NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 19

ORIGIN stars are back, a young gun earns a starting spot and a SuperCoach stud of years gone by returns for a team that has plenty to prove. Teams analysis here ...

ORIGIN stars are back, a young gun earns a starting spot and a SuperCoach stud of years gone by returns for a team that has plenty to prove.

Read all the SuperCoach NRL — presented by hipages — analysis of the team lists for round 19 of the NRL season below:

WINNERS

* Jesse Ramien (Cronulla) — returns to the Sharks after being a late out last week. Boasts a 5RA of 72.0 with just one sub-60 score in his past six games. With under five per cent ownership he’s a quality POD.

* Tevita Pangai Jr (Broncos) — back from a week off to treat hamstring tightness, Pangai reportedly trained the house down on Tuesday and the injury to Jaydn Su’A sees the big fella slot straight into the starting 13

* Josh Mansour (Penrith) — A SC gun in the past, Mansour is not only back but he hasn’t got Tyrone “Glue Hands” Peachey playing inside him — win-win right there.

* Jai Arrow (Titans) — Back after being rested last week following his debut Origin series, Arrow is a genuine captaincy option every week.

* The Rabbitohs — the hottest team in the NRL is set to play the equal most-generous team in terms of SC points scored by opposition this round. Load up on the Cardinal and Myrtle with confidence.

* Coen Hess (Cowboys) — My colleague Tim Williams is a bit bullish on Hess getting 80 minutes on an edge. I don’t see it but he’s smarter than me so …

LOSERS

* Sam Williams (Raiders) — Three try assists and 65 points last week, yet the bargain-priced half can’t get a spot in his brother’s team. Described as “bye coverage fodder at best” Williams clearly has some bridges to build with family.

* Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Knights) — Despite being the 13th best SC average at a loaded position, Fitzgibbon has been shunted to the bench on his return from suspension.

* Nene MacDonald owners (Dragons) — the word from the Dragons was that MacDonald was set to spend a decent period on the pine due to an ankle injury picked up in round 18 — then they went and named him. The game is the final one on Saturday night so if you are an owner be sure to have contingency plans should MacDonald be a late scratch.

* Ryan Matterson (Roosters) — Was in the Roosters starting 13 on his return to the game last week after an extended break but pushed to the bench thanks to the return of Boyd Cordner (Origin) and Victor Radley (suspension)

SuperCoach experts Tim Williams and Rob Sutherland look at the strongest 17s for the run home.

Eels v Bulldogs

Thursday 19th July, ANZ Stadium, 7:50pm

Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Kaysa Pritchard, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14 Tepai Moeroa, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Peni Terepo

Reserves: 18 Kane Evans, 19 Jaeman Salmon, 20 Suaia Matagi, 21 Reed Mahoney

Team news: Kaysa Pritchard replaces the injured Cameron King at hooker in Parramatta’s only change.

SuperCoach analysis: Touted as a post-bye purchase, Nathan Brown has failed to make his case as a genuine option in a stacked 2RF position. Jarryd Hayne ($461,100) has a 3RD/5RD average of 75PPG/64PPG making him a genuine POD option with just four per cent ownership. Marata Niukore ($271,100) has pricked the ears of some following near back-to-back 80-minute performances in the back row for the Eels. The young gun is available at CTW and has similar credentials as Ryan Matterson at the Roosters, but does he maintain the minutes?

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Kerrod Holland, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Jeremy Marshall-King, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14 Fa’amanu Brown, 15 Clay Priest, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Danny Fualalo

Reserves: 18 Greg Eastwood, 19 Matthew Frawley, 20 Francis Tualau, 21 John Olive

Team news: No changes.

SuperCoach analysis: Will Hopoate ($474,900) belted out 135 points against the high-flying Rabbitohs that included 10 effective offloads and nine tackle breaks. Still well priced, Hopoate is an incredibly solid option as a fourth/fifth CTW for the run home having seemingly had the reins taken off him. Rhyse Martin is a genuine captaincy option with a big ceiling despite playing on Thursday night and ruling out the vice-captain loophole. Continue to milk as much cash out of Lachlan Lewis and Reimis Smith as possible then nuff out or upgrade for the run home.

Rhyse Martin of the Bulldogs is a safe, if unadventurous vice-caption option this week. Picture: Getty Images

Sharks v Raiders

Friday 20th July, Southern Cross Group Stadium, 6:00pm

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Scott Sorensen, 12 Wade Graham, 13 (c)

Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18 Ava Seumanufagai, 19 Sosaia Feki, 20 Kurt Dillon, 21 Kyle Flanagan

Team news: Jesse Ramien returns at centre, still no sign of Josh Dugan.

SuperCoach analysis: With a 5RD average of 80PPG Valentine Holmes ($610,700) is a popular trade-in target this week. The issue is Josh Dugan’s impending return which could push Holmes back to the wing where he isn’t a genuine SuperCoach option. Andrew Fifita ($522,800) has dropped off over the past month but remains a hold in a relatively weak FRF position, however he is no longer a lock for 17s. Jesse Ramien ($555,300) is a strong POD option with a season average of 57.7PPG, however he has scored in his past six games so he is near his peak price. Paul Gallen’s ($558,900) frustrating lack of availability at FRF means he isn’t a purchase option, although don’t be deterred by last week’s 22-point game that was impacted by a virus. Matt Moylan’s ($527,500) 114-point effort against Penrith shows he is a decent POD option for the run home.

Raiders: 1 Brad Abbey, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Michael Oldfield, 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Sam Williams, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Dunamis Lui, 9 Josh Hodgson (c), 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Iosia Soliola, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14 Blake Austin, 15 Luke Bateman, 16 Siliva Havili, 17 Liam Knight

Reserves: 18 Craig Garvey, 19 Jack Murchie, 20 Royce Hunt, 21 Emre Guler

Team news: Aidan Sezer is out after suffering a hamstring injury at training, Blake Austin moves into the halves. Brad Abbey returns at fullback, pushing Nick Cotric back to the wing and Michael Oldfield to centre in place of Jarrod Croker who is out for the remainder of the season.

SuperCoach analysis: With Croker and Sezer out the kicking duties are up for grabs. Sam Williams, Jordan Rapana, Blake Austin and to a lesser degree Nick Cotric are all a chance to win the duties. Jordan Rapana’s ($479,700) ownership will skyrocket if he claims the honour, regardless he’s a strong option after returning from injury with a 95-point showing. Josh Papalii ($609,800) is a great POD option boasting a 61.7PPG average, and most importantly he has one of the highest ceilings of any 2RF. The issue for Canberra’s attacking players is a run of six games against top eight sides in their final seven matches.

Broncos v Panthers

Friday 20th July, Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Tevita Pangai jnr, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14 Kotoni Staggs, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Patrick Mago

Reserves: 18 Gehamat Shibasaki, 19 David Fifita, 20 Sam Tagataese, 21 Troy Dargan

Team news: Tevita Pangai Jr returns in place of Jaydn Su’A (season) after being rested last week due to hamstring tightness. James Roberts returns at centre after being rested following Origin.

SuperCoach analysis: Tevita Pangai Jnr ($455,100) was a certain sell this week prior to the season-ending injury to Jaydn Su’A. TPJ has since been named to start in the back row where he could see increased minutes. He still looks a strong sell candidate, but it could be worth copping a $20-30k price drop to assess his minutes this week. Jamayne Isaako ($489,400) is a hold and is a reliable fifth CTW for the run home despite a poor showing last week. Anthony Milford ($522,000) has finally hit consistent form with a 3RA/5RA of 79.7PPG/64.6PPG. Milf is a hold for at least another fortnight where he can be turned into Cody Walker or Cameron Munster if he reverts to his old ways and delivers a pair of stinkers. That being said, he is ideally a backup five-eighth to be left out of 17s most weeks.

Panthers: 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Christian Crichton, 6 James Maloney (c), 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14 Tyrone Peachey, 15 Corey Harawira-Naera, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Moses Leota

Reserves: 18 Jarome Luai, 19 Tyrone May, 20 Kaide Ellis, 21 Wayde Egan

Team news: Big ins for the Panthers with Origin stars James Maloney and Nathan Cleary back to control the halves and Tyrone Peachey to resume his supersub role — which may impact Kikau’s minutes. Josh Mansour and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak both return from injury.

SuperCoach analysis: Josh Mansour ($443,500) returns on the wing having played just six games this season. The former SuperCoach gun is potentially a POD option in a stellar Penrith outfit, however he’s a definite wait and watch for a couple of weeks. Nathan Cleary ($458,600) has a breakeven of 99 and will come into serious contention in a fortnight at a bargain price should he regain the kicking duties from James Maloney. Viliame Kikau ($502,300) is a must for 17s when starting, boasting a 3RD average of 79PPG. The inclusion of four forwards on the bench doesn’t bode well for big Bill’s minutes, so he could be a better 18th man for the run home if he reverts to 55-60 minutes of game time. Waqa Blake ($359,700) is a POD option with a hefty ceiling, however it’d take some serious kahunas to attain his services.

Josh Mansour is back for the Panthers. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Knights v Titans

Saturday 21st July, McDonald Jones Stadium, 3:00pm

Knights: 1 Nick Meaney, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Cory Denniss, 4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 5 Nathan Ross, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Josh King, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Aidan Guerra, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Herman Ese’ese

Interchange: 14 Jamie Buhrer (c), 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 17 Jacob Lillyman

Reserves: 18 Brent Naden, 19 Sam Stone, 20 Jack Cogger, 21 JJ Felise

Team news: Still no Kalyn Ponga, while Lachlan Fitzgibbon returns from suspension on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Little SuperCoach relevance in the Hunter with Kalyn Ponga still unsighted in the squad. The star fullback is probably a hold, but you could be forgiven for moving him on to Tom Trbojevic or James Tedesco. Lachlan Fitzgibbon is a big chance to start after being named on the bench on his return from suspension.

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Konrad Hurrell, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika, 16 Jack Stockwell, 17 Will Matthews

Reserves: 18 Leilani Latu, 19 Brendan Elliot, 20 Jai Whitbread, 21 Morgan Boyle

Team news: Jai Arrow and Keegan Hipgrave return, pushing Jarrod Wallace to prop, Moeaki Fotuaika and Will Matthews to the bench and Leilani Latu and Jai Whitbread to the reserves.

SuperCoach analysis: Jai Arrow ($593,800) is a must have for the remainder of the season. The Titans lock has a 3RD/5RD average of 80PPG/75PPG and has the attacking prowess to crack triple figures with ease. Ryan James ($672,400) was brought back to earth in the past fortnight with scores of 56 and 52. While he’s a comfortable option for 17s, the skipper relies on crossing the white stripe to edge himself into the elite level of SuperCoach forwards.

Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs

Saturday 21st July, ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm

Wests Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Benji Marshall (c), 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Michael Chee Kam, 12 Josh Aloiai, 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Luke Garner, 17 Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18 Jacob Liddle, 19 Robbie Rochow, 20 Tim Grant, 21 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Team news: Chris Lawrence (hamstring) is replaced by popular bye purchase Michael Chee-Kam with Alex Twal moving to the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: There’s a quality POD in the offing here with powerhouse Tigers winger David Nofoaluma($467,000) showing he was back to his barnstorming best last week scoring 87 points, 47 of which were in base. Nofoaluma is owned by just one per cent of teams at the moment and has plenty of pedigree averaging 60PPG in 2016 and 2017. Robbie Farah ($522,500) is the highest-averaging hooker in the game but despite him boasting a 3RA of 84.3 PPG I couldn’t have him over the consensus picks of Damien Cook and Cam Smith.

Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Hymel Hunt, 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess (c)

Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18 Mark Nicholls, 19 Billy Brittain, 20 Dean Britt, 21 Braidon Burns

Team news: An unchanged 13 with Jason Clark back from suspension replacing Mark Nicholls on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: South Sydney’s squad is the most SuperCoach relevant side in the competition and you can comfortably run with all five of Cook, Sam Burgess, Angus Crichton, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston in your squad to the finish.

Paul Vaughan had a big game for the Dragons in round 18. Picture: AAP Image

Cowboys v Dragons

Saturday 21st July, 1300Smiles Stadium, 7:35pm

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Justin O’Neill, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 John Asiata, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Francis Molo, 17 Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18 Jake Clifford, 19 Ethan Lowe, 20 Mitchell Dunn, 21 Antonio Winterstein

Team news: Coen Hess starts in the back-row, Justin O’Neill replaces Antonio Winterstein on the wing while Francis Molo comes onto the bench for the injured Shane Wright (hamstring). Full team news here

SuperCoach analysis: North Queensland’s Jason Taumalolo ($640,100) had a quiet game by his lofty standards last week playing just 54 minutes for 50 points but is still a top three 2RF selection and really the only SuperCoach-relevant player at the Cowboys this year.

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18 Patrick Herbert, 19 Blake Lawrie, 20 Jai Field, 21 Jordan Pereira

Team news: No changes for the Dragons with Nene MacDonald named, however, MacDonald must be rated as unlikely to take the field. Kurt Mann is the likely replacement should MacDonald be a late scratching.

SuperCoach analysis: The Cowboys leaked big scores to Canberra’s outside backs last week but historically have defended well at the position in 2018 making Euan Aitken ($484,300) and/or Tim Lafai ($444,300) somewhat risky picks. Dragons prop Paul Vaughan ($499,400) came back from Origin duties with plenty of fire in his belly, playing 56 minutes and scoring 90 points, 62 of those in base stats. With a 3RA of 67.7 PPG and 5RA of 61.0 PPG and just seven per cent ownership, Vaughan is a POD selection for those looking to avoid the more popular picks at FRF.

Nene MacDonald must be considered highly unlikely to play for the Dragons despite being named. Picture: AAP Image

Warriors v Storm

Sunday 22nd July, Mt Smart Stadium 2:00pm

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu’a, 3 Gerard Beale, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Simon Mannering, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Joseph Vuna, 17 Peta Hiku

Reserves: 18 Mason Lino, 20 Karl Lawton, 21 Bunty Afoa, 22 Anthony Gelling

Team news: Peter Hiku has paid the price for some lacklustre recent form and has been benched. Gerald Beale shifts from wing to centre creating space for the return of man mountain Ken Maumalo

SuperCoach analysis: Peta Hiku ($357,300) is a definite sell after being dropped to the bench, however he was a trade out regardless. Simon Mannering ($428,000) has been named on an edge but will likely switch with Adam Blair on game day into a middle role that comes with reduced minutes. Isaiah Papalii ($480,100) has played 80 minutes on an edge for five games running for a 5RA of 69.0 PPG, 52.8 of that in base stats. Those scores put the hirsute youngster well ahead of more popular picks Andrew Fifita, Viliame Kikau and Tevita Pangai Jr.

Storm: 1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Brodie Croft, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14 Tui Kamikamica, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Brandon Smith

Reserves: 18 Jahrome Hughes, 19 Joe Stimson, 20 Dale Finucane, 21 Cheyse Blair

Team news: Melbourne’s Origin contingent of Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi return, with Jahrome Hughes, Cheyse Blair, Young Tonumaipea, Ryley Jacks and Joe Stimson making way.

SuperCoach analysis: Storm playmaker Cameron Munster ($594,800) had scores of 69, 75 and 98 before his last-game flop of 14 points against the Roosters and with a high BE is one to watch this round.

Plenty of SuperCoaches will be flirting with the idea of benching Tom Trbojevic against the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

Sea Eagles v Roosters

Sunday 15th July, Lottoland, 4:10pm

Manly: Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Matthew Wright, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Bradley Parker, 6 Thomas Wright, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Manase Fainu, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Shaun Lane, 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14 Trent Hodkinson, 15 Kelepi Tanginoa, 16 Frank Winterstein, 17 Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18 Jorge Taufua, 20 Tevita Funa, 21 Toafofoa Sipley, 22 Lloyd Perrett

Team news: No changes to the 17.

SuperCoach analysis: Benching Tommy Trbojevic ($520,400) would be SuperCoach heresy in most weeks but the Manly fullback has a very un-Tommy Turbo like 3RA of 52.7 PPG and 5RA of 54.4 PPG and the Roosters are the best team in the competition when it comes to shutting down opposition fullbacks.

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Boyd Cordner, 12 Victor Radley, 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14 Ryan Matterson, 15 Zane Tetevano, 16 Mitchell Aubusson, 17 Kurt Baptiste

Reserves: 18 Nat Butcher, 19 Lindsay Collins, 20 Matthew Ikuvalu, 21 Sean O’Sullivan

Team news: Plenty of changes at the Roosters with Origin stars James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Boyd Cordner and Dylan Napa back and Victor Radley (suspension) and Mitchell Aubusson (hamstring) all coming in.

SuperCoach analysis: Roosters wildcard Blake Ferguson ($599,400) has come back to earth with a thud posting scores of 39 and 42 over the past two weeks. That’s bad news for those who forked out $625,000 for Fergo three weeks ago but good for those who should be able to buy him for around $550,000 ahead of round 20. Ryan Matterson ($537,700) misses a starting role with Victor Radley and Boyd Cordner preferred in the back row. Despite this, Matterson is a hold with the prospect of returning to stronger minutes in the future.