NRL teams Round 13: How to use new KFC SuperCoach ‘best 13’ bye rule to your advantage

The all-important teams are in for Round 13 of the NRL and here’s how to use the new KFC SuperCoach ‘best 13’ bye rule to your advantage.

SuperCoach bye rules have changed dramatically for 2023 – and here is how to boss them.

For those unfamiliar with the new rules, this week and the two other tough bye rounds on 16 and 19 now run off a “best 13” rule, as opposed the a best 17 rule last year.

The big caveat here is that SuperCoaches must still pick a best 17 as per normal weeks, but only the best 13 count for your score, regardless of position.

Yes, regardless of position.

These three words are most crucial.

For example, I own Harry Grant (hooker), Nathan Cleary, Nicho Hynes (halfback) and James Tedesco (fullback). I have no back up in any of those positions and two of them – Cleary and Hynes – are in the same position at halfback.

In the past, these players would score big fat donuts this week as they are out through Origin and also on the bye.

The new bye rule makes Harry Grant an imoprtant hold. Picture: Getty

They still score zeroes this week but here’s the crucial detail.

Given only the best 13 count from your 17 named, the zeroes of Grant, Cleary, Hynes and Teddy will be substituted by scoring players in other positons (provided you have them).

In my case, the quartet will be replaced by my best my reserves in Dylan Brown, Jackson Ford, Josh Schuster and Jarrod Croker.

In other words, the SuperCoach obsession with covering tough positions like hooker, halfback, five-eighth and fullback for the byes is a thing of the past.

That’s why I’m holding onto the likes of Grant, Hynes, Cleary and Tedesco this week in the hope they will back up from Origin next week, which is arguably a tougher bye than this week given the triple whammy of the best 17 rule, Origin players backing up and three teams on the bye.

WINNERS

* Damien Cook HOK $582,100 - Having been overlooked for Origin the Rabbitohs hooker becomes hot SuperCoach property and he’s currently the most purchased player. This is a mistake. That’s not to say Cook, and his season average of 61PPG, is a bad get. He’s an 80-minute hooker with a tremendous pedigree who covers the next three games. All positives. But there’s a reason Cook did not win Origin selection. In the past four games, the Rabbitohs have scored 32, 28, 20 and 16 points and yet Cook has averaged just 56.5PPG over that span exceeding 60 just once. Jeremy Marshall-King is a better buy.

Damien Cook missed NSW selection and is therefore available for the Rabbitohs. Picture: NRL Photos

* Kalyn Ponga 5/8-FLB $511,300 - Dumped by the Maroons, Ponga is the sixth most popular pick up this week. Adding to his appeal is the news that Ponga will shift back to fullback with the Knights sending Lachie Miller to NSW Cup. If Ponga can rediscover his 2020/21 fullback form then he’s a great buy. But there are huge risks. The concussion history, combined with the chance of being added to the Maroons for Origin II or III is a lot of risk. But at the price and with a negative BE, the risk is worth taking. In other words, even if he tanks this week you make money.

* Campbell Graham CTW $742,800 - Ruled out of NSW 18th man duties due to a sternum injury that means he cannot train with the Origin squad early this week. But he’s still likely of playing for the Rabbitohs this weekend. Too expensive for those not already on but a huge boost for the 13 per cent who own the top scoring CTW in SuperCoach this year

* Jackson Ford 2RF $510,500 - The popular early-season cheapie is back in action after a week off for concussion and then the bye. This week is the reason so many held and he’s a great extra number.

LOSERS

* Reece Walsh FLB $649,100 - His form has dropped off a little of late but a 3RA of 67.3 is still very good. However, Ponga’s demotion means Walsh earns an Origin promotion and with that many are selling for good reason.

* Tom Trbojevic FLB $666,900 - It was always a Catch-22 last week. If he did poorly, he was available for SuperCoach on this week’s bye. If he did well, he earned an Origin spot. He promptly stepped up when it mattered with 165 and he’s therefore not available for the Sea Eagles this week.

Tom Trbojevic produced a blinder on the weekend.

* Lachlan Miller FLB/CTW $613,400 - Huge blow for owners given Miller’s undoubted SuperCoach ability (fourth most points of any CTW this year). This is a serious case of bad luck with a host of factors combining. Firstly, Ponga was a shock omission from the Origin squad. Then the Knights decided this week of all weeks was the time to move Ponga back to fullback, with Miller dropped to NSW Cup.

* Ryan Matterson 2RF $693,500 - The popular purchase is out with a calf injury in a huge blow for bye planners. On the plus side, his injury and that to Shaun Lane (hamstring, two months) is great for J’Maine Hopgood (more below).

* Ben Trbojevic CTW/2RF $246,200 - Last week’s popular cheapie is out with a hamstring injury. He’s still a handy swing man between 2RF and CTW and hasn’t made cash yet, so stash him out of the 17 for now.

* Origin players and Bulldogs, Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Storm, Titans, Tigers - For those living under a rock, Origin players are unavailable for their clubs this week and seven clubs are on the bye.

BUY

* Tohu Harris 2RF/FRF $602,700 - Second most purchased player behind Cook. Covers the next three weeks, Tohu and his stonking great base mean he’s not just a buy this week, but also a potential season-long keeper. Ongoing knee issues are a worry though.

* Jamayne Isaako FLB/CTW $680,600 - Absolutely killing it for the Dolphins with just three scores under 60, but three over 100. A season-worst of 44 points (twice) underlies just how reliable Isaako is as a play no matter who the opponent. The price is high but justifiable considering the output.

Campbell Graham and Kalyn Ponga have been named for their clubs despite being ruled out of Origin.

* J’Maine Hopgood 2RF $674,000 - As above, Hopgood’s worth has skyrocketed this week with the Matto and Lane injuries, while Junior Paulo (Origin), Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Andrew Davey (injury) are also out. A ‘swallow your pride’ moment is called for here. Hopgood was in 75 per cent of teams in round five and then widely sold off after a drop in minutes led to consecutive scores in the 40s. A mix of injuries at the Eels and irrepressible form have Hopgood back playing big minutes in the middle and that makes him a BUY. But make sure you do the numbers for next week, when Origin players are backing up and three teams including the Eels are on the bye.

* Mitchell Moses HFB $758,800 - Coming off a big 130 against the Rabbitohs, covering the bye AND playing against a team that just leaked 60+ points to the Wests Tigers, there are many reasons to jump on Moses this week. BUT tread with caution. Moses will be playing behind a very threadbare pack in round 13, misses round 14 and has a BE of 87 so is not guaranteed to make cash. While he can put up big scores he can also put in stinkers as his two sub-20 point games this season show. He is almost certainly the best halfback buy of the round – but not a great buy.

* Josh Schuster 5/8-2RF $331,800 - The silky hands were on display against the Raiders with Schuster racking up three try assists and two try contributions in a dominant performance. Don’t expect a similar score against the Knights as Schuster will undoubtedly miss Tom Trbojevic, but he’s still a buy at the price.

Josh Schuster returned with a bang last week. Picture: Getty

HOLD

* Harry Grant HOK $655,700 - Most popular sell but don’t move so fast. Selected for the Maroons and coming off a 37 point stinker against the Dolphins, the sell makes sense at some level. Sure he has not been as good as in previous seasons, but Grant is still averaging 69PPG and as he’ll share the hooking role for the Maroons he should back up from Origin I, especially with a five-day back-up. The best 13 rule means you should be able to cover him this week.

* Payne Haas FRF $702,900 - Don’t even think about selling.

SELL

* Cameron Murray 2RF $527,800 – A reluctant sell. Out through Origin this week and the run numbers, offloads and attacking stats are all down.

* Valentine Holmes CTW $624,400 - Origin and a Round 15 bye means Holmes will only play one game in the next three – sell.

* Zac Hosking 2RF $529,700 - Hasn’t played 80 minutes since four weeks ago and misses the bye.

* Jacob Preston 2RF $584,800 - Has made his money. No longer playing 80 minutes, misses this week and starting to leak cash – sell.

* Brandon Smith HOK $444,500 - Injured and set to miss up to eight weeks – sell.

* Isaiya Katoa 5/8-HFB $367,100 - Price has peaked, time to go.

FULL NRL ROUND 13 TEAMS

DOLPHINS v DRAGONS

Thursday, 7:50pm, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Valynce Te Whare

Reserves: 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Kurt Donoghoe 20. Edrick Lee 21. Jeremiah Simbiken 22. JJ Collins

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Michael Molo 11. Jack Bird 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Max Feagai 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Paul Turner

EELS v COWBOYS

Friday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Brendan Hands 16. Luca Moretti 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Haze Dunster 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Jack Murchie 22. Isaac Lumelume

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Robert Derby 6. Ben Hampton 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12 Heilum Luki 13. Jake Granville

Bench: 14. Jack Gosiewski 15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neme

Reserves: 18. Mitchell Dunn 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Thomas Duffy 22. Jason Taumalolo

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WARRIORS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 5:30pm, McLean Park, Napier

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Bayley Sironen 15. Josh Curran 16. Demitric Sifakula 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Ronald Volkman 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Kalani Going 23. Zyon Maiu’u

Broncos

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Billy Walters 10. Corey Jensen 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Xavier Willison 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Jock Madden 19. Tyson Smoothy 20. Delouise Hoeter 22. Israel Leota 23. Benjamin Te Kura

RABBITOHS v RAIDERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Liam Knight

Bench: 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Shaquai Mitchell 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Reserves: 18. Richard Kenner 19. Tyrone Munro 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Keaon Koloamatangi 22. Dean Hawkins

Raiders

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Pasami Saulo 11. Corey Harawira 12. Corey Horsburgh 13. Joseph Tapine

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Nick Cotric 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Danny Levi 20. Matt Frawley 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Peter Hola

KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jack Johns 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Lachlan Miller 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Adam Clune 22. Kurt Mann

Sea Eagles

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Cooper Johns 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Sean Keppie

Bench: 14. Christian Tuipulotu 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon

Reserves: 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Jake Arthur 20. Dean Matterson 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Morgan Harper

BYE: Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Tigers, Storm, Bulldogs, Titans