NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 21
It’s the tale of two fullbacks this week with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to James Tedesco the most popular trade.
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WINNERS
* Damien Cook - The top point-scorer in SuperCoach this year will play for the Rabbitohs despite an elbow injury.
* Tevita Pangai Jnr - Returns from suspension in his favourite edge back row position, where he should play 80 minutes.
* Jai Arrow - Returns from a serious ankle injury for the Titans. May emerge as a POD option for the run home.
* Sam Burgess – Cleared to play for the Rabbitohs following a successful trip to the judiciary.
* James Tedesco - By far the most purchased player this week following a stunning 155.
LOSERS
* Sio Siua Taukeiaho - Will miss at least another week with a calf injury. Second most sold player.
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COWBOYS V BRONCOS
Thursday Aug 8, 1300SMILES Stadium, 7.50pm
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Coen Hess 4. Tom Opacic 5. Gideon Gela-Mosby 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. Peter Hola 19. Reuben Cotter 20. Corey Jensen 21. Murray Taulagi
Team news: Gideon Gela-Mosby takes the wing spot of rookie Murray Taulagi in the only change.
SuperCoach analysis: Jason Taumalolo plays the first game of the round for the third week in a row and is therefore out of captaincy calculations, although he’s a definite VC option for those putting the C on Tommy Turbo in the next game. Taumalolo has a two game average of just 64 but will surely better this in an all-Queensland derby, at home, in a must-win game, against his nemesis Pangai (Lolo will surely seek revenge after Pangai got the better of him in Round 2).
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. Tevita Pangai Jnr 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange: 14. James Segeyaro 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Rhys Kennedy 17. Pat Carrigan
Reserves: 18. Gehamat Shibasaki 19. Herbie Farnworth 20. Xavier Coates 21. Shaun Fensom
Team news: Matt Gillett (groin/back) remains sidelined. Tevita Pangai Jnr (suspension) returns with Alex Glenn switching from back row to centre and Xavier Coates dropping out. Andrew McCullough (shoulder) has been named and is expected to play despite failing to finish last week.
SuperCoach analysis: Tevita Pangai is back from suspension and a must for 17s this week. He’ll be refreshed from a week in the naughty corner, will play 80 minutes on the edge (by far his best position for SuperCoach) and always fires up against his great mate Taumalolo. Kotoni Staggs just keeps scoring tries (five in last three weeks). However, he is rightly the fourth most sold player after peaking at a massive $267,700 price rise, with an upgrade to Latrell/Bateman/Ma’u definitely on.
EARLY MAIL: Predicted team changes
CHEAPIE ALERT: Freak youngster emerges
REVIEW: 10 things we learned from last week
WARRIORS V SEA EAGLES
Fri Aug 9, Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Gerard Beale 3. Peta Hiku 4. Blake Ayshford 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Lachlan Burr
Interchange: 14. Adam Keighran 15. Sam Lisone 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Ligi Sao
Reserves: 18. Josh Curran 20. Adam Pompey 21. Hayze Perham 22. Leivaha Pulu
Team news: Kodi Nikorima (ankle) and Karl Lawton are out. Chanel Harris-Tavita has been promoted from the bench to starting five-eighth in place of Nikorima, with Adam Keighran added to the bench. Ligi Sao and Sam Lisone also join the interchange. Josh Curran drops out of the 17.
SuperCoach analysis: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is the most sold player by a long way as people move to the Teddy/Turbo combo. RTS only scored 38 against the Raiders last week, his second worst score of the year. It’s fair to say a few SuperCoaches (including this columnist) freaked out last week when Jazz Tevaga made a late switch to hooker. However, the shift led to 80 minutes for 73 points, including an outrageous 64 tackles. He has averaged 69.8 in the last five rounds and is therefore in the Sangster’s Paradise 17 every week.
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. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu 15. Corey Waddell 16. Morgan Boyle 17. Taniela Paseka
Reserves: 18. Jack Gosiewski 19. Lachlan Croker 20. Brendan Elliott 21. Lloyd Perrett
Team news: No changes. Des Hasler’s side have their top 17 on the park again after Api Koroisau (ankle) was a late inclusion last week.
SuperCoach analysis: Don’t be afraid to double down on the Tommy Turbo captaincy this week, despite his worst score of the year last round. Turbo’s involvement was still top class and he could easily have cracked the ton if a few things went his way. He also copped -10 in negative points, which won’t happen every week. Daly Cherry-Evans is the third most purchased player as SuperCoaches chase a POD in the halves. But he’s not for me unless he miraculously resumes the goalkicking duties (which won’t happen while sharpshooter Reuben Garrick is in the side).
PANTHERS V SHARKS
Fri Aug 9, Panthers Stadium, 7.55pm
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. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Moses Leota 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Reserves: 18. Frank Winterstein 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Stephen Crichton 21. Matt Burton
Team news: James Maloney has been named pending his trip to the judiciary, where he faces a one-game ban for tripping. With five-eighth back-ups Jarome Luai (eye) and Tyrone May (stood down) also unavailable, NSW Cup young gun Matt Burton appears set to play No. 6 if Maloney is suspended. The return of Viliame Kikau (suspension) sees Frank Winterstein drop out of the side. Wayde Egan (shoulder) is out, replaced on the bench by Sione Katoa. Youngster Spencer Leniu also joins the interchange.
SuperCoach analysis: James Fisher-Harris is the fifth most purchased player and the trade makes sense given he’s averaged 77.0 in last five games. That said, he’s on the “never again” list for Sangster’s Paradise after he averaged just 57 in the five rounds I owned him this year.
Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 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. Sione Katoa 21. Kyle Flanagan
Team news: Matt Moylan (concussion) is replaced at fullback by Josh Dugan. Josh Morris takes Dugan’s centre spot with Sosaia Feki (leg) returning on the wing. Star prop Andrew Fifita remains on the bench.
SuperCoach analysis: Shaun Johnson is rocking a four-game average of 86. Thoughts and prayers to the 5,000 SuperCoaches who sold over the last month. Wade Graham and Bronson Xerri have set up a beautiful combination on the left, which makes Xerri a must-play every week regardless of match-up.
DRAGONS V TITANS
Sat Aug 10, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 3pm
Dragons: 1. Corey Norman 2. Jason Saab 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Patrick Kaufusi 12. Tariq Sims 13. Tyson Frizell
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Korbin Sims 16. Jackson Ford 17. Luciano Leilua
Reserves: 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Josh Kerr 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Zac Lomax
Team news: Blake Lawrie has been dropped with James Graham shifting to lock and Patrick Kaufusi getting a chance in the starting pack. 21-year-old Jackson Ford has been named for his NRL debut on the bench after scoring four tries in NSW Cup last week. Ford’s mammoth performance equated to 190 SuperCoach points.
SuperCoach analysis: Dragons v Titans. It’s not quite the “Spoon Bowl” but pretty close. When the two worst defences in the competition play each other — in a day game on a dry Sydney afternoon — it’s generally a recipe for SuperCoach points. POD Hunters should definitely target this game. Young gun Jason Saab, the fourth most purchased player this week, has been pretty handy in his first two games and would be a cheapie in most other rounds. But the time for money-making is over and Saab could cause serious VC loophole dramas. A nuff like Jarred Anderson is by far the better option.
Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Jai Whitbread 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sam Stone 13. Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Brenko Lee 17. Bryce Cartwright
Reserves: 18. Mitch Rein 19. Anthony Don 20. Treymain Spry 21. Leilani Latu
Team news: Jai Arrow (ankle) is a welcome return for the struggling Gold Coast. Jai Whitbread shifts to prop and Jack Stockwell drops out. Michael Gordon (hamstring) is replaced at fullback by the returning AJ Brimson (hip). Young gun Jesse Arthars takes the wing spot of Anthony Don.
SuperCoach analysis: SuperCoach beast Jai Arrow returns and he is literally the only player of relevance in this side. The Titans are going so bad that Arrow may be forced to play 80 minutes, which would obviously create a SuperCoach gold mine. Watch list.
EELS V KNIGHTS
Sat Aug 10, Bankwest Stadium, 5.30pm
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. Greg Leleisiuao 19. Peni Terepo 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Stefano Utoikamanu
Team news: No changes with forward Nathan Brown (knee/ankle) named despite failing to finish last week.
SuperCoach analysis: Manu Ma’u is verging on “must-have” status. Sangster’s Paradise are sick of taking punts on match-up dependent CTWs so Ma’u is in this week, and I’m looking forward to the extra sleep. Clint Gutherson is somehow the third most sold player despite some dream match-ups including Round 22 v Titans and Round 23 v Bulldogs at Bankwest. The Eels also play three of their final five at Bankwest, where they have won 6/7 with an average winning margin of 17.2 points.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kurt Mann 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Tautau Moga 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 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: No changes despite a horror 30-6 loss.
SuperCoach analysis: Kalyn Ponga is coming off his worst score this year since switching to from five-eighth to fullback (43). That screams “bounce back game”, making him a sneaky VC or C choice on the high scoring surface at Bankwest Stadium. The Knights simply must win to keep in touch with the eight and Ponga will be at the forefront.
BULLDOGS V TIGERS
S at Aug 10, ANZ Stadium, 7.35pm
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. Chris Smith
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Renouf Toomaga 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Reserves: 19. Kayne Kalache 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Jayden Okunbor 22 Ofahiki Ogden
Team news: Adam Elliott (finger) is out. He is replaced in the back row by Chris Smith with Raymond Faitala-Mariner coming onto the bench.
SuperCoach analysis: Will Hopoate just keeps getting it done. His five-game average of 79.4 is bettered only by Latrell Mitchell in the position. But does anyone have the intestinal fortitude to buy an outside back from the worst attacking team in the competition? Not many, if any, judging by his ownership of just 3 per cent.
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. Elijah Taylor 21. Josh Reynolds
Team news: No changes following an impressive win over the Cowboys.
SuperCoach analysis: Esan Marsters went large last week just when most sold. As predicted by Tim Williams on the Countdown Show, Marsters dominated North Queensland’s makeshift centre Coen Hess. However, 76 points with two tries is hardly elite and he remains a sell, especially without the goalkicking.
RAIDERS V ROOSTERS
Sun Aug 11, GIO Stadium, 2pm
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Nick Cotric 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. Dunamis Lui 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Ryan Sutton
Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Joseph Leilua 20. Emre Guler 21. Michael Oldfield
Team news: Star backs Nick Cotric (suspension) and Joey Leilua (spinal surgery) are key inclusions. Cotric returns at centre in place of Michael Oldfield. Leilua has been named in reserves. Ryan Sutton (calf) returns on the bench in place of Emre Guler.
SuperCoach analysis: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been without doubt one of the buys of the year in both actual NRL and SuperCoach, but he’s a popular sell this week for good reason (seventh most sold). The Raiders have a very tough run with the Roosters, Storm, Sea Eagles and Sharks over the next month. He wouldn’t make your 17 in any of those match-ups so it’s time to part ways.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joey Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Mitch Aubusson 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Poasa Faamausili17. Sitili Tupouniua
Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Lachlan Lam
Team news: International forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension) returns at prop with Zane Tetevano reverting to the bench and Lindsay Collins dropping out. Boyd Cordner and Sio Siua Taukeiaho (both calf) will miss at least another week.
SuperCoach analysis: James Tedesco is the most purchased player this week following a stunning 155. If you don’t own him you’ll fall behind and this is a definite instance to follow the sheeple. Likewise for Latrell Mitchell, who has averaged 81 since his Origin snub and is the eighth most purchased player despite recently overtaking Briton Nikora as the most popular player in SuperCoach at 55.2 per cent ownership.
RABBITOHS V STORM
Sun Aug 11, Central Coast Stadium, 4.05pm
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. Dean Britt 20. Corey Allan 21. Jaydn Su’A 21. Connor Tracey
Team news: No changes with Sam Burgess named ahead of his trip to the judiciary, where he faces a two week suspension. Damien Cook (elbow) is right to go despite a scare last week.
SuperCoach analysis: Sam Burgess is a hold after being cleared at the judiciary, although he’s definitely not a top 17 player this week against the Storm, who are statistically the best in the comp at restricting opposition back rowers. However, Burgess’s combination with Damien Cook is a thing of magic and he’s a definite POD play depending on match-up in the run home, once he builds up some match fitness.
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. Tui Kamikamica 16. Joe Stimson 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen
Reserves: 18. Solomone Kata 19. Max King 20. Tino Faasuamaleaui 21. Sandor Earl
Team news: Origin forward Christian Welch (ACL) has been ruled out for the season with Tui Kamikamica coming onto the bench.
SuperCoach analysis: Cameron Smith is coming good when it matters for the Storm, cracking three tons in the last four weeks. He has scored the second most points of any player in SuperCoach this year behind only Damien Cook.