NRL SuperCoach teams analysis round 1: Danny Levi shock creates hooker re-think

The teams are in and we finally have a clear indication on best buys. Fresh purchases have come from nowhere while plenty of popular buys have bowed out.

The Vegas hit and giggle is done and we finally have the REAL round one team announcements. But before we start, it’s important to note two important pieces of information.

Firstly, SuperCoaches can make unlimited trades all week and throughout the weekend – only the Vegas players are locked out for now.

It’s also not too late to sign up. In fact, you can make a pretty darn strong team using only the 13 clubs yet to play.

SHOCKS

Danny Levi HOK $238,900

Named to start at hooker for the Raiders at cheapie price and therefore deserves serious consideration. His selection is somewhat of a shock given Levi played just four NRL games last year (although injury was a factor) and only played minor minutes in both trials. In his favour, Levi also started last season as Ricky Stuart’s first-choice hooker and is clearly rated by the Canberra coach. In his first two games of 2023, Levi scored 30 in 40 minutes and 56 in 55 minutes (including a try assist).

Then injury struck. He fractured his jaw in round three and again in July. He ended up playing just one more NRL game for the year and 10 games in NSW Cup. He’s $75,000 cheaper than the next best cheapie at hooker in Joey Lussick and that cash could be very useful on a tough year for cheapies.

Like Lussick, Levi won’t play 80 minutes given Tom Starling is on the bench. But Starling also got plenty of game time as a lock last year which could free up time for Levi. Confused? So am I. This one requires further investigation. Our reporters are chasing so keep an eye on Late Mail.

Verdict: Risky buy but I’m tempted.

Danny Levi has been named to start at hooker. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Joe Chan 2RF $238,900

The Storm back row spot has been a topic of SuperCoach conversation all pre-season and now we finally have an answer. Chan scores the role for round one following a strong trial in Fiji. Job security is the biggest issue so let’s first eliminate some competition. The man who occupied the position last year, Trent Loiero, is named at lock and will switch to the middle rotation this year so we can essentially rule him out as a threat. Kane Bradley won the edge role for the recent trial but is now in jersey 19, so Chan has overtaken him. That leaves Shawn Blore, who was favoured in predicted teams for much of the pre-season but is named 18th man after recent injuries. His presence in the squad doesn’t bode well for Chan’s job security, but at $238,900 the son of Alex Chan is hard to pass up.

Verdict: Buy. Obvious job security issues but a risk worth taking to improve your squad elsewhere.

Keenan Palasia 2RF/FRF $365,200

Named starting lock for the Titans following an off-season move from Brisbane. He averaged 41 minutes last year at the Broncos and should theoretically improve on that, even if only marginally. But there’s also something trappy about this trade. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika demand big minutes in the middle, while Isaac Liu and Erin Clark can also play lock.

Verdict: Risky buy. Decent FRF2 for those looking to save cash at prop and load up elsewhere. But the best bet is to wait and see what the Mad Scientist Des Hasler is actually thinking.

Thomas Mikaele FRF $238,900

Very popular after a stunning final trial but has missed the 17 for the Cowboys, even with the injury to Coen Hess (ACL).

Verdict: Avoid but log him for later in the year.

WINNERS

Ethan Strange 5-8/CTW $238,900

As predicted, Strange scores the five-eighth spot vacated by Jack Wighton at the Raiders and has the added bonus of dual position flexibility.

Verdict: Must-have

Jaeman Salmon CTW/2RF $317,100

Wins the starting lock spot at the Bulldogs after two strong trial performances and is also dual position.

Verdict: Must-have

Morgan Smithies 2RF $345,000

Huge workrate in the English Super League and starts at lock for the Raiders in round one. Decent job security with Corey Horsburgh set to return from suspension in the prop rotation, leaving the lock spot for Smithies.

Verdict: Near-must

Joey Lussick HOK $313,700

Wins the starting hooker spot at the Eels. But despite pre-season chat from coach Brad Arthur that he wanted an 80 minute hooker, Lussick won’t play the full game with Brendan Hands on the bench. Lussick averaged 68 minutes last year so is there really room for improvement?

Verdict: Buy. Still the safest cheapie at hooker but plenty will move to Levi.

Samuel Hughes FRF $238,900

Huge in the trials, huge backing from Phil Gould and just generally a huge human. Wins a bench spot at the Bulldogs as expected.

Verdict: Buy. Best prop cheapie.

Drew Hutchinson HFB/CTW $354,900

The NRL journeyman wins the halfback spot at the Bulldogs and starts cheap after being used as a utility at the Roosters.

Verdict: Buy. Dual position very handy.

Drew Hutchison starts at halfback for the Bulldogs. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Jack Bostock CTW $314,500

Scores a wing spot for the Dolphins and starts cheap after playing only five games last year. I’m not expecting miracles as base stats aren’t great, but it’s hard to see his price going down.

Verdict: Buy for those targeting cheapies at CTW but probably the fifth or sixth best cheapie in the position.

Xavier Savage FLB/CTW $350,200

We predicted he’d score a wing spot for round one and thankfully for SuperCoaches the prediction has stuck. Averaged 46 in 17 games in 2022 but is priced on an average of 10 points less.

Verdict: Mid-level purchase. Like Bostock, Savage is an option for those going all in on cheapies at CTW, but not those chasing multiple mid-rangers and guns.

Taylan May CTW $458,800

Back from an ACL injury, strong in the World Club Challenge and very hard to leave out.

Verdict: Buy. Seventh most popular player in the game.

Heilum Luki 2RF $471,200

Wins the starting edge back row spot of Luciano Leilua (Dragons) at the Cowboys.

Verdict: Buy. One of the better 2RF mid-rangers.

Liam Henry FRF $238,900

NSW Cup workhorse wins Spencer Leniu’s bench prop spot at the Panthers.

Verdict: Buy. Minutes are an issue and it will be a slow burn, but job security is good following a strong apprenticeship in NSW Cup.

Viliami Fifita 2RF/FRF $204,300

Set to debut after scoring a bench spot at the Dragons. The base price and dual positioning is tempting. But where does he stand when Luciano Leilua returns next week, which could push Tom Eisenhuth to the bench and Fifita out.

Verdict: Mid-level buy. I have Samuel Hughes and Liam Henry ahead in terms of cheapies at prop.

Dylan Lucas 2RF/CTW $502,300

Popular mid-ranger at CTW has won the edge back row spot at the Knights. But Kai Pearce-Paul is lurking on the bench and ready to steal minutes and potentially his starting role.

Verdict: Risky buy. Prefer Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for a similar price.

Nicho Hynes FLB $970,000

Named despite a calf injury. Expected to both play and kick goals.

Verdict: Buy. Great schedule to start the year and my first player picked.

LOSERS

Bronson Xerri CTW $345,100

Popular cheapie misses a centre spot at the Bulldogs to Jacob Kiraz, who is expected to play despite a back injury.

Verdict: Sell. But he’ll play NRL at some stage so keep tabs on his NSW Cup progress.

Josh Curran 2RF $421,700

Named on the bench with Jaeman Salmon preferred at lock. Curran averaged 49 minutes last year. Can he improve on that from the interchange? Probably not.

Verdict: Sell

Jayden Brailey HOK $330,000

Still popular despite news weeks ago he would miss round one with a hamstring injury.

Verdict: Sell to Lussick or Levi.

Chevy Stewart CTW/FLB $204,300

We brought you the news two weeks ago that Stewart would miss the fullback spot at the Raiders to Jordan Rapana.

Verdict: Sell. But he’ll play NRL at some stage this year.

Kayal Iro CTW/FLB $219,900

Owned by almost a quarter of SuperCoaches going into teams day but named 18th man.

Verdict: Sell. But only needs one backline injury to become a serious purchase.

Jed Cartwright CTW/2RF $238,900

Owned by 27 per cent of SuperCoaches going into teams day but has missed the 17, named 18th man.

Verdict: Sell

Kane Bradley CTW/2RF $238,900

Popular cheapie misses the Storm edge back row spot to Joe Chan (above).

Verdict: Sell to Chan. Easy fix.

Sua Faalogo CTW/FLB $339,000

Named out of the 17 for the Storm and will play reserve grade this weekend.

Verdict: Sell for now. But Faalogo is a “generational talent” and Craig Bellamy this week admitted the Samoan star is too good for Queensland Cup.

Apisai Koroisau HOK $572,200

Koroisau won plenty of SuperCoach admires in the trials when he took the goalkicking duties. But the Tigers have the bye in round one and Koro’s hold on the kicking may not be as strong as many think (more on that coming in Late Mail).

Verdict: Wait and watch

Will Apisai Koroisau kick goals. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

ROUND 1 TEAMS

KNIGHTS v RAIDERS

Thursday, 7th March, 8pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Kai Pearce-Paul Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Thomas Jenkins 20. Will Pryce 21. Brodie Jones 22. Thomas Cant

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking

Interchange: 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Reserves: Pasami Saulo 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Trey Mooney

WARRIORS v SHARKS

Friday, 8th March, 6pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris

Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker 18. Adam Reserves: Pompey 20. Jazz Tevaga 21. Te Maire Martin 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Jacob Laban

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Dale Finucane 15. Jack Williams 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Kayal Iro, 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20. Daniel Atkinson, 21. Mawane Hiroti, 22. Jayden Berrell

STORM v PANTHERS

Friday, 8th March, 8:05pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Shawn Blore 19. Kane Bradley 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Marion Seve 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Soni Luke 20. Brad Schneider 21. Preston Riki 22. Mavrik Geyer

EELS v BULLDOGS

Saturday, 9th March, 5:30pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Brendan Hands 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Luca Moretti 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Blaize Talagi

Bulldogs

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin 22. Connor Tracey 23. Kitione Kautoga

TITANS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 9th March, 7:35pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Keenan Palasia

Interchange: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 18 Joe Stimson 19 Jojo Fifita 20 Jacob Alick 21 Harley Smith-Shields 22 Josiah Pahulu

Dragons

1 Tyrell Sloan 2 Zac Lomax 3 Moses Suli 4 Jack Bird 5 Mikaele Ravalawa 6 Kyle Flanagan 7 Ben Hunt 8 Francis Molo 9 Jacob Liddle 10 Blake Lawrie 11 Tom Eisenhuth 12 Jaydn Su’A 13 Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14 Connor Muhleisen 15 Michael Molo 16 Viliami Fifita 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves: 18 Ben Murdoch-Masila 19 Christian Tuipulotu 20 Jesse Marschke 21 Ryan Couchman 22 Mathew Feagai

DOLPHINS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 10th March, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Interchange: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Max Plath 16. Kenny Bromwich 17. Mark Nicholls

Reserves: 18. Jarrod Wallace 19. Jake Averillo 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Euan Aitken 22. Isaiya Katoa

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Reserves: 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Jack Gosiewski 22. Jake Clifford

BYE: Wests Tigers