NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 22

PENRITH Panthers are the talk of the town in actual NRL following the shock axing of their coach — and they are also the team to target for the first week of SuperCoach finals.

PENRITH Panthers are the talk of the town in actual NRL following the shock axing of their coach and they are also the team to target on the first week of SuperCoach finals — presented by hipages.

WINNERS

* Tyrone Peachey - Again named at fullback despite the axing of Penrith coach Anthony Griffin. Scored 112 in the position last week and has averaged 85.5 since moving there a fortnight ago. Peachey has a dream match-up against Gold Coast, who concede the most SuperCoach points to fullbacks.

* Nathan Cleary - The most purchased player this week. As for Peachey, Cleary has a dream match-up against the Titans, who also concede the most SuperCoach points to halfbacks.

* Valentine Holmes - One of the hottest players in SuperCoach after doubling his ownership to 16 per cent in the space of a month, averaging 78 in that time. He has now picked up the goalkicking duties, which added an extra 22 points to his score last week.

* Cameron Smith - The hooking GOAT has been named for the Storm after being cleared of a serious foot/achilles injury. But at 50 per cent ownership (second most popular player in the game), SuperCoaches have a serious POD chance given Smith has three and five game averages of just 48.7 and 62.4. Worryingly, Smith has made just seven runs in his last five games.

* Andrew Fifita - Named for the Sharks but must pass concussion protocol. He has the advantage of a long turnaround.

LOSERS

* Tevita Pangai Jnr - Named in reserves for the Broncos due to ongoing injuries.

* Jamayne Isaako - The star cheapie and NRL rookie of the year contender switches back to the wing for the Broncos, despite two strong games at fullback.

* Adam Doueihi - The early-season cheapie is out for the season with an ACL injury.

Tyrone Peachey is a popular purchase.

Cowboys v Broncos

Thursday, 7:50pm, 1300 Smiles Stadium

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

Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 John Asiata, 16 Corey Jensen, 17 Scott Bolton

Reserves: 18 Ethan Lowe, 19 Gideon Gela-Mosby, 20 Lachlan Coote, 24 Francis Molo

Team news: Shaun Fensom (concussion) is replaced on the bench by Corey Jensen.

SuperCoach analysis: Johnathan Thurston is rocking the third highest three-game average of any halfback behind only Nathan Cleary and Ben Hunt. Over that time he has averaged 26 points more than the most popular player in the position, Shaun Johnson. He comes up against the Broncos this week, who he averages 65 against over his career. He’s not an option for Sangster’s Paradise given we are already running four gun halves (counting Anthony Milford as a gun for some reason), just food for thought for the romantics out there.

SuperCoaches learned a harsh lesson last week — never leave out Jason Taumalolo. He came into the round with a three-game average of just 53 and was therefore left on the pine by many. He went on to produce his best score of the year (112), including a try and try assist. Don’t do the same with Cameron Smith this week.

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Gehamat Shibasaki, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 David Fifita, 13 Joe Ofahengaue, Interchange: 14 Sam Tagataese, 15 Patrick Mago, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Kotoni Stags

Reserves: 18 George Fai, 19 Troy Dargan, 20 Jordan Kahu, 21 Tevita Pangai Jnr

Team news: Wayne Bennett has wielded the selection axe. Jordan Kahu has been dropped, Darius Boyd returns to fullback, Jamayne Isaako moves to right wing and Gehamat Shibasaki makes his debut at left centre. Tevita Pangai jnr (hamstring/groin) is unlikely to play after being dropped to reserves with David Fifita to start in the back row. Josh McGuire (suspension) is replaced at lock by Joe Ofahengaue. Sam Tagataese and Patrick Mago join the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Teenage debutant Gehamat Shibasaki would be a cheapie option at any other point of the year, but the time for cheapies is over (side note: boom rookie Kotoni Staggs may feel a tad dudded here). Tevita Pangai Jnr has been named in reserves but is expected to be rested due to ongoing groin/hamstring injuries. Sangster’s Paradise are selling to Latrell Mitchell, via duals. That said, I firmly believe Pangai will be a SuperCoach great one day, just not this year. Anthony Milford averages 68 against the Cowboys ... just leaving that hanging.

PODCAST!!! Teams are in for the first week of SuperCoach finals, which means sudden death for many. Join Tom Sangster and Nick Campton.

Warriors v Knights

Friday, 6:00pm, Mt Smart Stadium

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 Adam Blair, 13 Simon Mannering,

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Leivaha Pulu, 16 Bunty Afoa, 17 Peta Hiku

Reserves: 18 Anthony Gelling, 20 Joseph Vuna, 21 Chris Satae, 22 Karl Lawton

Team news: Sam Lisone (suspension) is replaced on the bench by Peta Hiku. Bunty Afoa is named pending his trip to the NRL judiciary.

SuperCoach analysis: Shaun Johnson is in a serious slump. He has averaged just 42 in his last five games, which ranks him a lowly 34th for all halves. However, he still sits fifth in terms of average following strong form over his first (injury-interrupted) nine games.

His form is frustrating but he has an eye-catching run home against the Knights, Bulldogs, Panthers and Raiders (three of which are at his favourite Mt Smart Stadium). Include Johnson in 17s this week, probably with the VC. Peta Hiku’s appearance on the bench could cause auto emergency nightmares for the 14 per cent who still own.

Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Jack Cogger, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Herman Ese’ese, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra

Interchange: 14 Jamie Buhrer (c), 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Pasami Saulo, 17 JJ Felise Reserves: 18 Nick Meaney, 19 Josh King, 20 Brock Lamb, 21 Luke Yates

Team news: Prop Josh King is out with Herman Ese’ese to start and Pasami Saulo to debut off the bench. Mitchell Pearce (quad) and Kalyn Ponga (ankle) have both been named.

SuperCoach analysis: Kalyn Ponga has been named at fullback, but as per coach Nathan Brown’s mutterings earlier in the week, may find himself in the halves if Mitchell Pearce (cork) is ruled out. Dally M favourite Ponga is a must for 17s regardless of position (the kid almost stole Origin II from NSW while playing prop). But fullback is preferred over five-eighth due to increased runs, likely in less traffic.

Rabbitohs v Roosters

Friday, 7:50pm, ANZ Stadium

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

Interchange: 14 Braidon Burns, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola, Reserves: 18 Billy Brittain, 19 Kyle Turner, 20 Dean Britt, 21 Tyrell Fuimaono

Team news: Adam Doueihi (ACL, season) is replaced on the wing by Richie Kennar in the only change.

SuperCoach analysis: Sam Burgess is the fifth most purchased player and by far the most purchased forward, rocking a five-game average of 74.4. With his injury issues, it’s hard for Sam to keep up consistency over an entire year, but the business end of the season is his time to shine. He has a habit of going large in big games, as shown with his 93 last week against the Storm. Damien Cook is the second most purchased player and if you don’t own him yet, you simply must get on this week. Cook’s captaincy numbers dipped last week due to a tough match-up against the Storm (although he still finished as the most popular skipper at 18 per cent).

However, Cook proved the POD hunters wrong with 110, including a try assist and match-defining solo try. He has now scored the most points of any player in SuperCoach by almost 100 points, despite missing two games. Just like Corey Parker and Paul Gallen in years gone by, it’s almost impossible not to hand Cook the “C” every week, even with another tough match-up this round against the form side in the competition. I’ll be sitting out Alex Johnston this week. The three-game average of 43 is hardly encouraging and the Roosters are the third best team at defending fullbacks.

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

Interchange: 14 Dylan Napa, 15 Zane Tetevano, 16 Mitchell Aubusson, 17 Sean O’Sullivan, Reserves: 18 Nat Butcher, 19 Kurt Baptiste, 20 Matthew Ikuvalu, 21 Lindsay Collins

Team news:No changes following a strong run of form with five-eighth Luke Keary (knee) still a few weeks away.

SuperCoach analysis: The Roosters are the form team of the competition, winning eight of their last nine. They have averaged almost 40 points in the last three games. They have a tough match up this week against the Rabbitohs but then face the Raiders, Broncos and Eels. In other words, SuperCoaches should (and are) clamouring to buy Roosters’ outside backs. Blake Ferguson (first for average) and Latrell Mitchell (second) are the best CTW eligible players in the comp this year.

Both are must-haves. Ferguson possesses base stats to rival most forwards, while Mitchell has the best three-game average of any player. Derided for his inconsistency at the start of the year, Mitchell has produced just one score below 32 this season. I’ll be buying this week even though he’s the most-owned CTW in the game, just to keep up with the crowd. Origin has finally proved to Latrell what he is capable of and it’s a matter of no Latrell, no league win, and no top 1000 for Sangster’s Paradise.

Titans v Panthers

Saturday, 3:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium

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 Kane Elgey

Team news: Keegan Hipgrave returns in the second row, pushing Will Matthews to the bench and Jai Whitbread to the reserves.

SuperCoach analysis: Jai Arrow is once again a genuine contender for 17s, sitting almost in the POD range for a player of his calibre after being sold by 7500 SuperCoaches over the last three weeks. Ryan James is the most sold player due to a five-game average of 48.6, scoring just 28 last week. Despite averaging a very commendable 56.8 over the last five rounds, cheapie AJ Brimson is understandably the fifth most sold player as SuperCoaches flock to Nathan Cleary.

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

Interchange: 14 Tyrone May, 15 Trent Merrin, 16 Moses Leota, 17 Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18 Christian Crichton, 19 Jack Hetherington, 20 Kaide Ellis, 21 Wayde Egan

Team news: Reagan Campbell-Gillard returns to the starting side for Moses Leota in the only change.

SuperCoach analysis: Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey are the flavour of the week, sitting first and second respectively on the most purchased list, for good reason (see above). The biggest risk with Peachey is if new coach Cameron Ciraldo moves him from fullback, which is the main reason to buy him in the first place. Viliame Kikau is a must for 17s against a side that concedes the second most points to 2RFs.

Sea Eagles v Bulldogs

Saturday, 5:30pm, Lottoland

Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Bradley Parker, 6 Dylan Walker, 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 Jack Gosiewski, 17 Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18 Frank Winterstein, 19 Matthew Wright, 20 Thomas Wright, 21 Toafofoa Sipley

Team news: No changes.

SuperCoach analysis: Not a great deal to speak of except to highlight that the Twin Turbos and Martin Taupau are musts for 17s every week no matter the opposition, but especially against the Bulldogs, who concede the third most points to both 2RFs and FRFs and sixth most to FLBs.

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 Danny Fualalo, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Chris Smith

Reserves: 19 Greg Eastwood, 20 Matthew Frawley, 21 Renouf Toomaga, 23 John Olive

Team news: Jeremy Marshall-King returns at halfback for Matt Frawley. Prop David Klemmer (suspension) is back, pushing Danny Fualalo to the bench and Greg Eastwood to the reserves.

SuperCoach analysis: Rhyse Martin really is God 2.0. He has the highest average of any 2RF and second highest of any player. He has averaged 78.1, which definitely places him in the range of the original “God” Corey Parker, despite not kicking goals in his first four games.

Eels v Dragons

Saturday, 7:30pm, ANZ Stadium

Eels: 1 Corey Norman, 2 Jarryd Hayne, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Clint Gutherson (c), 5 George Jennings, 6 Jaeman Salmon, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Siosaia Vave, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Tim Mannah (c), 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Kane Evans, 16 Peni Terepo, 17 Brad Takairangi

Reserves: 18 Bevan French, 19 David Gower, 20 Oregan Kaufusi, 21 Raymond Stone

Team news: Major reshuffle. Rookie Jaeman Salmon starts at five-eighth, Corey Norman to fullback, Clint Gutherson to centre, Jarryd Hayne to wing and Bevan French out. Will Smith returns on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Nathan Brown has averaged 78 minutes in the last three rounds and is a handy POD at just eight per cent ownership.

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Jordan Pereira, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Leeson Ah Mau, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Blake Lawrie, 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18 Jacob Host, 19 Nene Macdonald, 20 Zachary Lomax, 21 Hame Sele

Team news: Prop Paul Vaughan (ankle, finals) is replaced by Leeson Ah Mau with Blake Lawrie added to the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Euan Aitken is the ninth most sold player after averaging just 44.4 in the last five games. However, even with the Dragons’ poor form, he’s a definite hold due to a dream home run against the Eels, Tigers, Bulldogs and Knights. This week’s opponent Parramatta concede the most points to CTWs. Gareth Widdop is also off the boil, averaging 53.4 in the last five rounds. But again, he’s very hard to leave out this week given the match-up against last-placed Parramatta.

Raiders v Tigers

Sunday, 2:00pm, GIO Stadium

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

Interchange: 14 Dunamis Lui, 15 Shannon Boyd, 16 Siliva Havili, 17 Luke Bateman

Reserves: 18 Liam Knight, 19 Jack Murchie, 20 Makahesi Makatoa, 21 Emre Guler

Team news: No changes.

SuperCoach analysis: Leipana are at it again. It’s more than half a season too late but SuperCoach favourites BJ Leilua and Jordan Rapana have finally hit their straps. BJ is rocking five and three game averages of 78.6 and 100.3. Rapana has notched 95, 78, 29 and 96 since returning from a hamstring injury. And all this on a supposedly tough run that included the Sharks, Storm and Panthers in the last three weeks.

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

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Robbie Rochow, 17 Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18 Jacob Liddle, 19 Chris McQueen, 20 Pita Godinet, 21 Mahe Fonua

Team news: Malakai Watene-Zelezniak replaces Corey Thompson (ankle, season) on the wing, although Mahe Fonua (broken arm) is lurking in reserves as he aims to return.

SuperCoach analysis: Premium gun Esan Marsters comes up against the leaky Canberra side of Brad Abbey, Blake Austin and Sam Williams, making him a potential Hail Mary captain option for those behind in sudden death matches. Mahe Fonua has been included in reserves and is therefore a sneaky POD for the run home in a CTW position set to decide SuperCoach this year.

Storm v Sharks

Sunday, 4:00pm, AAMI Park

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

Interchange: 14 Kenny Bromwich, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Joe Stimson

Reserves: 18 Tui Kamikamica, 19 Brandon Smith, 20 Cheyse Blair, 21 Brodie Croft

Team news: Suliasi Vunivalu (compassionate leave) returns on the wing for Cheyse Blair.

SuperCoach analysis: Cameron Smith has been named despite a minor injury last week. At 50 per cent ownership, some may be tempted to go the POD route this week. But I’m backing Smith to do what Taumalolo did to SuperCoaches last week.

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Josh Dugan, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Sione Katoa, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham (c), 13 Paul Gallen (c)

Interchange: 14 Scott Sorensen, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18 Joseph Paulo, 19 Ava Seumanufagai, 20 Sosaia Feki, 21 Kyle Flanagan

Team news: No changes.

SuperCoach analysis: Andrew Fifita is under a concussion cloud and up against a suffocating Storm defence that concedes the least points to props. With Kikau and Arrow looking good this week, Fifita is a prime candidate to ride the pine. Conversely, Paul Gallen has averaged 87.6 against the Storm over his career. He turned back the clock with 91 last week and is owned by only six per cent, making him the pick of the PODs in the forwards.