SuperCoach NRL Draft waiver targets for Round 8

With two thirds of the season to go there’s still time to wheel and deal your way into SuperCoach NRL Draft finals contention. Expert Max Bryden reveals the best waivers and free agents to chase across all positions plus best captain match-ups.

Who is your captain this week? At the end of this article find out why Reece Walsh should be on your list. Picture: Getty

We’ve just had our first “first round pick” major injury of the season and if you’re the Kalyn Ponga owner in your league - like me - you’re probably in a world of pain.

But that’s what the waiver is for and with still two thirds of the season to go there’s still time to wheel and deal your way into finals contention.

As always, we’ll dive in and check out all the top waivers for the round.

We’ll also touch on our favourite Captains for the week and share some insights on which match-ups are conceding the most SuperCoach points at this part of the season.

We know each Draft league is set up differently, so we’ll look at the overall ownership data across all competitions to try to find you the gems who should be available in your comp with less than 30 per cent ownership. Let’s jump in.

Hooker

Jayden Brailey - Newcastle Knights - 29 per cent owned

If you’re in need of a hooker in your league, quite simply Brailey is your man. As highlighted last week his minutes are on the up and up. In his last three games he’s played 60, 70 and then 80 minutes and this could be the new normal in Newcastle. Big minute hookers are becoming a thing of the past so jump on board if you’re in need.

Ray Stone has a great work rate. Picture: Getty

Ray Stone - The Dolphins - 12 per cent owned

The Dolphins forwards minutes are hard to pin down, but in Stone they’ve got a guy with a great work rate who - when given the chance - can score well. He’s played 57 and 50 minutes in his last two for scores of 43 and 46. It’s not a slam dunk pick but you could do worse.

Peter Mamouzelos - South Sydney - 7.7 per cent owned

One for team lists. Who really knows what is going to happen at Souths, but on a one game sample size, if the young kid Mamouzelos can keep Damien Cook out of the team he could be a stud. 73 points in his first start was a fantastic return. It’s high risk, but if you can afford to stash him on your bench it could pay off. Watch team lists.

Front Row Forward

Ata Mariota - Canberra Raiders - 14.7 per cent owned

Well done to those who jumped on last week as we called out. 63 points was a great shift for Mariota, even after moving to the bench an hour before kick-off. He still managed almost 60 minutes in a big Raiders loss. Keep your eye on team lists - you might get one more week out of him.

Samuela Fainu is starting to play good minutes. Picture: Getty

Samuela Fainu - Wests Tigers - 5.9 per cent owned

The biggest of the Fainu clan, Samuela has been a revelation for the Tigers in his first season. Available at FRF and 2RF, Faniu seems to have the faith of the coaches and has played good minutes regularly. His 61 on the weekend was in slightly inflated minutes, but he’s always only one injury away from having that role again.

Lindsay Smith - Penrith Panthers - 22.4 per cent owned

Smith was a rookie last year who burst onto the scene. This season he’s playing like a grizzled veteran and only has two scores under 50 from his six matches. He might not have a huge ceiling but he could be a season long hold.

Second Row

Raymond Faitala-Mariner - St. George-Illawarra Dragons - 12.1 per cent owned

RFM has quietly settled into the Dragons rotation playing 80 minutes the last two weeks in a row for scores of 52 and 52. Yes, the coach has kept us guessing with the minute rotation for the Dragons, but provided they keep the wins coming he could be settled into the spot. Keep your eyes on Team lists.

Corey Waddell - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - 21.9 per cent owned

A 42 this week in 80 minutes wasn’t a great return, but Waddell still has good short-term job security in a good footy side.

Helium Luki - North Queensland Cowboys - 14.5 per cent owned

The forgotten man! Luki had huge wraps on him to start the season before being cut down by injury. He’s due back in round 9 and will be off the radar for a lot of coaches at the moment. If you’re after a second-rower who could push a 50-60 average, he could be a handy stash.

Halfback

Jock Madden’s ownership is on the rise and he’s delivering for SuperCoaches. Picture: Getty

Jock Madden - Brisbane Broncos - 19.2 per cent owned

Madden’s ownership rose by 6 per cent over the last week, and he well and truly delivered with a 78 as the Broncos demolished the Raiders. Given his availability week to week is dependent on Reynolds injury, he’s not a long term play but certainly is good enough as a plug this week with a matchup against the Tigers. As per last week, keep your eyes on Team lists.

Dean Hawkins - South Sydney - 8.6 per cent picked

A breakout performance last week with 87 points puts Hawkins on the map of coaches who need a halfback. The injury to Lachan Illias means his job security is very solid, albeit the Rabbits are facing a tough draw against the Storm and Panthers the next two weeks.

Tannah Boyd - Gold Coast Titans - 13.7 per cent picked

Have the Titans turned a corner? Is Boyd back in the starting side? There’s a ton of questions right now about how Gold Coast will line up week to week given there’s injuries to Jayden Campbell and the side looks better with Brimson injected more into playmaking roles. But watch team lists as Boyd

Five-Eighth

Max Plath - The Dolphins - 12.2 per cent owned

Another player highlighted several times in this article, and Plath showed all of his potential this week with two tries and a mammoth score of 94. Remarkably he’s still only at 20.2 per cent ownership so should be available in your league. He’s getting better every week and given he’s actually starting lock, shouldn’t have too many scores below 40.

With Jye Gray onboard you could have a fullback in your five-eighth spot for the rest of the season. Picture: NRL Photos

Jye Gray - South Sydney - 17.7 per cent owned

45 points in his debut game and importantly, Souths showed plenty of ticker. It’s probably a long shot, but the chat of Latrell returning at centre for team balance is growing louder and could come down to how he performs in the coming two weeks. Will get FLB added to his dual ahead of round 12. Best case, you could have a fullback in your five-eighth spot for the rest of the year.

Tyson Gamble - Newcastle Knights - 16.2 per cent owned

Gamble was a late call-up to first grade this round and was solid with a score of 59, as he always is. With Ponga injured and Hastings ankle issues, he takes a lot of the last tackle options and touches the ball a lot. He’s averaging 47 on the season from five matches - could be a decent option.

CTW

Will Pryce - Newcastle Knights - 2.9 per cent owned

The injury to Ponga could pave the way for rookie Englishman Will Pryce to earn an NRL debut. Pryce has been playing five-eighth in NSW Cup, but arrived at the club as a versatile back that could cover the halves or fullback. Available at CTW, he could be an astute pick-up if he’s named this week so watch team lists.

David Armstrong - Newcastle Knights - 0.5 per cent owned

The other injury replacement candidate for Ponga. Armstrong has been lining up at fullback for the Knights in NSW Cup and has speed to burn. Showed plenty of class in the pre-season trials playing right-wing, and also handily available at CTW as well. Watch team lists.

Simi Sasagi - Canberra Raiders - 0.6 per cent owned

Flew completely under the radar this week after a late switch from the bench to the starting second-row spot for the Raiders. We know that forwards available in CTW provide excellent base scoring, but Sasagi showed some nice attacking upside too. The right 2RF spot at the Raiders has been an injury magnet so far with Elliot Whitehead and Zac Hosking both hurt after being named as starters there and their return time frames are being kept quiet by the club. As a short term option if named on TLT, he could be a great option.

Rocco Berry - New Zealand Warriors - 26.5 per cent owned

Berry is solid without being spectacular. His work at right-centre often goes unnoticed given he plays inside the human highlight reel that is DWZ, but his season average of 47 is testament to his high work rate and defensive skill. If you want a solid plug, he could be your man.

Corey Oates - Brisbane Broncos - 14.8 per cent owned

44 points this week was modest in a drubbing of the Raiders. Oates now gets a crack at the Wests Tigers where once again his side will be heavy favourites. Dean Mariner’s return is looming, but Oates is a decent one week plug and play if named.

Tommy Talau - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - 16.5 per cent owned

Talau looks to have won the left-wing spot at Manly. Unfortunately it looks like Manly’s attack is heavily focused on the opposite edge this season. Regardless, playing wing in a high-scoring attacking side is always a good thing. And a nice match-up with the Eels awaits who just gave up three tries to a left-winger in Jack Bostock.

Fullback

Trai Fuller has short-term job security but can stack up the points in the next two games. Picture: Getty

Trai Fuller - The Dolphins - 4.1 per cent owned

Fuller will keep the job at the Dolphins while the Hammer is out, and looked the goods with an 87 against the Eels in his first match. His job security is only short term but he looked the goods and should score well with match-ups against the Knights and Cowboys to come.

Sebastian Kris - Canberra Raiders - 28.2 per cent owned

49 points in a big loss for the Raiders was very respectable for Seb Kris. Given the tough performance from rookie fullback Chevy Stewart, there’s always the chance that Kris will return to fullback while Jordan Rapana is out hurt. Watch team lists.

Tom Chester - North Queensland Cowboys - 17.9 per cent owned

Another solid return from Chester with 48 points in a huge loss to the Sharks. He will get CTW dual added at the start of round 12, which is very handy.

Our Top 6 Waivers under 30 per cent ownership for Round 8

Jayden Brailey - in a low depth position, Brailey solves a huge headache with his big minute role emerging in Newcastle

Max Plath - showed every glimpse of being a future star with two tries in round 7. Similarly in a low depth position like five-eighth, Plath will do a very solid job for owners

Trai Fuller - a good run of games and a team with plenty of attack in it. Fuller is a great short-term play for those needing a fullback.

Will Pryce/David Armstrong - likely to be the Ponga replacements in Newcastle and both come with handy dual positions.

Jye Gray - available at five-eighth but has good base due to his running game at fullback. Could be a great long term play.

The best match-up for Captains this week

Reece Walsh - a huge return to form for Walsh against the Raiders and a friendly match-up against the Tigers awaits.

Ryan Papenhuyzen - a home game against the Rabbits is about as good as it gets at the moment.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - Titans are giving up bulk tries to right wingers and after last week’s loss, the Warriors will be desperate for a statement against the Titans back home.

So there we have it. Good luck on waivers and we’ll see you back here for Round 9.

Originally published as SuperCoach NRL Draft waiver targets for Round 8