NRL SuperCoach: Tom Sangster’s top 10 cheapies for 2019

SuperCoaches are missing out on a host of bargains. My first cheapie picked is currently just the 27th most popular player. I’m also backing players ranked 88th and 76th to surge into the top 20.

Cheapies are the cornerstone of any SuperCoach team and you’ll need approximately 10 in your initial side.

Below are the 10 I’m running with, as it currently stands.

Many of these names are familiar. Indeed, six of this list are in the top 10 most popular players.

However, SuperCoaches are also overlooking a host of bargains — my first cheapie picked is just the 27th most popular player.

I’m also backing players ranked 88th and 76th to start the year in the top 20 most popular players.

Tom Sangster has named his top 10 cheapies.

1 Adam Keighran

Club: Warriors

Position: HFB, Five-eighth

Price: $168,100

Only injury can stop the former Penrith lower grader from scoring the halves spot vacated by Shaun Johnson at the Warriors. The 21-year-old led the Panthers NSW Cup side to the minor premiership last season as a playmaker. In the previous season, Keighran made the Team of the Year at centre. He comes into 2019 as one of the biggest halves in the competition, which means more runs than the average playmaker, while he’s also a huge chance to kick goals. I’m backing Keighran for the biggest price rise of any player this season, yet he’s somehow owned by under 20 per cent. He’s currently just the 27th most-owned player, but should be top of the list.

2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Club: Raiders

Position: CTW, FLB

Price: $265,500

Currently the 76th most popular player in SuperCoach, but will start the year in the top 20, maybe the top 10 if everything works out. The Raiders are on the hunt for a fullback following Jack Wighton’s move to the halves and the former Warrior is a massive chance to snare the gig. At $265,500, he’s not quite a genuine cheapie but he still has huge room for improvement. As a guide to his potential output, CNK averaged 47 in five games as a winger in 2017, which equates to a price of approximately $450,000 and rise of almost $200,000.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for the Cook Islands.

3 Zac Lomax

Club: Dragons

Position: CTW

Price: $196,900

Certain to score a Round 1 spot at the Dragons at either centre or wing (centre is obviously preferred). Lomax is the talk of the town in SuperCoach, currently the most popular player at 55 per cent ownership and it’s hard to argue with the crowd. Dubbed ‘The Gifted One’ by NSW coach Brad Fittler, Lomax was arguably the Dragons’ best player in last year’s finals, but his price remains cheap after playing just two regular season games last year. Also, don’t be surprised if Lomax earns the goalkicking duties over Gareth Widdop later in the season.

Zac Lomax was a revelation in last year’s finals.

4 Dylan Brown

Club: Eels

Position: HFB, 5/8

Price: $168,100

Deserves his spot as the second most popular player in SuperCoach. Confirmed to start the year at five-eighth and at bottom dollar, Brown is simply a must-have. The New Zealand product is so highly-rated the Warriors attempted to poach him to replace Cronulla-bound Shaun Johnson, which prompted a stern reaction from the Eels.

5 Corey Allan

Club: Rabbitohs

Position: CTW, FLB

Price: $168,100

A far better chance for Round 1 than many think. In fact, I’ve pretty got him locked in, especially following confirmation of Robert Jennings’ exit. With Greg Inglis now confirmed to play centre this year following a pre-season knee issue, the fullback spot is open. Expect Alex Johnston to get first crack, but Allan is waiting in the wings. Even if he doesn’t earn the No. 1 jersey, he’s a huge chance for a wing spot after being named in the No. 2 in a near full-strength team for the weekend trial. There is no doubting Allan’s talent. In 2018 he became the first player to be picked in the Prime Minister’s XIII before making his NRL debut.

Corey Allan is in the running for a fullback or wing spot. Picture: Supplied by South Sydney Rabbitohs

6 Bronson Xerri

Club: Sharks

Position: CTW

Price: $168,100

Many are tipping this youngster as the next superstar of the NRL. Former Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan wanted to debut him last year but couldn’t because it’s against NRL rules (players must be 18 or over to play). Of course, Flanagan is no longer the coach but new mentor John Morris holds the rookie in similar esteem and has named him to start at centre in Cronulla’s first trial. One thing is certain, backline spots are open following the exits of Valentine Holmes, Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee and Ricky Leutele, with Josh Morris the only addition. Currently the 15th most popular player, which sounds about right.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Full SuperCoach News section / Cheapie Bible / Predicted round one teams / Sangster’s team / Champ’s team / Wilfred’s team / Tallis’s team / Copes’ team / Huge rule change / Top 10 rookies in NRL

7 Albert Hopoate

Club: Sea Eagles

Position: FLB, CTW

Price: $168,100

The son of John and brother of Will is well in the running for a Round 1 wing spot at the Sea Eagles and Hopoate therefore deserves his ranking as the fourth most popular player. Positions are open following the exits of Brian Kelly, Akuila Uate and Jono Wright. Teammate Reuben Garrick is also a massive chance for the opening round. Keep him on your watch list as he’s currently just the 125th most popular player at 3.3 per cent ownership.

8 Payne Haas

Club: Broncos

Position: FRF

Price: $181,100

This is not a misprint. Yes, Haas is suspended for the first four games. But he’s still a SuperCoach option for Round 1. The Brisbane young gun is certain to make the 17 on his return and with a lack of quality cheapies in the front row, just save the trade and get him in now. General consensus around the office has a trade worth $100,000, so there is definite benefit in running with Haas from the get-go. Even if your team suffers early injuries, he’ll be easy to cover as long as you have dual 2RF/FRF flexibility.

9 Paul Momirovski

Club: Tigers

Position: CTW

Price: $238,600

Currently just the 88th most popular player in SuperCoach. But the mail is strong that the Roosters’ unlikely preliminary final hero is in the running for a starting role at the Tigers, in which case he’ll jump well into the top 20. Momirovski was clearly highly rated by Roosters coach Trent Robinson, parachuted into a sudden death finals clash despite playing just one regular season game (his NRL debut no less). Replacing the suspended Latrell Mitchell, Momirovski scored the matchwinning try that got the Roosters into the grand final. He has joined the Tigers on a two-year deal from 2019.

10 Kurt Mann

Club: Knights

Position: CTW, HOK

Price: $258,900

Let me start by saying I’m not particularly confident with this pick. A lot will depend on trials as there’s a massive chance he gets eased into his new role at hooker. That said, he’s still the best bargain option at hooker as it currently stands. I definitely plan to run at least one cheapie at hooker because I’m not keen on Cameron Smith (ageing, no Billy Slater) and Damien Cook (overpriced following a career year and now coached by the “SuperCoach Killer”). Mann is the best of a bad bunch at the moment but I’m hoping Blayke Brailey, Jacob Liddle or Wayde Egan impresses in the trials.