NRL teams Round 9: Raiders coach Ricky Stuart axes three SuperCoach cheapies

We know Ricky Stuart is volatile, but axing three cheapies in one week is strong areas even for him. TOM SANGSTER reveals the SuperCoach implications.

We know Ricky Stuart is volatile, but axing three cheapies in one week is strong areas even for him.

Simi Sasagi (CTW $285,300) and Chevy Stewart (CTW/FLB $216,700) were the two most popular cheapies last week, but both have missed the 17.

However, they are probably holds given they haven’t made much cash yet, in the hope they can jag a spot for the round 13 bye.

On the other hand, James Schiller (CTW $468,000) has done his job in making $230,000.

So it’s time to either downgrade to a fresh cheapie (David Armstrong is the best of the crop this week even though it’s a week early) or upgrade to a keeper (it’s hard to go past Reuben Garrick here).

Simi Sasagi is one of three Raiders cheapies axed. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

WINNERS

* Api Koroisau HOK $551,600 - Named for the Tigers despite a back injury. Keep an eye on Late Mail but the man himself says he will play. Even so, Koro could be a SuperCoach sell after back-to-back scores of 36.

* David Armstrong CTW/FLB $204,300 - Waiting a week is the smart move with Armstrong. The rookie was very impressive filling in for Kalyn Ponga at fullback last week with 17 runs, 12 tackle breaks and a try. With decent job security and available in the centres, you could grab Armstrong now with relatively low risk. But the ‘gold standard’ would be to wait and take a free look.

* Trai Fuller FLB $204,300 - Speaking of rookie fullbacks, Mr Fuller has been absolutely outstanding for the Dolphins and boasts an average of 93PPG and BE of -123. A popular buy, Fuller should provide those taking the chance with a decent short term cash boost of around $230,000, according to SuperCoach Plus. It’s only ‘short term’ because the Dolphins have Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scheduled to return in round 11. Available at fullback only, the buy also comes with some big opportunity cost as you need to cut a major gun to bring him in. It looks like Tom Trbojevic is the player being cut by the majority of Fuller buyers, more on that below.

* Jacob Gagai CTW/FLB $204,300 - Very popular but it’s hard to fathom this trade. Yes, Gagai has scored in both his games and is predicted by SuperCoach Plus to rise by over $100,000. But with Alex Johnston (hamstring) and Latrell Mitchell (suspension) due back next round, it’s a one-week sugar hit.

* Shaun Johnson HFB $797,200 - Named for the Warriors despite rumours he would be rested due to an Achilles injury.

* Blaize Talagi CTW $279,100 - Why is a player on the bye on the winners list? Well, with Clint Gutherson out for 4-5 weeks due to a knee injury, popular cheapie Talagi is a genuine option to take his spot next week and add to the $75,000 in price rises so far. Talagi was recently earmarked by coach Brad Arthur as the Eels’ long-term No.1, so we hold and hope.

LOSERS

* Eels players - On the bye and struggling for form. Shaun Lane and Joey Lussick are therefore very popular sells and it’s impossible to argue.

* Haumole Olakau’atu 2RF $712,600 - Suspended for two weeks in a huge blow for owners given he has scored the most points of any 2RF in SuperCoach.

BUY

* Reuben Garrick CTW/FLB $604,600 – ‘Wait a week’ was the advice on Garrick last week with the Manly star facing a BE of around 150. You, Dear Reader, know what happened next with Garrick scoring two tries, kicking six goals and scoring 145 points. With only one ‘bad’ game to his name (38 points against the Titans) and four scores of 70+, Garrick is a great price for arguably the best CTW in SuperCoach over the last five years. Manly are bad for the byes missing rounds 13 and 17, but grab Garrick now and provided he avoids injury you’ve one of your top-five CTWs locked away.

* Addin Fonua-Blake FRF $724,100 - ‘AFB can’t keep scoring tries’ said some buffoon* on the SuperCoach NRL podcast on Wednesday ... before Fonua-Blake bagged a pair on Thursday night. Clearly in the top-two FRFs for 2024, the sooner you get AFB the better. For those who can’t get the trade done you can hang your hat on three things:

1. He has a horrible record against the Knights, averaging just 45.3PPG from 12 games.

2. After the Knights it’s the Roosters and Panthers in a couple of tough matchups.

3. The Buffoon (*Rob) is now contractually required to never doubt AFB’s scoring prowess again.

* David Fifita 2RF $820,400 - Averaging 84PPG, coming off a thumping 126 point effort against the Warriors and in just 5% of teams. Well done to those who own and no arguments against those planning to own the big unit. With the Storm this week (against whom he averages just 44.2PPG over his career) you could wait but it’s hard to talk anyone out of this trade.

David Fifita scores against the Warriors. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

HOLD

* Tom Trbojevic FLB $797,400 - I can understand those jumping on Fuller, really I can, but I do not understand those selling the guy with the second-most points at the fullback position in order to do it. He may have let you down with the armband last week, but he has also scored 80+ in five of eight outings and scored a lazy 165 against the Raiders last time he played them.

* Nathan Cleary HFB $859,800 - ‘Rusty’ was the fairest way to sum up Cleary’s game last week against the Cowboys in which he kicked five goals straight, had a try assist and made 20 tackles yet finished with just 51 points. No doubt better for the run, Cleary has a great matchup this week against the Rabbitohs. The forecast is not great, but the FOMO is strong.

SELL

* Ethan Strange 5-8/FLB $505,500 - Strange has plateaued after a strong start to the season. With Jamal Fogarty out, Strange is now the chief organiser at the Raiders and it’s just not his jam at this stage of his career. The trade to Garrick costs just $100,000.

* Terrell May FRF $507,700 - Hard to argue with last week’s result, but the way Roosters coach Trent Robinson is messing with May’s minutes leads to the ineluctable deduction that Robbo hates SuperCoaches. Sell.

* Jack Bostock CTW $601,600 - Highlights the risks that come with chasing last week’s points, especially for outside backs. Following his big 131 point haul against the Eels in round seven, Bostock was one of the most purchased players heading into round eight. A measly 24 points against the Knights meant Bostock added just $24K and is forecast to add $15K more this week before losing it all the week after.

NRL ROUND 9 TEAM LISTS

RABBITOHS v PANTHERS

Thursday, 7:50pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Jacob Gagai 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Damien Cook 10. Davvy Moale 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 18. Tallis Duncan 19. Sean Keppie 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Dion Teaupa 22. Adam Christensen

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Jack Cole 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Brad Schneider 21. Preston Riki 22. Tyrone Peachey

SEA EAGLES v RAIDERS

Friday, 6pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Ethan Bullemor 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Aaron Woods 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Ben Condon 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Raiders

1. Albert Hopoate 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Nick Cotric 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 4. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Peter Hola 20. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru

BRONCOS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Corey Oates 19. Benjamin Te Kura 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Tristan Sailor 22. Blake Mozer

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Connor Watson

Bench: 14. Siua Wong 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Sandon Smith 22. Victor Radley

BULLDOGS v TIGERS

Saturday, 3pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe

Reserves: 18. Blake Wilson 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jacob Preston 22. Jake Turpin

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Bateman

Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole

Reserves: 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Starford To’A 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Alex Lobb 22. Solomona Faataape

TITANS v STORM

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Joe Stimson 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Jacob Alick-wiencke 21. Keano Kini 22. Aaron Schoupp

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Jack Howarth 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Grant Anderson 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Tristan Powell

COWBOYS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 7:35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Helium Luki 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo

Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Jaxon Purdue

Dolphins

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu

Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Edrick Lee 22. Mason Tague

KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Thomas Cant 22. Thomas Jenkins

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jacob Laban 17. Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 20. Zyon Maiu’u 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Tanner Stowers-Smith

SHARKS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 4:05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Royce Hunt 22. Billy Burns

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Toby Couchman 21. Luciano Leilua 22. Jesse Marschke

Felise Kaufusi is set to return from a hamstring injury. Picture NRL Photos

KAUFUSI AMONG RETURNING DOLPHINS

The Dolphins are hoping to be boosted by the return of backrowers Felise Kaufusi and Connelly Lemuelu for Saturday’s Queensland derby with the Cowboys.

While Kenny Bromwich (concussion) has been ruled out, and captain Jesse Bromwich (calf) is in some doubt, there is some relief for the injury-ravaged Redcliffe club.

Kaufusi is on track to return from a hamstring injury while rising forward Lemuelu punched out 80 minutes in the Hostplus Cup last weekend in his first game back from a knee problem.

If Kaufusi and Lemuelu are cleared to play, they will be welcome returns for a team smashed by injuries.

Broncos recruits Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth are still a month away from playing due to shoulder problems while star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is facing another fortnight out.

The Dolphins are hoping to bounce back from Sunday’s disappointing loss to Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium.

—Travis Meyn

TWO BIG GUNS BACK FOR TITANS

Titans coach Des Hasler is hoping to offset the loss of Maroons prop Moeaki Fotuaika with the return of two key players for Saturday’s clash with Melbourne.

Fotuaika has been ruled out of the Cbus Super Stadium showdown after suffering a head knock in the Anzac Day thriller against the Warriors.

While the loss of Fotuaika is a blow, Hasler is hoping to welcome back Broncos recruit Keenan Palasia (quad) and flying winger Phil Sami (ankle).

The Titans recorded their first win of the season in New Zealand and are looking for their first win on home soil for the year against the in-form Storm.

—Travis Meyn

MOSES EYES EARLY RETURN

Mitchell Moses will undergo x-rays on his fractured foot on Wednesday in a bid to make an earlier than expected comeback.

Mitchell Moses is hoping to return early. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The outcome of the scans could prove definining for both a Parramatta side desperate for their playmaker to return and so too NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire.

Moses was originally slated to return in round 12 against South Sydney, just 24-hours prior to the NSW Blues side for Origin I being named.

Not wanting to put any pressure on Moses, Eels officials confirmed to News Corp on Tuesday without speaking publicly that depending on the follow-up scan results, their influential leader is aiming to return one week earlier at Magic Round in Brisbane against the Storm.

Moses, the Blues incumbent five-eighth, has ground to make-up on several NSW pivot options including Penrith’s Jarome Luai, Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes, Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker and possibly Souths teammate Jack Wighton, who is yet to make himself available for the state series.

Ultimately, the eagerness for Moses to undergo the follow-up scans is due to his toughness to push through the pain barrier.

He courageously played for 25-minutes with his broken foot back in round three against Manly.

Moses has proven time and again just how willing he is by playing with a broken bone in his back during the 2021 State of Origin series and in 2022 he played on with a broken finger against Penrith.

The Eels have the bye this week.

—David Riccio