KFC SuperCoach NRL: Wilson Smith’s 10 top cheapies for Round 1

Player transfers have given the cheapie landscape a massive shakeup just a month out from the NRL season. These are the best options.

The arrival of Daine Laurie at the Wests Tigers may have shaken the cheapie landscape to its core, giving us a new CTW option, but possibly taking away one of the best cheap hookers in Jacob Liddle or Jake Simpkin … it all depends on what they do with Moses Mbye.

And get the reverse button ready KFC SuperCoaches, because some of the other most popular cheapies may not be as promising as you think, especially in the forwards, and should probably be traded out sooner rather than later.

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It’s still early days but Staines could be one of the cheapies of the year … even if he starts off a bit expensive. Picture: Phil Hilyard.

1. Charlie Staines $297,700 CTW & FLB Panthers

The undisputed must-have cheapie to start the year and unsurprisingly the most popular player in KFC SuperCoach right now at 53.5% ownership. Having been promised a starting wing spot and having Josh Mansour move to Souths, Staines has all the makings of a huge money maker. He scored six tries in 107 minutes in 2020, for a deceptively high average of 112, and while we don’t expect these numbers to continue, even if he can one-third of that strike rate in 2020 he would still average a try a game. From what we saw in limited minutes before injury, his base stats looked solid and he broke tackles seemingly at will. And on top of all that, he’s playing for arguably the best attacking team in the competition. His emergence will see Brian To’o shift to the left edge, keeping Staines on the right with Nathan Cleary. Lock him in.

Daine Laurie’s move to the Tigers has made their starting spine very hard to predict. Picture: Getty Images.

2. Daine Laurie $223,200 CTW & FLB Tigers

While initially not a buy, his move to the Tigers has completely changed his outlook and with a starting fullback spot now on the cards, becomes one of the most exciting cheapies (even without his FRF dual eligibility in 2021). We only saw him start at fullback once in 2020, and if that is anything to go buy he looks amazing, given he scored 71 points (without a try), 45 of which was in pure base! Still inexperienced and not locked in to start, the Tigers tried really hard to get him there early so I think it’s a safe bet given Adam Doueihi is set to play in the halves. Moses Mbye has indicated he will start the season at fullback, so he may not be locked in for Round 1, but keep an eye on him for now.

Shawn Blore could earn a starting role at the Wests Tigers in 2021: Picture: NRL Photos.

3. Shawn Blore $210,500 2RF Tigers

Tipped to potentially earn a starting edge spot at the Tigers in 2021 over Luke Garner, Shawn Blore is one of the most exciting cheapie forwards this year. Garner started most games in the backrow in 2020, but was relegated to the bench towards the end of the year in favour of Sam McIntyre and may have stayed there had Sam not been injured. Blore played five games off the bench in 2020 and looked solid with limited minutes, averaging 1.03PPM, pretty much all in pure base. Jordan Riki is another very popular 2RF cheapie with David Fifita gone, but the presence of Alex Glenn has me looking away.

Spencer Leniu may be a safer option at FRF than the very popular Stefano Utoikamanu. Phil Hillyard.

4. Spencer Leniu $218,500 FRF Panthers

While Stefano Utoikamanu is one of the most owned players in the game, I’m actually starting to fade on him a bit given the FRF depth at the Tigers … with Tamou, Ofahengaue, Thomas Mikaele, Zane Musgrove and Russell Packer also there I have some concerns about minutes. The Panthers’ depth on the other hand looks much better for the cheapie, with just James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota firmly in front of him, while Matt Eisenhuth could also play a role in the middle. He is more expensive that Utoikamanu but I think there are more minutes on the line and better job security. Also worth mentioning that popular FRF cheapie Ryan James should also probably be traded out, given he is at 27% ownership, coming back from his third ACL injury and likely to miss out on the top-17 to start the season.

Connor Watson may not start in 2020, but he still scores well from the bench in KFC SuperCoach. Picture: Getty Images.

5. Connor Watson $288,600 HOK & 5/8 Knights

The signing of Daine Laurie has thrown the Tigers hooking situation into disarray and I’m heavily fading on both Jacob Liddle and Jake Simpkin now and have Connor Watson as the next best cheap option at HOK. Under $300k now after an injury plagued season, Watson is tipped to play a bench utility/middle forward role at the Knights, and while this doesn’t sound great for him, looks can be deceiving. Not including injury affected games, Watson scored 43, 77 and 44 in his three games off the bench last year (almost all of which was base), as well as averaging 51.8 in six games off the bench in 2019. Not to mention he could be one of the next men up to start at hooker if Jayden Brailey goes down injured again. Right now I just think there is more upside and security than the Tigers hooking options, but this could change come Round 1.

Matt Moylan has looked good at training and should start for the Sharks with Shaun Johnson injured. Picture: Getty Images.

6. Matt Moylan $253,600 FLB & 5/8 Sharks

While Matt Moylan is one of those players I swore to never again chuck into my team, the injury to Shaun Johnson and that juicy price just make him very enticing to start the year. While definitely not a keeper, with Johnson expected to be out until Round 5-8, Moylan will have a solid chance to make some money if he gets the starting five-eighth role. There is also a chance that when Johnson is back we see Moylan shift back to fullback over Will Kennedy. While he hasn't averaged over 50 since 2018, he has reportedly been very impressive at training and should at least improve on his 2020 average of 29.

Tesi Niu should get a start at Brisbane while Kotoni Staggs is out injured. Picture: Getty Images.

7. Tesi Niu $232,500 CTW & FLB Broncos

With Kotoni Staggs out to start the year, Niu looks locked in for the starting side, the only question is where, given there are other spots up for grabs and Corey Oates could be set for a move to the forwards or even a bench spot. Niu played six games in 2020, two off the bench and four at fullback, for an average of 40 when he started. His base stats were solid, and he didn’t manage to score a try, but there were certainly some positive signs. A move to centre could see those base stats go up and if the Broncos can improve their attack the tries will come.

Fusitua has struggled since Shaun Johnson left the Warriors, but sometimes the only way to move is up. Picture: Getty Images.

8. David Fusitua $251,800 CTW Warriors

Flying under the radar compared to some other cheapie options, the Warriors flyer has found himself back in cheapie range after a few average seasons following the departure of Shaun Johnson. Fus left the Warriors camp early last year on compassionate grounds, but with the Warriors spine now looking a bit more settled, and a juicy combination with Peta Hiku, he is looking good for 2021. In the last two seasons he’s averaged just 37 and 28, but he’s scored just six tries in these two seasons, way down on his output in the past. It seems pretty unlikely he gets any worse in 2021, while there is a lot of potential to go up given his ability to score freakish tries.

There are spots up for grabs at the Raiders and Bailey Simonsson seems the best chance to start. Picture: Getty Images.

9. Bailey Simonsson $205,000 CTW & FLB Raiders

With Jarrod Croker injured and Nick Cotric gone there are backline spots up for grabs at the Raiders, and Simonsson seems locked in for a wing spot, likely on the left edge. Now while this is Jack Wighton’s edge and backs on this side haven’t seen a tonne of ball in previous seasons, Simonsson knows how to find the line and has a lot of upside if Wighton cooperates. The main concern is his low base stats, given he had two scores under 10 while starting in 2020, as well as spending some time as a bench back. He didn’t struggle with injury in 2019 and his numbers from that season are far more appealing, with plenty of tries and tackle breaks.

James Roberts has struggled in recent seasons, but could get back to his best at the Tigers.

10. James Roberts $277,700 CTW Tigers

One of the only guys on the list who isn’t in my team at the moment, I’m currently desperately trying to fit him in, to no avail. Jimmy the Jet was one of my favourite mid-range CTWs of 2020 and I had him in my team to start the year, but after the COVID break things fell apart for him. Roberts really hasn’t been KFC SuperCoach relevant since 2017 when he averaged 60, and while I don’t expect him to return to those numbers, I certainly think he will improve on his 2020 average of 35 and make some decent cash.