SuperCoach NRL: Players to avoid for 2019 season
While SuperCoaches should be on the lookout for cheapies and PODs that could make or break their seasons, there are a few landmines out there that you should be wary of.
SuperCoach prices and positions have been revealed for the 2019 season, and while there is still some time before NRL kicks off again, alarm bells are already ringing for some players.
While SuperCoaches should be on the lookout for the cheapies and PODs that could make or break their seasons, there are a few landmines out there that you should be wary of.
To help you figure out who some of these potential trap players are, here is a list of 10 players you should avoid picking up, or manage your expectations of in 2019.
Jordan Rapana (CBR)
Position: CTW Price: $491,900
While Rapana has been SuperCoach gold in recent years, the Raiders flyer suffered a shoulder injury in the NZ tour of England and surgery means he’s out until at least Round 13. Because of this Rapana should be avoided at all costs, and you are much better off targeting a CTW cheapie like Zac Lomax, or even a potential POD like Kurt Capewell.
If you are still keen on bringing Rapana into your line-up at some point in the season, you might be much better off cashing in a cheapie after his return or waiting to see if he drops in price.
Wade Graham (CRO)
Position: 2RF Price: $454,100
Sticking with injured players, Graham tore his ACL in the Sharks qualifying finals loss to the Roosters and probably won’t return to the field until Round 9 at the earliest. Graham had a terrible run of luck in 2018, with hamstring, groin, knee and cheekbone injuries, as well as concussion and a suspension, limiting him to just 17 games.
While one of the most creative edge players in the competition, Graham has been SuperCoach relevant in past seasons, with averages of 60 in 2017 and 56 in 2016. His injury, along with the retirement of Luke Lewis, opens up the door for Kurt Capewell, Scott Sorenson or even Jayson Bakuya to see an increased role in 2019.
WHEN YOU ARE READY CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AND START PICKING A SQUAD FOR 2019.
Bryce Cartwright (GLD)
Position: 2RF, 5/8 Price: $231,300
After the Carty Party failed to get going in 2018, SuperCoaches need to give up on Cartwright going forward. After lighting supercoach up in past seasons, the human turnstile looked a shadow of his former self at the Titans, and it looks like we could get more of the same in 2019. The addition of Shannon Boyd could see Ryan James move to an edge role, which would keep Cartwright either on the bench or in reserve grade.
If for some reason he ends up getting a starting spot, then I will eat my own words and jump on the bandwagon as he will surely become one of the cheapies of the year, but don’t count on it.
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Isaac Luke (NZW)
Position: HOK Price: $484,900
Just going to get a few Warriors players out of the way, who I am generally down on in 2019 after the departure of SuperCoach gun Shaun Johnson. Luke is currently in rehab following a shoulder reconstruction, and while he should be right for Round 1, missing the entire pre-season should have supercoaches very concerned.
While his 2018 average of 51.8 is nothing to shrug at, Luke did have 7 games of 40 points or less so his floor is pretty low. If he does end up kicking goals for the Warriors, this may change, but with no contact training until March, it’s just a bit too uncertain for my liking.
David Fusitua (NZW)
Position: CTW Price: $444,900
The NRL’s leading tryscorer in 2018 could be the biggest loser from the Shaun Johnson move, with the freakish tryscorer surely to see some regression. Fusitua scored an amazing 23 tries last season, many coming from some SJ magic, which any replacement may struggle to replicate.
While Fusitua could easily end up as the Warriors leading tryscorer again in 2019, anyone who plugs him into their team needs to manage their expectations.
Michael Gordon (GLD)
Position: CTW, FLB Price: $514,600
Gordon was actually a decent play at fullback in 2018, however a wrist injury saw the emergence of AJ Brimson in the No. 1 jersey, which spells trouble for Gordon in 2019. While Gordon could still have something to offer, Brimson seems very likely to be taking over at fullback, and given strong Titans backline depth this makes Gordon’s position in the team murky. At $514k your money would be better placed on someone with a more reliable spot in their team.
WHEN YOU ARE READY CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AND START PICKING A SQUAD FOR 2019.
Shaun Lane (PAR)
Position: 2RF, FRF Price: $508,000
Lane was actually a low-key good POD in 2018, finishing as the 31st best player in SuperCoach for the 1167 people who had him in their side. He was one of the better players for the Sea Eagles, ending up as their leading tryscorer for the season with nine four-poitners and given he also gained a dual-position, again seems like a potential POD on paper.
But be warned: forward depth at Parramatta is better than Manly and he will probably play in a very different role. Supercoaches hoping for another nine-try season out of Lane will probably end up disappointed and at $508k, should probably look elsewhere.
Ryan Hall (SYD)
Position: CTW Price: $316,000
While the English international has a sensational try-scoring record in international rugby league (36 in 38 Test matches) his role at the Roosters is far from certain, especially considering he is coming back from an ACL injury. Furthermore, he will have to fight his way into a position when he is fit, with Daniel Tupou (a tryscorer in the 2018 grand final) and Brett Morris the likely starters on the wings.
If Hall can hold down a starting spot at some point in the season he could be an interesting pick-up at only $316K, but it’s pretty uncertain at this stage.
Manase Fainu (MAN)
Position: HOK Price: $582,200
With the fourth-highest 2018 average among hookers at 62.22, the Manly backup looms as a trap for some SuperCoaches looking outside the box for a starter. Despite some good performances, Fainu is a backup hooker and barring an injury to Api Koroisau is unlikely to see significant minutes in 2019.
Kalyn Ponga (NEW)
Position: FLB, 5/8 Price: $614,300
All right before everyone blows up, don’t worry! This pick is more about managing expectations rather than avoiding him all together. Ponga is still a great player on paper, especially playing for a team on the rise and picking up goal kicking and a dual-position for SuperCoach. But it remains to be seen how Ponga will perform playing five-eighth on a regular basis … will getting the ball in hands earlier help him, or take that unpredictable explosiveness out of his game? Ponga played just one game at five-eighth in 2018 and scored just 42 points, so supercoaches must manage their expectations.
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