NRL teams round 3, SuperCoach analysis: Joey Lussick emerges as most popular player as Zac Hosking benched

The most popular buy of the week Zac Hosking has been benched so it’s time to look further afield for SuperCoach value, writes TOM SANGSTER.

Tom Sangster runs his rule over the round three teams.

WINNERS

* Joey Lussick - What a lovely teams day indeed for Lussick. With Brendan Hands relegated from the 17, Lussick is now an 80 minute hooker. Well officially anyway after playing 77 minutes last week. But as always there are red flags. The attacking stats are unsustainable – he notched a try and try assist over the first two weeks with a 40/20 thrown in as well. The pure base of 31 is handy but hardly inspiring, although he’s still a solid purchase and by far the most popular buy this week.

* Payne Haas - The most popular gun at FRF has been named for the Broncos and is set to play despite a minor knee injury.

* Ben Trbojevic - Already the most popular player in the game at 68 per cent ownership but news Josh Schuster struggled in NSW Cup improves Burbo’s job security even more.

Joey Lussick is the most popular buy. Picture: NRL Photos

LOSERS

* Zac Hosking - The former Panther was the most popular buy heading into teams day and then, bang. Hosking has been dropped to the bench for the return of Elliott Whitehead and is no longer a purchase, even with the -56 BE. At best, it’s a one week cash grab for those who treat trades like confetti.

* Heilum Luki - Was looking an extremely promising mid-ranger until last week’s ankle injury, which will see Luki miss 6-8 weeks. Sell.

* Sua Faalogo - On Monday we ran the line that the star rookie and pre-season SuperCoach stud would return for the Storm. With Jahrome Hughes (suspension) and Cameron Munster (groin) out, Faalogo would play 14, we wrote. Alas, Faalogo suffered an ankle injury and is out this week with a timeframe yet to be determined.

* Jacob Gagai - The popular cheapie was a late omission last week in favour of Taane Milne and he’s been pushed even further down the pecking order this week due to the club debut of Jack Wighton.

BUY

* Terrell May - Last week’s most popular buy proved yet again over the weekend that he’s a beast. May is averaging 64 without a single big attacking stat and is set for $62,300 rise. Promoted to start last week ahead of veteran Jared Wearea-Hargreaves, May has played big minutes in both weeks - not that he needs them given the elite PPM of 1.2.

* Luke Brooks - Looks a new player after moving to the Sea Eagles. Brooks is averaging 69.5 over two games and has set up a price rise of $37,000. I wouldn’t sell Nathan Cleary, Nicho Hynes or Dylan Brown to get him in (more below), but he’s a great mid-range halves option and a definite trade option for Ezra Mam owners.

* Josh Curran - First the negatives. Curran’s game time of 61 minutes has likely been inflated over the last two weeks due to in-game injuries - in particular Poasa Faamausili’s concussion last week and Josh Addo-Carr’s shoulder injury the week before which pushed Jaeman Salmon wider. Regardless, Curran looms as one of the best mid-range purchases of the year, especially following Hosking’s benching at the Raiders. The PPM of 1.06 is very juicy and the best total of Curran’s career - a career in which he has threatened to become a SuperCoach gun but never quite got there mainly due to factors outside his control. Break even of -8 and set for a price rise of almost $50,000.

HOLD

* Kalyn Ponga - The most sold player this week and on some level it makes sense given the 159 break even and predicted price drop of $88,000. While Ponga is no doubt a superstar of the NRL, he has never put together a full season - even last year’s Dally M was a freakish run of games and not a full year. Is he only there for the Knights when the whips are cracking? Equally though, this is a man who came into the season arguably priced at an average of 30 under what he produced at his best last year. In other words, you bought him for a reason. He has a tough game this week against the Storm but also has some target games coming up against the Dragons, Dogs, Dolphins, Tigers and Titans – and he doesn’t have a bye until round 12. After that, it just so happens to be Origin and Ponga will no doubt be fighting to regain his spot. The whips will be cracking again.

* Nathan Cleary - Is this the year the SuperCoach superstar died? No, although you’d be forgiven for thinking so when looking at the most-sold list. While the likes of Cleary, Ponga and Hynes are set for big price drops, they are greats of SuperCoach and should not be traded. In Cleary’s case, while SC Plus predicts a $56,000 price drop, he is arguably the greatest SuperCoach halfback of all time and will no doubt come good. When you bought him you knew it was a tough run against Storm, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Sea Eagles and then the bye. But after the bye his schedule frees up with clashes against the Tigers and Bulldogs in the next month.

* Nicho Hynes - Rinse and repeat from above but Hynes has the added bonus of a clash against the Tigers this weekend. The big question is not whether to sell, but to VC or C?

SELL

* Ezra Mam - While we love Mam as an NRL player, his game is not suited to SuperCoach and his early-season ownership was no doubt inflated by that hattrick in the grand final.

CHEAPIE OF THE WEEK

* Kulikefu Finefeuiaki - Strangely low in the most-purchased list despite being named in the edge back row spot of the injured Luki. Ie: We have a potential 80 minute backrower for under $300,000.

CHEAPIES FOR NEXT WEEK

* Lachlan Galvin and Solomone Faataape - Both Wests Tigers young guns deserve a good look this week ahead of potential purchases next week. Galvin scored 49 on debut and ticks basically every SuperCoach box except two - he is only available at five-eighth and he plays for the Tigers (yuk). Faataape only scored 21 on debut and also has the problem of playing for the wooden spoon favourites. But he also has great job security for a cheapie following the injury to Starford To’a, who will miss at least two months. We watch and wait.

THINK AGAIN

* Ryan Papenhuyzen - The Pap is back on the most purchased list after scoring 132 on the weekend. He was no doubt brilliant but let’s remember the reason you avoided him in the first place - he’s not kicking goals and has the bye next week. He also only scored 30 in week one and the Storm are without both Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster this week.

Jackson Hastings has been dropped after Newcastle’s winless start to the year. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

FULL TEAMS WRAP BY MARTIN GABOR

It’s a bad week to be a halfback with some of the biggest names in the game ruled out or dropped for round three, with Jackson Hastings the latest playmaker to be axed.

The veteran No.7 has been demoted to an extended bench for Newcastle’s must-win game against the Storm, with the winless Knights bringing in Penrith premiership hero Jack Cogger to start in the halves while the luckless Jayden Brailey returns on the bench.

“That’s exciting for ‘Coggs’,” Panthers star Jarome Luai said when he heard the news.

“I know he’s ready for that opportunity with how he prepares and how professional he is. Whatever job the coach needs from him, I’m sure he’ll do it.”

The Knights will also be without powerhouse winger Greg Marzhew who will have wrist surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

The news is equally dire for the Storm with halfback Jahrome Hughes suspended for making illegal contact with a referee, while Cameron Munster remains sidelined with a groin injury.

Tyran Wishart will now start in the halves, with the electrifying Sua Fa’alogo unavailable after he picked up an ankle injury while carving up for the Bears, while prop Christian Welch will miss the game under concussion guidelines.

Fa’alogo was expected to win a place on the interchange bench against the Knights but is now expected to miss at least two weeks.

Fa’alogo scored three stunning individual tries for the Bears in a breathtaking display that had officials licking their lips over his return to first grade.

However, his comeback has now been delayed as he works his way back from injury.

Adam Reynolds will miss the grand final rematch due to a knee injury.

The Broncos have named Jock Madden at halfback to replace Adam Reynolds who is dealing with an MCL strain, while prop forward Payne Haas has been named despite dealing with a knee issue.

While he’s set to play, Brisbane’s opponents will be without their star forward with Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) ruled out of the grand final rematch.

There are a stack of changes at South Sydney, with confirmation halfback Lachlan Ilias has been dropped from the 17, with reigning NSW Cup player of the year Dean Hawkins brought in for the local derby.

Prized recruit Jack Wighton returns from suspension and will play left centre against a Roosters side that has opted to move Sandon Smith to five-eighth with Luke Keary (HIA) ruled out.

Luke Keary will miss the game against his former club following his latest head knock.

Angus Crichton and Connor Watson both come onto the bench, while Michael Jennings has been named 18th man as he looks to play his first NRL match since 2020 when he copped a doping ban.

The Eels have handed the exciting Blaize Talagi a debut at left centre with Bailey Simonsson (head knock) unavailable for the grudge match against Manly.

The Sea Eagles have also been forced to make a change to their backline with Ray Vaega coming in for Tommy Talau (ankle) who has been named on an extended bench that does not include Josh Schuster who will likely play NSW Cup again.

The Warriors are hopeful Wayde Egan will play on Friday after he succumbed to an elbow injury last week, while the Raiders welcome back skipper Elliott Whitehead from a calf complaint which sees Zac Hosking drop to the bench after a great start.

Josh Addo-Carr hasn’t been named by the Bulldogs as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, but there’s better news for the Titans with veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran back on deck.

And Benji Marshall has switched up his halves with Aidan Sezer starting and Jayden Sullivan dropping to the bench, while Justin Olam returns from a knee injury to make his club debut.

Despite racking up 8 Dally M points in the first two games, Radiers recruit Zac Hosking has been benched. Picture: NRL Photos

ROUND THREE TEAMS

PANTHERS v BRONCOS

Thursday 8pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

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. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Matt Eisenhuth16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Soni Luke 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Preston Riki 21. Paul Alamoti 22. Brad Schneider

BRONCOS

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

Bench:

14. Tyson Smoothy, 15. Fletcher Baker, 16. Kobe Hetherington, 17. Marty Taupau

Reserves: 18. Xavier Willison, 19. Tristan Sailor, 20. Delouise Hoeter, 21. Corey Oates, 22. Jaiyden Hunt

WARRIORS v RAIDERS

Friday 6pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

WARRIORS

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

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 20. Jazz Tevaga 21. Te Maire Martin 22. Jacob Laban 23. Chanel Harris-Tevita

RAIDERS

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

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Zac Hosking 17. Pasami Saulo

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Ata Mariota 21. Trey Mooney 22. Zac Woolford

ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS

Friday 8pm, Allianz Stadium, Moore Park

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Terrell May 17 Angus Crichton

Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Egan Butcher 20. Billy Smith 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Siua Wong

RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3.Jack Wighton, 4. Isaiah Tass, 5. Taane Milne, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Dean Hawkins, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Davvy Moale, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Tallis Duncan, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Thomas Burgess

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam, 19. Lachlan Ilias, 20. Shaquai Mitchell, 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Richard Kennar

BULLDOGS v TITANS

Saturday 3pm, Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore

BULLDOGS

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin 22. Kitione Kautoga 23. Chris

TITANS

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Jaimin Jolliffe

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Joe Stimson 19. Harley Smith-Shields 20. Jacob Alick 21. Thomas Weaver 22. Josiah Pahul

DRAGONS v COWBOYS

Saturday 5:30pm, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah

DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Viliami Fifita

Reserves: 18. Christian Tuipulotu 19. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Mathew Feagai 21. Ryan Couchman 22. Alec Tuitavake

COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford

TIGERS v SHARKS

Saturday 7:35pm, Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu

Reserves: 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Justin Matamua 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Brent Naden

SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Jack Williams 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Dale Finucane 15. Royce Hunt 16. Billy Burns 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Kayal Iro 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell

EELS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Morgan Harper 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Brendan Hands 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Daejarn Asi

SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Tommy Talau 20. Aaron Woods 21. Brad Parker 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

KNIGHTS v STORM

Sunday 6:15pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton

KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Jed Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Mat Croker 21. Dylan Lucas 22. Jackson Hastings

STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Kane Bradley 15. Tepai Moeroa 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Jack Howarth 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Shawn Blore