KFC SuperCoach teams analysis Round 10 2021: Maguire strikes quadruple blow

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire hasn’t just shaken up his own team, he’s caused carnage for many KFC SuperCoaches.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire is public enemy number one in fantasy land after making a quartet of changes detrimental to KFC SuperCoaches.

Popular cheapies Jake Simpkin, Stefano Utoikamanu and Zac Cini have been dropped, while Adam Doueihi came into the round as the 10th most purchased player, but KFC SuperCoaches must now reach for the “reverse trade” button after he was shunted from five-eighth to centre.

This despite being arguably the Tigers’ best player this year.

Zac Cini has been dumped. Picture: David Hossack - NRL Photos

WINNERS

* Sam Walker - The best cheapie in KFC SuperCoach this year has been named for the Roosters despite battling shoulder and ankle injuries. Even though he’s on the team sheet, Walker is the sixth most sold player. The injury/resting talk is real and cashing in on the massive $425,300 profit is very tempting, with many KFC SuperCoaches pivoting to the next man on this list.

* Tyson Gamble - By far the most popular buy this week, more than triple the next player. It makes absolute sense given a -48 break even, predicted rise of $56,000, good job security, strong base for a half and Round 13 coverage.

* Ryan Matterson - Second most purchased player this week. Matterson is a proven KFC SuperCoach keeper, but concussion issues have seen him drop to a very affordable $579,000, essentially a $90,000 discount on his starting price. He has a BE of 64, which is essentially his average, so no need to rush. But you’ll want him for Round 13.

* Isaiah Papali’i - I’ve been saying it for months, but surely he can’t keep it up? However, Papali’i just keeps producing, notching the second most points in KFC SuperCoach this year behind only David Fifita. The $782,500 price tag is astronomical and I simply can’t justify paying that much. But clearly KFC SuperCoaches think otherwise given he’s the third most popular purchase this week. Crucial Round 13 coverage.

* Reed Mahoney - The top hooker in KFC SuperCoach this year has been named for the Eels but must pass concussion protocols after only lasting 34 minutes last week.

LOSERS

* David Fifita – Suspended for two weeks at the judiciary and now a serious sell option. While Fifita is the best player in KFC SuperCoach by a fair distance this year, he’ll only play three of the next four weeks. And four of the next eight (not taking into account potential resting while backing up).

* Ryan Papenhuyzen - Only on the extended bench for the Storm which is worrying for 25 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches. Keep an eye on Late Mail, but rumours suggest he’ll play.

* Cameron Munster - Out for a fortnight with a foot injury. With Origin looming he’s a must-sell for the 36 per cent who own him, with Tyson Gamble calling.

* Harry Grant - One of the most popular buys for the last few weeks, Grant has been ruled out for at least two weeks due to a hamstring issue. Another must-sell for overall players as Origin looms.

* Jake Simpkin – The popular cheapie has been dropped for Tigers and is now a huge issue for KFC SuperCoaches given his price rises have stalled and he seemingly misses Round 13, which was one of the main reasons he was a buy in the first place.

* Stefano Utoikamanu – Basically cut-and-paste from above except the financial burden isn’t as bad given Stefano has already peaked in price.

* Zac Cini - The boom cheapie from last week backed up his great 59 on debut with just seven points in his second match and has now missed the squad altogether.

* Adam Doueihi - Arguably the Wests Tigers best player this year has been shunted to centre. He’s currently the 10th most purchased player but REVERSE TRADES NOW.

* Mitchell Barnett - Again named at lock, as per last week’s late change, which saw him play just 34 minutes, down from a previous season average of almost 80 on the edge. Barnett is therefore the third most sold player, but make sure you take a look at Round 13 coverage before making the trade.

* Connor Watson - Like Barnett above, the forward reshuffle at the Knights cost Watson game time, playing just 39 minutes compared to a season average of 56. But also like Barnett above, take a peep at Round 13 coverage before pulling the trigger.

* Joseph Suaalii – Rumours were strong he’d debut this week given the injury crisis at the Roosters, but Suaalii has again been named on the extended bench. The hype is massive - Suaalii is owned by 32 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches despite not yet playing a game. Still, injury doubts over Sam Walker and Victor Radley very much leave the door open for a Suaalii debut.

ROUND 10 TEAMS

WESTS TIGERS

Team news: Arguably the Wests Tigers best player this year Adam Doueihi has been shunted to centre in a Michael Maguire reshuffle. Moses Mbye will move into Doueihi’s five-eighth hot seat, with the pair essentially swapping positions. Jacob Liddle retakes the starting hooker role from Jake Simpkin, who moves to reserves. KFC SuperCoach prospect Zac Cini drops out altogether, replaced by the returning Tommy Talau (suspension).

KFC SuperCoach analysis: After a two-try ton, David Nofoaluma now sits with a BE of 41 and is a solid purchase for the Round 13 bye at a -$135.3k discount on his starting price. See Jake Simpkin, Zac Cini, Stefano Utoikamanu and Adam Doueihi analysis above.

KNIGHTS

Team news: Brayden Musgrove (ribs) has been named but is in doubt. Hymel Hunt (hamstring) is lurking on the extended bench and could come in for either Musgrove or Starford To’a. Edrick Lee (foot) remains sidelined.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Obviously a very intriguing team given they cover the Round 13 bye. And on top of that, KFC SuperCoach prices are plummeting at the club following a string of poor performances, meaning bargains loom. Keep David Klemmer on your radar as a Round 13 purchase after averaging a solid-but-not-elite 60.7. Jayden Brailey sits second at hooker behind only Reed Mahoney and 10th in any position. He’s a definite hold for the Round 13 bye and probably beyond. Bradman Best now sits with a BE of 99 despite a very solid 36 in base. KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts he’ll drop to a very affordable $417,000 for the Round 13 bye. Keep on the radar but don’t rush in. See Connor Watson and Mitch Barnett analysis above.

Zac Cini has been dropped by Michael Maguire. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

SEA EAGLES

Team news: Welcome the return of Martin Taupau (concussion. Sean Keppie moves back to the bench, Zac Saddler to the extended bench and Jorge Taufua out of the squad. Jason Saab was placed on report but escaped charge and is free to play. Taniela Paseka (concussion) has been named but must pass protocol.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The Sea Eagles don’t cover Round 13 and will therefore dominate the sell list over the next few weeks. In particular, Josh Schuster has peaked for now (BE 83) after a massive price rise of almost $300,000. He is therefore the most sold player by a considerable distance. It’s a huge decision whether to cash in this week for Gamble given Schuster is averaging a borderline keeper-like 64. That said, he’s one of the few Manly players to actually lose from Tommy Turbo’s return, averaging “just” 56.7 over the last three rounds, and the rigours of playing NRL out of position seem to be taking their toll. After a really tough start to the season, Jason Saab has hit his straps. Eight tries in the past five weeks have left him with a -23 break even and KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts him to peak just in time for a Round 13 sell at a massive $200,000 profit. Tom Trbojevic is the fourth most purchased player this week, but surely overall players have missed the boat given the upcoming Origin series.

BRONCOS

Team news: Tom Flegler has been promoted to Brisbane’s starting team at lock for Friday night’s clash against Manly at Suncorp Stadium. Pat Carrigan’s season-ending knee injury in last week’s 19-18 loss to the Cowboys has opened the door for Flegler to get his golden chance to impress in the Magic Round clash against the Sea Eagles. Flegler trained strongly at Red Hill on Tuesday and will be part of Brisbane’s starting middle with Matt Lodge and Payne Haas after impressing coach Kevin Walters with his effort and energy in the Cowboys defeat. John Asiata replaces Flegler on the interchange.

— Peter Badel.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Payne Haas is expected to switch to lock with Patrick Carrigan out and is therefore the ninth most purchased player. With a season average a tick under 70 (third best in the position behind Isaiah Papali’i and Tevita Pangai) he’s a serious option for head-to-head players in particular, although overall players should be wary of Origin selection. After making almost $40,000 as one of the most purchased players last week, KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts an even bigger bump (+$66,200) this week for Jamayne Isaako. Tevita Pangai has averaged 74 since moving to the edge, vindicating his standing as one of the most popular players over the last few weeks. See Tyson Gamble analysis above.

BULLDOGS

Team news: Halves overhaul. Kyle Flanagan has been dumped to the extended bench and Lachlan Lewis (ribs) is out, with Brandon Wakeham coming in at five-eighth to partner Jake Averillo. Corey Allan (AC joint) is out for 1-3 weeks with Nick Meaney moving to centre and Tui Katoa coming onto the wing. Dylan Napa (shoulder) returns at starting prop.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Really struggling for nice things to write about the Bulldogs. Their KFC SuperCoach irrelevance is highlighted by the fact their second most-owned player Jarred Anderson is a nuff. They don’t cover Round 13 and most players are dropping in price, so hope for a few bargains come Rounds 14-17.

RAIDERS

Team news: Josh Hodgson returns for the Raiders with the club rocked by a mounting injury toll that has rubbed out Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine and Ryan Sutton for extended periods. Hodgson has been named to return from a calf injury on the bench while Semi Valemi has been named to play his first game of the season on the wing. Rapana (hamstring) is facing 1-2 weeks out, Tapine is out for up to three weeks with a knee issue and Sutton is also out for up to three weeks with an elbow injury. Ryan James returns from a NSW Cup stint on the bench. Captain Jarrod Croker (shoulder) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) remain sidelined. — David Riccio.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Another out-of-form team that doesn’t cover Round 13. Popular early season cheapie Bailey Simonsson sits with a BE of -19 after finally scoring a try and is predicted to peak at a rise of almost $100,000 just in time for Round 13. Poetry.

Josh Hodgson will return on the bench for the Raiders. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

SHARKS

Team news: Without Jesse Ramien for 4-6 weeks after he suffered a fractured eye socket on the weekend. Josh Dugan returns at centre which sees Andrew Fifita come into the 17 on the bench to play his first NRL game of the season after missing the last few weeks due to suspension from an incident in NSW Cup. Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Sione Katoa (knee) are at least another week away.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Teig Wilton is the eighth most sold player. With a BE of 83 and no Round 13 coverage, it’s time to part ways at a massive profit of almost $150,000, if you haven’t already.

RABBITOHS

Team news: Adam Reynolds (thumb) is a key inclusion in the halves. He pushes Benji Marshall to five-eighth with rookie Dean Hawkins dropping to reserves. Veteran winger Josh Mansour (hamstring) and fullback Latrell Mitchell (suspension) are due back next week.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Cody Walker scored only 16 points last week, which is a career low in 80 minutes. But he had excuses against the red-hot Storm and surely fires up this week against the struggling Sharks. Another lacklustre KFC SuperCoach team until after the Round 13 bye.

ROOSTERS

Team news: Sam Walker (ankle/shoulder) and Victor Radley (concussion) have both been named. Drew Hutchison (punctured lung) is replaced at five-eighth by Lachlan Lam. Joseph Suaalii appears to have been denied a debut yet again, named in reserves. Sitili Tupouniua (suspension) returns in the second row with Nat Butcher moving to the bench and Tuku Hau Tapuha to the extended bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Popular 2RF Angus Crichton looms as a sell before Round 13 after averaging just 60.4 in the last four rounds. See Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii analysis above.

COWBOYS

Team news: Same 17 although Kyle Feldt (hand) and Connelly Lemuelu (head knock) are both in some doubt.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Ben Condon is the second most sold player. After some great early rises, he’s staring the leak money badly — $23,000 last week and KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts another $25,500 this week. Cash in now at a $140,000 profit. Jason Taumalolo is a massive watch list player after upping his game time to 71 minutes on the weekend, a massive increase from 47 before that. He promptly banged out 101 (with try and linebreak). The BE remains high at 77 so take another look this week to see how coach Todd Payten plays it. Lolo doesn’t cover Round 13 but is hopefully still a bargain for Round 14 with a new role to boot.

Lachlan Lam has been selected at five-eighth for the Roosters. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

WARRIORS

Team news: Ben Murdoch-Masila (concussion) returns in the back row. Bayley Sironen drops to reserves. Recruit Euan Aitken (ankle) is hoping to return after being named on the extended bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Josh Curran offers elite consistency and could finish as one of the cheapies of the year. He hasn’t scored above 77 or below 55 and has played every minute available to him, only missing 10 minutes due to a sin bin. Tohu Harris is the fifth most purchased player. He sits third for average at 2RF but doesn’t cover Round 13 and is therefore more of a Round 14 purchase for mine.

EELS

Team news: Coach Brad Arthur has named his son Jakob to debut in the halves to replace Dylan Brown, who is out for three weeks due to suspension. Marata Niukore is out for two weeks for a grade two careless high tackle on James Tedesco with Waqa Blake (calf) returning in his place at centre. Reed Mahoney failed game day HIA on the weekend and will need to pass required protocols to play but is helped by a nine-day turnaround. Joey Lussick has been named as cover in reserves. Nathan Brown, who missed the Roosters game due to a hip pointer injury, is hopeful of returning.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Ryan Matterson is a proven KFC SuperCoach gun, but has dipped almost $100,000 from his starting price due to concussion issues and is a bargain at the price. Matto covers round 13 and is the second most purchased player this week, sitting in famed “Super POD” territory at only 3.2 per cent ownership. See Isaiah Papali’i and Reed Mahoney analysis above.

STORM

Team news: Melbourne have suffered a triple blow, losing Harry Grant and Cameron Munster for at least two weeks while Brandon Smith (suspension) will miss one week. Grant suffered a hamstring injury at training on Monday while Munster picked up a foot sprain in Melbourne’s 50-0 win over South Sydney last week. Melbourne’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi said the pair would miss Sunday’s Magic Round clash with St George Illawarra and Canberra the week after but is hopeful of having them back for the round 12 match against Brisbane. Ryan Papenhuyzen (shoulder) has been named in reserves and is hoping to make a comeback after three weeks out. Ryley Jacks replaces Munster at five-eighth. Kenny Bromwich replaces Grant at hooker. Tyson Smoothy and Tom Eisenhuth join the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Nicho Hynes owners are laughing all the way to the bank. Considered a left-field points-grab-with-upside option a few weeks back, owners no doubt expected a bench role for Round 10, 11 and 12 before covering the Round 13 bye. However, with Munster injured, Hynes now appears set to start in all/most of those games. See Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster analysis above.

DRAGONS

Team news: Mikaele Ravalawa (suspension) returns on the wing in place of Mat Feagai (ankle), who will miss up to six weeks with a syndesmosis injury. Blake Lawrie suffered a groin injury on the weekend and could be in some doubt. Matt Dufty will be fit to play despite suffering nasty cramps to the calf. Josh McGuire was placed on report but copped a fine and is free to play. Poasa Faamausili is the new face on the interchange with Junior Amone named in the reserves despite a strong debut.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Mat Feagai is the sixth most purchased player after 89 on debut. But he limped off with an ankle injury and has been ruled out for six weeks. Reverse trades now — especially with Ravalawa back this week, Jordan Pereira back next week and Cody Ramsey lurking on an extended bench.

TITANS

Team news: David Fifita was named but failed to have a high tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary and has been rubbed out for a fortnight. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (illness) missed training on Tuesday but is expected to play.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui dropped a massive $45,700 last week and has only scored above 47 in 2/7 games. Very disappointing for such a popular buy. See David Fifita analysis above.

PANTHERS

Team news: Kurt Capewell (concussion) will sit the week out. Liam Martin takes his place in the back row with J’maine Hopgood joining the bench and Spencer Leniu missing the 17 once again. Matt Eisenhuth passed game day HIA but will be monitored. Paul Momirovski is available after suspension but hasn’t forced his way back into 17 due to the form of the team and Matt Burton.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Kurt Capewell (concussion) is out in a significant blow for 28 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches. However, realistically he was a sell before Origin anyway so this simply accelerates the process. Much-maligned Charlie Staines slammed out a hat-trick on the weekend. He is now set for rise of over $100,000, then covers Round 13, then sell in 14. Keep Jarome Luai and Apisai Koroisau on your radar as Round 13 PODs.