NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 20

Manu Ma’u and David Klemmer are at the top of the most purchased list as SuperCoaches assemble their final teams.

WINNERS

* Andrew Fifita - The star SuperCoach prop returns from a week in the naughty corner, although he has been benched by coach John Morris.

* Jake Trbojevic - Free to play after taking the early guilty plea to a dangerous throw charge.

* Sam Burgess - Named for his first game since Round 13 following shoulder surgery. Still owned by 21 per cent of SuperCoaches.

* Kalyn Ponga - Not cited by the match review committee and free to play despite being sin binned for a supposed shoulder charge against the Tigers last week.

* Manu Ma’u - Most purchased player in SuperCoach this week after averaging 68 points and 78 minutes over the last seven rounds.

LOSERS

* Tevita Pangai Jnr - The Broncos forward has copped a one-game ban for a high tackle on Phillip Sami.

* Sio Siua Taukeiaho - Ruled out for the Roosters with a calf injury and therefore the most sold player.

David Klemmer and Manu Ma'u are popular buys.

TIGERS V COWBOYS

Thursday 1st August, Leichhardt Oval, 7.50pm

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. Matthew Eisenhuth 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Alex Twal 17. Chris Lawrence

Reserves: 18. Jacob Liddle 19. Tommy Talau 20. Chris McQueen 21. Josh Reynolds

Team news: No changes. Michael Chee Kam (concussion) has been named despite a heavy head knock against the Knights.

SuperCoach analysis: Esan Marsters has averaged just 36.3 since losing the goal kicking duties three weeks ago. Sell. Ryan Matterson has become a risky top 17 player after switching to lock last week where he got just 60 minutes. He still scored 56 points, but that’s hardly elite at this time of year.

NRL CASUALTY WARD: Full NRL injury list

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

Interchange: 14. John Asiata 15. Matt Scott 16. Scott Bolton 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Corey Jensen 19. Tom Gilbert 20. Gideon Gela-Mosby 21. Reuben Cotter

Team news: Michael Morgan (concussion) returns after a three-week absence with John Asiata moving to the bench and Corey Jensen dropping out.

SuperCoach analysis: Jason Taumalolo is playing the first game of the round for the second week in a row, which essentially rules him out of captaincy calculations. His captaincy percentage has dropped to 10.3 per cent. He’s been as high as 35 per cent this season.

WARRIORS V RAIDERS

Friday 2nd August, Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm

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. Karl Lawton 20. Josh Curran 21. Adam Pompey 22. Adam Keighran

Team news: Issac Luke has been named pending his trip to the judiciary for a dangerous throw charge. The club has accepted the offence but is disputing the grading. If successful, Luke is clear to play. If not, he misses three weeks and Karl Lawton would come into the 17 on his return from a shoulder injury. Kodi Nikorima (ankle) returns at five-eighth after a late withdrawal last week.

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 96 in the last three rounds. But the fact is that fullback is by far the most stacked position in SuperCoach, accounting for 4/7 highest averaging players this year (in order Turbo, Ponga, Teddy, RTS). You simply can’t fit them all in. Jazz Tevaga has averaged 75.3 since being promoted to start at lock. He’s a top 17 player every week for those who own him.

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. Hudson Young 20. Sebastian Kris 21. Royce Hunt

Team news: No changes following victory over the Panthers.

SuperCoach analysis: As Wilfred pointed out in his 10 things column, John Bateman is sitting on a season average of 73.3 points when his injury-affected score is taken out and only Jason Taumalolo ranks higher in the backrow. He also has the highest average of any player at CTW. If you don’t own him, you’ll get left behind. He’s therefore the fifth most purchased player despite already being owned by almost half of SuperCoaches.

John Bateman is a must-have.

BRONCOS V STORM

Friday 2nd August, Suncorp Stadium, 7.55pm

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. Thomas Flegler

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

Reserves: 18. Tom Dearden 20. Herbie Farnworth 21. Xavier Coates 22. Shaun Fensom

Team news: Matt Gillett (groin/back) and Thomas Flegler (suspension) return. Tevita Pangai Junior (suspension) and Keenan Palasia drop out of the squad. Tom Dearden (ankle) has been named among reserves as he ramps up his comeback bid.

SuperCoach analysis: Tevita Pangai Jnr is the fourth most sold player following his suspension. However, he showed great form before his ban and is a great upside POD in the final weeks given the Broncos play three of their final four games at Suncorp Stadium. Well done to those who played Kotoni Staggs over the last two weeks — he has averaged almost 100 in that time. But don’t play him this week against the Storm. Payne Haas is a must-play regardless of match-up, but he’s not a captaincy option this week against the Storm, who are the best in the business at shutting down opposition forwards and will be smarting after losing to Manly.

Storm: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 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. Tino Faasuamaleaui 21. Sandor Earl

Team news: The return of Suliasi Vunivalu (suspension) sees Sandor Earl drop off the wing in the only change. Christian Welch (concussion) and Jesse Bromwich (sternum) have been named despite injuries.

SuperCoach analysis: Expect Melbourne’s key players to bounce back after a down week against the Sea Eagles, with the likes of Cameron Smith (53) and Cameron Munster (44) scoring well below their season averages. The return of Suliasi Vinuvalu (suspension) sees Sandor Earl dropped, which frees up the loophole for many SuperCoaches.

SEA EAGLES V KNIGHTS

Saturday 3rd August, Lottoland, 3pm

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 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. Jack Gosiewski 19. Apisai Koroisau 20. Brendan Elliott 21. Lloyd Perrett

Team news: No changes following a great win over competition frontrunners Melbourne. Jake Trbojevic (dangerous throw) is free to play after taking the early guilty plea. Api Koroisau (ankle) and Jack Gosiewski (groin) are a few weeks away.

SuperCoach analysis: Captaining Tom Trbojevic at Lottoland is not even a lottery. He averages a massive 103 at the venue over his career and has averaged 98.3 this year, yet is currently skippered by just seven per cent.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Tautau Moga 5. Kurt Mann 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Connor Watson 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby

Interchange: 14. Jacob Saifiti 15. James Gavet 16. Sione Mata’utia 17. Aidan Guerra

Reserves: 18. Jamie Buhrer 19. Beau Fermor 20. Jirah Momoisea 21. Chris Randall

Team news: As predicted, Jesse Ramien, Danny Levi, Herman Ese’ese and Jamie Buhrer have been axed. Hymel Hunt moves from wing to centre and Kurt Mann goes from five-eighth to wing. Connor Watson is the new hooker and Jacob Saifiti also comes into the 17 on the bench. Lachlan Fitzgibbon (elbow) returns in the back row, pushing Sione Mata’utia to the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: David Klemmer is the third most purchased player. Since Origin he’s averaged 69 minutes and 74 points almost entirely in base stats. If you’re looking for a safe option, he’s the man. But Sangster’s Paradise are chasing more upside at this time of year.

Connor Watson switches to hooker this week – by far his best position statistically. He has started three games at hooker this year for an average of 72 points per game, plus also had strong cameos off the bench where he scored 67 in 67 minutes and last week’s 76 in just 53 minutes.

BULLDOGS V PANTHERS

Saturday 3rd August, Bankwest Stadium, 5.30pm

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. Brandon Wakeham 21. Jayden Okunbor 22 Ofahiki Ogden

Team news: No changes with Dylan Napa (dangerous contact) free to play after taking the early guilty plea. Kieran Foran (hamstring) remains sidelined.

SuperCoach analysis: Will Hopoate last week continued his reign as the form CTW in SuperCoach. He has averaged 80.4 over the last five rounds despite playing in a junk team and despite playing centre — traditionally a harder position to score in than fullback — yet is owned by just 2 per cent.

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. Liam Martin 12. Frank Winterstein 13. Isaah Yeo

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

Reserves: 18. Spencer Leniu 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Stephen Crichton 21. Hame Sele

Team news: No changes for Ivan Cleary’s side.

SuperCoach analysis: I’ve been talking up Nathan Cleary for weeks as a POD and he simply keeps producing. He has averaged 80 since returning from the ankle injury that kept him out of Origin 3. Cleary has always been a great base stat player but he has upped his attacking stats since his comeback through a try, try assist, try contribution, three forced drop outs and two linebreak assists. Brent Naden is one of the most sold players after making a massive $298,000. To put that in perspective, he’s made just $3,000 less than Briton Nikora. However, Nikora’s ownership peaked at over 60 per cent compared to Naden’s 8 per cent. POD-a-licious.

SUPERCOACH PODCAST!!! Only six weeks to go in the SuperCoach season and hopefully you have a few trades up your sleeve. Join Tom Sangster and Nick Campton for the lowdown.

SHARKS V RABBITOHS

Saturday 3rd August, PointsBet Stadium, 7.35pm

Sharks: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Dugan 5. Josh Morris 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen

Interchange: 14. Kurt Capewell 15. Jack Williams 16. Andrew Fifita 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias 19. Blayke Brailey 20. Ronaldo Mulitalo 21. Kyle Flanagan

Team news: Andrew Fifita (suspension) returns but the star forward has been shunted to the interchange. Matt Moylan (hamstring) returns at fullback with Josh Dugan shifting to the wing and Ronaldo Mulitalo dropping out. Wade Graham (hamstring) returns in the back row, pushing Kurt Capewell to the bench. Blayke Brailey and Billy Magoulias drop out.

SuperCoach analysis: Andrew Fifita has been benched and many SuperCoaches will therefore leave him out of their 17s. Which is the exact reason to get on. Fifita doesn’t need big minutes for big scores and his SuperCoach pedigree is undeniable. Hopefully you resisted the rage trade last week (almost 10,000 SuperCoaches couldn’t fight the urge) as he has averaged 82 in games unaffected by injury or the sin bin this year. The 5,000 SuperCoaches who sold Shaun Johnson over the last month will be blowing up — he has averaged 70.8 since returning from injury, the best of any halfback.

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. Tom Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Liam Knight 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ethan Lowe 17. Kyle Turner

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 20. Corey Allan 21. Jaydn Su’A 21. Dean Britt

Team news: Sam Burgess (shoulder infection) returns in the back row, pushing Ethan Lowe to the bench. Liam Knight (suspension) makes his comeback from the bench. Dean Britt and Jaydn Su’A drop out.

SuperCoach analysis: Don’t captain Damien Cook this week as the Sharks are the equal third best team at restricting points to hookers. That said, load up on Rabbitohs FRFs and 2RFs (eg: Cameron Murray and the returning Sam Burgess) given the Sharks are one of the worst teams in terms of conceding SuperCoach points to running forwards (second for FRF, fourth for 2RF).

Damien Cook is a risky captaincy option this week.

ROOSTERS V TITANS

Sunday 4th August, SCG, 2pm

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joey Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Isaac Liu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Zane Tetevano 11. Angus Crichton 12. Mitch Aubusson 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Lindsay Collins 17. Sitili Tupouniua

Reserves: 18. Matt Ikuvalu 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Max Bailey

Team news: Key forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension), Boyd Cordner and Sio Siua Taukeiaho (both calf) are out. Isaac Liu, Zane Tetevano and Angus Crichton move into the starting side with Nat Butcher, Poasa Faamausili and Lindsay Collins joining the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Sio Siua Taukeiaho is down with a calf injury and a definite sell for those with trades. James Tedesco is a great captaincy option yet again against Titans in a day game at SCG. He is currently the most popular skipper at 17.1 per cent, well ahead of Jason Taumalolo at 10.3 per cent. And finally a huge shout out to Nat Butcher who somehow averaged 75 in the last month despite playing with broken ribs.

Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Jack Stockwell 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sam Stone 13. Jai Whitbread

Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Brenko Lee 17. Bryce Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Ash Taylor 19. Mitch Rein 20. Will Matthews 21. Leilani Latu

Team news: Dale Copley (knee) is replaced at centre by Brian Kelly. Ryley Jacks (ribs) returns at halfback in place of AJ Brimson (hip). Brenko Lee joins the bench in place of Leilani Latu. Ash Taylor (personal reasons) has been included on the extended bench and could make a long-awaited return.

SuperCoach analysis: Next.

DRAGONS V EELS

Sunday 4th August, Jubilee Oval, 4pm

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. Jeremy Latimore 15. Korbin Sims 16. Patrick Kaufusi 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Josh Kerr 20. Matt Dufty 21. Mikaele Ravalawa

Team news: Patrick Kaufusi and Jeremy Latimore (knee) come onto the bench for Josh Kerr and Matt Dufty.

SuperCoach analysis: Proponents of the VC loophole welcome the return of Jeremy Latimore and promotion of Patrick Kaufusi. These changes mean Josh Kerr, the most popular “nuff” in SuperCoach, drops out of the 17 and won’t ruin auto emergencies.

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

Interchange: 14. Marata Niukore 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. David Gower 17. Tepai Moeroa

Reserves: 18. Josh Hoffman 19. Peni Terepo 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Andrew Davey

Team news: Brad Takairangi is a shock selection on the wing, with Michael Jennings (knee) returning and Ethan Parry dropping out. Shaun Lane (finger) returns in the back row with Marata Niukore moving to the bench and Oregon Kaufusi dropping out.

SuperCoach analysis: Manu Ma’u is the most purchased player in SuperCoach this week after averaging 68 points and 78 minutes over the last seven rounds. Yet he still sits in the POD range at 12 per cent ownership. Get on. This is a good round to load up on Eels in your 17 as they are taking on the woeful Dragons. Play the likes of Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses, Ma’u etc.