NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 25

RHYSE Martin has been named for the Bulldogs despite a knee injury, but is still the most sold player.

WINNERS

* Valentine Holmes - The form player in the competition, backing up from a stunning 131. If you have the money, get on.

* Johnathan Thurston - A serious POD selection in his final NRL game, which will be in front of a packed house on the Gold Coast, who concede the most points to halfbacks.

* Andrew Fifita - Currently a very angry man, which bodes well for SuperCoach scores.

* Rhyse Martin - The Canterbury sensation, who has the third highest average of any player, has been named despite going down injured last week. Even so, he remains the most sold player due to doubts over involvement, minutes and whether he retains the kicking duties.

LOSERS

* Kalyn Ponga - The second most popular fullback in SuperCoach is again out due to an ankle injury.

* Euan Aitken - Owned by almost a fifth of SuperCoaches, Aitken will miss 1-2 weeks with a hamstring injury.

* Kyle Flanagan - Potential buy of the year for 2019. Strong debut last week but misses out due to the return of Matt Moylan (leg).

Rhyse Martin has been named despite a knee injury.

RABBITOHS V TIGERS

Thursday 30 August, ANZ Stadium, 7.50pm

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Robert Jennings, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. George Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Sam Burgess

Interchange: 14. Hymel Hunt, 15. Cameron Murray, 16. Jason Clark, 17. Dean Britt

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns, 19. Tyrell Fuimaono, 20. Tevita Tatola, 21. Matt McIlwrick

Team news: Robert Jennings (hamstring) returns ahead of schedule on the left wing. Hymel Hunt drops to the bench and Tyrell Fuimaono to the reserves. Dean Britt has been named to play his first NRL game of the year on the bench in place of Tevita Tatola.

SuperCoach analysis: Damien Cook is a serious VC option and even a POD captaincy choice in the first game of the round. The Dally M favourite and top point scorer in SuperCoach this year is in the midst of a lean patch by his standards, averaging just 53.7 in the last three weeks. However, Cook has scored two tons already at ANZ Stadium this year and the Tigers rank in the bottom eight for defending hookers.

Sam Burgess has been a SuperCoach liability of late, averaging 44.3 in the last three rounds and 57.2 in the last five. Given his high ownership of 39 per cent, SuperCoaches are presented with a massive chance to punt on a POD. That said, the Tigers concede the second most points to props and most points to backrowers. Conundrum. Angus Crichton is rightly the most purchased player as SuperCoaches look to offload Rhyse Martin. Alex Johnston came into last week after a week off due to a hamstring injury and cleary wasn’t comfortable. The fullback’s involvement was way down, running just five times and making two errors for a shocking total of 12 points.

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

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15. Sauaso Sue, 16. Robbie Rochow, 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Jacob Liddle, 19. Luke Garner, 20. Tyson Gamble, 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Team news: Russell Packer is out through injury. Matt Eisenhuth moves to prop with Elijah Taylor (cork) returning at lock.

SuperCoach analysis: Esan Marsters is an automatic inclusion every week, and he has a surprisingly good match-up this week, despite coming up against the third-placed Rabbitohs. The Bunnies are a good defensive side but sit in the bottom eight for conceding points to CTWs.

WARRIORS V RAIDERS

Friday 31 August, Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu’a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Mason Lino, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Adam Blair, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Simon Mannering

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Isaiah Papali’i 16 Bunty Afoa, 17 Gerard Beale

Reserves: 18 Leivaha Pulu 20 Anthony Gelling 21 Chris Satae, 22 Karl Lawton

Team news: Gerard Beale (hamstring) returns on the bench in place of Leivaha Pulu. Blake Green (calf) remains sidelined with Mason Lino to continue in the halves.

SuperCoach analysis: Shaun Johnson is the top VC option after returning to form with 88 and 112. He has another decent match-up this weekend against the Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium, where he averages almost 70 over a large sample size of eight seasons.

Raiders: 1 Brad Abbey, 2 Nick Cotric 3 Michael Oldfield, 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin, 7 Sam Williams 8 Dunamis Lui, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Shannon Boyd, 11 Iosia Soliola, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14 Emre Guler, 15 Junior Paulo, 16 Siliva Havili, 17 Luke Bateman

Reserves: 18 Jack Murchie, 19 Liam Knight, 20 Makahesi Makatoa, 21 Aidan Sezer

Team news: Unchanged with Aidan Sezer (hamstring) again named in reserves after coming up short last week.

SuperCoach analysis: Canberra have made a mockery of SuperCoach schedule analysis, producing strong scores across the board since Origin despite a supposedly tough run of games. They have another tough match-up this week against the in-form Warriors in New Zealand, but Leipana are worth a crack in 17s given the Warriors concede the sixth most points to CTWs.

STORM V PANTHERS

Friday 31 August, AAMI Park, 7.55pm

Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Justin Olam, 3. Cheyse Blair, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Joe Stimson, 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Sam Kasiano

Reserves: 18. Ryan Hoffman, 19. Jahrome Hughes, 20. Albert Vete, 21. Ryley Jacks

Team news: Tim Glasby starts at prop with Christian Welch on the bench. Ryan Hoffman (hamstring) has been named in the reserves despite fears he would miss the rest of the season.

SuperCoach analysis: Cameron Munster (68) came good as the most purchased player last week. He has another decent match-up this week at AAMI Park against the out-of-form Panthers, who concede the sixth most points to five-eighths. Cameron Smith has hardly been in the best form, averaging 51 since Origin. However, he’s always hard to leave out AAMI Park, where he averages a tick under 80 over his career, especially with the minor premiership on the line and in Billy Slater’s final regular season game at home.

On Slater, he is the seventh most purchased player as SuperCoaches offload the injured Kalyn Ponga. It’s hard to argue with the masses, with Slater averaging 71.8 over the last five rounds and coming off a man-of-the-match ton against the Titans.

Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Tyrone Peachey, 5. Christian Crichton, 6. James Maloney (capt), 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Trent Merrin, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Moses Leota, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Sione Katoa, 19. Jack Hetherington, 20. Kaide Ellis, 21. Tyrone Phillips

Team news: James Maloney (knee) returns at five-eighth with Tyrone Peachey switching to centre for Dean Whare (broken arm).

SuperCoach analysis: Tyrone Peachey is the sixth most sold player following his move to centre, where he averages under 40 this year. Nathan Cleary is totally addicted to base. The Panthers got smashed last week and Cleary didn’t notch a single attacking stat, and only kicked two goals. Any other halfback would be lucky to score 30. Yet, Cleary managed to notch a more than respectable 68. He is by far the best base stat halfback in the history of SuperCoach.

EARLY MAIL: Predicted round 25 teams

CASUALTY WARD: Injury carnage strikes SC final

WILFRED’S WRAP: Red hot Holmes

KNIGHTS V DRAGONS

Saturday 1 September, McDonald Jones Stadium, 3pm

Knights: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 4. Cory Dennis, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Mitchell Pearce (capt), 8. Herman Ese’ese, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Jamie Buhrer (capt), 12. Aidan Guerra, 13. Mitchell Barnett

Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jacob Lillyman 17. Josh King

Reserves: 18. JJ Felise 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Brock Lamb 21. Luke Yates

Team news: The season of Kalyn Ponga (ankle) is season officially over. Jack Cogger replaces Connor Watson (groin) at five-eighth. Lachlan Fitzgibbon (concussion) is replaced in the back row by Jamie Buhrer. Jacob Lillyman and debutant Tom Starling earn spots on the bench with Luke Yates dropping off.

SuperCoach analysis: Kalyn Ponga is injured and therefore a must-sell for those with trades. Replacements include the red-hot Valentine Holmes, James Tedesco against the wooden spoon Eels, or Billy Slater in his final regular season game in Melbourne.

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene MacDonald, 3 Zac Lomax, 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 Jai Field, 16 Blake Lawrie, 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18 Reece Robson, 19 Patrick Herbert, 20 Hame Sele, 21 Jacob Host

Team news:Euan Aitken (hamstring) and Jason Nightingale (elbow) are out. Aitken is replaced at centre by early-season SuperCaoch cheapie Zac Lomax. Matt Dufty returns to the starting side for Nightingale with Jai Field added to the bench. Blake Lawrie replaces Jacob Host on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Euan Aitken’s run of woe is finally over due to a 1-2 week hamstring injury. After such a promising start (he averaged 59 over the first 17 rounds) he averaged just 34 over his final five games. Popular early-season cheapie Zac Lomax has been named in Aitken’s place. He may throw a spanner in loophole plans of the 15 per cent who still own him.

TITANS V COWBOYS

Saturday 1 September, Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm

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 (capt), 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Keegan Hipgrave, 13. Jai Arrow

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

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

Team news: Unchanged.

SuperCoach analysis: This is a much bigger game than it appears on paper for the Gold Coast given it’s in front of a rare packed house at Cbus Super Stadium for Johnathan Thurston’s last game. That said, Jai Arrow is the only SuperCoach-relevant player in this side and he’s only a last resort inclusion for 17s after averaging 50 minutes in the last five weeks.

Cowboys: 1. Ben Hampton, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Gideon Gela-Mosby, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston, 8 Matthew Scott, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Ethan Lowe 15 John Asiata 16 Shaun Fensom 17 Scott Bolton

Reserves: 18 Francis Molo 19 Jake Clifford 20 Javid Bowen 21 Shane Wright

Team news: Te Maire Martin (ankle) returns at five-eighth in place of Jake Clifford with Ben Hampton retaining the fullback spot. Shaun Fensom (concussion) replaces Francis Molo on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Load up on the Cowboys yet again in Johnathan Thurston’s final NRL game. Thurston himself is a must for 17s against the Titans, who concede the most points to halfbacks. Jason Taumalolo is again the safe captaincy option following his base stat special of 85 in 68 minutes last week.

EELS V ROOSTERS

Saturday 1 September, ANZ Stadium, 7.45pm

Eels: 1. Jarryd Hayne, 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Clinton Gutherson, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Siosaia Vave, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Tim Mannah, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Brad Takairangi , 13 Tepai Moeroa

Interchange: 14 Jaeman Salmon, 15 Kane Evans, 16 David Gower 17 Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves: 18 Ray Stone, 19 Cameron King, 20 Josh Hoffman 21 Greg Leleisiuao

Team news: Another backline reshuffle. Jarryd Hayne moves to fullback, Corey Norman to five-eighth, Jaeman Salmon to the bench and Bevan French earns a reprieve on the wing. Reed Mahoney starts at hooker and Cameron King drops to the reserves.

SuperCoach analysis: Parramatta literally have nothing to play for with the wooden spoon confirmed following last week’s 44 point massacre. With the Roosters coming off two losses and desperately searching for finals momentum, it could be a similar scoreline this week.

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

Interchange: 14 Nat Butcher 15 Zane Tetevano 16 Mitchell Aubusson 17 Ryan Matterson

Reserves: 18 Lindsay Collins, 19 Sean O’Sullivan 20 Paul Momirovski 21 Kurt Baptiste

Team news: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs) returns in place of Dylan Napa (suspension) at prop.

SuperCoach analysis: A definite team to target. James Tedesco is the fifth most purchased player as SuperCoaches look to offload Kalyn Ponga. Despite the Roosters’ woes in recent weeks, Teddy is rocking a three-game average of 72 and he’s a POD captaincy choice against this rabble. Blake Ferguson is the fourth most purchased player as SuperCoaches look to offload Euan Aitken and cash in on the dream match-up.

The dreaded ‘Lazy Latrell’ has returned in the last three weeks, averaging just 7.5 runs and 34 SuperCoach points. Take out points for goalkicking and he’s barely averaged above 20. Last week’s total of 17 points in negatives clearly didn’t help. However, Latrell plays well when Latrell wants to play well and Sangster’s Paradise are backing a fired up version of the Origin sensation to take the field. A must for 17s and a potential POD skipper for those who get behind in grand finals.

BULLDOGS V SHARKS

Sunday 2 September, ANZ Stadium, 2pm

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Kerrod Holland, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Matt Frawley, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson, 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Marshall-King, 15 Danny Fualalo, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Greg Eastwood

Reserves: 19 Francis Tualau, 20 Fa’amanu Brown, 21 Renouf Toomaga 23 John Olive

Team news: Unchanged. Rhyse Martin (knee) has been named and is a chance to play despite a heavy knock limiting him to just 17 minutes last week.

SuperCoach analysis: Rhyse Martin is the most sold player, despite being named. The injury may limit Martin’s work and minutes, and could even rob him of the goalkicking duties given back-up Kerrod Holland is also a sharp shooter.

When Reimis Smith burst onto the scene as a cheapie in round 17, no-one was expecting this. He was the most purchased player that week with almost 20,000 SuperCoaches jumping on in the hope of quick cash. Fast forward two months and Smith has not only created a pile of money (almost $300,000) but developed into a genuine top 17 player. He now sits with the fourth highest five-round average of any CTW.

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Josh Dugan, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen

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

Reserves: 18 Joseph Paulo, 19 Ava Seumanufagai, 20 Jesse Ramien, 21 Kyle Flanagan

Team news: Matt Moylan (hamstring) returns after a late withdrawal last week, replacing Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth

SuperCoach analysis: Andrew Fifita is currently a very angry man, which is when he produces his best football. He’s a potential POD captaincy choice late in the round. If you have a way to get Valentine Holmes into your side, do it.

BRONCOS V SEA EAGLES

Sunday 2 September, Suncorp Stadium, 4.10pm

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. James Roberts, 4. Jordan Kahu, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Jake Turpin. 10. Sam Thaiday, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Tevita Pangai Jr, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14. Patrick Mago, 15. Joe Ofahengaue, 16. Korbin Sims, 17. David Fifita

Reserves: 18. Sam Tagataese, 19. Todd Murphy, 20. Kotoni Staggs, 21. Jack Bird

Team news: Andrew McCullough (concussion) will sit the game out with Jake Turpin named to start at hooker.

SuperCoach analysis: Sangster’s Paradise will play Anthony Milford this week against the Sea Eagles, who concede the sixth most points to five-eighths. But perhaps more crucially, the game is at Suncorp Stadium, where Milford averages 72.45 over his career. Jamayne Isaako is also a tempting inclusion for 17s against a Manly side leaking points out wide.

Manly: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Matthew Wright, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Brad 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. Tevita Funa, 20. Tom Wright, 21. Toafofoa Sipley

Team news: Matt Wright replaces Jorge Taufua on the wing.

SuperCoach analysis: Tom Trbojevic is the Hail Mary captaincy choice for those who get behind in grand finals. He is currently skippered by under five per cent. Barring major mishaps, Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic and Martin Taupau will all end in the top five SuperCoach players this year, while Daly Cherry-Evans is pushing for a spot in the top 10 (currently 12th). This is an incredible effort for a team running second last.