NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 19

The run home is on in earnest and SuperCoaches have massive decisions to make to assemble their final teams.

The run home is on in earnest and SuperCoaches have massive decisions to make to assemble their final teams.

WINNERS

• Cameron Munster — Among a host of Origin players slated to return after being rested.

• Ken Maumalo — The backline POD returns for the Warriors after being rested last week.

• David Klemmer — Most purchased player this week as SuperCoaches chase PODs for the run home.

LOSERS

• Ryan Matterson — Could see reduced minutes after being named at lock.

• Viliame Kikau — Suspended for two weeks following an ill-fated trip to the judiciary.

• Andrew Fifita — The Cronulla prop has taken the early guilty plea to a shoulder charge and will miss a week.

• Sam Burgess — Named in reserves by the Rabbitohs but set to miss another week due to an infection in his shoulder discovered during recent surgery.

• Blake Ferguson — Out for another week due to an infection in his knee.

David Klemmer and Cameron Murray are popular targets.

SHARKS VS COWBOYS

Thursday, July 25, 7:50pm, PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Paul Gallen

Interchange: 14. Blayke Brailey 15. Jack Williams 16. Matt Prior 17. Billy Magoulias

Reserves: 18. Jayson Bukuya 19. Kyle Flanagan 20. Scott Sorensen 21. Sione Katoa

Team news: Josh Dugan (hamstring) returns at fullback with Matt Moylan (hamstring) unavailable for the must-win clash. Josh Morris (concussion/nose) returns at centre with Kurt Capewell reverting to the back row. Andrew Fifita (suspension) is replaced at prop by Braden Hamlin-Uele.

SuperCoach analysis: SuperCoaches must resist the rage trade and hold Andrew Fifita. His wild ways are beyond taming, but his SuperCoach pedigree is undeniable — he has averaged 82 in games unaffected by injury or the sin bin this year. Bronson Xerri is the second most sold player this week, but he’s a definite hold for Sangster’s Paradise. He has a juicy game this week against the Cowboys at Shark Park and also has good match-ups on the run home against the Dragons, Warriors and Tigers.

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Tom Opacic 5. Murray Taulagi 6. John Asiata 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh McGuire 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Shane Wright 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Coen Hess 15. Matt Scott 16. Scott Bolton 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Peter Hola 19. Reuben Cotter 20. Corey Jensen 21. Gideon Gela-Mosby

Team news: No changes with Michael Morgan (concussion) still sidelined.

SuperCoach analysis: Jason Taumalolo plays the first game of the round and his captaincy percentage has therefore slumped to 14.3 per cent. For him, that’s in POD range (his captaincy percentage has been as high as 35 per cent this year) so don’t be afraid to give him the straight C even though it would deny a chance to use the VC loophole.

NRL EARLY MAIL: Predicted team changes

CASUALTY WARD: All the weekend injuries

KNIGHTS VS WESTS TIGERS

Friday, July 26, 6:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Tautau Moga 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Sione Mata’utia 13. Tim Glasby

Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. James Gavet 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Jamie Buhrer

Reserves: 18. Jacob Saifiti 19. Josh King 20. Mason Lino 21. Aidan Guerra

Team news: No changes despite a big loss to the Roosters.

SuperCoach analysis: David Klemmer is the most purchased player this week. He is as safe as they come, scoring 77 points in pure base stats last week. In fact, he has averaged 61 in base this season — the best of any player ahead of Payne Haas (60), Jason Taumalolo (59) and Jake Trbojevic (59). That said, if you’re hunting a forward POD, go for someone with more upside. Kalyn Ponga maintained his average of almost 90 since moving to fullback with a big score against the Roosters last week. He’s a huge VC option this week against the Tigers at home.

Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Paul Momirovski 3. Moses Mbye 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Robbie Farah 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Michael Chee-Kam 13. Ryan Matterson

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Alex Twal 17. Chris Lawrence

Reserves: 18. Matthew Eisenhuth 19. Tommy Talau 20. Chris McQueen 21. Josh Reynolds

Team news: Coach Michael Maguire has backed up his weekend spray by making a host of changes. The most SuperCoach-relevant is Ryan Matterson’s move to lock, which could cut his game time. Matt Eisenhuth (concussion) has been shunted to the reserves. Veteran Chris Lawrence is demoted to the bench with Luke Garner to start. Alex Twal has been dropped to the bench and replaced at prop by Oliver Clark. Fullback Corey Thompson (ankle) returns from a minor injury with Moses Mbye returning to centre and Michael Chee-Kam moving to the back row.

SuperCoach analysis: Esan Marsters is the second most sold player and for good reason. Marsters has given up the goalkicking and is still owned by a hefty 20 per cent, so it’s time to take a punt on a POD. Now is also an appropriate moment to pay special mention to the “POD of PODs” David Nofoaluma. He is rocking a five-round average of 69.8 but is still only owned by one per cent.

RABBITOHS VS DRAGONS

Friday, July 26, 7:55pm, ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. Dane Gagai 3. James Roberts 4. Braidon Burns 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Taola 9. Damien Cook 10. Dean Britt 11. John Sutton 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Tom Amone 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Jaydn Su’A 17. Kyle Turner

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 20. Corey Allan 21. Sam Burgess 21. Tom Burgess

Team news: No changes. Sam Burgess (shoulder) and Tom Burgess have been included in the reserves. Tom is a huge chance to play after training strongly this week. Sam is unlikely as he continues to battle an infection in his shoulder. Braidon Burns has been named despite missing training on Tuesday.

SuperCoach analysis: Damien Cook and Cameron Murray stunk it up for the Rabbitohs over the Origin series, averaging 47.5. Clearly fatigued, both were excused from training last week — and the rest was appreciated with Cook bouncing back with 80 and Murray 103. Cook has now re-emerged as a captaincy option, while Murray is currently the fifth most purchased player this week despite already being owned by 40 per cent.

Dragons: 1. Corey Norman 2. Jason Saab 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Zac Lomax 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. James Graham

Interchange: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Korbin Sims 16. Matt Dufty 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Reece Robson 19. Jacob Host 20. Patrick Kaufusi 21. Mikaele Ravalawa

Team news: Mass changes. Gareth Widdop (shoulder) returns at five-eighth with Corey Norman shifting to fullback and Matt Dufty benched. Ben Hunt (rested) returns in the halves. Teenage winger Jason Saab will debut and Zac Lomax (broken thumb) returns on the other wing. Jonus Pearson and Mikaele Ravalawa drop out.

SuperCoach analysis: The Dragons are battling big-time, so their SuperCoach relevance comes not from the players they put on the park, but rather how many points opposition players can score against them. Once a proud defensive side, the Dragons have conceded the most points of any team this year. The obvious take away is to load up on attacking players from the Rabbitohs this week including Cook, Murray, Braidon Burns and Cody Walker. Keep an eye on 18-year-old debutant Jason Saab. The kid is a jet, but from a purely selfish perspective, SuperCoaches hope he doesn’t bust out and ruin his cheapie credentials for next year.

Shaun Lane has been ruled out with injury. Picture: Joel Carrett

EELS VS WARRIORS

Saturday, July 27, 3:00pm, Bankwest Stadium

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Brad Takairangi 4. Waqa Blake 5. Josh Hoffman 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Marata Niukore 12. Manu Ma’u 13. Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. David Gower 17. Tepai Moeroa

Reserves: 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Andrew Davey 20. Tim Mannah 21. Ethan Parry

Team news: Blake Ferguson (knee infection) again misses out, although he is expected to return next week. Former Panther Waqa Blake makes his Eels debut with Josh Hoffman shifting to the wing and last week’s debutant Ethan Parry dropped. Shaun Lane is out injured, with Marata Niukore promoted to start in the back row. Oregon Kaufusi and Daniel Alvaro join the bench. Utility Jaeman Salmon drops out of the 17.

SuperCoach analysis: Manu Ma’u is the best POD at centre/wing and rightly the seventh most purchased player. Ma’u is as solid as they come at CTW, playing 80 minutes in the forwards in five of the last six weeks and averaging 67 in that time.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Gerard Beale 3. Peta Hiku 4. Blake Ayshford 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Jazz Tevaga

Interchange: 14. Lachlan Burr 15. Sam Lisone 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 20. Adam Keighran 21. Ligi Sao 22. Chris Satae

Team news: Ken Maumalo (concussion) returns on the wing in place of last week’s debutant Adam Pompey, who drops to the extended bench. Kodi Nikorima (ankle) must prove his fitness later in the week. David Fusitu’a (hamstring) is again sidelined.

SuperCoach analysis: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is the fourth most sold player as SuperCoaches move to the Teddy/Turbo combo. Obviously it’s a sad occasion to sell a player averaging 100 over the last fortnight. But the fact is that fullback is by far the most stacked position in SuperCoach, accounting for 5/10 highest averaging players in this year (in order Turbo, Ponga, Teddy, RTS and Munster). You simply can’t fit them all in.

Jazz Tevaga is the new base stat beast. He has averaged almost 80 in base since being promoted to start at lock. Play him every week if you own him, but don’t go out of your way to buy him.

TITANS VS BRONCOS

Saturday, July 27, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Dale Copley 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Alexander Brimson 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Jack Stockwell 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Jai Whitbread

Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Leilani Latu 17. Sam Stone

Reserves: 18. Ryley Jacks 19. Mitch Rein 20. Will Matthews 21. Brenko Lee

Team news: Michael Gordon has been promoted from the bench to the starting fullback role. AJ Brimson moves into the halves with Ryley Jacks out. Tyrone Peachey (pectoral) returns on the bench. England centre Kallum Watkins will play his first game for the Titans after joining the club before the June 30 deadline.

SuperCoach analysis: Steer clear until Jai Arrow returns. He is expected back as early as next week.

Broncos: 1. Anthony Milford 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Alex Glenn 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Darius Boyd 7. Jake Turpin 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Matt Gillett 13. Tevita Pangai Junior

Interchange: 14. James Segeyaro 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Rhys Kennedy 17. Pat Carrigan

Reserves: 18. Keenan Palasia 20. Herbie Farnworth 21. Xavier Coates 22. Gehamat Shibasaki

Team news: Matt Gillett (groin) returns on the edge. Tevita Pangai shifts to lock where he replaces Thomas Flegler (suspension).

SuperCoach analysis: Our man Kotoni Staggs went nuts with 104 on the weekend (well done if you played him). The kid is producing keeper-like scores since moving to centre in place of the departed James Roberts, averaging 57.2 in the last five weeks. He’s a definite option to play with the right match-up — and he has a great match-up this week against Titans. Tevita Pangai Junior has been killing it on the edge but moves back to lock this week with the return of Matt Gillett (groin). That said, Pangai remains a must-play against the leaky Titans.

STORM VS SEA EAGLES

Saturday, July 27, 7:35pm, AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Sandor Earl 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Christian Welch 16. Joe Stimson 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Reserves: 18. Marion Seve 19. Tui Kamikamica 20. Tom Eisenhuth 21. Tino Faasuamaleaui

Team news: Origin players Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch return. Suliasi Vunivalu (suspension) is out, replaced by Sandor Earl on the wing. Marion Seve and Tui Kamikamica drop out while Ryan Papenhuyzen and Joe Stimson revert to the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Cameron Munster is back after being rested last week and he remains a genuine option for the run home. Ryan Papenhuyzen has averaged 89 in games where he’s played 80 minutes this year. That places him behind only the great Tommy Turbo in the position. The Pap is an absolute freak, but as with RTS above, it’s impossible to fit him into a stacked position.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Moses Suli 4. Brad Parker 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Manase Fainu 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Morgan Boyle 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Cade Cust 19. Brendan Elliott 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Lloyd Perrett

Team news: No changes following a big win over the Eels, but five-eighth Cade Cust (concussion) could come into contention after being named in reserves.

SuperCoach analysis: Tommy Turbo scored 106 on the weekend despite a host of points going begging, including a disallowed try assist (with linebreak assist). He has averaged 20 points more than the next best player in SuperCoach this year and is therefore a captaincy option every week … … well except for this week against the Storm, who have conceded the least points to fullbacks this year.

BULLDOGS VS ROOSTERS

Sunday, July 28, 2:00pm, ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Meaney 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Will Hopoate 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jack Cogger 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Adam Elliot

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Renouf Toomaga 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Chris Smith

Reserves: 19. Raymond Faitla-Mariner 20. Kieran Foran 21. Jayden Okunbor 22 Ofahiki Ogden

Team news: Lachlan Lewis (ankle) returns in the halves with rookie Brandon Wakeham dropping out, although Kieran Foran (hamstring) may come into contention after being named on the extended bench. Marcelo Montoya (knee, season) is replaced in the backline by Kerrod Holland. Aiden Tolman (ribs) returns with Ofahiki Ogden dropping out of the 17.

SuperCoach analysis: The message is pretty simple — don’t bother with Bulldogs. Especially with a tough match-up this week against the Roosters. That said, Will Hopoate deserves a mention for bucking the trend with a five-round average of 74.0 and three-round average of 81.7.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joey Manu 5. Ryan Hall 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Victor Radley 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitch Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Angus Crichton 17. Brett Morris

Reserves: 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Billy Smith

Team news: Joseph Manu (rested) returns at centre with Brett Morris moving back to the bench. Jake Friend (forearm fracture) is replaced at hooker by Victor Radley with Isaac Liu returning at lock. Zane Tetevano (suspension) returns on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: James Tedesco is the second most purchased player as SuperCoaches look to bring him back post-Origin. He last week returned from two weeks off NRL action with 95 and he is a huge captaincy option this week against the Bulldogs. Brad Fittler’s rev-up of Latrell Mitchell has had the desired effect. Finally, Latrell is producing a work rate befitting an NRL centre and he has averaged 80.2 since his Origin axing.

PANTHERS VS RAIDERS

Sunday, July 28, 4:00pm, Panthers Stadium

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Brent Naden 5. Brian To’o 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Frank Winterstein 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Jarome Luai 16. Moses Leota 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Spencer Leniu 20. Stephen Crichton 21. Liam Martin

Team news: No changes pending Viliame Kikau’s trip to the judiciary. Liam Martin (quad) has been included in reserves and is hopeful of returning.

SuperCoach analysis: Base stat beast Nathan Cleary is a massive POD at 14 per cent ownership. Even without many attacking stats this year (he has only notched four tries and five try assists) he has still averaged 61, which places him as the third best halfback in SuperCoach behind Daly Cherry-Evans and Mitchell Moses.

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Michael Oldfield 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Sia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine

Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Royce Hunt 20. Sebastian Kris 21. JJ Collins

Team news: No changes to the team that accounted for the Tigers.

SuperCoach analysis: Bailey Simonsson is the sixth most sold player after increasing by $252,100, making him one of the best cheapies of the year. John Bateman remains a must-have for the run home for those who don’t already own him.