NRL SuperCoach round 9 wrap, Cheapie Bible: Rookie gems emerge from injury carnage

When SuperCoaches hear the word “injury” we also hear “opportunity” and there are a number of key targets over the next few weeks.

Round 9 is in the bank and the tale of the weekend is a familiar one - injuries.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is the most pressing given he is in almost 50,000 teams and has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a leg fracture.

Adam Reynolds is out for 12-14 weeks with a biceps injury and while he is not a popular SuperCoach player, his absence could have a huge impact on SuperCoach 2024.

Reynolds is such an important attacking player at the Broncos and his unavailability could seriously affect in particular Reece Walsh, who struggled for control when Reynolds went off.

Apisai Koroisau (back) and Nathan Cleary (hamstring) were also key pre-game withdrawals for SuperCoaches but are hopeful of returning next week.

Adam Reynolds suffers an injured bicep. Picture: Zain Mohammed/NRL Imagery

CHEAPIE BIBLE

When SuperCoaches hear the word “injury” we also hear “opportunity” and there are a number of key targets over the next few weeks:

* David Armstrong (25) - Stunning debut last week but only eight runs on Sunday. Owners were no doubt hoping for more from the cheapie of the week but the conditions were horrid so he can be forgiven. Will still be the most purchased player of the upcoming round.

Verdict: Must-buy if you haven’t already

* Kaeo Weekes (69) – A genuine cheapie option who looks like he has locked down the Canberra halfback jersey for the foreseeable future. Good on the eye test and has long-term job security given Jamal Fogarty is out for three months with a biceps injury. However, the FLB/5-8 positioning is awkward and he has the bye this week.

Verdict: Seriously consider as a round 11 replacement for Lachlan Galvin, who is nearing his peak.

* Sua Faalogo (41) - Young gun Faalogo is/was considered a certainty to fill Papenhuyzen’s fullback role at Melbourne. Unfortunately he’s in doubt due to a knee injury so we may have to wait a week. He has also played just the one game this year so we may well need to wait two weeks. But no matter when the best time to jump on is, a few things are blatantly clear. As we’ve seen in brief stints for Storm and Samoa, Faalogo is a generational talent and could even be a borderline SuperCoach gun as soon as he gets a regular spot. Available at CTW and FLB, his job security is handy in the short term with Papenhuyzen out, and many spies in Melbourne say he has the talent to overtake Pap full-time. Verdict: Buy, eventually. Serious talent but SuperCoaches need to get the timing right.

David Armstrong is the cheapie of the week. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

* Blaize Talagi (bye) - Clint Gutherson faces an extended stint on the sidelines due to a knee injury and this will likely see either Daejarn Asi or Talagi start at fullback. The quarter of SuperCoaches who already own Talagi have fingers crossed he gets the gig. Brad Arthur has earmarked him as the future fullback of the club, but Asi has given solid service whenever called on in first grade over a variety of positions.

Verdict: Don’t go out of your way to buy him but a definite hold for those who own.

* Ethan Sanders (bye) - Looked great on debut with 53 before the bye last week. The issue is of course the return Mitchell Moses from a foot injury over the next few weeks.

Verdict: Promising debut but avoid until Moses injury news emerges.

* Trai Fuller (38) - Came back to earth somewhat with 38 points on the weekend. Which is nothing to be sneezed at on a wet weekend but not quite up there with his heroics in his first two games. Last week was the week to get on given Fuller made $136,100 but he’s still predicted to make another $76,600 this round.

Verdict: No. Missed the boat.

Sua Faalogo is a popular buy this week.

CHEAPIE CULLING SEASON

There are also a host of cheapies hitting their peak and ready to be cashed in.

* Canberra young guns James Schiller, Ethan Strange and Xavier Savage Savage have provided great price rises but have peaked in price and have the bye this week.

* Likewise, Jack Bostock and Joe Chan have done their jobs and are popular sells.

POD WATCH

* Dane Gagai (60) - We wrote last week that Gagai is a serious option after taking on the goalkicking duties and the opinion hasn’t wavered.

WINNERS FROM ROUND 9

* Nicho Hynes (95) - It was looking dicey at half time with only 20 points, but Nicho produced a brilliant second half to finish on a strong score for the 36.6 per cent who captained him.

Never doubt Nicho. 😅🫡🔥

A HUGE second half for the #SuperCoach stud.

➡️Sunday winners & losers: https://t.co/3scuNfG5iC | #NRLpic.twitter.com/pb4J90u74L

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) May 5, 2024

* Tom Trbojevic (90) – Was the most polarising player in the game ahead of this round given the debate with Trai Fuller. If you stuck with him, you can be content with his score.

* James Tedesco (122) – After dropping to under $600k, Tedesco put in his second best score of the season and raised the bat in style.

* Terrell May (119) – This is the game May holders were waiting for and sellers were dreading. Two tries and over 50 minutes. Keep that time coming please Robbo.

* Angus Crichton (136) – If you’re not on the Gus Bus, you’re missing out. Continued his stellar run of form with a double.

* Kayal Iro (60) - Another great score considering he missed the attacking stats. 19 runs and six tackle busts in a powerful display.

* Jamayne Isaako (143): What a haul! Three tries on the wing and four conversions.

* Reuben Garrick (92) – Plenty put their faith in him this week and he delivered with two tries and another big score.

* Scott Drinkwater (90): He couldn’t nail a two-point field goal to save the game, but he did please his SuperCoach owners with two try assists and three line break assists.

* AJ Brimson (98): His highest points performance of the year, surpassing his 94 from last week. Fullback seems to be bringing out his best.

Nicho Hynes is going to need a snorkel at Shark Park!https://t.co/RP8B8712Ml

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) May 4, 2024

* Taylan May (70) – After plummeting below $400k, bounced back with a nice score and could work his way back into SuperCoach teams.

* Addin Fonua-Blake (65) - No tries this week but owners will take 65 in pure base in atrocious conditions.

* Greg Marzhew (62) - A base stat special from a SuperCoach favourite, the highlight being 13 tackle busts. But how many more tries will he score while Kalyn Ponga is out? Not many.

* Reuben Cotter (94) - Cheers all round from Cotter’s 33% ownership.

* Bronson Xerri (52) - Matched his projected score and remains a decent CTW option at $408,200 if he remains in the side.

* Dylan Edwards (109) – Cracked the century for the fourth time this season and is the sixth time he has scored 89 or more. Will he finally get that Blues jersey?

* Tom Eisenhuth (77) - Sneaking under the radar as a 2RF/CTW dual. 58 tackles.

LOSERS FROM ROUND 9

* Ryan Papenhuyzen, Api Koroisau, Adam Reynolds and Nathan Cleary - Key injuries. See above.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has a fracture in his leg. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

* Jack Bostock (18) - Those who sold, and cashed in almost $300,000, are vindicated.

* Joe Chan (18) - 40 minutes for the popular cheapie but not a lot of points. Still a 32% ownership, could it be time to say goodbye?

* Harry Grant (48) - Below average scoring performance from Storm’s No.9, falling well short of his projected 82.

* Lachlan Galvin (41) - Not awful from the game’s favourite cheapie, but not meeting his projected score or average, so slightly disappointing for his 40% ownership.

* Zac Lomax (45) - Forced to play centre due to injury and the wet conditions didn’t suit his offloading.

* Shaun Johnson (37) - The Warriors have lost their attacking mojo and Johnson is the face of it. Carrying a painful Achilles injury and it may be time for a rest.

* Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (38) - The 28 runs a game were always going to be impossible to keep up. Back to the pack after a stunning month since returning from injury.

* Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (48) - Do we sell before the round 13 bye? It’s tempting. RTS’s average now sits in the mid-50s which is not quite elite.

* Brandon Smith (12) – Looked gassed early and played just the 22 minutes due to a calf injury.