NRL 2021 Round 4 Teams: KFC SuperCoach trade talk

The Roosters have been decimated by injury, losing both starting halves, while a host of big names players are set to make their comeback.

It’s Team List Tuesday (again) and for many of us that means we are hammering the trade/reverse button in a bid to dump our bums and find some guns.

The Roosters have been decimated by injury, with Luke Keary’s devastating ACL injury opening the door for teen prodigy Sam Walker to make his long-awaited NRL debut.

In some good news, a wave of NRL guns are set to make their return from injury and suspension, headlined by Nathan Cleary, Ryan Matterson, Payne Haas and Ryan Papenhuyzen.

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SEA EAGLES

A surprising lack of changes for the last-placed side. Just the one alteration with Morgan Boyle joining the bench in place of Toafofoa Sipley. It’s all about Josh Schuster in KFC SuperCoach land, with the young gun the most purchased player of the round after a stunning two weeks. Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is at least another week away.

PANTHERS

As predicted in Early Mail, Penrith have switched star centre Stephen Crichton to fullback to cover for injured custodian Dylan Edwards, while Matt Burton has retained a place in the starting side. With Edwards to miss the next few weeks with a broken hand, Crichton slots in at the back. Burton, who impressed at five-eighth in the win over Melbourne last week, replaces Crichton at left centre. Nathan Cleary returns at halfback after missing last week due to concussion.

BULLDOGS

Big changes for the underperforming side. Important KFC SuperCoach news with Jake Averillo punted from the five-eighth spot and Lachlan Lewis coming in. Jeremy Marshall-King (foot) is out for 6-8 weeks and replaced at hooker by Sione Katoa. Nick Meaney moves to fullback in a straight swap with Corey Allan, who switches to the wing. Josh Jackson (suspension) relinquishes the lock position to Renouf Atoni. Jackson Topine and Dean Britt join the bench.

RABBITOHS

Come off a good win over rivals the Roosters with no injuries, just some bumps and bruises. Wayne Bennett has named the same 17. Liam Knight (concussion) has been ruled out indefinitely.

STORM

Welcome back star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (neck) with Nicho Hynes back to the extended bench. Tom Eisenhuth (ribs) has been named despite a painful injury last week. Chris Lewis is on standby to come into the starting side. Big news for KFC SuperCoach with Reimis Smith retained after Brenko Lee (hamstring) had his return delayed due to Brisbane’s COVID Lockdown. Smith (ankle) and Jahrome Hughes (leg) both picked up minor injuries but should be fit to play. Dale Finucane (calf) and Harry Grant (knee) are still a week or two away.

BRONCOS

Three big inclusions with the returns of middle men Payne Haas (suspension), Matt Lodge (hamstring) and John Asiata (shoulder/neck). Lodge and Haas start in the front row, relegating Tevita Pangai and Thomas Flegler to the bench. Pangai’s move to the bench is particularly interesting for KFC SuperCoach given he has scored the most points at FRF and third most at 2RF. Rhys Kennedy, Thomas Dearden and Ethan Bullemor drop out of the side.

SHARKS

Wade Graham and Will Kennedy have been named despite concussions last week. Teig Wilton starts in the back row for Briton Nikora (suspension) and could emerge as a cheapie down the track.

COWBOYS

Cheapie alert with Rob Sutherland’s man Ben Condon named to start in the back row. He is yet to play a game this year so keep an eye on him as a cheapie in two weeks. Coach Todd Payten has made mass changes with Jake Clifford, Esan Marsters and Mitchell Dunn dropped. Ben Hampton and Scott Drinkwater form a new-look halves combination. The Cowboys continue without Michael Morgan due to a shoulder injury which could force him to retire. Reuben Cotter (concussion) is out with Josh McGuire switching to lock.

TITANS

Tino Fa’asuamaleui started at prop last week with Tyrone Peachey moved to lock and Moeiki Fotuaika the bench and the Titans have repeated that move this week. Brain Kelly is on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion.

RAIDERS

The Raiders were hammered by injuries last week and it’s a different team this week.

Hudson Young (knee) was a late out last week but has been named this week. Joseph Tapine (ankle) is out which sees Ryan Sutton start at lock. Dunamis Lui is recalled and will start at prop. Curtis Scott (ribs) is out with Sebastian Kris (who failed his HIA last week) in at centre. In a big win for SuperCoaches Ryan James (HIA) has recovered and been named on the bench.

KNIGHTS

Bradman Best (elbow) is out for an extended period which sees Gehamat Shibasaki start at centre this week after Dom Young was called up to cover Best last week. Star To’a was a late withdrawal last week but he has been named this week. Mitch Barnett (calf) has been named and will be given to Saturday to prove his fitness. If you have him in your team then name him on the bench as it’s easier to move a ‘reserve’ than a starter. Blake Green is a big inclusion, the five-eighth named to start from the interchange bench. Green’s inclusion might be good news for Connor Watson who I expect to start with Sue held back as an interchange middle.

DRAGONS

Ben Hunt (leg) is set to miss 4-6 weeks with his spot at halfback filled by Adam Clune. Jack Bird (suspended) is out, replaced by Braden Wiliame. Max Feagai and Eddie Blacker come in to the reserves.

Ben Hunt played through a broken leg.

ROOSTERS

Carnage galore at the Roosters with both of last week’s starting halves out through knee injuries. Keary’s absence opens the door for Sam Walker to make his debut while Lam’s absence sees Drew Hutchison come in at five-eighth. Victor Radley was a late withdrawal from the bench last week but is named to start at lock. Lindsay Collins (HIA/ankle) is another who is missing from the side that played last week with his spot as starting prop taken by Issac Liu. Daniel Suluka-Fifita (suspended) is replaced on the bench by Matt Ikuvalu. Nat Butcher was a late withdrawal last week but is named on the interchange to face the Warriors.

WARRIORS

Peta Hiku (knee) is out, replaced at centre by Marcelo Montoya. Bailey Sironen will start on an edge, Tohu Harris shifts to lock and Jazz Tevaga slips back to the interchange bench. Montoya’s elevation from the reserves opens the door for Rocco Berry to come onto the extended bench.

WESTS TIGERS

SUPERCOACH COMMENT:

No changes for a winning 17 at the Tigers.

EELS

Ryan Matterson is back and named to start which pushed Isaih Papali’i to the interchange. Halfback Mitchell Moses has recovered (HIA) after playing just 26 minutes last week and been named to start. Keegan Hipgrave slides to the reserves where he is joined by Bryce Cartwright who has recovered from a broken jaw.