NRL SuperCoach teams analysis round 5

SUPERCOACHES are sweating on popular players Tom Trbojevic, Shaun Johnson and Tevita Pangai Jnr.

WINNERS

* Tom Trbojevic - A shock inclusion in the Manly squad, albeit out of the 17, despite news he would miss two weeks with an ankle injury.

* Shaun Johnson - Named by the Warriors but yet to be cleared after sitting out last week with a groin injury.

* Tevita Pangai Jnr - Included in the reserves for the Broncos and almost 30,000 SuperCoaches have their fingers crossed the 2018 revelation makes the final squad.

* Christian Crichton - The Penrith young gun hasn’t set the world on fire in his opening two games but is a popular cheapie due to strong job security, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak out for another month.

LOSERS

* Adam Doueihi - The popular cheapie is now an auto emergency nightmare after scoring a bench spot at the Bunnies, with Adam Reynolds (knee) returning at halfback.

* Ligi Sao - The Warriors cheapie drops out of the 17 following the return of Simon Mannering (shoulder).

* Richie Kennar - The 12th most popular player in SuperCoach misses out again due to a hamstring injury.

* Sam Burgess - Suspended for two weeks after losing at the judiciary.

* Bryce Cartwright - Named on the bench once again, where he played just one minute last week. The most sold player.

* Kelepi Tanginoa - The popular front row cheapie is out for the season with an ACL injury.

* Josh Papalii - The former Test forward has been dropped by coach Ricky Stuart.

Tom Trbojevic has been named despite an ankle injury.

RAIDERS v BULLDOGS

Thursday, April 5th, 8:05pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joey Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Aiden Sezer, 7 Sam Williams, 8 Sia Soliola, 9 Siliva Havili, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Luke Bateman

Interchange: 14 Ata Hingano, 15 Shannon Boyd, 16 Dunamis Lui, 17 Liam Knight

Reserves: 18 Jack Murchie, 19 Michael Oldfield, 20 Blake Austin, 21 Josh Papalii

Team news: Josh Papalii has been dropped with Elliott Whitehead to play on the fringe and Liam Knight returning to the 17. Jack Wighton has been named despite being embroiled in an alleged scandal.

SuperCoach analysis: The Raiders have lost their first four, but there is still plenty of SuperCoach relevance in this side. In two weeks Jordan Rapana is predicted to be available for a $100,000 discount on his starting price, so start saving those pennies. Jarrod Croker has been as consistent as ever despite Canberra’s poor start, averaging 55 over the first month. Siliva Havili’s game time increased to 55 minutes on the weekend, well up from an average of 32 minutes over the opening rounds. He has scored just 20 points less than Cameron Smith.

Bulldogs: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Will Hopoate, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Jeremy Marshall-King, 7 Kieran Foran, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14 Fa’amanu Brown, 15 Danny Fualalo, 16 Francis Tualalo, 17 Kerrod Holland

Reserves: 18 Greg Eastwood, 19 Asipeli Fine, 20 John Olive, 21 Rhyse Martin

Team news: Aiden Tolman (ankle) is replaced at lock by Adam Elliott, with Kerrod Holland joining the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Jeremy Marshall-King was the most popular purchase last week, but his base stats are a serious worry after scoring 25, which included a try assist. The five missed tackles certainly didn’t help. Moses Mbye was the seventh most popular player last week but lasted just five minutes before a heavy head knock and he must pass HIA testing before being cleared this week.

SHARKS v ROOSTERS

Friday, April 6th, 6:00pm, Southern Cross Group Stadium

Sharks: 1 Josh Dugan, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Valentine Holmes, 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 Kurt Capewell, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 17 Joseph Paulo

Reserves: 18 Trent Hodkinson, 19 Kurt Dillion, 20 Edrick Lee, 21 Jack Williams

Team news: Josh Dugan (groin) and Matt Moylan (hamstring) have been named after missing out last week. Dugan’s return pushes Valentine Holmes to the wing, with Edrick Lee dropping out of the 17. Moylan replaces Trent Hodkinson at five-eighth.

SuperCoach analysis: Paul Gallen’s game time remains a worry at 52 minutes per game. Contrary to popular opinion that his game time would build with improved match fitness, his minutes haven’t budged over the first month and are well down on his 64 last year. At this stage, there will be better options when Gal bottoms out in a few weeks and there a better options RIGHT NOW in Tohu Harris, Coen Hess, Jai Arrow and Jake Trbojevic, who are all set to outpoint Gallen by the end of the year.

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Reece Robinson, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Dylan Napa, 11 Boyd Cordner (c), 12 Ryan Matterson, 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 15 Zane Tetevano, 16 Mitchell Aubusson, 17 Victor Radley

Reserves: 18 Nat Butcher, 19 Kurt Baptiste, 20 Mitchell Cornish, 21 Lindsay Collins

Team news: No changes despite a big loss to the Warriors last week.

SuperCoach analysis: Latrell Mitchell has banged out two 60s in a row. He looked unstoppable in scoring two tries, but has offered absolutely nothing in between those moments of brilliance. He won’t be a top five CTW by the end of the year, but is a hold while he keeps crossing the stripe. James Tedesco is as busy as ever and it’s only a matter of time before he clicks with Cronk, Keary and co. Ryan Matterson was back to 60 minutes last week after two games of 80 minutes. Bullet dodged.

PODCAST! Injuries and suspensions have wrought havoc on the Round 5 teams. Get the lowdown with Tom Sangster and Nick Campton.

DRAGONS v RABBITOHS

Friday, April 6th, 8:05pm, UOW Jubliee Oval

Dragons: 1 Matthew Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange: 14 Luciano Leilua, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Hame Sele

Reserves: 18 Jeremy Latimore, 19 Zachary Lomax, 20 Jacob Host, 21 Blake Lawrie

Team news: The Dragons have again stuck strong with their side following four wins on the trot.

SuperCoach analysis: Gareth Widdop retained his mantle as the best SuperCoach player this year with 55 on the weekend, but he’s way too expensive to seriously consider. Jack De Belin has gone to another level in actual NRL this year. He secured three Dally M points against the Knights before boldly declaring he’s “made for Origin”. However, SuperCoach-wise it’s a different story with his average dropping 17 points from last year, mainly due to reduced minutes. Euan Aitken and Nene McDonald continue to fire at CTW, which is the most open position in SuperCoach for a number of years, possibly ever.

Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Dane Gagai, 3 Greg Inglis (c), 4 Hymel Hunt, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Sam Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Mark Nicholls, 16 George Burgess, 17 Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18 Robbie Farah, 19 Jason Clark, 20 Braidon Burns, 21 Kyle Turner

Team news: Adam Reynolds (knee) returns at halfback. Adam Doueihi moves to the bench, which makes him an auto emergency nightmare for SuperCoach. Richie Kennar (hamstring) again misses out. Sam Burgess has been named pending his trip to the judiciary, where he faces a two week ban. Dane Gagai is named on the wing with Hymel Hunt at centre.

SuperCoach analysis: Adam Doueihi is now an auto emergency nightmare after moving to the bench. He still has a negative BE and is therefore guaranteed a rise just by taking the field, but will start leaking cash as early as next week. Sam Burgess will miss two weeks after losing at the judiciary. But with an average of 73 minutes and availability for the first bye, he’s a hold. Burgess’s suspension is music to the ears of last week’s third most purchased player and eventual matchwinner Cameron Murray, who should see a big increase from 55 minutes. Richie Kennar misses out due to a hamstring injury. However, with a break even of -21 and predicted rise of $65,400, he’s a hold.

TIGERS v STORM

Saturday, April 7th, 3:00pm (AEST), Mt Smart Stadium

Tigers: 1 Tuimoala Lolohea, 2 Corey Thompson, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Pita Godinet, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange: 14 Jacob Liddle, 15 Alex Twal, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18 Tyson Gamble, 19 Tim Grant, 20 David Nofoaluma, 21 Sauaso Sue

Team news: No changes following three wins from four games. Josh Reynolds (hamstring) is at least another week away.

SuperCoach analysis: SuperCoach 2018 has thrown up plenty of shocks, but no-one would have predicted the current CTW top four of Phillip Sami, Corey Thompson, Esan Marsters and Nene MacDonald. Robbie Rochow initiated another round of rises with 87 on the weekend, including a try, and he is predicted to peak at almost $500,000. He’s no longer just a placeholder for Chris McQueen and he looms as a borderline keeper, particularly given the Tigers play the first bye.

Storm: 1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Young Tonumaipea, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Brodie Croft, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Joe Stimson, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14 Brandon Smith, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Sam Kasiano

Reserves: 18 Justin Olam, 19 Patrick Kaufusi, 20 Ryley Jacks, 21 Felise Kaufusi

Team news: Will Chambers (suspension) is replaced by Young Tonumaipea at centre. Dale Finucane (broken thumb) is replaced by Kenny Bromwich at lock. Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) has been included in reserves as he eyes an NRL return.

SuperCoach analysis: Here’s a sentence you never expected to read. Cameron Smith is ranked SIXTH of all hookers and is the EIGHTH most sold player. He’s also no longer kicking goals, although that should change this week with the return of Felise Kaufusi from a hamstring injury, which will see Joe Stimson drop to the bench or out of the side. Cameron Munster sits 16th for all five-eighths and 13th of all fullbacks. But like Smith, he’s a proven SuperCoach player and definite hold.

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Saturday, April 7th, 5:30pm (AEST), Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusitua, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Bunty Afoa, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Leivaha Pulu, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Simon Mannering, 17 Anthony Gelling

Reserves: 18 Ligi Sao, 19 Mason Lino, 20 Tevita Satae, 21 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Team news: Simon Mannering (shoulder) has been named on the bench for his first game of the season, with SuperCoach cheapie Ligi Sao dropping out. Shaun Johnson (groin) returns after missing out last week.

SuperCoach analysis: Ligi Sao drops out to accommodate Simon Mannering and with a break even of 17, he’s done as a cheapie. However, he won’t drop in price while not playing, so SuperCoaches have time to wait for a quality cheapie or built a stash to upgrade. Tohu Harris is an elite keeper this year, having scored the 10th most points of any player. Shaun Johnson’s return is timely for a quarter of SuperCoaches, although it’s unclear if he will kick goals with his lingering groin injury, which has troubled him in the past.

Cowboys: 1 Ben Hampton, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Javid Bowen, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Michael Morgan, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 John Asiata, 16 Corey Jensen, 17 Ethan Lowe

Reserves: 18 Francis Molo, 19 Lachlan Coote, 20 Enari Tuala, 21 Kyle Laybutt

Team news: Jordan McLean (foot) is out long-term, replaced by Scott Bolton at starting prop with Corey Jensen joining the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: The Loch Hess Monster is looking every bit a keeper this year, scoring the sixth most points of any player. In terms of forwards, he trails only Jake Trbojevic. Hess has played 80 minutes on the right edge for the last fortnight, scoring 114 and 65. However, the stat that stands out most is not the two tries against the Storm, but rather the 40 tackles last week, belying his reputation as a base stat battler. With a break even of 10 and run of three games at home after this week, it’s now or never on a potential superstar of SuperCoach. Johnathan Thurston has a BE of 114 and is the third most sold player. However, JT is a proven SuperCoach performer and the Cowboys take on the Bulldogs (12th for defence), Titans (15th for defence) and Raiders (13th for defence) at home after the high-flying Warriors this week.

KNIGHTS v BRONCOS

Saturday, April 7th, 7:30pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Nathan Ross, 5 Ken Sio, 6 Brock Lamb, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Herman Ese’ese, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Jacob Lillyman, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Aidan Guerra, 13 Mitchell Barnett

Interchange: 14 Jamie Buhrer (c), 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jacob Saifiti, 17 Daniel Saifiti

Reserves: 18 Luke Yates, 19 Jack Cogger, 20 Danny Levi, 21 Cory Dennis

Team news: Nathan Ross moves to centre to replace Tautau Moga (ACL) with Ken Sio joining the side on the wing.

SuperCoach analysis: Slade Griffin played his third 80 minute game in a row on the weekend, although all matches were likely affected by injuries (to Tautau Moga, Sione Mata’utia and Mitchell Barnett respectively). With a break even of 27, the cow has more milk to give. But even so, a trade to a skyrocketing Coen Hess or Jai Arrow is hardly the worst move this week. Kalyn Ponga continues to impress, having scored the fifth most points of any player.

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jack Bird, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Korbin Sims, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14 Sam Thaiday, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Tom Opacic, 17 Jaydn Su’A

Reserves: 18 Jonus Pearson, 19 Tevita Pangai jnr, 20 Gehamat Shibasaki, 21 Payne Haas

Team news: Corey Oates (hip) is back, replacing Jonus Pearson on the wing. Tevita Pangai Jnr (hamstring) has been named in reserves and is a chance to return.

SuperCoach analysis: Jamayne Isaako had a shocker on the weekend and still scored 32. He remains a top 17 player, especially with the unavailability of Richie Kennar, Zac Lomax, Sione Katoa etc. Matt Lodge is averaging the same as Jason Taumalolo and five points more than Paul Gallen. Almost 30,000 SuperCoaches have their fingers crossed Tevita Pangai Jnr proves his fitness and makes the final team, but hopefully not with reduced minutes. Anthony Milford stunk it up with 32 against Titans and the old “captain Milford at Suncorp” theory is no longer an option while the Brisbane pack continues to get smashed up.

TITANS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, April 8th, 2:00pm, Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Konrad Hurrell, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Kane Elgey, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Will Matthews 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Max King, 16 Bryce Cartwright, 18 Morgan Boyle

Reserves: 18 Leilani Latu, 19 Jack Stockwell, 20 Keegan Hipgrave, 21 Tyronne Roberts-Davis

Team news: No changes following the shock win over local rivals the Broncos. Bryce Cartwright remains on the bench, where he played just one minute last week.

SuperCoach analysis: The Carty Party became the Search Party last week as the most popular player in SuperCoach spent 79 minutes hidden on the bench. He is rightly the most sold player — at a rate of FIVE TIMES the next most traded. Fittingly, the most popular target to replace Cartwright is the man who took his spot in the starting side — Jai Arrow. The former Bronco is a base stat beast, averaging 63 in 56 minutes over the last three weeks without any attacking stats. Forget Rapana, Croker, Lafai, Mansour and company, Phillip Sami is officially the best CTW in SuperCoach this year. He has seen the biggest rise of any player so far and is set for another $83,000 this week.

Sea Eagles: 1 Matthew Wright, 2 Brad Parker, 3 Dylan Walker, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Akuila Uate, 6 Lachlan Croker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Frank Winterstein, 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14 Jackson Hastings, 15 Shaun Lane, 16 Lloyd Perrett, 17 Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18 Lewis Brown, 19 Tom Tbrojevic, 20 Toafofoa Sipley, 21 Taniela Paseka

Team news: Tom Trbojevic (ankle) is replaced at fullback by Matthew Wright, although Trbojevic remains a chance after being included in reserves. Dylan Walker (ankle) returns from a long lay-off at centre with Brad Parker pushed to the wing. Frank Winterstein replaces Curtis Sironen (ACL) in the back row. Jack Gosiewski replaces Kelepi Tanginoa (ACL) on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Tom Trbojevic, now the top ranked player in SuperCaoch following a 158, has been named on an extended bench and is apparently a chance to play through an ankle injury, as he has done plenty of times in the past. Trent Barrett will no doubt keep us waiting until an hour before kick-off, which is far from ideal given the Sea Eagles play so late in the round. Kelepi Tanginoa is a sell after being ruled out for the season, but there is no rush to trade him as his price won’t change from here. Wait for a quality cheapie. With Tanginoa out and edge forward Jack Gosiewski joining the bench, Martin Taupau could be the game time beneficiary.

EELS v PANTHERS

Sunday, April 8th, 4:10pm, ANZ Stadium

Eels: 1 Will Smith, 2 George Jennings, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Kirisome Auva’a, 5 Josh Hoffman 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Kaysa Pritchard, 10 Tim Mannah (c), 11 Manu Ma’u, 15 Kenny Edwards, 13 Nathan Brown, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 14 Beau Scott, 16 Peni Terepo, 17 Tony Williams, 18 Cameron King, 19 Suaia Matagi, 20 David Gower, 21 Kane Evans

Team news: The Eels have stuck with the same side despite a fourth loss in a row.

SuperCoach analysis: George Jennings is a shining light in a very dull team. He scored 63 on his season debut last week and may emerge as cheapie for next round, although his spot in the side hinges on the return dates of Jarryd Hayne and Bevan French.

Panthers: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Christian Crichton, 6 Tyrone Peachey, 7 James Maloney, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Peter Wallace (c), 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14 Wayde Egan, 15 Corey Harawira-Naera, 16 Moses Leota, 17 James Tamou Reserves: 18 Jarome Luai, 19 Nick Lui-Toso, 20 Sione Katoa, 21 Kaide Ellis

Team news: Same 17 that scored a shock win over the Cowboys.

SuperCoach analysis: After a red-hot start, Trent Merrin has averaged just 41 in 41 minutes over last two weeks. He switches to prop this week, which suggests the run of poor game time will continue. He is the fifth most sold player with Coen Hess, Jai Arrow and Tohu Harris all ripe for the picking. Christian Crichton is hardly the best cheapie we’ve seen after averaging just 20.5 over his opening two matches. However, with Dallin Watene-Zeleznaik (broken jaw) not due back for another month, Crichton should see four rises and he only needs one big game to make serious money. Viliame Kikau has potential to be one of the greatest cheapest we’ve ever seen. He is set for another $75,000 rise this week and is predicted to peak in round eight at $500,000.