SuperCoach NRL 2019: Winners and losers from dual position assignment changes

SuperCoach NRL is handing out presents, and the odd lump of coal, with some players gaining dual position status and some losing it. We analyse whose been good and whose been naughty.

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The NRL Season is still months away, yet SuperCoaches are already scrambling to build their team and discovering that some of their favourite players from 2018 have lost or picked up dual position eligibility.

While some players who lost positions will undoubtedly still be highly owned, some may drop off and become potential PODs for SuperCoaches willing to stick with them. Meanwhile, players who have come out of 2018 with a new position available to them, could become valuable targets for SuperCoaches.

Former Australian leg spinner-turned revered commentator Kerry O’Keeffe names his team for SuperCoach BBL

BIGGEST LOSERS FROM DUAL POSITION CHANGES

Shaun Johnson (CRO)

Position: HFB (Lost 5/8)

Price: $603,000

Starting off with one of the biggest changes, SuperCoach gun of the past Shaun Johnson has lost his 5/8 dual position status and some flexibility with how you can play him. In 2019 you won’t be able to stack your halves with the three highest scoring playmakers in 2018 in SJ, Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans (though a new option has been added here and more of that below). SJ had a mixed 2018 campaign despite his 40.1% ownership, with his average of 64.4, his lowest since 2013. A poor 2018 (by his standards), the loss of his dual position and a move to Cronulla may have some supercoaches nervous about picking the up the stud in 2019.

Joe Tapine (CBR)

Position: 2RF (Lost FRF)

Price: $590,100

2018 was a breakout year for the Canberra backrower, allowing supercoaches to plug an 80 minute edge forward (playing next to Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana) into your front row position and get some consistent points. With an average of 63.1 and a high score of 138 in 2018, Tapine was shaping as someone I was all in on, until he lost his dual position. While Tapine still has a lot of upside as a likely 80 minute player, you’ll be forced to select him in at 2RF, which is pretty stacked position for SuperCoach talent already - for example Tapine’s 2018 average placed 4th best among available FRF but 8th at 2RF.

Big Viliame Kikau of the Panthers was a tackle breaking beast in 2018. Picture: Getty Images)

Viliame Kikau (PEN)

Position: 2RF (Lost FRF)

Price: $570,400

One of the cheapies of the year in 2018, Kikau was a monster on the left edge for the Panthers, playing 80 minutes for the final 10 matches of the season, and like Tapine, you could plug him in at FRF. Kikau was a dominant force for Penrith, making tackle busts at will and looks to keep it going, but the loss of his dual position is a big blow to his flexibility.

Cody Walker (STH)

Position: 5/8 (Lost FLB)

Price: $569,200

While most SuperCoaches opted for James Tedesco or Tom Trbojevic at fullback in 2018, Cody Walker was a decent POD option and the loss of his FLB dual position hits him hard. The pool of talent at 5/8 is a bit deeper than fullback, and the dual position allowed you to pick Walker and Gareth Widdop for example. While Walker was the highest scoring 5/8 for SuperCoach in 2018 he was only 13% owned, and the loss of his dual position could mean he becomes a POD for those willing to stick with him.

Ryan Matterson (WST)

Position: 2RF (Lost CTW)

Price: $521,500

One of the SuperCoach must haves of 2018, Ryan Matterson rose in price by more than $200k at his peak, and being able to pick an 80 minute edge backrower in your CTW was a huge boost. While many SuperCoaches jumped on the bandwagon, he was a trap for others (myself included) who missed 6 games right after I brought him into my team. However, putting that behind me, the prospect of plugging him into my CTW in 2019 was looking good, but without the dual position I think I’ll be passing on Matterson.

SUPERCOACH POISON: Players to avoid in 2019

SUPERCOACH PODS: 10 picks that could set you apart from the pack

The man who is putting Tom Sangster in a dress to start 2019: Coen Hess. Picture: Evan Morgan

Coen Hess (NQC)

Position: 2RF (Lost FRF)

Price: $547,200

I’m really starting to sound like a broken record now on front rowers, but I’ll repeat myself once more. Dual position forwards are really ideal to have because of the flexibility they bring to your team, especially back rowers that you can plug in at FRF. Props tend to have high base, but often don’t play enough minutes. Coen Hess transitioned from a bench player to an 80 minute backrower in 2018, and as a result ended up as the 5th highest point scoring FRF despite playing on an edge in real life. But at his price, I think there are better options at 2RF and you can probably hold off on Hess unless he get can back to his 2017 try scoring form.

John Sutton (STH)

Position: 2RF (Lost 5/8)

Price: $534,900

John Sutton has been a sneaky play for supercoaches looking for consistent points in the halves for some time and he certainly delivered on in 2018, finishing up with the second most total points at 5/8 with an average of 57.2. Despite being 34 years old, Sutton still managed to play 80 minutes in most games last year, and he could definitely repeat this in 2019. But, while he was the second best point 5/8 in 2018, he was only the 7th best 2RF, so there are plenty of players who should be in your line-up ahead of Sutton.

Kalyn Ponga’s move to playmaker for the Newcastle Knights adds another string to the star’s bow. Picture: Phil Hillyard

BIGGEST WINNERS FROM DUAL POSITION CHANGES

Moving on to something more positive, here are some of the players who are near must owns for SuperCoaches in 2019, after picking up dual position status.

Elliott Whitehead (CBR)

Position: 2RF, CTW

Price: $547,700

Starting off with one of my favourite dual position additions for 2019, is a backrower who you can plug into your backline. While only averaging 48.9 in 2018, being able to get consistent base points out of a CTW is a huge plus, and makes Whitehead someone you can rely on. Plus given the reduced forward depth at the Raiders, Whitehead’s role has become even more secure and he could even move in from an edge to the middle at some stage.

Kalyn Ponga (NEW)

Position: FLB, 5/8

Price: $614,300

While Ponga’s move to 5/8 for the Knights creates some uncertainty around his fantasy production, the added bonus from becoming a dual position is unreal, especially if he shifts back to fullback over the season. The big benefit of the dual position (which I’m sure many supercoaches would have loved in 2018) is being able to stack your team with James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic AND Kalyn Ponga. While this would be expensive, it would give your team some huge scoring upside and means you can focus on cheapies at other positions. If Newcastle call it quits on the 5/8 experiment, you can expect similar output to his 65.65 average in 2018, which is great if you have him as your supercoach 5/8.

Martin Taupau (MAN)

Position: FRF, 2RF

Price: $605,100

The second best FRF of 2018 (pipped by Andrew Fifita by just 7 points), Marty Taupau now gets his dual position eligibility back in 2018 and is shaping as a must own for SuperCoaches. While his average minutes were slightly down last season (from 52 to 51) his average scores were pretty much the same, at just under 65 PPG. While most SuperCoaches who bring him in will play him at FRF anyway, the 2RF eligibility and flexibility just makes him that much better.

Josh Papalii of the Raiders has received the Nick Campton tick of approval as a 2019 breakout candidate. Picture: AAP Image

Josh Papalii (CBR)

Position: 2RF, FRF

Price: $595,900

Josh Papalii really dropped under the radar in 2018, with other big name 2RF’s keeping him at only 4.6% ownership, despite being the 5th highest total point scoring backrower in SuperCoach. Had he been a FRF in 2018, he would have ended up as the 3rd highest averaging prop, and so the addition of his dual position means he could be a decent POD in 2018. The only concern is that he could be shifted to front row in real life (after the Raiders lost Junior Paulo, Shannon Boyd and Liam Knight to other teams) which could see reduced minute for Papalii in 2018.

John Asiata (NQC)

Position: FRF, HFB

Price: $346,800

A special mention has to go out to the man himself, John Asiata. While he may not be a must own for supercoaches in 2019, the Cowboys star has finally been rewarded for his creative flair, with a HFB dual position. An FRF, HFB has got to be the greatest positional combination in SuperCoach, and needs to be celebrated. Well done John, you did it.

OTHER NOTABLE DUAL POSITION CHANGES

Dane Gagai: CTW (Loses FLB)

Tariq Sims: 2RF (Loses FRF)

Corey Norman: 5/8, FLB (Was 5/8, HFB)

Iosia Soliola: 2RF, FRF (Gains FRF)

Brett Morris: CTW (Loses FLB)

Jahrome Hughes: FLB, 5/8 (Was FLB, CTW)

David Klemmer: FRF, 2RF (Gains FRF)

AJ Brimson: FLB, 5/8 (Was 5/8, HFB)

Isaiah Papalii: 2RF (Loses FRF)

Corey Oates: CTW (Loses 2RF)

Kurt Mann: 5/8, CTW (Was HFB, CTW)

Zac Lomax: CTW, FLB (Gains FLB)

Nick Cotric: CTW, FLB (Gains FLB)

Kerrod Holland: CTW, HOK (Gains HOK)

Joe Ofahengaue: FRF, 2RF (Gains 2RF)

Sio Siua Taukeiaho: 2RF, FRF (Gains FRF)

Corey Thompson: CTW, FLB (Gains FLB)

Adam Blair: FRF, 2RF (Gains 2RF)

Ben Hampton: CTW, FLB (Was 5/8, FLB)

Jake Clifford: 5/8, HFB (Gains HFB)

Aiden Sezer: 5/8, HFB (Gains 5/8)

Josh Reynolds: 5/8, HOK (Gains HOK)

Siliva Havili: HOK, 2RF (Gains 2RF)

Jeremy Marshall-King: HOK, HFB (Was 5/8, HFB)

Te Maire Martin: FLB, 5/8 (Was 5/8, HFB)

Michael Chee-Kam: 2RF (Loses CTW)

Slade Griffin: HOK (Loses 2RF)

Dylan Walker: CTW, 5/8 (Gains 5/8)

Sauaso Sue: FRF, 2RF (Gains 2RF)

Kieran Foran: 5/8, HFB (Gains HFB)

Tepai Moeroa: 2RF, FRF (Gains FRF)

Kotoni Staggs: CTW, 2RF (Gains CTW)