NRL SuperCoach live: Winners and losers, Dolphins’ cheapies stun, set up huge price rises

A host of cheapies excelled in yet another crazy, thrilling and unpredictable day of rugby league. These are the players to target.

Jack Bostock had a blinder against his old club.

Well that was a massacre. 38-nil to be exact.

And it made a fool of many SuperCoach fans (and experts).

Plenty hopped on Dragons after their big win over the Titans in round 1.

But those top buys came down to earth — Kyle Flanagan (19), Tom Eisenhuth (31), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (37) and Zac Lomax (40).

Meanwhile the Dolphins copped a hammering last week, before The Hammer himself decided to do the hammering.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (95) scored a hat-trick, Jeremy Marshall-King (80) made a stunning comeback from the “biggest falcon ever”, Jack Bostock (77) defied his poor base stats to produce a stunner and Euan Aitken (58) now demands attention given his dual flexibility.

Another crazy week and the biggest question is what the hell has happened to all the @SuperCoachNRL superstars?

Analysis on Code: https://t.co/XKFbAbihaQ
Masthead: https://t.co/hUqBg9hcC7pic.twitter.com/SEKrWTxCXW

— Tom Sangster (@TomSangsterSC) March 17, 2024

7.45PM: JACK BOSTOCK, BABY!

Repeating: Jack Bostock, baby!

The popular SuperCoach cheapie is now the top-scoring player in this game with 74 points including two try assists.

The latest TA came from a lovely kick for the The Hammer.

Bostock will be very high on the shopping list next week for the 70 per cent who don’t own him.

Dolphins are up 28-nil. It’s game over.

It’s just a matter of limiting the damage for the Dragons.

But also a huge opportunity for Dolphins to go wild in junk time.

Jack Bostock had a blinder against his old club.

PINNED: DOLPHIN FLOORED BY BRUTAL FALCON

Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has been floored by one of the most brutal falcons ever seen in the NRL.

JMK was struck in the head by the ball as Dragons halfback Ben Hunt unloaded on a booming clearing kick.

“We’ve seen some beauties over the years but, I don’t know what to say,” said Andrew Voss in Fox League commentary.

“How did he get up?” Steve Roach added.

He was sent for a concussion test.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Fingers crossed, Jeremy Marshall-King is OK after one of the biggest falcons we've seen in ages.

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— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 17, 2024

7.35PM: DOLPHINS ON VERGE OF HUGE WIN

The Dolphins have taken a significant 16-nil lead over the Dragons with a try to Mark Nicholls.

It could be curtains for the Dragons, who have offered very little in attack.

What a turnaround for both teams – the Dolphins were panned after last week’s loss to the Cowboys for their lack of toughness, while Dragons were praised for their toughness against the Titans.

It’s a total reversal this week with the Dolphins playing for keeps and the Dragons off the pace.

HALF-TIME: CHEAPIES ON FIRE

Our cheapies are killing it!

Jack Bostock (48) is one of the big SuperCoach winners at half-time, while Max Plath (36) has been brilliant on his starting debut.

Keep it coming lads.

The Dolphins lead 10-nil and have had the run of play.

7.10PM: DOLPHINS FIVE-EIGHTH WON’T RETURN

Kodi Nikorima has failed his HIA and won’t return for the Dolphins.

However, Jeremy Marshall-King has passed his HIA after one of the great falcons.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow streaks away to score. Picture: NRL Photos

6.40PM: BENNETT BLAST DOES THE TRICK

The Dolphins have come out of the blocks hard against the Dragons, notching two ties in the first 10 minutes.

Coach Wayne Bennett rung the changes during the week by dumping halfback Sean O’Sullivan and centre Tesi Niu, while veteran Kenny Bromwich was demoted on game day.

And the rev-up has done the trick with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jamayne Isaako crossing early.

SuperCoaches will be particularly pleased with The Hammer given he’s in 20 per cent of teams.

FULL-TIME: TURBO STINKER SETS UP BIG PRICE DROP

So the Sea Eagles are two wins from two starts but our man Tom Trbojevic was strangely missing from the attacking stats.

Manly left it to super-POD Luke Brooks (77) and Tolu Koula (73) for the big attacking plays with Turbo notching just 38 points.

At the Roosters, buy of the week Terrell May (67) had a blinder after being promoted to the starting side.

While James Tedesco (92) romped home in the battle of the superstar fullbacks.

SuperCoach winners: James Tedesco (92), Luke Brooks (77), Terrell May (67), Siua Wong (57)

SuperCoach losers: Tom Trbojevic (38), Ben Trbojevic (33), Brandon Smith (32)

Thoughts with Luke Keary who is off for a HIA after a blow to the head left him motionless on the field.

Keary has a well documented history with concussion - at least 6 recorded in his career with multiple lengthy recoveries. Hope he’s OK pic.twitter.com/McZCNh9Hbh

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 17, 2024

5.57PM: TALAU OFF INJURED AGAIN

Oh no!

Just as we talked up Tommy Talau as a cheapie, he’s off with a leg injury.

It’s the second time he’s left the field today following an earlier concussion.

5.40PM: BENNETT DEMOTES BROMWICH IN GAME DAY SHAKE-UP

Coach Wayne Bennett has demoted veteran Kenny Bromwich to 18th man in a game-day shake-up.

Kurt Donoghoe has instead been promoted to the bench.

Meanwhile the Dragons have promoted Raymond Faitala-Mariner to the starting side as prop, although it’s unclear if he will actually play there with Jack de Belin also capable of covering the position.

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves: 15. Kenny Bromwich

Cut: 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tesi Niu 22. Mason Teague

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 10. Blake Lawrie 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Viliami Fifita

Cut: 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Jesse Marschke 21. Ben Murdoch-Masila 22. Hame Sele

Kenny Bromwich has been dumped to 18th man. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

5.20PM: TALAU SCORES AND SUPERCOACHES COUNT THE CASH

Tommy Talau is over for a try!

The potential cheapie suffered an earlier concussion while attempting to score a disallowed try but he’s most definitely back on the field - and back on the score sheet.

Talau, at $277,000, seemingly has six weeks in first grade in place of Jason Saab (hamstring), which is more than enough to make big coin.

HALF-TIME: TEDDY LEADS BATTLE OF FULLBACKS

It’s half-time, 12-10 to the Sea Eagles, and James Tedesco has taken a huge lead in the battle of the SuperCoach fullbacks.

Teddy is currently on 66 with a try and try assist.

Turbo sits on just 26 despite going close to attacking stats on a number of occasions.

Turbo captainers are hoping for a big second half.

Elsewhere, buy of the week Terrell May has celebrated his promotion to the starting side with 50 in pure base!

Tolu Koula (56) is having an absolute blinder but isn’t well-owned in SuperCoach, while Luke Brooks (54) is proving a great POD.

Koula on the counter attack! 😤

The Sea Eagles get their second after a Luke Keary error.

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— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 17, 2024

4.42 PM: TRIES GALORE

A couple of tries in quick succession with Tolu Koula crossing for the Sea Eagles and James Tedesco over for the Roosters. It’s locked at 10-all.

4.32PM: TALAU CONCUSSION FEARS

Potential SuperCoach cheapie Tommy Talau is off for a HIA.

We’ll bring you the lastest news.

4.25PM: CONTROVERSIAL TURBO CONTACT AS SEA EAGLES SCORE

The Sea Eagles have opened the scoring through Lachlan Croker but the try will cause serious controversy.

Tom Trbojevic appeared to take out James Tedesco as the two fullbacks rose to take a Luke Brooks bomb.

But the contact from Turbo was cleared and Croker cleaned up the crumbs to score.

“I’m surprised that wasn’t a penalty to the Roosters,” said Greg Alexander in Fox League commentary.

"I am stunned that that wasn't a penalty for the Roosters."

Manly get on the board first. 👀

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— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 17, 2024

3.15PM: TERRELL MAY PROMOTED TO START

Final teams are in for this afternoon’s clash between the Sea Eagles and Roosters and it’s good news for SuperCoaches.

Terrell May, the most popular buy of the week, has been promoted to start at prop with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension) back to the bench.

The Sea Eagles are 1-17 with plenty of eyes on Tom Trbojevic as a popular captain. He is the second most popular captain among the top 10 per cent of SuperCoaches behind only Nathan Cleary.

All smiles 😄#GoManlypic.twitter.com/EufSC4DvqK

— Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (@SeaEagles) March 17, 2024

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur

Players cut: 19. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 20. Aaron Woods 21. Brad Parker 22. Jamie Humphreys

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 17. Terrell May 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 14. Sandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher

Reserves: 19. Fetalaiga Pauga

Players cut: 18. Connor Watson 20. Egan Butcher 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Angus Crichton

EARLIER ...

If you have Tom Trbojevic in your SuperCoach NRL side then chances are you’ve captained him as Sundays at Brookvale are Turbo’s happy hunting ground - all you non-owners are in for a nervous 80 minutes.

That’s not to say Trbojevic and his Sea Eagles will have things all their own way, after all, the Roosters are premiership favourites with many for a reason and they have a pretty decent fullback too (see David Riccio’s ‘The Battle for Blue’ below).

Tom Trbojevic is a popular captaincy pick.

And there’s plenty more SuperCoach relevant action to keep an eye on today including:

* Speaking of Trbojevic’s it seems like sacrilege to suggest it but there may be more eyes on younger brother Ben than Tom with close to 100,000 owners hoping he can put in another big game and thus keep Josh Schuster in reserve grade

* Can Terrell May, the most popular purchase of the round, reward the 23,000 coaches who added him this week?

* Speaking of the Roosters, how will the backrow minutes be shared out, and pertinently can Siua Wong and Sitili Tupouniua - who both boast double digit ownership rates - be SC relevant or will they cannibalise each other’s minutes?

* At the Dolphins the interest lies in the front and back of the team. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had a shocker in round one (don’t tell whoever gave him a Dally M point) and yet still racked up 79 SC points while Tom Flegler was super-impressive scoring 76 points but how will he go without a try?

* The Dragons shocked everyone but themselves in round one with a thoroughly professional performance. The most popular player at the club - Viliami Fifita - has not been selected this week which is a bit of a blow. But there’s still lots to watch with Kyle Flanagan in more than 25,000 teams, Zac Lomax on many radars after a superb round one showing on the wing and lots of eyes will be on surprise packets Tom Eisenhuth and Raymond Faitala-Mariner both of whom are taking on new roles this week.

(L-R) Who wears Blue better, Tom Trbojevic or James Tedesco?

TEDDY VS. TURBO THE BATTLE FOR BLUE

- By David Riccio

Let the audition begin.

NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire has been handed a match-race for the ages with champion fullback’s James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic going toe-to-toe in an early battle for the Blues fullback jersey on Sunday.

In front of a sold-out crowd at Four Pines Park, the Roosters captain and Sea Eagles star will duel as opposing No.1’s for the first time in almost two years.

Such is the appeal in the contest from a Blues Origin point of view, The Sunday Telegraph understands Maguire is attempting to be in the crowd as an interested onlooker at Fortress Brookvale.

Tedesco told The Sunday Telegraph that his desire to lead the Blues in 2024 is unwavering, while also confirming he has held ongoing dialogue with Maguire.

“I’ve had heaps of chats with Madge (Maguire) in the off season, which has been great,” Tedesco said.

“He’s just told me to just focus on my footy and get back to playing my best footy.

“I’ve always said it’s not my (NSW fullback) jersey. Whoever is playing best at fullback gets the NSW jersey.

“However, it’s always been my thoughts that I’m going to hold myself to that high standard and if I’m playing good footy, hopefully I’ll get a chance.”

Both Tedesco and Trbojevic launched into their 2024 season campaign with superb individual performances for the corresponding sides in Las Vegas.

Tedesco produced nine tackle busts, a try assist and ran for 182-metres in the Roosters win over the Broncos.

In his first game in nine-months, Trbojevic was equally as impressive for Manly in their win over the Rabbitohs.

The Sea Eagles fullback produced three tackle busts, one try assist and ran for 180-metres.

Trbojevic’s next try will move him ahead of Jorge Taufua (88 tries) and into outright fifth for Manly.

As for Tedesco, who was forced to navigate through intense scrutiny of his form last season, he claims that a trouble-free pre-season has provided him with the perfect platform to deliver in 2024.

“My last two pre-season before this, I had no pre-season. I had stem cell treatment for my knee, so it (pre-season preparation) was very rushed, I didn’t have much under my belt before the season started,” Tedesco said.

“I’m not saying that’s an excuse, but sometimes that hurts you when you want to hit the ground running.

“Whereas this pre-season I was training from day one. I didn’t have any stem cells, my knee is feeling good, I came back really fit, I wasn’t in and out of sessions, I wasn’t cutting down my kilometers, I did everything.

“My whole career, ever since I was I kid, all I’ve known is if you put the work in, you’re going to see the rewards.

“The last few years before that I was probably focused on making sure my body was ok, but now I’ve gone back to getting the work done.

“Competition does do that (make you raise the bar), but I think it’s also just me as well. I always hold myself to a high standard and I always want to get better.

“That’s always been my mentality, it’s been through working hard, it’s not just going to happen.

“I’m getting older, I have to look after my body more, I have to sharpen my skills and watch more video.

“It’s a good thing because there’s a lot of great fullbacks that are coming for your spot.”

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach live: Winners and losers, Dolphins’ cheapies stun, set up huge price rises