NRL SuperCoach: 10 things we learned from Round 14
SUPERCOACH veterans prove they’ve still got plenty of points in the tank, mixed fortunes for bye-planning and the Fox produces a price fluctuation for the ages - here’s what we learned from SuperCoach Round 14.
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SUPERCOACH veterans prove they’ve still got plenty of points in the tank, mixed fortunes for bye-planning and the Fox produces a price fluctuation for the ages.
Here’s what we learned from SuperCoach Round 14 — presented by hipages.
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1) GAL SHOWS HE’S BACK WITH A BANG
Putting the bitterness of not owning him aside, Paul Gallen’s (121) century was almost enough to bring a tear to the eye of SuperCoaches.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan made good on his promise to reduce the workload of Andrew Fifita who played just 46 minutes, meaning Gallen took up the additional game time in the middle with a season-high 69 minutes.
Gal was in vintage touch, scoring a try, assisting another, running 17 times along with 41 tackles.
The injury to Luke Lewis played a role in the additional minutes and he won’t play in Round 17, so his credentials as a purchase remain a little uncertain.
2) SMITH GOES LARGE AS SECOND MOST CAPTAINED
Speaking of vintage touch, Cameron Smith (106) went massive as the second most popular captaincy option behind Jason Taumalolo (67).
SuperCoach can be a cruel game, but occasionally it can shed an ounce of luck our way. Smith to Api Koroisau was the most popular trade in Round 12 prior to the Queensland skipper’s rep retirement.
After the announcement coaches were scrambling to reverse their trades. Smith has gone on to belt out consecutive tons, while Koroisau suffered a broken foot and will miss 8-10 weeks.
3) JAMES DELIVERS YEARLY MONSTER OUTING
When it rains, it pours. That seems to be the case with Ryan James (139). The Titans skipper has a tendency to go really large once or twice a season. James was already on the watch list of many as a purchase for the Round 17 bye week, and his two-try effort against the Rabbitohs has reaffirmed his credentials.
James has been below his best this season with an average of just 54, but with a lack of decent options in Round 17 he’s now become a serious option.
In a monster performance, James scored a brace, both with linebreaks, offloaded four times, busted six tackles, had 20 runs and made 38 tackles.
James will be available after lockout for around $542k.
4) JOHNSON SHOWS NO SIGN OF SLOWING DOWN ON RETURN
The looming Denver Test put many off Shaun Johnson (95) prior to the weekend, but the Warriors playmaker proved that sometimes you just have to cop the lack of coverage and get the best players in your side.
Returning from injury, Johnson scored a try, assisted two, kicked six goals, made a linebreak, broke three tackles and forced a drop out, impressive numbers.
Johnson will be available for around $665k after lockout. Potentially owners face the dilemma of whether to get him in this week, or wait until after Round 16 that he will miss following the Denver Test.
SJ could potentially be worth onwards of $700k that week, so do you go early or wait? I say get him in, and watch him run riot.
5) TOHU LOOMS AS A MUST-HAVE
Continuing on the topic of Round 17 coverage, Tohu Harris (94) is fast becoming a must-have. As previously mentioned, there are very few solid options for the brutal round.
Tohu looks extremely threatening in attack with his partner in crime Shaun Johnson back in the team, while he’s also struck up a nice combination with Blake Green.
Tohu bagged a try, linebreak, broke four tackles, had 15 runs and made 37 tackles. Tohu will be valued at a very affordable $513k after this week, but faces the same purchase concerns as Johnson due to his role in the Denver Test.
6) TOUGH DAY OUT FOR LEIPANA
Bye-planning was supposed to be simple this year with just two majorly affected rounds. It’s been anything but due to left-field Origin selections and injury chaos.
Round 14 continued the trend with popular Raider Jordan Rapana (40) tearing his hamstring against the Panthers. Rapana will miss the major bye round and is joined on the injury list by Api Koroisau who misses Round 17 regardless.
Rhyse Martin was a costly withdrawal from the Bulldogs team after being dropped for missing training during the week.
Fingers crossed he returns to Dean Pay’s good books prior to the bye round. Joey Leilua (0) scored a duck egg for owners after going off with concussion early in the game. BJ now becomes an option prior to Round 17 which the Raiders play. He’ll be valued at around $350k in a few weeks and can be held as a reserve CTW for the remainder of the season.
7) WELCOME NEWS AFTER KIKAU DISASTER
In a rare bit of good bye-planning news Viliame Kikau (11) is only expected to miss 1-3 weeks after initial fears his MCL injury would sideline him for an extended period.
With the likes of Ryan Matterson, Angus Crichton and Damien Cook missing many were forced to play Kikau who lasted just a few minutes before succumbing to injury.
Fortunately he should be good to go for Round 17, but it’ll be a nervous wait for owners.
8) MANN WE NEEDED THAT
Paul McGregor handed us a gift when naming Kurt Mann (36) to start on the wing in place of Jason Nightingale.
Mann is almost basement price and could be a key number for the major bye.
While he didn’t exactly set the world on fire, there’s still upside in the purchase.
Playing on the end of the best attacking outfit in the competition bodes very well for his scoring potential. There are obvious auto emergency issues with the gun utility going forward, but if he starts through until after Round 17 he’ll earn some handy cash before being moved on.
9) STAGGS FLOPS ... AS EXPECTED
Broncos youngster Kotoni Staggs (10) delivered on his expectations as a trap. Despite warnings from all areas that he wasn’t a buy this week, Staggs was for some reason the ninth most purchased player.
In very limited minutes the versatile Staggs was lucky to hit double digits against the Storm. Staggs will rise just $20k this week and sit with a breakeven of 43.
10) JAC’S INCREDIBLE PRICE SWING
Josh Addo-Carr (18) has delivered an extraordinary price fluctuation over an eight week period.
The Storm flyer entered Round 6 priced at $311k before a string of high scores – including back-to-back scores of 109 and 156 – that saw him crack the $700k barrier in Round 10. JAC entered this round with an incredible breakeven of 151 which he missed by 133 points. He’ll lose $100k for the second week running and maintain a breakeven of around 130.
If the tries continue to dry up about he could be back in $300k territory within a fortnight.
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