NRL SuperCoach Cheapie Bible 2019: Nathaniel Roache emerges as contender for buy of year

Almost every serious SuperCoach cheapie took the field in the weekend trials. Some starred. Others stunk. But one thing is certain, we have a new candidate for buy of the season.

Almost every serious SuperCoach cheapie took the field in the weekend trials.

Some starred. Others stunk.

But one thing is certain, we have a new candidate for buy of the season.

BUY

Nathaniel Roache

News of Issac Luke’s potential exit has presented SuperCoaches with a cheapie of the year prospect in Nathaniel Roache. The New Zealand young gun missed last season with a serious back injury but is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Damien Cook and convert from the outside backs into the hooker position.

Roache loves to run the ball and will score large in this category compared to other hookers.

Jazz Tevaga is the main competition for game time, but expect last year’s Dally M interchange player of the year to spend most of the season in the back row.

Scott Drinkwater, Nathaniel Roache and Bryce Cartwright are all on the cheapie radar.

Roache has averaged 42 in the three games he has started at No. 9 over his career. His SuperCoach potential was highlighted in round 22 of 2017 when he scored 102 in just 40 minutes, switching between wing and hooker during the game.

Bronson Xerri

This Cronulla young gun is an absolute freak. Take a look at the footage below. His best position is centre, but with Josh Dugan and Josh Morris in the squad, he may have to settle for a wing spot. He has surged from 15th to 11th on the most-owned list following the weekend trial. No wonder Shane Flanagan wanted to debut him last year at 17 (he was denied by the NRL due to age rules).

BRONSON. XERRI. Ladies and gentlemen... 😲👏
The @Cronulla_Sharks have got a good one here!
LIVE: https://t.co/oWZ72a123k pic.twitter.com/BjTalbSsXm

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) February 23, 2019

Albert Hopoate

The brother of Will is the third most popular player but many SuperCoaches were distressed this weekend when he missed the trial side. But never fear, Hoppa simply hadn’t turned 18 yet and was therefore unavailable due to NRL age restriction. He’ll blow out 18 candles during the weekend and we’ll get our first glimpse of him in this weekend’s trial. The injury to Tom Trbojevic can only be good for Hoppa’s Round 1 chances.

Reuben Garrick

But with that spiel on Hopoate out of the way, perhaps the best backline cheapie prospect at Manly is Reuben Garrick. The former Dragon was impressive in the weekend trial and may have edged ahead of Hopoate, if he hadn’t already. He also benefits from the Trbojevic injury.

Zac Lomax

The most popular player in SuperCoach played right wing outside centre Euan Aitken. Obviously we’d prefer him at centre, but he’s still a must-have based on last year’s finals form.

Payne Haas

A late withdrawal from the weekend trial team after being suspended for the first month. Even so, he remains the best prop cheapie in SuperCoach. Read my analysis on why Haas is a must-have despite his ban.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach News section / Cheapie Bible / Predicted round one teams / Sangster’s team / Champ’s team / Wilfred’s team / Tallis’s team / Copes’ team / Huge rule change / Top 10 rookies in NRL

HOLD

Adam Keighran

On Friday I backed Adam Keighran as the cheapie of the year, but now I’m not so sure. The Warriors genuinely struggled in their first match without Shaun Johnson, but at least Keighran is a chance to kick goals.

Adam Keighran of the Warriors.

Scott Drinkwater

I’m not quite sure what to make of Scott Drinkwater’s performance. He was one of Melbourne Storm’s best, but this trial was rather putrid to watch and plenty of big guns sat out. I still have Jahrome Hughes ahead in the race for the fullback slot vacated by Billy Slater. That said, both Drinkwater (cheapie) and Hughes (mid-ranger) take on new prominence following Turbo’s injury.

Corey Allan

The South Sydney young gun played out of position on the wing and didn’t quite look comfortable. He’s still in contention for a Round 1 spot, but it will take time to adjust to his new position. Allan looked far better when moved to fullback in place of Alex Johnston.

LISTEN! Resident SuperCoach experts Tom Sangster and Tim Williams have the lowdown on the players to target and avoid in 2019.

SELL

Taane Milne

Came into the weekend as the 21st most popular player in SuperCoach, but will slide down the list after missing the Warriors’ side, which was basically second string.

Kurt Mann and Wayde Egan

News of Roache’s emergence (see above) came as fellow cheapie hookers failed to impress.

Kurt Mann looked off the pace at hooker in Newcastle’s trial, while Wayde Egan played just 20 minutes for the Panthers with Sione Katoa preferred.

Bryce Cartwright

Carty has been heavily backed and now sits in 20 per cent of teams. However, Saturday’s trial performance proved he is a no-go. He bombed a certain try with a silly around-the-back flick pass.

Then he failed to put his body on the line as Te Maire Martin, 19kg lighter, brushed him to score. With Kevin Proctor and Ryan James to return (James is expected to play edge this year), Carty’s only chance for NRL is a bench utility role.

Taniela Paseka

The Manly big-man had been heavily backed as a Round 1 cheapie but went down injured over the weekend and will miss the first two weeks.