NRL SuperCoach: Eight things we learned from Panthers v Cowboys, Rabbitohs v Roosters
Arguably rugby league’s best ever rivalry added a new chapter thanks to pure grit while the defending premiers sink to new lows. Recap an interesting Friday Night Footy with eight things we learned.
Friday Night Footy has been run and won with the Rabbitohs picking up a derby win over the Roosters and the Cowboys clinging to a narrow victory over the Panthers.
It was an entertaining evening from a viewing perspective, but what are the key takeaways with a SuperCoach lens?
Recap our live blog coverage below and see the top eight things we learned.
TEDDY GETS A LEFT HAND MAN
While it’s known Roosters captain James Tedesco needs support, his right side second rower Siua Wong was a man on a mission tonight.
Tedesco’s opening 2025 scores of 43, 119, 58, 83 and now 97 it was evident again he was doing all he could with the clunky attacking play around him.
On the edge, Wong’s POD performance with 104 points definitely helped his cause.
Prior to Friday night Wong had recorded scores of 32, 70, 54 and 62 in the opening rounds.
After this performance there’s an increased argument for SuperCoaches to be leaning the way of both Tedesco and Wong at this point in the season.
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE HUBNER
After starting the season with promise, scoring 45 and 52, Hubner was ruled out of the last two rounds due to suspension.
Owned by 37 per cent of SuperCoaches and traded in by more than 2200 SuperCoaches this round, the rising second row talent finished round five with a healthy 65 points.
TIME TO SELL?
There were a few disappointing showings from players on both sides in the Rabbitohs and Roosters clash that may lead a few SuperCoaches waving goodbye.
After a rapid 90 point display in round one, Robert Toia has unfortunately followed up that score with showings of 43, 26, 45 and now 44.
The score of Naufahu Whyte was a more interesting one after his rollercoaster opening five rounds continued.
Whyte tabled scores of 43, 56, 87 and 77 through the first four before coming up with 53 against the Rabbitohs on Friday night.
MITCHELL FLIES LOW
All eyes were on Latrell Mitchell and how he would return to the NRL.
Named at centre, Mitchell was forced into a playmaking role in the second half after the Rabbitohs suffered a number of injuries to their spine.
Despite a few questionable plays there were others you just had to applaud as he finished with 43 points.
Owned by three per cent of SuperCoaches it will be interesting to track his movements before round six.
WAITING GAME FOR RISING HALF
Jamie Humphreys lasted less than 10 minutes in the match, exiting early with a hamstring injury.
All eyes will be on the rising halfback over the coming days after his impressive start to the 2025 season.
Humphreys is currently owned by 28 percent of SuperCoaches and has recorded scores of 55, 67, 79 and 36.
NATHAN DOESN’T MISS A BEAT
Right now he’s the best halfback going around and anyone arguing that after his return performance against the Cowboys might need a second opinion.
Despite the loss the Penrith halfback opened the match with a 53 point first half performance before finishing with 79 at full time.
Priced at $727,200, the 14th most expensive player of the competition, Cleary looks a much sweeter option after Nicho Hynes score of 48 against the Raiders.
PAYS TO HAVE PURDUE
The Cowboys centre entered the match as the most owned player (44%) and might have even more SuperCoaches looking to add him to their lineup after a blistering 74 point display.
POSSIBLE POD ENTERS LIMELIGHT
Despite wearing the number 17 jersey Luke Garner was elevated to a starting spot in round five and finished the match as an intriguing SuperCoach option in the coming weeks.
A four point effort helped his chances but with less than 1200 SuperCoaches owning the talented second row forward there may be a boost in his stocks over the coming days.
Garner finished the match with 56 points.
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach: Eight things we learned from Panthers v Cowboys, Rabbitohs v Roosters
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