NRL SuperCoach fearless predictions Round 5

Former SuperCoach champion Wilfred Zee reveals his bold calls heading into Round 5 of the NRL.

The season is already starting to get serious for some NRL teams — for SuperCoaches, it was serious business from Round 1. Despite egg on my face from my Broncos and Gutho calls last week, I nailed three out of five for predictions which is more than a pass mark in my eyes.

Bring on Round 5, let’s get into it.

1. Captain Pick – Andrew Fifita

The Sharks have a number of injury clouds hanging over their team, with the likes of SJ, Gallen and Dugan all in doubt, as well as Aaron Woods now injured for several months too. Fifita stood up in a big way last week, playing 73 minutes and racking up a huge score. A tough task awaits against the Roosters but they have actually conceded quite a few SuperCoach scores to FRFs, convenient for Fifita who should again play massive minutes as his team will need him to have a blinder if they are to compete. A tantalising clash between Fifita and his in-form Tongan teammate Taukeiaho awaits!

Former NRL SuperCoach champion Wilfred Zee.

2. Stud of the Week – Kalyn Ponga

Ponga looked so comfortable back at fullback and plenty of attacking stats look to be on their way, with one of the easier draws over the next five weeks. Ponga is expected to play despite a sudden dash to New Zealand due to a death in the family. Our condolences to Kalyn and his family. No doubt he will want to put in a strong showing this week regardless and the match-up against the Sea Eagles is definitely not as scary without Tommy Turbo at fullback for them. Non-owners for Ponga should be worried this week…

3. Flop of the Week – Michael Morgan

Conspiring against my own team here as Morgan is my halfback, but the Storm weren’t great last week. That’s usually bad news for the team they face the following week, with Craig Bellamy never one to allow complacency or to tolerate two bad performances in a row. It’s no secret that Morgan is the main source of points for the Cowboys now, and they will lean heavily on him again this week. I am really worried that the Storm will target that, and shut him – and the Cowboys – down this week. Another case or ‘hedging my bets’ as my SuperCoach team benefits if I’m wrong!

4. SuperCoach Gold Mine

The Rabbitohs and the Warriors could deliver a highscoring affair, with the Rabbitohs continuing to show their attacking potency week after week, and the Warriors attack also clicked nicely last week despite the new rookie half in Chanel Harris-Tavita. It’s worth noting that this game is on the Sunshine Coast, with a nice cloudy day expected which should hopefully allow for perfect conditions for fast, free-flowing attacking football! With such exciting attacking weapons on both teams, it would be a great sight to see!

5. Upset of the Round – the Titans

It is slim pickings for possible upsets this week (in my opinion) and I’m going to back the last placed Titans to knock off the preseason top four ‘lock’ in the Panthers. Neither team has started the season well but both showed positive signs last week, with the Titans refusing to roll over against the Rabbitohs and the Panthers grinding out an ugly win against the gritty Tigers. The Titans have home field advantage and a fair few “revenge” games are on the cards – I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of the ex-Panthers at the Titans have a big game!

Round 5 kicks off tonight

It’s been a beautiful day in Brisbane and I think all the negative media attention for the Broncos this past week is going to mean bad news for the Tigers. Although it is a dreaded Thursday night game where the Broncos don’t have a great record at all. Good luck to everyone this week, may your captaincy pick go large, your reserve choices be of sound judgement and your trade decisions wise!