KFC SuperCoach Wicked Wingers: Best value backline buys via former champion Joe Naddaf

Like the perfect Dipping Sauce, nailing your KFC Wicked Wingers will complement the balance of your team. Former champion Joe Naddaf reveals the best options.

Like the perfect Dipping Sauce, nailing your KFC WICKED WINGerS will complement the balance of your team and ensure you will make plenty of cash to assemble your squad. 

The following selection of players are cheaper than your usual suspects but have the potential to surge in price. 

While cheapie forwards usually take 6-plus weeks to mature, if the right CTW can jag a few tries they will secure a big negative break even while you sit back as their price soars.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

At their peak they can be upgraded to fallen guns like Brian To’o or cashed in for the next cheapie ripe for the picking to create money to upgrade elsewhere.

Kotoni Staggs and Billy Smith could be in for big seasons.

Timing is imperative. I missed out on Jason Saab last year. After a very, very slow start he turned out to be the gift that kept on giving and could even be played depending on match ups. This all coincided with the introduction of Tom Trbojevic of course. Saab peaked at $526,700, a profit of almost $300k.

My CTW slot is always where I spend the least amount of my salary cap and none moreso this season with Tom Trbojevic, Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco, David Fifita and co. being so expensive. 


As well as To’o, I expect Reuben Garrick, Daniel Tupou and Zac Lomax to be amongst the highest scoring CTWs come season’s end.

Kotoni Staggs $433,100

The most expensive on this list with unrivalled potential. Big, skillful and strong, let’s hope Kotoni’s injury curse is over. His speed, balance and ability to break tackles at $433K make him an asset for all KFC SuperCoaches. I’m predicting a career-defining season for the Brisbane centre.

Billy Smith $294,600

Young Smith has had a horrid run with injuries. He is highly rated by the Roosters coaching staff. If he can see off Kevin Naiqama, Adam Keighran and make his way to the left centre position then lock him in for plenty of attacking stats outside Luke Keary, Angus Crichton and James Tedesco out the back.

Talatau Amone $284,500

I certainly hope coach Anthony Griffin gives Amone the No 6 jersey. Yes, for all us SuperCoach tragics but more importantly for the Dragons’ faithful who have endured the pain that is Corey Norman for too long. I’m feeling you Mr Sangster. Amone looks very likely and has a great understanding with fullback Tyrell Sloane, a combination that will entertain for years to come.

Joseph Suaalii $259,500

Schools out for the 2022 version of Joseph Suaalii, he will be stronger and wiser for last year’s run. On the end of a creative Roosters backline, a run of tries will catapult his scores and more importantly his price. The KFC SuperCoach community strongly agree as he is currently the most owned player. Could he be the Charlie Staines of 2021? It’ll take a brave coach to leave him out.

Will Penisini $255,700

A young Michael Jennings clone, Penisini has electric footwork. He wasn’t overawed in last years semi-final against the Panthers and that will do his confidence the world of good. Lock him in.

Taylan May $252,500 and Izack Tago $287,900

I refer to Tago as Brian To’o 2.0. Tackle busting is what he does and that resonates with KFC SuperCoaches. The reigning premiers have lost Paul Momirovski, Brent Naden and Matt Burton so the opportunity is certainly there. Does coach Ivan Cleary persist with grand final hero Stephen Crichton on the wing and hand these youngsters a starting spot outside NSW origin halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai? Exciting times at the foot of the mountains.

Isaiah Tass and Paul Alamoti $175,400

Any bottom priced starters come Team List Tuesday (TLT) will be hard to ignore.

While I’m not predicting either to be named in round one, I do believe they will be household names and more importantly KFC SuperCoach studs in the not too distant future. With Covid and concussion protocols being so tight, their opportunity may arise sooner rather than later. Remember the names.