NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 6

The teams are in for Round 6 and SuperCoaches have — thankfully and rarely — been spared by the Fantasy Gods.

WINNERS

* Andrew Fifita - The second most popular prop in SuperCoach has been named for the Sharks despite leaving the field with a hamstring injury on the weekend.

* Jai Arrow - Named despite an ankle injury, which has since confirmed as just a cork.

* Paul Vaughan - Cleared of a serious ankle injury and named for the Dragons.

* Chanel Harris-Tavita - By far the most purchased player this week, attracting almost triple the trades of the next player. CHT has averaged 73 in his first two games and is predicted to rise by $120,000.

* Bronson Xerri - The popular cheapie had a horror night with his hands against the Roosters, costing him two tries. However, with Matt Moylan out until Round 10, Xerri remains a must-have cheapie this week.

* Payne Haas - Produced a keeper-like 77 in 63 minutes in his first game of the year last week. A must-have cheapie for next week, but plenty are jumping the gun this week. Makes the switch from lock to prop following the injury to Matt Lodge (throat).

* Blake Ferguson - Named despite rib and nose injuries.

LOSERS

* Albert Hopoate - The popular pre-season cheapie suffered a second ACL injury in the lower grades and is out long-term. Still owned by eight per cent.

NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 6.

SHARKS V PANTHERS

Thurs 18 Apr, PointsBet Stadium, 7.50pm

Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Sione Katoa 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Paul Gallen (C)

Interchange: 14. Blayke Brailey 15. Jayson Bukuya 16. Jack Williams 17. Scott Sorensen

Reserves: 18. Kyle Flanagan 19. William Kennedy 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Aaron Gray

Team news: Prop Andrew Fifita (hamstring) has been named despite an early finish last week. He’ll be given until game day to prove his fitness. Paul Gallen (ribs) also returns after missing two weeks. Jack Williams shifts to the bench with Braden Hamlin-Uele dropping out of the 17.

SuperCoach analysis: Andrew Fifita’s naming is music to the ears of 40 per cent of SuperCoaches. Keep an eye on Late Mail to see if he overcomes a hamstring injury. Either way, he is easy to cover given we’ll have a definite decision on his availability before first lockout. Shaun Johnson is somehow the 11th most sold player. As the saying goes, never sell a keeper. Especially a keeper with the greatest record of any halfback over the last seven years, who covers Round 16 and won’t play Origin.

Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Dylan Edwards, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris.

Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa, 15. Tyrell Fuimaono, 16. Moses Letoa, 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Reserves: 18. Jarome Luai, 19. Liam Martin, 20. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 21. Jed Cartwright

Team news: Tim Grant has been promoted to start at prop after returning from injury last week in Canterbury Cup. Reagan Campbell-Gillard drops to the bench. Wayde Egan (concussion) returns at starting hooker with Sione Katoa reverting to the bench. Isaah Yeo (shoulder) has been named after being cleared of major injury.

SuperCoach analysis: James Fisher-Harris is the fifth most purchased player. He has scored the 10th most points yet has flown under the radar at nine per cent ownership. He has significantly upped his game time from 58 minutes to 80 minutes this year and is playing mostly in the middle. These minutes are skewed due to injuries, especially a succession of early finishes for Isaah Yeo, who has suffered two concussions and a shoulder injury. But with Round 12 coverage, JFH remains a tempting POD nonetheless. Even so, Sangster’s Paradise are much more interested in Rhyse Martin, Viliame Kikau and even Angus Crichton. Nathan Cleary has bottomed out following a $75,000 price drop (BE 35).

BULLDOGS V RABBITOHS

Fri 19 Apr, ANZ Stadium, 4.05pm

Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Jayden Okunbor 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Will Hopoate 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jack Cogger 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Ofahiki Ogden 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Rhyse Martin

Interchange: 14. Michael Lichaa 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Adam Elliot 17. Chris Smith

Reserves: 19. Christian Chrichton 20. Marcelo Montoya 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 22. Fa’amanu Brown

Team news: Just the one forced change despite last week’s thrashing by the Dragons with Danny Fualalo coming onto the bench for Sauaso Sue (suspension).

SuperCoach analysis: Popular cheapie Jayden Okunbor had a shocker in actual NRL on the weekend (three errors) yet still scored 46 points. This is appears to be his “floor”, making him a near-must for your 17 each week at CTW. Rhyse Martin banged out another great score of 69 despite the Bulldogs’ huge loss to the Dragons. He now has scores of 65, 70 and 69 essentially all in base. Make plans to get him in before the Round 12 bye.

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Corey Allen 3. Kyle Turner 4. Dane Gagai 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Tevita Tatola 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ethan Lowe 17. Liam Knight

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Bayley Sironen 20. Rhys Kennedy 21. Jacob Gagan

Team news: No personnel changes but George Burgess shifts to starting prop in place of Tevita Tatola.

SuperCoach analysis: The retirement of Greg Inglis means cheapie Corey Allan is locked into the 17. Allan’s base stats are horrid (average 12 per game) but he’s shown plenty of talent in actual NRL and will go on a tryscoring run at some stage in such a potent backline. Hold until the Round 12 bye. Damien Cook is an absolute must-have — a captaincy option every week and well in the running for back-to-back top season point scorer titles (currently fourth). He beat his huge BE with 115 last week and has now bottomed out at a price drop of just $43,000.

S TORM V ROOSTERS

Fri 19 Apr, AAMI Park, 7.55pm

Storm: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Marion Seve 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. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Reserves: 18. Billy Walters 19. Patrick Kaufusi 20. Albert Vete 21. Curtis Scott

Team news: Suliasi Vunivalu (suspension) returns on the wing for Sandor Earl in the only change. Centre Curtis Scott (shoulder) has been named on the extended bench as he aims to return from injury.

SuperCoach analysis: The undefeated Storm lead the competition ... again. But for such a dominant team, they are incredibly boring for SuperCoach ... again. Melbourne has just two players in the 50 most popular — Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith. That said, Smith will emerge as a near-must for the Round 16 bye after averaging a commendable 58.6 so far.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Victor Radley, 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Zane Tetevano

Interchange: 14. Lindsay Collins, 15. Nat Butcher, 16. Poasa Faamausili, 17. Mitchell Aubusson

Reserves: 18. Sam Verrills, 19. Sitili Tupouniua, 20. Joshua Curran, 21. Lachlan Lam

Team news: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs) returns at prop, pushing Zane Tetevano to lock and Isaac Liu out of the 17. Still no sign of Jake Friend (shoulder) or Brett Morris (knee).

SuperCoach analysis: Proven keeper Angus Crichton is a great head-to-head buy after bottoming out at a $72,700 loss. At just four per cent ownership, he’s a huge POD. But Crichton is not an option for overall players as he is confirmed to miss rounds 12 and 16. Roosters ambassador Anthony Minichiello also confirmed on last week’s Countdown Show that Crichton will be eased through the rep season and won’t play 80 minutes every week (he averaged 79 minutes last year at the Rabbitohs but that won’t continue at the Roosters). Latrell Mitchell has bottomed out at a $66,200 discount on his starting price.

WARRIORS V COWBOYS

Sat 20 Apr, Mt Smart Stadium, 5.30pm

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 2 David Fusitu’a 3 Peta Hiku 4 Solomone Kata 5 Ken Maumalo 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita 7 Blake Green 8 Agnatius Paasi 9 Issac Luke 10 Leeson Ah Mau 11 Adam Blair 12 Tohu Harris 13 Lachlan Burr

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga 15 Sam Lisone 16 Bunty Afoa 17 Isaiah Papali’i

Reserves: 18 Nathaniel Roache 20 Leivaha Pulu 21 Gerard Beale 22 Patrick Herbert

Team news: Blake Green (groin) has been named despite a late withdrawal last week. Gerard Beale drops out of the 17.

SuperCoach analysis: Chanel Harris-Tavita is set for a $120,000 price rise and is an obvious must. Adam Keighran to Harris-Tavita is trade of the week - almost five times more popular than next on the list. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may be the one that got away for Sangster’s Paradise. He has scored the third most points of any player and his eye test results are off the charts. Without Shaun Johnson, RTS is the key attacking weapon and everything goes through him. As former champ Wilfred Zee points out, his performances this season are nearly at 2015 levels.

Cowboys: 1. Te Maire Martin, 2. Justin O’Neill 3. Jordan Kahu, 4. Enari Tuala 5. Ben Hampton 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Michael Morgan 8. Matt Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Josh McGuire 13. John Asiata

Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Coen Hess, 16. Scott Bolton 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Corey Jensen , 19. Javid Bowen, 20. Shane Wright, 21. Mitchell Dunn

Team news: Nene Macdonald (ankle) is out long-term, replaced by Justin O’Neill on the wing. Scott Bolton (suspension) returns on the bench in place of Corey Jensen. John Asiata (elbow) has been named despite an injury last week.

SuperCoach analysis: The Cowboys are struggling big-time and sit 15th on the ladder. They are a black hole for SuperCoach, especially without Jason Taumalolo. Josh McGuire is the Cowboys’ highest scoring player at a lowly 43rd. There are no players to target until Taumalolo returns for the Round 12 bye.

DRAGONS V SEA EAGLES

Sat 20 Apr, WIN Stadium, 7.35pm

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Blake Lawrie

Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Zac Lomax, 16. Jacob Host, 17. Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18. Mitchell Allgood 19. Jai Field 20. Lachlan Timm 21. Jonas Pearson

Team news: No changes with Paul Vaughan (ankle) cleared of serious injury and expected to play.

SuperCoach analysis: After a slow start, Mikaele Ravalawa has three tries in three weeks. He has made almost $160,000 so far and still has a break even of -2. Hold for now, but prepare to sell over the next few weeks (I’ll likely sell to Payne Haas next week via duals). Jacob Host is the second most sold player after making almost $90,000. His game time dropped to 40 minutes last week with Tyson Frizell back from injury, down from an average of 69 over the opening month. Definitely time to go.

Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brad Parker, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C), TBC, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic.

Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu, 15. Jack Gosiewski, 16. Corey Waddell, 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Kelepi Tanginoa , 19. Sam Smith, 20 Morgan Boyle, 22 Trent Hodkinson

T eam news: Addin Fonua-Blake will miss two matches after being found guilty at the judiciary on Tuesday night.

SuperCoach analysis: Reuben Garrick is the 10th most sold player after making $140,000. With Xerri, CHT and Haas must-haves over the next few weeks, I can definitely see why people would sell. However, he also covers Round 12 and has impeccable job security. He’s a reluctant sell for Paradise this week. Daly Cherry-Evans has the most points of any halfback. With his price at $712,000 and BE 121, cash him in for a fallen gun.

TITANS V KNIGHTS

Sun 21 Apr, Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm

Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Brian Kelly 5. Dale Copley 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Mitch Rein 10. Ryan James 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Phillip Sami 15. Keegan Hipgrave 16. Max King 17. Jai Whitbread

Reserves: 18. Moeaki Fotuaika 19. Jack Stockwell 20. Jesse Arthars 21. Ryley Jacks

Team news: Ashley Taylor (ACL sprain) has been named despite initial fears he would miss up to three weeks. Jarrod Wallace (suspension) is replaced by Shannon Boyd (hamstring), who returns from injury. Phillip Sami replaces AJ Brimson (broken thumb) on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Jai Arrow is somehow the 12th most sold player. Clearly those SuperCoaches haven’t seen the news that Arrow’s injury is just a cork. He has been named and will play.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Hymel Hunt, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Mason Lino, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Danny Levi, 10.James Gavet, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Tim Glasby

Interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Herman Ese’ese, 16. Daniel Saifiti, 17. Josh King

Reserves: 18. Sione Mata’utia, 19.Jamie Buhrer, 20. Brodie Jones, 21. Tautau Moga

Team news: Aidan Guerra (ankle) is out for four months, replaced on the bench by Herman Ese’ese.

SuperCoach analysis: Kalyn Ponga is the sixth most purchased player and rightly so. He has averaged 85 since moving to fullback. With a BE of 18, this is the week to buy at a $65,900 discount on starting price. David Klemmer is the eighth most purchased player after scoring the third most points of any prop at an average of 71. His only big attacking stat is a linebreak assist, so he’s scored almost every point in base stats. While these numbers are impressive, he is an Origin certainty and would need to be sold before the Round 12 bye. Rhyse Martin is therefore a better option at a similar price.

RAIDERS V BRONCOS

Sun 21 Apr, GIO Stadium, 4.05pm

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker (c) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton

Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Hudson Young 16. Sia Soliola 17. JJ Collins

Reserves: 18. Aidan Sezer 19. Corey Horsburgh 20. Jack Murchie 21. Bailey Simonsson

Team news: Junior Collins replaces Joe Tapine (ankle) on the bench in the only change.

SuperCoach analysis: There is so much SuperCoach goodness at the Raiders with popular stars Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (44 per cent ownership) and John Bateman (43 per cent) both on fire. Jarrod Croker, the most reliable SuperCoach CTW for the last seven years, is a massive target for the Round 12 bye. He has dropped almost $50,000 this year but has averaged a typically strong 50.2. Joseph Leilua and Jordan Rapana are also options.

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Jack Bird 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Payne Haas 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. David Fifita

Interchange: 14. Gehamat Shibasaki 15. Jaydn Su’A 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Patrick Carrigan

Reserves: 18. Shaun Fensom 19. Patrick Mago 20. James Roberts 21. Richard Kennar

Team news: Matt Lodge (throat) is out. Payne Haas switches to prop with David Fifita to start at lock. Gehamat Shibasaki joins the bench. James Roberts (achilles) has been included on the extended bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Payne Haas is the second most purchased player following 77 in 63 minutes in his first game back from a disciplinary suspension. He is one of those rare buys who could jump from cheapie to keeper in a season. Haas is therefore a must-have either this week or next, despite the fact his minutes were likely inflated last round due to Matt Gillett’s concussion and Tevita Pangai’s absence. Gillett has been named this round, but TPJ (suspension) is out for another week and Matt Lodge (throat) is injured, so expect big game time again for Haas this week. However, the Brisbane pack will be back to full strength next round, which is the major test of Haas’s game time. Expect an average of 45-50 minutes for the rest of the season. Even at that game time, he’s still a borderline keeper.

EELS V TIGERS

Mon 22 Apr, Bankwest Stadium, 4pm

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson (c) 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitch Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tepai Moeroa

Interchange: 14. Peni Terepo 15. Tim Mannah (c) 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ray Stone

Reserves: 18. David Gower 19. Kane Evans 20. Josh Hoffman 21. Greg Leleisiuao

Team news: Blake Ferguson (ribs/nose) has been named despite an injury last week. Youngsters Oregon Kaufusi and Ray Stone join the bench in place of Kane Evans and David Gower.

SuperCoach analysis: Blake Ferguson is the seventh most sold player, which is mystifying. He has been named by the Eels and is a chance to play despite rib and nose injuries. Even if he misses 2-3 weeks, he’s a hold. Ferguson has shown every sign of being a set-and-forget keeper and also covers Round 12 (pending Origin). Maika Sivo is the third most sold player after making almost $180,000. The BE of 52 is a clear indicator to sell, but be sure to check Round 12 numbers before pulling the trigger.

Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Robert Jennings 4. Esan Marsters 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Luke Garner 13. Josh Aloiai

Interchange: 14. Ben Matulino 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Michael Chee-Kam

Reserves: 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Elijah Taylor 20. David Nofoaluma 21. Chris McQueen

Team news: No changes.

SuperCoach analysis: Luke Garner was one of the most sold players last week, but initiated another round of price rises with 74, including a try. Well done to those who held. That said, he will need to be sold before Round 12.