KFC SuperCoaches flock to star youngsters with 70 per cent of most popular players aged 23 or under
It’s only days since the launch of KFC SuperCoach but spending trends are already clear — youngsters are the order of the day with 70 per cent of the most popular players aged 23 or under.
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KFC SuperCoaches have spoken and the message is clear — boom Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey is the best buy in the game by a considerable distance.
The 21-year-old has a huge opportunity in 2020 after taking the No. 1 hooker role at the Sharks from older brother Jayden, who has joined the Knights.
The younger Brailey played just 30 minutes per game last year as his brother’s understudy, leading to a bargain KFC SuperCoach starting price of $201,100.
But KFC SuperCoaches are predicting a big increase in game time in 2020, with Brailey the most popular player in SuperCoach at 51.1 per cent ownership.
Brailey is just one of the host of youngsters demanding huge attention in KFC SuperCoach 2020.
In fact, 14 of the top 20 most popular players are aged 23 or under.
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1 Blayke Brailey, Sharks, HOK, $201,000
Ownership: 51.1%
Age: 21
Should double game time to 60 minutes after earning Cronulla’s starting hooker role from his older brother.
2 Payne Haas, Broncos, FRF, $728,200
Age: 20
Ownership: 49.4%
Averaged almost 12 SuperCoach points more per game than the next best prop last year.
3 Bradman Best, Knights, FLB/CTW, $240,700
Age: 18
Ownership: 46.7%
All but confirmed a starting left centre role at the Knights and starts close to bottom dollar.
4 Jarome Luai, Panthers, HFB/5/8, $257,400
Age: 23
Ownership: 39.7%
Tipped to replace James Maloney at five-eighth for the Panthers. Averaged 46 as a starting five-eighth last year but this season’s price is based on a season average of 27.7, down due to long stints as a bench utility.
5 David Fifita, Broncos, 2RF, $501,900
Age: 19
Ownership: 38.3%
Ended the season as an 80 minute player, averaging 79 over the last five rounds. However his price is based on a season average of 54 after playing the early season from the bench.
6 Tommy Talau, Tigers, CTW, $208,200
Age: 19
Ownership: 36.4%
Tipped for a starting centre spot at the Tigers in place of the departed Esan Marsters (although Joey Leilua’s possible arrival at the Tigers could throw a spanner in the works).
7 Ryan Papenhuyzen, Storm, FLB, $508,200
Age: 21
Ownership: 35.2%
Averaged almost 100 as a starting fullback last year but his 2020 price is based on a season average of 54.7 due to 13 games off the bench.
CHECK OUT MORE EXPERT KFC SUPERCOACH NRL ANALYSIS
Cheapie Bible | Positional Changes | Tom Sangster’s team | Wilson Smith’s team | Rob Sutherland’s team | Bounce Back players | Mid-Rangers vs Guns | Mr Reliable | Trial Guide: Players to watch | Round 1 selection strategy
8 Ryan James, Titans, FRF/2RF, $354,700
Age: 28
Ownership: 33.8%
The former SuperCoach gun starts outrageously cheap after a season ruined by an ACL injury. James boasted season averages of 73, 60 and 63 before last year’s aberration.
9 Billy Magoulias, Sharks, 2RF, $221,700
Age: 23
Ownership: 33.2%
Tipped for game time at the Sharks following the exits of Paul Gallen, Matt Prior and Kurt Capewell.
10 Zac Lomax, Dragons, CTW/FLB, $324,600
Age: 20
Ownership: 32.1%
Lomax is finally set to get an extended crack at the fullback spot and also picks up the goalkicking duties full-time.
11 Jason Taumalolo, Cowboys, 2RF, $723,600
Age: 26
Ownership: 31.7%
Incredibly consistent, finishing third, fifth and third for season average over the last three seasons.
12 Ben Trbojevic, Sea Eagles, CTW/2RF, $171,900
Age: 18
Ownership: 31.2%
People are just excited by the Trbojevic name. The younger brother of Jake and Tom isn’t in Manly’s top 30 list and is therefore no chance of NRL action in Round 1.
13 Phoenix Crossland, Knights, 5/8, $184,900
Age: 19
Ownership: 31.4%
Gunning for a starting halves spot at the Knights alongside Mitchell Pearce.
14 Damien Cook, Rabbitohs, HOK, $705,500
Age: 28
Ownership: 30.4%
One of the best players in SuperCoach over the last two seasons, finishing first and fifth for average.
15 Mitchell Moses, Eels, HFB, $579,300
Age: 24
Ownership: 28.2%
Coming off a breakout year and should improve after another off-season.
16 Cameron Murray, Rabbitohs, 2RF, $644,900
Age: 22
Ownership: 26.4%
Finished last season with the 10th highest average of any player and third highest of any back rower.
17 Jamayne Isaako, Broncos, CTW/FLB, $420,000
Age: 23
Ownership: 25.5%
Set for a starting fullback spot at the Broncos and therefore big SuperCoach improvement.
18 Greg Leleisiuao, Titans, CTW, $171,900
Age: 22
Ownership: 25.2%
Stuck behind Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson at the Eels, Leleisiuao is now aiming for a first grade shot at the Titans.
19 James Tedesco, Roosters, FLB, $781,500
Age: 27
Ownership: 23.2%
Highest average of any SuperCaoch player last year by more than five points a game.
20 George Williams, Raiders, HFB/5/8, $333,900
Age: 25
Ownership: 22%
England international looking to make a mark in the NRL.
CHECK OUT MORE EXPERT KFC SUPERCOACH NRL ANALYSIS
Cheapie Bible | Positional Changes | Tom Sangster’s team | Wilson Smith’s team | Rob Sutherland’s team | Bounce Back players | Mid-Rangers vs Guns | Mr Reliable | Trial Guide: Players to watch | Round 1 selection strategy