all pointing in the right direction.
But there needs to be caution, as Ricky Stuart isn’t known for blooding his young budding superstars quickly. Stuart also has some tendencies to start a young rookie forward for the first 15 or 20 minutes, take them off and they don’t get another stint.
With Mooney, it’s not about talent, but it’ll come down purely to opportunity and earning bigger minutes. Having said all that, Mooney is going to be good, it’s just a matter of “when” that happens!
Tom Eisenhuth (Storm) – 2RF/CTW $279,400 – 4.6% rostered down to 3.8%
Update: He was named to start at lock in the second trial, but come final team lists dropped outside the top 17. Seems unlikely to be relevant for Round 1 but as always, one to keep an eye on for a midseason run.
He’s been around the Storm system for a while now, and we’ve seen glimpses of what he is able to do for KFC SuperCoach purposes when given a chance to start and play bigger minutes on the edge.
In 2021, the ‘Huth averaged 60.4 points per game in his five games where he started on an edge and played more than 60 minutes. We didn’t see him much in 2022 unfortunately so we don’t have anymore recent information to look at, but with Eisenhuth seemingly over his niggling injuries from 2022, and two vacant edge backrow spots up for grabs at the Storm, if Eisenhuth establishes himself as a starter and gets 60+ minutes then he deserves some consideration, especially with his handy dual.
Justin Matamua (Tigers) – 2RF $234,800 – 3.3% rostered down to 3.0%
Update: His preseason wasn’t bad per se but it wasn’t exactly conclusive towards locking in a roster spot. The forward pack scenario is still quite up in the air with still no sign of John Bateman, so picking Matamua along with Shawn Blore and anybody else will be risky.
Matamua debuted in 2022, playing two games off the bench, and for some diehard Wests Tigers fans they waited all season for Matamua to be given a shot. He is regarded as one of their more promising juniors in recent years and so far this pre-season he has done all that he can to press his claim for a spot in the 17.
Tim Sheens is at the helm now – we know that Sheens is not afraid to throw a youngster into the proverbial fire – and Matamua has trained a lot this pre-season at lock. Now, the caveat is that star backrower John Bateman has not been able to train all pre-season given his visa dramas, so we won’t know what the line-up will look like until he’s on the field, but given it is likely that Bateman plays on the right edge, and Joe Ofahenguae may move to prop, there is an argument to suggest that Matamua – who is one of the better ballplayers within the forwards at Concord – could play be pivotal in allowing the Tigers to play a more expansive style of attack compared to when they may have a impactful, hardrunning forward at #13.
Of course, if Matamua is listed at #13 come Round 1, TLT, every man, woman and their dog will have Matamua in their KFC SuperCoach team for Round 1, but it’s good to get to know the name straight away. It’s worth noting that Fonua Pole has also been touted as another option to start at lock forward, so basically “watch this space”!
The best of Jacob Preston 💿 #PrestonMania#FutureBulldogWatchpic.twitter.com/l9rONaLv5Y
— Bulldogs Kennel (@BulldogsKennel) February 3, 2023
Jacob Preston (Bulldogs) – 2RF $200,800 – 1.6% rostered up to 3.4%
Updated: Decent showings during the preseason games, including a bigger-than-expected role in the second trial after an early Viliame Kikau failed HIA, did Preston’s chance at a Round 1 role no harm. Minutes are still going to be hard to come by but he’s a name to keep a close eye on.
A name possibly unfamiliar to most, Preston has been singled out for a mention by Gus Gould himself as a real bolter for a Round 1 bench spot. His pre-season has been impressive and if given a shot, it will be well and truly earned.
Based on his reserve grade performances last season (12 games playing almost 80 minutes each week), Preston showcased a decent workrate with the ability to bust some tackles and free the arm for an offload too – all signs of a good KFC SuperCoach game. The difficulty will be his opportunity for minutes, in a pack that now features some serious hardhitters like Viliame Kikau. Still, we’ve seen the Bulldogs struggle with injury concerns in the past so Preston could get a bigger opportunity sooner rather than later.
Hame Sele (Rabbitohs) – FRF/2RF $312,800 – 1.5% rostered down to 0.9%
Update: Sele suffered an injury during the first trial and is set to miss Round 1 – ignore this one for now, but keep an eye on minutes upon his return!
Maybe I’m pushing the boundaries of “cheapie” status now but there is a real opportunity for a middle forward to step up and claim some minutes at the Rabbitohs following the departure of Mark “the GOAT” Nicholls to the Dolphins. Sele has had some injury concerns in recent seasons which has hindered his development but at 26 years of age, he is in his prime as a prop forward and has the ability and opportunity to kick on.
Sele only averaged 28 minutes per game last season, and with Nicholls’ departure opening up almost 35 minutes per game, if Sele manages to claim 10 or more of those minutes and get to around 40 or even 45 minutes per game, he will be a real solid option at his rate of scoring.
Possibly one to not start with but to really keep a close eye on as a potential downgrade, pending minutes. A player in a similar situation (but lower down the pecking order based on last season) is Liam Knight, who is slightly more expensive but has previously showcased his relevance for KFC SuperCoach when given the minutes.
Matt Doorey (Eels) – 2RF $234,800 – 1.5% rostered up to 5.9%
Update: No surprises to see his roster percentage shoot up given his opportunity and performances so far. He’s played well enough to outshine his immediate competition (Momoisea, Cartwright, Murchie) but with the unfortunate injury to Shaun Lane, his job security and opportunity is as high as ever for Round 1. Things will get murky later on when Matterson is back from suspension and also when Lane returns from his injury, but that’s a problem for the future. Doorey himself is racing the clock for the season-opener due to an ankle injury so he’s a big watch on TLT.
Doorey currently appears to be the frontrunner for the starting right edge spot vacated by Isaiah Papali’I. On paper a starting edge backrower running off Mitch Moses’ hip, at almost bottom dollar, is a no-brainer usually, but there are some question marks given he’s most likely not going to play the full 80 minutes, and the (ripped and toned) shadow of Ryan Matterson’s guns looms in the background for Round 4 onwards.
Doorey has shown some ability when at the Bulldogs previously, and we’ve seen that he can score decently for KFC SuperCoach purposes when given 80 minutes on the edge, so he remains a somewhat risky option that could deliver a handsome reward.
Ky Rodwell (Eels) – FRF $234,800 – 0.3% rostered
He has played five games so far, with four of them coming last year, so he has been slowly building his opportunity at the Eels. Rodwell has been impressing the Eels’ coaching staff this pre-season, and there is a genuine chance he has landed himself a bench spot for Round 1.
There’s a little risk here given we know Ryan Matterson won’t be available for the first few rounds, but depending on other names available at TLT, beggars can’t be choosers if we really need a cheap FRF to start the season with!
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