NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 23

SuperCoaches are ignoring a great POD in the search to replace the injured Gareth Widdop.

WINNERS

* Valentine Holmes - The most purchased player this week. Continues to carve up the second half of the season, notching 89 in a supposedly tough match-up last week against the Storm and rocking a five-game average of 83. However, perhaps most crucially, Holmes retained the goal kicking duties.

* Nathan Cleary, Shaun Johnson, Cameron Munster - Most popular replacements for the injured Gareth Widdop.

* Daly Cherry-Evans - The best POD replacement for Widdop. DCE has scored the most points of any halfback this year, is also rocking the best five-game average and has a great match-up against the Titans at Lottoland this week. Yet he is somehow owned by only nine per cent.

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* Kalyn Ponga - Named and expected to play despite talk he would be rested as he battles an ongoing ankle issue.

* James Tedesco - Named for the Roosters despite a late concussion last week.

* Lachlan Lewis - The popular cheapie was named for the Bulldogs after sitting out last week due to a family matter.

LOSERS

* Gareth Widdop - The highest scoring five-eighth in SuperCoach this year is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder.

* Alex Johnston - The centre/wing POD will miss at least a week with a minor hamstring injury.

* Jason Taumalolo - The second highest scorer in SuperCoach this year is out for a week through suspension.

* James Maloney - The Penrith playmaker is out until the finals with a knee injury.

Daly Cherry-Evans is a great POD. Picture. Phil Hillyard

BRONCOS vs RABBITOHS

Thursday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

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

Interchange: 14. Kotoni Staggs, 15. Joe Ofahengaue, 16. Korbin Sims, 17. David Fifita

Reserves 18. Patrick Mago, 19. Troy Dargan, 20. Gehamat Shibasaki, 21. Sam Tagataese

Team news: Last week’s debutant Gehamat Shibasaki makes way for Jordan Kahu. Josh McGuire (suspension) returns at lock. Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Jnr have been promoted to start with David Fifita and Joe Ofahengaue moving to the bench. Patrick Mago drops out.

SuperCoach analysis: Sangster’s Paradise are forced to play Anthony Milford this week against a Rabbitohs side that are the best at defending five-eighths. Wish me luck. Conversely, popular winger Jamayne Isaako has a reasonable match-up given Souths sit mid-table for points conceded to wingers, and the Rabbitohs are fielding a very inexperienced three-quarter line in this match.

Rabbitohs: 1. Dane Gagai, 2. Hymel Hunt, 3. Braidon Burns, 4. Tyrell Fuimaono, 5. Richie Kennar, 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. Mawene Hiroti, 15. Cameron Murray, 16. Jason Clark, 17. Junior Tatola

Reserves: 18. Matt McIlwrick, 19. Kyle Turner, 20. Dean Britt, 21. Connor Tracey

Team news: Dane Gagai switches to fullback for Alex Johnston (hamstring). Tyrell Fuimaono starts at centre with Mawene Hiroti named to debut from the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: After a relatively slow start to the season (average 56 over first five games), Angus Crichton has emerged as a top shelf back rower and he is currently the seventh most purchased player this week. He has the third highest average of any 2RF, featuring very strong base stats of 52 over the season. The injury to Alex Johnston caps a horror run for the Rabbitohs fullback, who has averaged just 41 since his ownership skyrocketed in round 16.

SEA EAGLES vs TITANS

Friday, 6:00pm, Lottoland

Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Brad Parker, 6 Dylan Walker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 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 Lloyd Perrett

Reserves: 18 Matthew Wright, 19 Tom Wright, 21 Toafofoa Sipley, 22 Taniela Paseka

Team news: Lloyd Perrett replaces Taniela Paseka on the bench in the only change

SuperCoach analysis: The Sea Eagles are the team to target this week considering a great match up against the Titans (who concede the most SuperCoach points of any side) at Lottoland. Those looking for a POD replacement for Gareth Widdop should look no further than Daly Cherry-Evans. He has scored the most points of any halfback in SuperCoach this year and is also rocking the best five-game average. Yet he is somehow owned by only nine per cent and sits outside the top 10 most purchased players this week.

Martin Taupau limped off after playing just 38 minutes last week, but has been named. The Sea Eagles play early in the week so double check his name is on the final team list. Tom Trbojevic is a near-must for the captaincy this week. He has averaged 86 at Lottoland this year and is backing up from a brilliant 111 (which could easily have been much more given Brian Kelly came very close to two tries from Turbo passes).

Tom Trbojevic is a captaincy option. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Konrad Hurrell, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Ash Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Ryan James, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Keegan Hipgrave, 13. Jai Arrow

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

Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot, 19. Jai Whitbread, 20. Leilani Latu, 21. Bryce Cartwright

Team news: Brenko Lee (hamstring) returns in the centres with Brendan Elliot dropping to reserves.

SuperCoach analysis: The game time of Jai Arrow continues to yo-yo, playing 41, 73 and 49 minutes over the last three weeks. Hopefully you have safer options for your 17 but with so many injuries and suspensions this week, Sangster’s Paradise are forced to play him. Ryan James went large as the most sold player last week, playing the full 84 minutes (including golden point) for 92 points.

STORM vs EELS

Friday, 7:55pm, AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. William 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. Joe Stimson, 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Cheyse Blair, 15. Tim Glasby, 16. Christian Welch, 17. Kenny Bromwich

Reserves: 18. Brandon Smith, 19. Tui Kamikamica, 20. Albert Vete, 21. Brodie Croft

Team news: Ryan Hoffman (hamstring) is out with a serious injury, replaced by Cheyse Blair on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Cameron Munster is the second most purchased player this week as SuperCoaches look to offload Gareth Widdop. While Munster can go as large as anyone, consistency has been an issue, highlighted by his last five scores of 14, 50, 103, 23 and 56. That said, he has a handy run home against the Eels, Titans and Panthers. Jahrome Hughes will be one of the buys of the season next year if named fullback in place of the retiring Billy Slater. Ditto for Munster if he gets the No. 1.

Cameron Smith is human and appears to be carrying an injury given his five-game average of 52. However, with all the injuries/suspensions this week, many SuperCoaches will be forced to play him. Hopefully he can return to form against Parramatta, who concede the equal second most points to hookers. In a positive sign, Smith ran the ball six times against the Sharks, a dramatic improvement on his recent stats (he had run just seven times in the previous five weeks).

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

Interchange 14. Oregon Kaufusi, 15. Brad Takairangi, 16. David Gower, 17. Siosaia Vave

Reserves: 18. Josh Hoffman, 19. Bevan French, 20. Ray Stone, 21. Cameron King

Team news: Tim Mannah (broken hand) returns at prop in place of Kane Evans (calf, round 24). Oregon Kaufusi has been named to debut off the bench in place of Will Smith.

SuperCoach analysis: Jaeman Salmon is the cheapie of the week following a strong 52 on his starting debut. While he’s unlikely to play in your 17, his dual five-eighth and centre/wing flexibility is handy and allows Gareth Widdop to be sold for a red-hot Valentine Holmes. Mitchell Moses is the eighth most purchased player following a brilliant ton against the Dragons, but he’s only an option for those who need to take big risks.

Jarryd Hayne has averaged a massive 72.8 since returning from injury in round 14. The carrot of another contract is clearly proving irresistible to the man once regarded as the best back in SuperCoach history. Even including his horror start to the year, Hayne is in the midst of his best statistical season since 2014.

PANTHERS vs KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3:00pm, Pepper Stadium

Panthers: 1 Tyrone Peachey, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Tyrone May, 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 Wayde Egan, 15 Trent Merrin, 16 Corey Harawira-Naera, 17 Moses Leota Reserves: 18 Kaide Ellis, 19 Christian Crichton, 20 Adam Keighran

Team news: James Maloney (knee) is replaced at five-eighth by Tyrone May. James Tamou (leg) returns from injury at prop. Jack Hetherington (suspension) misses out. Moses Leota and Wayde Egan join the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: The injury to James Maloney (knee, finals) is good news for Nathan Cleary, who will be forced to get his hands on the ball more often. Cleary is the third most purchased player this week, rocking a four-game average of 85. He has another decent match up this week against the Knights, who concede the sixth most points to halfbacks. We talked up Viliame Kikau is a must-play last week due to his dream match-up and he produced with 76 points.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 4. Cory Dennis, 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. Mitchell 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. Brodie Jones, 21. Luke Yates

Team news: No changes despite talk Kalyn Ponga (ankle) would be rested. Connor Watson (groin) is aiming for next week.

SuperCoach analysis: Kalyn Ponga hasn’t been quite himself since returning from a hamstring injury, averaging “only” 61.7 since and picking up a fresh ankle issue. Ponga is therefore the eighth most traded player as SuperCoaches look to cash in on Tommy Turbo’s dream match-up this week, or bring in a red-hot Valentine Holmes. These are definitely luxury trades, but also valid ones.

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TIGERS vs DRAGONS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Leichhardt Oval

Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Mahe Fonua, 5 Kevin Naiqama, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Michael Chee Kam, 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Luke Garener, 17 Matt Eisenhuth Reserves: 18 Jacob Liddle, 19 Robbie Rochow, 20 Tyson Gamble, 21 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Team news: Mahe Fonua (broken arm) returns at centre after a long lay-off. Kevin Naiqama shifts to the wing and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak dropping out. Chris Lawrence also returns from injury in the second row with Matt Eisenhuth moving to the bench and Jacob Liddle back to the reserves.

SuperCoach analysis: Mahe Fonua (broken arm) returns from injury and is a genuine POD option based on his stunning base stat performances at the start of the year. Esan Marsters continues to produce the goods, sitting second for total points at CTW. With a low score of 35 for the season, he has the highest floor we’ve ever seen in the position (discounting backrowers available at CTW such as Ryan Matterson, last year’s Angus Crichton and the Simon Mannering of old).

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene McDonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jordan Pereira, 6 Kurt Mann, 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 Jacob Host, 16 Blake Lawrie, 17 Luciano Leilua Reserves: 18 Zach Lomax, 19 Jai Field, 20 Hame Sele, 21 Darren Nicholls

Team news: Gareth Widdop (shoulder) is replaced at five-eighth by Kurt Mann, although fellow candidates Jai Field and Darren Nicholls have been included in reserves. Jacob Host (shoulder) returns from injury on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Gareth Widdop is unlikely to play again this SuperCoach season and is therefore a definite sell for those with trades. Euan Aitken has hit the skids, averaging 42.4 in the last five weeks compared to 59 before that.

SHARKS vs COWBOYS

Saturday: 7:30pm, Southern Cross Group Stadium

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Josh Dugan 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Paul Gallen

Interchange: 14 Kurt Capewell, 15. James Segeyaro, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18. Joseph Paulo, 19. Ava Seumanufagai, 20. Wade Graham, 21. Sione Katoa

Team news: Scott Sorensen replaces Wade Graham (knee) on the left edge with Kurt Capewell added to the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Valentine Holmes is rightly the most purchased player this week. Only Damien Cook has a higher five-game average and the newly-acquired goalkicking duties are the cherry on top. Sione Katoa was dropped last week, which is hardly huge news in the scheme of things but could leave some SuperCoaches short on depth given he remains the fourth most popular CTW.

Cowboys: 1. Te Maire Martin 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Gideon Gela-Mosby 6. Jake Clifford 7. Johnathan Thurston (C) 8. Matt Scott (C) 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. John Asiata

Interchange: 14. Ben Hampton 15. Francis Molo 16. Corey Jensen 17. Scott Bolton

Reserves: 18. Ethan Lowe 19. Kyle Laybutt 20. Shaun Fensom 21. Enari Tuala

Team news: Jason Taumalolo (suspension) will miss one week. He is replaced by John Asiata at lock with Francis Molo joining the interchange.

SuperCoach analysis: The suspended Jason Taumalolo is the fifth most sold player, which is crazy. The Cowboys have dream match-ups against the Eels and Titans over the final two rounds and will be looking to send off Johnathan Thurston a winner. Only sell Taumalolo if you have enough trades to buy him back next week. On Thurston, he has the third highest five-game average of any half or five-eighth (66.4) and is hardly the worst POD purchase to replace Gareth Widdop.

BULLDOGS vs WARRIORS

Sunday, 2:00pm, ANZ Stadium

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 12. Rhyse Martin 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Ofahiki Ogden 17. Greg Eastwood

Reserves: 19. Francis Tualau 20. Matt Frawley 21. Renouf To’omaga 23. John Olive

Team news: Lachlan Lewis (family matter) returns at five-eighth for Matt Frawley.

SuperCoach analysis: Rhyse Martin produced the worst score of his career last week ... but still cracked the half ton. He’s still “God 2.0” and a definite POD captaincy choice for those who need to make up ground late in the weekend. At the time of writing he is just the 10th most popular captain at 2.2 per cent.

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. Joseph Vuna, 20. Anthony Gelling, 21. Tevita Satae, 22. Karl Lawton

Team news: No changes.

SuperCoach analysis: Shaun Johnson is the fourth most popular replacement for Gareth Widdop. Clearly SuperCoaches are banking on pedigree, not form, with Johnson averaging just 50.8 over the last five weeks.

RAIDERS vs ROOSTERS

Sunday, 4:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1. Brad Abbey 2. Nick Cotric 3. Elliott Whitehead 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Sam Williams 8. Dunamis Lui 9. Josh Hodgson (C) 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Joe Tapine 12. Sia Soliola 13. Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14. Emre Guler 15. Luke Bateman 16. Siliva Havili 17. Junior Paulo Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 19. Liam Knight 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Michael Oldfield

Team news: The Nick Cotric fullback experiment is over. He switches to the wing with Brad Abbey named in the No. 1. Debutant Emre Guler replaces Jack Murchie on the interchange.

SuperCoach analysis: The Raiders have, in the main, bucked a very tough run home and feature some red-hot PODs. Joseph Leilua is rocking the best three-game average of any CTW — even better than Valentine Holmes and despite being sinbinned last week. Joseph Tapine is coming of a two-try ton, his second of the year, a massive boost for the seven per cent who held through the suspension.

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

Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Mitchell Aubusson 17. Sean O’Sullivan

Reserves: 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Kurt Baptiste 20. Paul Momirovski 21. Lindsay Collins

Team news: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs) is replaced at prop by Dylan Napa with Nat Butcher joining the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: This is a decent match up for James Tedesco given the Raiders concede the fifth most SuperCoach points to fullbacks. Surprisingly though, it’s not the best match up for popular guns Latrell Mitchell and Blake Ferguson, with the Raiders the fifth best side at defending CTWs. That said, Latrell and Fergo are must-plays every week.