SuperCoach NRL Cheapie Bible: The 2019 bargains that could make or break your season
We finally have a clear picture of Round 1 cheapies and the news isn’t good. In fact it’s time for a total overhaul, with a host of popular cheapies needing to be sold.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Roster Rater: Ins and outs from every club
- Stat Attack: SuperCoach NRL 2019 winners and losers
- POD watch: 10 players to make your season
- Most popular players: SuperCoaches flock to rookie
We finally have a clear picture of Round 1 cheapies and the news isn’t good.
In fact it’s time for a total overhaul, with a host of popular cheapies needing to be sold.
Popular cheapies on the sell list include Scott Drinkwater, Albert Hopoate, Bronson Xerri, Kurt Mann, Nathaniel Roache, Taane Milne and Jaeman Salmon.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Zac Lomax
Club: Dragons
Position: CTW
Price: $196,900
Quick verdict: Buy. Most-owned player in SuperCoach and it’s impossible to argue. Guaranteed a wing spot in Round 1 and arguably the Dragons’ best player in last year’s finals. Sneaky goalkicking chance later in the season, especially if Gareth Widdop’s poor run with injury continues.
Full analysis: Lomax is the talk of the town in SuperCoach, currently the most popular player at 55 per cent ownership. The man Brad Fittler calls ‘The Gifted One’ has more than enough ability to make it up to us in 2019.
Injuries cruelled much of 2018 for Lomax but the big outside back still managed eight games for the Dragons in NSW Cup scoring seven tries, setting up three more and busting 18 tackles.
Still well in the bargain bin thanks to playing just two matches in the NRL regular season last year (one of those a five minute zero point cameo off the bench in round 10 and the other a full 80 minutes in round 25 where he scored 43 points with four goals and a last touch).
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Dylan Brown
Club: Eels
Position: HFB, 5/8
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Buy. Deserves his spot as the second most popular player in SuperCoach. Certain to start at five-eighth for the Eels and bottom dollar. Must-have.
Full analysis: Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has confirmed the 18-year-old is frontrunner for the five-eighth spot vacated by Corey Norman. “I have sat him down and told him that we want to give him first opportunity,” Arthur said. “I don’t like making promises I can’t keep. It is up to him. At this stage he is training alongside Mitchell Moses and he is earning the trust of his teammates ... He is going to give himself every opportunity.”
Brown is so highly-rated the Warriors attempted to poach him to replace Cronulla-bound Shaun Johnson, which prompted a stern reaction from the Eels that their star youngster is signed until 2020 and not for sale.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Scott Drinkwater
Club: Storm
Position: FLB
Price: $219,400
Quick verdict: Sell. The youngster was looking good for Billy Slater’s vacated fullback spot at Melbourne before going down in the final trial. He is out for 10-14 weeks with a pectoral injury.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Corey Allan
Club: Rabbitohs
Position: FLB, CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Buy. Wayne Bennett says Allan is unlikely to start Round 1. But our mail is different. The former Bronco is a massive chance for a wing spot at the Rabbiotohs, which would make him a must-have for SuperCoach. Currently the fourth most popular player after scoring a hat-trick in the Charity Shield.
Full analysis: How good is Allan? In 2018 he became the first player to be picked in the Prime Minister’s XIII before making his NRL debut. Tagged as a future Queensland Origin representative from a young age, Allan played Queensland under 20s (2017) and under 18s (2016) and Junior Kangaroos in 2017 and 2018.
When asked to step up against men in the Intrust Super Cup Allan did not disappoint. In 17 games he averaged over 100 running metres per game and scored nine tries, assisting in six more and busting 62 tackles.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Briton Nikora
Club: Sharks
Position: CTW, 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Buy. Well in contention for the starting edge back row spot of Wade Graham (ACL), who will miss the first 2-3 months. A must-have if named to start, and still an option if named on the bench.
Full analysis: It all adds up — highly rated by new coach John Morris and has crucial dual position flexibility between the backs and forwards. Rightly in the top 20 most popular players.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Reuben Garrick
Club: Sea Eagles
Position: CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Buy. A near-certainty to be named on the Manly wing for Round 1 after playing there in the final trial. Currently just the 66th most popular player at eight per cent ownership, but will surge into the top 20, possibly top 10.
Full analysis: The bustling centre turns 22 in 2019 and after five years in the St George system he opted to head to the Northern Beaches to seek a better chance of making his NRL debut. Garrick made 21 NSW Cup appearances last season, scoring 10 tries, assisting in eight more while making 12 line breaks and 55 tackle breaks.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Adam Keighran
Club: Warriors
Position: HFB/Five-eighth
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Buy. He hardly banged the door down in the trials but still favourite for the Warriors halves spot vacated by Shaun Johnson and likely kicks goals. Must-have if named.
Full analysis: The 21-year-old has joined the Warriors after leading the Penrith NSW Cup side to the minor premiership last season. Like Johnson, Keighran is also a noted goalkicker, scoring 202 points in 23 games last year. The former Australian Schoolboy faces close competition from Chanel Harris-Tavita and Hayze Perham (see below).
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Kurt Mann
Club: Knights
Position: HOK, CTW
Price: $258,900
Quick verdict: Sell. Once the fifth most popular player in SuperCoach, Mann has plummeted to 22nd after being benched for the trials. He won’t get enough minutes as an interchange player.
Full analysis: The former Dragons and Storm utility has huge room for improvement after signing for the Knights, who have earmarked him as a starting hooker. Mann averaged just 41 minutes as a utility at the Dragons last year and therefore starts cheap, but his game time and work rate should improve significantly if handed the No.9 jersey.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Payne Haas (Broncos)
Position: FRF
Price: $181,100
Quick verdict: Buy. 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.
Full analysis: A big man with a big future, Haas played three games off the bench for the Broncos between round 8-10, though he only played 37 total minutes across those three matches. In round 10 Haas suffered a dislocated shoulder which ended his season but in seven games before that Haas averaged 4.7 tackle breaks and a little better than one offload per game.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Nathaniel Roache
Club: Warriors
Position: HOK, CTW
Price: $246,000
Quick verdict: Sell. SuperCoaches got excited last week upon news Issac Luke had been offered a contract with the Eels. This would have seen Roache start at hooker in Round 1, as he did in the final trial with Luke still recovering from a shoulder injury. However, Luke rejected the Parramatta deal and will be fit for Round 1, meaning Roache’s minutes will be limited.
Full analysis: The Warriors utility missed the entire 2018 season due to a back injury and therefore starts cheap for 2019. Roache has played 17 of 20 NRL games from the bench, proving a worthy utility and filling multiple positions including fullback, centre, wing and hooker. However, although he has the blinding acceleration to play outside backs, his long-term position is hooker. He has averaged 42 in the three games he has started at No. 9 over his career. Roache’s SuperCoach potential was highlighted in round 22 of 2017 when he scored 102 in just 40 minutes, switching between wing and hooker during the game.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Albert Hopoate
Club: Sea Eagles
Position: FLB/CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Sell. Currently the sixth most popular player in SuperCoach, but he must be sold IMMEDIATLEY. Hopoate failed to play a trial on his comeback from an ACL injury and will be saved for later in the season. Huge prospect, but patience is required.
Full analysis: Son of John and brother of Canterbury star Will, the former Olympic Rugby Sevens hopeful has been rewarded for his form in the NSW junior competitions over the past two seasons with selection in Manly’s NRL squad for 2019.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Bronson Xerri
Club: Sharks
Position: CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Sell. Currently the ninth most popular player, but set to drop down the list after being named 18th man for the final trial. However, plenty are backing him as a future superstar and he will play NRL this year if he stays fit.
Full analysis: Former Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan dropped the SuperCoach quote of the year in November when he proclaimed: “I would have played him in first grade this year (2018) but he wasn’t old enough. You’ve got to be 18 now”.
Of course, Flanagan is no longer the coach but Xerri is held in similar esteem by John Morris. One thing is for sure — backline spots are open following the exits of Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee and Ricky Leutele, with Josh Morris the only addition. If fit, Xerri will play first grade at some stage in 2019.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Bryce Cartwright
Club: Titans
Position: 2RF, 5/8
Price: $231,300
Quick verdict: Maybe. Currently sits inside the 25 most popular players, but will slide down the list. He started in the back row for the trials, but Ryan James (knee) returns for Round 1 which will push Carty to a bench utility spot.
Full analysis: He’s burned us two years in a row but a Cheapie Bible wouldn’t be complete without Carty. He started 2018 as the most popular player in SuperCoach after moving from the Panthers to the Titans with the promise of a “roving lock” role.
However, he went on to notch an average of just 24.7 in 14 games. It was a similar story in 2017 when he came into the season as a buzz buy but only played 12 games at an average of 29.3. So why do we keep coming back to Carty? Because of his 2016 heroics, where he finished as the second highest point scorer behind Cameron Smith.
*** ADDED March 5 *** Jed Cartwright
Club: Panthers
Position: CTW, 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Once their most stacked position, the Panthers are short on edge players this year following the exits of Tyrone Peachey and Corey Harawira-Naera. The son of club legend John Cartwright has produced a huge pre-season after missing most of last year through injury. Genuine chance for a Round 1 bench spot following the injury to Viliame Kikau (knee).
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Taane Milne
Club: Warriors
Position: CTW, 2RF
Price: $181,100
Quick verdict: Sell. Sat in the top 10 most popular players for much of the pre-season but failed to trial for the Warriors and is no chance for Round 1.
Full analysis: Came into last season as one of the most popular cheapies in the game, but his season was over almost before it started after failing a drugs test and being sacked by the Tigers. Milne didn’t play a single NRL game last year and he therefore starts at a cheapie price and has a new start at the Warriors.
The numbers all add up for Milne. His price is based on limited showings as a bench utility in 2017 at the Dragons, where he averaged a lowly 18 in 29 minutes per game. He therefore starts at a bargain price, while stints on the interchange mean he has earned valuable dual positioning in the backs and forwards.
Milne was a wrecking machine on the right edge for Fiji in the World Cup and his game is perfectly suited to SuperCoach scoring. In fact, Milne was a revelation in his debut season in 2016 when he averaged a keeper-like 54 over seven games.
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
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Josh Kerr
Club: Dragons
Position: 2RF/FRF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Has snuck into the 20 most popular SuperCoach players with a great pre-season, including a barnstorming display for the Indigenous All Stars. With Jack De Belin (stood down) and Korbin Sims (suspension) out of the opening rounds, he’s a chance to start the season. But minutes and longevity in the side are an issue.
Full analysis: The big Dragons forward is yet to make his NRL debut, but he has plenty of admirers in the game and was called up to play in the Indigenous All-Stars team. Kerr has two strong seasons in NSW Cup under his belt now — 43 games averaging 95 metres per game and 20 tackles — and despite having the likes of Korbin Sims and Jacob Host seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order at St George an NRL debut looks likely at some stage in 2019.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Lachlan Burr
Club: Warriors
Position: 2RF
Price: $196,900
Quick verdict: Maybe. Should be much higher in the ownership rankings. Currently the 186th player at 2.1 per cent, these are crazy low stats for a guy almost guaranteed a Round 1 spot. Burr started at lock in the weekend trial in place of Adam Blair (hamstring). Blair is back for the opening round but Burr likely scores a bench spot.
Full analysis: A bit of a journeyman in the game to date, Burr made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2013 but played just the one game before heading to the Gold Coast in 2015. That year was his best in first grade and the backrower played 20 games averaging 47 MPG and 40PPG. His 2016 season was not as productive, and Burr only took to the field three times for the Titans earning 23MPG off the bench and recording a 23PPG average.
A stint in the UK followed and in 2017 Burr played for the Leigh Centurions and Sheffield Eagles. Returning to Australia in 2018, Burr was the Bulldogs NSW Cup player of the year playing 23 games and his stats are impressive. Making 12 runs per game — at an average a smidgen under 10 metres per run — throwing 30 offloads and averaging a solid 24 tackles per game.
Burr, now 26 years-of-age has headed over the ditch in a bid to get another crack at playing in first grade. The departure of Simon Mannering opens up minutes at the Warriors and Burr is just as capable of playing in the middle as an edge. Bench forwards are a slow money-making burn but keep an eye on Burr regardless.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Corey Waddell
Club: Sea Eagles
Position: 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Maybe. With Jake Trbojevic rested, Waddell started at lock in the final trial and scored a try. Set for a bench spot in Round 1 and hardly the worst option. Should be far higher than 69th in the most-owned list.
Full analysis: A Penrith junior and member of the Panthers’ premiership-winning U20s team in 2015 and their 2017 Intrust NSW Cup premiership winning side, Waddell’s move to Manly may be the change the hardworking backrower needs in order to make the move up to NRL.
Before Waddell’s season was cut short just nine games into 2018 he posted impressive NSW Cup numbers averaging 30 tackles per game, 14.7 runs per game — for a return of 147 metres (55 of which came after contact) and 4.2 tackle breaks. Depth is a real issue for the Sea Eagles in 2019 and Waddell must fancy his chances of finally cracking the NRL in 2019.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Kotoni Staggs
Club: Broncos
Position: CTW, 2RF
Price: $258,500
Quick verdict: Watch list. Will score a bench spot for the Broncos, but will that be enough for price rises? Not unless there are injuries. There’s no doubt he’s a SuperCoach star of the future, so keep him on your watch list and wait until he gets an opening.
Full analysis: The Broncos young gun burst on to the scene with a brilliant 65 on debut in round 11 last year. He played 77 minutes at centre after being injected early from the bench in place of the injured Tom Opacic, notching a try and last-touch assist against the best defence in the competition, the Roosters.
The buzz had barely subsided when Staggs bettered his debut performance four matches later, notching 68 in only 27 minutes against the Titans and emphatically passing the eye test. However, despite these two standout games, Staggs starts close to bottom dollar ($258,500) due to limited game time, averaging 27.6 points in 27 minutes per match.
He has a huge chance to improve on these stats given the Broncos have openings in both the backs and forwards with Josh McGuire, Korbin Sims, Sam Thaiday, Jonus Pearson and Opacic no longer at the club. We currently have him pencilled in for a bench spot, but he could earn a starting spot with just one injury. Equally adept at centre or edge back row, Staggs has the added bonus of dual-position flexibility.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Tom Amone
Club: Rabbitohs
Position: FRF/2RF
Price: $181,400
Quick verdict: Maybe. Somehow just the 243rd most popular player at 1.4 per cent ownership, despite being set for a Round 1 bench spot. Appears to have the Wayne Bennett stamp of approval, but minutes are always the issue with Bennett bench props.
Full analysis: Rob Sutherland has been banging on about the merits of Amone to anyone who would listen in the office (and those who didn’t want to listen) all off-season and it looks like someone at the Rabbioths has finally seen his potential as he has been snapped up by South Sydney late in the pre-season. The big man was immense for the Wentworthville Magpies in the NSW Cup in 2018 averaging over 155 metres — while busting 52 tackles — and just under 30 tackles, per game. Possessing an immense motor, Amone regularly played 80 minutes in the middle at either lock or prop. Keep a close eye on the young man.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Emre Guler
Club: Raiders
Position: FRF
Price: $227,100
Quick verdict: Maybe. The young prop will score a bench spot at the Raiders but minutes are a massive issue in a very strong pack.
Full analysis: Canberra’s pack will be without giants Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo in 2019 but Guler is shaping as a ready-made replacement. Standing at 191cm and weighing 110kg, Guler will push for a regular start in Ricky Stuart’s 17. The Sydney born prop earned state and national representative honours, playing in the Emerging Origin game and for the Junior Kangaroos in 2018.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Thomas Flegler
Club: Broncos
Position: 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. The youngster came from relative obscurity to score a spot in the 17 for the final trial. But how long does he stay in the top 17? Tevita Pangai Jnr (hamstring) is due back for the opening round and Payne Haas (disciplinary, round 5) will come back in at some stage.
Full analysis: Yet another classy youngster on the Broncos roster, Flegler is raw and has had problems with his shoulders in the past. Flegler played 15 games for Souths Logan Magpies in 2018 coming off the bench to start the season and then being promoted to the starting side as prop to close the year. Averaging just 31 MPG, Flegler’s true ability is not borne out by his season averages but perhaps more by his season highs. In one game he ran for 195 metres, with 70 of those coming after contact. And in another 50 minute effort he dug in to make 37 tackles. The ability is there.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Club: Storm
Position: 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Genuine chance for NRL this year after being named 18th man for the final trial. Minutes are the obvious problem under Craig Bellamy.
Full analysis: Standing 197cm and weighing 107kgs, no finer judge than our colleague, and SuperCoach dark horse, Fatima Kdouh says Fa’asuamaleaui has the all the makings of an NRL forward — big, strong and aggressive. Fa’asuamaleaui played 14 games for the Eastern Suburbs Tigers in the QRL Cup in 2018 mostly as an impact interchange player.
However, he did play one 80 minute effort and in that game made 24 tackles, 11 runs for 120 metres and two tackle breaks. Not-so-tiny Tino turned 19 in February.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Tom Eisenhuth
Club: Storm
Position: 2RF/CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Maybe. Genuine chance for NRL this year after being named in jersey No. 15 for the final trial. Minutes are the obvious problem under Craig Bellamy.
Full analysis: Big enough to play 2RF, and yet fast enough to play centre, Eisenhuth spent the first half of 2018 in the backs for Penrith and then after being transferred to the Storm in June played 2RF for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup.
In eight games for the Falcons, Eisenhuth scored three tries, made 31 tackle breaks, 16 offloads and averaged just short of 35 tackles per game.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Tom Opacic
Club: Cowboys
Position: CTW
Price: $245,200
Quick verdict: Watch list. Next cab of the rank for the Cowboys after being named 18th man in the final trial. Hopefully becomes a great downgrade in Round 6 or so once a starting cheapie has matured.
Full analysis: The rugged centre joins the Cowboys from the Broncos chasing an opportunity to become a regular first grader. With Antonio Winterstein (retirement) and Kane Linnett (Hull KR) having left, backline spots are up for grabs. Recruit Nene Macdonald likely takes one slot, but the pecking order is unclear from there. We currently have Ben Hampton and Enari Tuala pencilled in as the starting centre pairing with Opacic just missing out, although that could easily change with a strong pre-season.
Opacic managed just 10 games at the Broncos last year, spending plenty of time on the bench and only averaging 42 minutes. The lack of game time has kept him in the cheapie range for 2019 and he is sure to surge in price if he nabs a Round 1 spot. As a guide of potential output, Opacic averaged 42 in 2016 over 64 minutes per game, almost double his average from last season.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Wayde Egan
Club: Panthers
Position: HOK
Price: $232,200
Quick verdict: Watch list.Behind Sione Katoa in the Penrith hooking pecking order. Expected to play only 20 minutes off the bench and therefore a no-go. However, if Katoa goes down he’s a genuine option.
Full analysis: Only averaged 25 minutes in his debut season and therefore starts cheap, but Egan is seen as a future representative hooker. Egan emphatically passed the eye test last year and his PPM of 0.8 is remarkably high for a hooker, albeit in limited game time. The Lithgow junior featured in 12 games for the Panthers last year but only played one game as a starter, scoring 56 points in 80 minutes.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Jaeman Salmon
Club: Eels
Position: 5/8, CTW
Price: $210,500
Quick verdict: Watch list. Won’t play Round 1 due to a drink driving ban, but will play plenty of NRL this year, likely at centre.
Full analysis: Salmon played five matches at the back end of last year for an average of 25 points per game. However, that number is down due to playing two games off the bench for an average of 15 minutes and he therefore remains in the cheapie range for 2019.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Corey Horsburgh
Club: Raiders
Position: 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. No chance for Round 1 but will play NRL at some stage this year. However, minutes will be very limited due to Canberra’s stacked pack. Very impressive in the first NRL trial but backed up in the NSW Cup trial the next week, suggesting he’s down the list for now.
Full analysis: Heads to the Raiders from North Queensland with big raps, with the gingernut likened to Corey Parker for his high workrate and Josh McGuire for his aggression. And to add to that high praise, our office resident Raiders fanatic Nick Campton says the kid is ‘a weapon.’
Selected in the Junior Kangaroos at the end of 2018, Horsburgh played a blinder against the Junior Kiwis making 18 runs, 32 tackles, three tackle breaks and four offloads. Big enough at 188 centimetres and 100 kilograms to play prop and with a sufficient motor to play lock, Queensland State of Origin Under-20 representative Horsburgh has plenty of talented players in front of him at the Raiders right now but an NRL debut in 2019 would not shock.
*** UPDATED 5 March *** Sitili Tupouniua
Club: Roosters
Position: 2RF
Price: $181,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. SuperCoach Ambassador Anthony Minichiello says he is the best youngster at the Roosters. Started in the final trial (albeit in an understrength team following the World Club Challenge) and will play NRL at some stage, but not from Round 1.
Full analysis: Tupouniua made his NRL debut in 2018 playing just 13 minutes off the bench for four points in round 16 of that year. A hard-charging backrower, Tupouniua played 15 games for the Wyong Roos in 2018 and he broke the line 10 times averaging just under 100 metres per game while also throwing 15 effective offloads. Talent is not a problem, rather he may struggle to break into the Roosters’ star-studded forward pack and earn anywhere near enough minutes to make him worth a spot in your side.
*** UPDATED 5 March *** Morgan Harper
Club: Bulldogs
Position: CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Unlikely for Round 1 but a genuine chance to debut this year.
Full analysis: The highly-rated youngster is in the running to replace Josh or Brett Morris in the Canterbury backline. Originally left out of the Bulldogs’ top 30 squad, Morgan was added early in the new year. The youngster received high praise from Josh Morris before the veteran left for the Sharks. “He’s one that the club has an eye on,” Morris told The Daily Telegraph in August.
“It will be interesting to see what this young roster can do with a good pre-season under their belt going into next year. Anything is possible. There will be plenty of spots up for grabs. He’ll have to work hard and there’s no reason why he can’t get his foot in the door for round one.”
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Kyle Flanagan
Club: Sharks
Position: 5/8, HFB
Price: $213,300
Quick verdict: Watch list. The last-minute recruitment of James Segeyaro has ended any chance Flanagan had of a bench spot.
Full analysis: With Matt Moylan set to vacate his halves position to cover for the NFL-bound Valentine Holmes, Flanagan must have fancied his chances of adding to his 2018 tally of one first grade game. So you can imagine he might have felt a little aggrieved when his father Shane Flanagan, Cronulla’s recently banned coach, went out and recruited star half Shaun Johnson to the Sharks.
Before his suspension, Flanagan the elder indicated he sees a role in the first grade team for his son in 2019. “Well it will be Kyle and Johnson, Chad (Townsend the incumbent first grade half) and Johnson, so that’s Chad or Kyle off the bench — something like that can happen. I haven’t got another hooker. I don’t really want to carry another hooker on the bench so I need some utility value with my 6, 7 and even 9 if I have to.”
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Taniela Paseka
Club: Manly
Position: FRF
Price: $196,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. A popular buy early in the pre-season, Paseka (knee) will miss the opening round with an injury picked up in the trials.
Full analysis: A man mountain, Paseka played 14 games for Manly in the NRL last year, averaging 21 MPG and 19 PPG at a PPM of 0.88. Much better in NSW Cup where he made a mess of would-be defenders in his six games in 2018 averaging 117.55 metres and almost five tackle busts per game.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Mikaele Ravalawa
Club: Dragons
Position: CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Won’t play Round 1 but made the squad for the final trial and is well in contention for an NRL debut this year. Scored a stunning try in the first trial.
Full analysis: The former Raiders under-20 Player of the Year ripped it up for Canberra’s NSW Cup side Mounties with 11 tries, 13 linebreaks and 66 tackle breaks in just 13 games. Benched by the Mounties at the midpoint of the season after declaring he would join the Dragons in 2019, the Fijian international is a genuine contender to gain NRL experience as the Dragons need to replace first-graders Nene Macdonald and Jason Nightingale.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Chanel Harris-Tavita
Club: Warriors
Position: HFB/Five-eighth
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Seriously talented kid who will play plenty of NRL, but unlikely for Round 1 with Adam Keighran (above) to be preferred for the vacant halves spot at the Warriors.
Full analysis: Believed to be slightly behind Keighran in the Warriors halves pecking order. Harris-Tavita was named 2017 NYC Player of the Year for the Warriors before graduating to reserve grade last season, playing 20 matches at five-eighth and impressing with both a dangerous running game that saw him cross for seven tries and a passing game that saw him record nine try assists and 10 line break assists. Perhaps best known outside SuperCoach circles for his freakish ‘scorpion kick’ that set up a try for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Patrick Carrigan
Club: Broncos
Position: FRF/2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Wore jersey No. 18 in the final trial, but he will drop down the Brisbane prop pecking order once Payne Haas returns. Watch list.
Full analysis: A versatile forward, the hard running Queenslander played 21 games for Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup in 2018 rotating between second row, prop and lock. Carrigan averaged 62 minutes per game and he doesn’t shirk the work making 14 hit-ups per game (for an average of 143 running metres) and 28 effective tackles.
There are attacking stats on offer too with 59 tackle breaks and 27 offloads to go with that base. The Broncos boast a plethora of fine young forwards so Carrigan is unlikely to make an impact straight away but keep an eye on the kid.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Caleb Aekins
Club: Panthers
Position: FLB, CTW
Price: $217,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Huge SuperCoach prospect, but has to get a game first. Currently has two in front of him for the Penrith fullback spot in Dylan Edwards and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Full analysis: The Penrith youngster had a cracker of a 2018 season which saw him claim Intrust Super Premiership Player of the Year honours in his first season in reserve grade. Aekins made the most runs of any player in the competition — and it wasn’t even close. In 23 matches, Aekins ran 436 times netting 4,306 metres (936 of these kick return metres), 1280 post contact metres, 10 linebreaks, 26 offloads and an incredible 111 tackle breaks.
Aekins also played one game in the NRL in round 18 2018, making 277 metres, seven tackle breaks and a linebreak against the Sharks. Competition for the fullback position is fierce at the Panthers with Kiwi international Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and future star Dylan Edwards both having strong claims but Penrith surely cannot leave this young kid in NSW Cup for much longer.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Blayke Brailey
Club: Sharks
Position: HOK
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Out until at least Round 2 with an injury picked up in the trials. Currently has brother Jayden and James Segeyaro ahead of him for the Cronulla hooking spot, but the Sharks reckon he’s a better prospect than both.
Full analysis: The younger brother of Cronulla’s current first-choice hooker Jayden, Blayke looks almost certain to debut in the NRL at some stage this year. Some of those Cronulla cognoscenti say the junior Brailey is even better than his brother and his 2018 NSW Cup stats certainly make good reading. In 25 games for the Newtown Jets, Brailey averaged 33 tackles per game, scored three tries, assisted 10 more, through 14 effective offloads and forced five drop outs with his deft kicking game. The kid has all the talent in the world — he just needs time on ground to show it.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Stefano Utoikamanu
Club: Eels
Position: FRF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. No chance for Round 1 but has the backing of respected judges.
Full analysis: The big prop has come from relative obscurity to make the Parramatta top 30 squad for 2019. He missed the best part of his senior years at high school due to two shoulder injuries but stood out in NSW Cup last year at 18, playing in the middle. Our colleague Paul Crawley reports that judges have compared him to Viliame Kikau and say he’s ready to rumble with the big boys in 2019.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Reece Robson
Club: Dragons
Position: HOK
Price: $181,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Won’t make any meaningful SuperCoach contribution while Cameron McInnes stays fit, but a serious option if poached by another club.
Full analysis: Robson is considered a huge talent, but he can barely get a look in at the Dragons past Cameron McInnes. The Murwillumbah junior has played only 42 minutes of NRL over two matches. However, Robson is too good to remain in the lower grades and at some stage St George Illawarra will be forced to pick McInnes or Robson, with McInnes expected to win out.
Daily Telegraph reporter Paul Crawley says several rival clubs are aware of Robson’s situation and are already sniffing around, including the Eels. While Robson won’t be a cheapie prospect under current circumstances, he will surge into SuperCoach contention if poached by a rival club or if McInnes goes down injured.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Brad Abbey
Club: Raiders
Position: CTW/FLB
Price: $203,800
Quick verdict: Avoid. Once in the top 20 most popular players, Abbey is no chance for Round 1 following the recruitment of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Full analysis: With Canberra trialling regular fullback Jack Wighton in the halves, Abbey was a prime candidate to snap up the fullback role. However, he has dropped down the pecking order following the recruitment of CNK.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Billy Magoulias
Club: Sharks
Position: 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Named in No. 20 for the final trial, which shows he’s in contention for a first grade spot at some stage.
Full analysis: Billy ‘The Kid’ Magoulias spent 2018 in the NSW Cup, training with — but unable to break in to — the stacked Sharks’ backrow. The retirement of Luke Lewis provides a golden chance for the former Mascot Jets junior to step up into first grade but he still has the likes of Kurt Capewell and Scott Sorensen to compete with.
Often tagged a ‘Paul Gallen clone’, Magoulias played 26 games for the Jets in 2018 and his workrate is very SuperCoach relevant with per-game averages of: 29 tackles, nine hit-ups for 100 metres, two tackle breaks and near enough one offload. Magoulias was a cheapie breakout candidate last year but never got his chance, hopefully 2019 is a different story because he’s too good to not play NRL.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Hayze Perham
Club: Warriors
Position: FLB/HFB
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Produced some moments of brilliance in the trials but his switch to the halves is in its infancy. Needs an injury crisis at the Warriors to play regular NRL this year, or could offer value as an impact weapon off the bench.
Full analysis: Considered one of the Warriors’ brightest talents but only an “outside chance” for Johnson’s halves spot as he makes the conversion from fullback to playmaking. A star at fullback for the Warriors’ NSW Cup side and schoolboy rugby union star, Perham played 21 games in reserves last year scoring six tries, assisting in eight more, averaging just under three tackle breaks and 121 running metres per game. “It’s a big challenge in the NRL but he’s making some progress,” Kearney said.
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
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Jesse Arthars
Club: Titans
Position: FLB/CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Had some moments of brilliance in the trials. Made the squad for the final pre-season trial, which shows he’s in contention for NRL at some stage in 2019.
Full analysis: Gold Coast recruit Jesse Arthars heads to Queensland after stints in the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney systems. Injury limited the Kiwi-born flyer early on in 2018 and he only played six games in the NSW Cup last year.
What a six games they were though with Arthars scoring seven tries, setting up another, busting 17 tackles and even kicking three goals from four attempts for good measure. With the ability to play fullback, centre or wing, Arthars adds depth and versatility to the Titans and it would not surprise to see him make his NRL debut at some point in 2019.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** William Kennedy
Club: Sharks
Position: FLB
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Won a starting fullback spot in a recent trial but would need Matt Moylan to go down to be a chance for NRL.
Full analysis: Former Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has made it clear that Matt Moylan will receive first shot at the now vacant fullback role, and mentioned Josh Dugan as another contender. Should the Sharks be forced to look further afield however, NSW Cup star William Kennedy may get his chance.
The son of bush footy legend and former Balmain Tiger William “Bubba” Kennedy, the Bathurst junior was a standout in Cronulla’s minor-premiership winning Holden Cup side in 2017. He took the next step this season, starring at the back for Newtown in NSW Cup with 14 tries and 15 try assists in 25 games along with 12 linebreaks, 16 linebreak assists and 65 tackle breaks.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Ethan Parry
Club: Eels
Position: CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Missed the final trial squad so no chance of Round 1. But keep him on your radar for during the season or next season.
Full analysis: A big kid with a big future, Parramatta’s Ethan Parry is one player you need to put on your watchlist. After scoring a hat-trick in Parramatta’s SG Ball Cup grand final winning team in May 2017, the 195 centimetre, 101 kilogram outside back played in the NSW Origin Under-18 side and then earned a spot in the Australian Schoolboys side after coming through renowned rugby league nursery St Greg’s at Campbelltown.
Parry was tested against men in 2018 playing for the Wentworthville Magpies in round 23 and 24 of the NSW Cup and he acquitted himself well making seven tackle breaks in two games.
Selected on the wing for Parramatta’s first pre-season trial against the Raiders, Parry crossed for two tries, showcasing some impressive support play to snatch his second try of the night.
Joining a logjam of quality outside backs at the Eels including Jennings brothers Michael and George, new recruit Blake Ferguson, speed machine Bevan French and utility Brad Takairangi, Parry has the backing of Parramatta star Clint Gutherson. Currently outside Parramatta’s top-30 man squad, Parry will not be eligible to play in the NRL until after June 30 — perfect timing for SuperCoaches looking to cull a fatted cow around that point of the season.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Haze Dunster
Club: Eels
Position: CTW
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Missed the final trial squad so no chance of Round 1. But keep him on your radar for during the season or next season.
Full analysis: The slippery outside back has surged through the Parramatta pecking order following a stunning pre-season. When star recruit Blake Ferguson (foot) was out injured, Dunster trained in his place — such is the esteem he is held by coach Brad Arthur. “Haze was in our big 13 there for a while at training when Fergo was out injured,” fullback Clint Gutherson confirmed to The Daily Telegraph recently.
Dunster made five appearances in the NSW Cup last year for two tries, 17 tackle busts and three linebreaks. He’s not in the top 30 squad for now but changes to the salary cap system mean any player outside the squad can be used post June 30.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Josh Curran
Club: Roosters
Position: 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Watch list. Played the final trial for the Roosters, who were very understrength following the World Club Challenge. No chance for Round 1, but keep in mind for Origin period.
Full analysis: As a schoolboy Curran was described by NRL commentator Andrew Voss as one of the best young backrowers he had ever seen. Having spent 2018 moving between the Roosters Jersey Flegg side and testing himself against men in the NSW Cup for the Wyong Roos, the talented youngster looks a fair chance to earn a shot in the NRL this year. Unfortunately for cheapie hunters, that chance is likely to be restricted to a bench role around Origin when the Roosters may call on him to help cover for representative stars Boyd Cordner and Angus Crichton.
*** UPDATED March 5 *** Shaquai Mitchell
Club: Roosters
Position: FRF
Price: $168,100
Quick verdict: Avoid. The brother of Latrell Mitchell was a shock inclusion in the Roosters’ top 30 squad, but realistically he’s very little chance of playing NRL this season.
Full analysis: It surprised many when the Roosters promoted man mountain, and brother of breakout star Latrell, Shaquai to their top 30-man squad. Mitchell’s talent was obvious from a young age but the big fella lacks condition and he spent most of 2018 playing in the Central Coast League competition. The Roosters are a tough squad to crack so strictly wait and watch at this stage.
Jai Whitbread (Titans)
Position: FRF
Price: $181,100
Whitbread doesn’t like talking about the fact he was born in Queensland because he has since gone on to represent NSW at the under 16s and 18s level. The young forward played one game of NRL last year and with an impressive pre-season could land him a bench spot in 2019. He made the 30 man roster for the Titans.
Maika Sivo (Eels)
Position: CTW
Price: $168,100
He’s not a like-for-like replacement for Semi Radradra but the comparisons are coming in thick and fast. It’s easy to see why when the Fijian flyer is 192cm tall and weighs 103kg. Like Semi before him, Sivo has been making a habit of trampling over his opponents on the way to the tryline.
Patrick Mago (Broncos)
Position: FRF
Price: $196,900
Still a ‘cheapie’ despite playing 11 games for the Broncos in 2018 in which he averaged 20 points per game at a PPM of 0.93. More than handy at Intrust Super Cup level, Mago played 12 matches for Souths Logan in 2018 averaging 22 tackles, 100 running metres and a little more than four tackle breaks per game. Despite that, it’s hard to recommend Mago over Payne Haas (see above) who is $15K cheaper and scores at a better PPM.
George Fai (Broncos)
Position: FRF
Price: $181,100
The hulking prop has played just two games for the Broncos — one in 2017 and one in 2018 — a victim of Brisbane’s forward depth. Fai will be 22-years-old at the start of 2019 and one gets the feeling it is now or never for him to make the transition from Souths Logan in the QRL Intrust Super Cup to NRL.
The big man played 20 games for Souths Logan last year averaging 10 hit-ups and 117 running metres per game. 2018 saw Fai add some good attacking/evasive stats to his base workload with 109 tackle breaks, 21 offloads and six tries. Behind some of those listed above, Fai is nonetheless one for your watchlist.
Renouf Toomaga (Bulldogs)
Position: 2RF
Price: $196,900
Still qualifying as a cheapie despite having played four games in the NRL last year is the man named after former Queensland great Steve Renouf. The Bulldogs think enough of Toomaga to have tied him up until the end of 2020 and the young Kiwi is hungry for another taste of first grade. Toomaga’s 2018 NSW Cup stats are certainly impressive reading with the second-rower averaging almost 24 tackles, 12 hit-ups, just under four tackle breaks and just over one offload per match.
That said the Bulldogs were already strong in the backrow with Josh Jackson, Rhyse Martin, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Adam Elliott demanding big minutes and then quality recruits Corey Harawira-Naera and Sauaso Sue having joined the team for 2019, so Toomaga is no walk up start.
Brodie Jones (Knights)
Position: 2RF
Price: $168,100
Quorrobolong’s very own Brodie Jones is a quality youngster from the Hunter Region rugby league factory. Named on the Knights’ extended bench in round 23 as a reward for strong form in the NSW Cup, the youngster may struggle to get that close in 2019 after Newcastle significantly strengthened their squad in the offseason.
However, the Cheapie Bible is not about certainty it’s about hope, and Jones’ 2018 NSW Cup figures give every indication he’d be SuperCoach relevant should his prayers be answered and he earn a crack at the NRL. Jones played 17 games in NSW Cup for the Knights in 2018 scoring seven tries and assisting a further three. Playing 80 minutes on the edge in all but five of those games he averaged* close to 28 tackles per game and almost 80 running metres.
* His fourth round match has been removed from these figures as he was limited to just seven minutes due to injury.
Pasami Saulo (Knights)
Position: FRF/2RF
Price: $196,900
Another big bopper who has worked his way through the ranks of the Hunter rugby league region. Saulo shone in the NSW Cup over the back half of 2018 and was duly rewarded with three NRL matches off the bench in rounds 22, 23 and 25. In his three games for the Knights Saulo produced an average of 16 PPG at an unprepossessing average of 0.77 PPM. He’s better than that though. Across his final seven NSW Cup games last year Saulo averaged 49 MPG (starting at prop in all but one of those) at just a tick under 1.0 PPM.
The Knights have recruited strongly in the front row adding Origin stars David Klemmer and Tim Glasby as well as former Warrior James Gavet to a frontrow cohort already boasting rising star Herman Ese’ese and the Saifiti twin towers, so cracking the team will be tough.
Emry Pere (Cowboys)
Position: FRF
Price: $168,100
The massive Pere had an impressive season for the Northern Pride in the QRL in 2018 and was rewarded with Junior Kiwi selection for the end of season clash against the Junior Kangaroos. In 24 games with the Pride in 2018 Pere was good without being great averaging 74 metres and a little under 19 tackles per game.
The Cowboys boast a fearsome pack of middle forwards with Jordan McLean, Jason Taumalolo, Matt Scott, Josh McGuire, Scott Bolton, John Asiata et al all ahead of Pere in the pecking order. Just watch for now.
Braden Uele (Sharks)
Position: FRF
Price: $196,900
The former Junior Kiwi prop played one NRL game in 2017 for the Cowboys and one for the Sharks in 2018 and all that before his 20th birthday. A bit of a big unit — Uele stands 191 centimetres tall and weighs in at 115 kilograms — he nonetheless had a sufficient motor to play a couple of 80 minute games at second row for the Jets in 2018.
The big man has decent wheels to go with his motor too, just ask the Knights’ NSW Cup side who in round 17 last year had to endure 69 minutes of Uele which saw the youngster rack up a try, 15 tackle breaks, two linebreaks, two offloads, 22 tackles and 209 running metres from 15 carries — a game that would have been good for 125 SuperCoach points. Sure the Sharks forward pack is deep but should injuries strike and Uele get a call up he’s good for over 1.0-1.25 PPM. All he needs is the ‘M’ part of the equation to deliver.
Thomas Mikaele (Tigers)
Position: FRF
Price: $168,100
The Keebra Park product stands at 194cm and at 20 years old is still growing into his massive frame. He has been promoted into the top 30 roster from the development squad this year edging him a step closer to his first grade debut. Mikaele was twice selected to the Under 20s Emerging Maroons after starring in the Tigers’ Jersey Flegg side.
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
$50K richer: SuperCoach champ’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan
SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.