SuperCoach NRL: Rob Sutherland’s second draft for 2019

Resident SuperCoach sartorialist Rob Sutherland has been tinkering with his 2019 squad and it’s safe to say there are backflips galore.

In the words of the great George Bernard Shaw: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

Well I’m not sure if I’m making progress but I’ve certainly made some changes to my SuperCoach side since I posted the first draft some three weeks ago.

Rob Sutherland's SuperCoach team take II.

Gone is my favourite Rooster, in comes a risky gun who I have doubted in years gone by.

And if I’m uncertain about progress, I’m certain there will be some more change in the three weeks that lie between now and the start of the season.

But when I’m weighing up the merits of Player A versus Player B I enjoy reading the thoughts of other SuperCoaches, and I hope at least some of you enjoy reading mine.

On that note, and without further ado, here are the changes I have made to this original iteration of the Belalie Beasts.

Andrew McCullough’s base stat safety net sees him move on in to the Belalie Beasts. Picture: Getty Images

HOOKER

OUT: Josh Hodgson ($592,100)

IN: Andrew McCullough ($505,300)

This one is about saving cash and seeking a bit of safety to start the season. Andrew McCullough has never been the sexiest of hookers (you know what I mean) with his game generally devoid of attacking stats and scores instead reliant on his tremendous workrate in defence. Anthony Seibold certainly got plenty out of Damien Cook last year and while I’m not suggesting McCullough has the running game that Cook has, just a couple of runs here or there would provide a nice bonus. Josh Hodgson has the greater upside and should he get off to the hot start I’m expecting I may well end up kicking myself, but the $87K I free up with this move gets put to good use below.

OUT: Victor Radley ($400,700)

IN: Blayke Brailey ($168,100)

This is the change that hurts the most largely because other than SuperCoach gun and Roosters tragic Rob Bruns (see below) and Mrs Radley I’m not sure anyone loves Victor the Inflictor like I do. That said, on reflection I’m not sure that 50 minutes at lock is going to see Radley have enough big games to see a significant price rise and as a result I’ve opted for a rookie hooker with massive potential and used the cash saved to bring in a gun FRF instead.

Macho Madness and Rooster Mania! pic.twitter.com/ygMg4S1HWF

— Rob Bruns (@nearlytheGOAT) September 27, 2018

FRF

OUT: Payne Haas ($181,100)

IN: Andrew Fifita ($634,300)

Hard to see this as anything other than a massive upgrade and one I’m making for a couple of rather salient reasons. Firstly, as my original side stood I had Martin Taupau and Tevita Pangai Jr (TPJ) headlining the FRF with just Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan as reserves.

With no dual FRF/2RF in my second row if either Taupau or TPJ got injured then I would have been forced to start Haas or Carrigan. With news that Haas is out for four weeks he has to go. And while I’m a big fan of Carrigan’s potential he’s a bench option at best for the Broncos and may not even manage that — in which case I’ll likely move him on too.

Secondly, Fifita looked great in the All Stars game. Fit, aggressive and as offload happy as always. I know I argued the Marty Party case in Tom and my ‘Taupau versus Fifita’ debate story, but that was a debate where we took arguable positions. Tom made some good points and while I still rate Taupau ahead of Fifita in the FRF pecking order, this isn’t a debate — I can have both. It’s a big hit to my cap and the downgrade to Radley to afford it forces me to start Drinkwater or *gulp* the next man on my list but it is what it is.

FIVE-EIGHTH

OUT: Anthony Milford ($511,900)

IN: Kalyn Ponga ($614,300)

When Anthony Milford landed awkwardly at training and was left nursing a sore shoulder I was worried. When Milford‘s pre-season campaign was ended due to a hamstring injury I knew it was time to cut and run.

I still think a fully fit Milford has the capability to finish top three at his position, I just worry he may not ever be fully fit this year.

Kalyn Ponga may have lost a few admirers after what some were calling a lacklustre performance in the All Star match, but I’m not one of them. The Ponga fanboys and fangirls can be a bit OTT with their comparing him to Immortals at this fledgling stage of his career and I’m not one of those. But I do consider him a phenomenal talent, I like that he could be kicking goals this year and I’m not too fussed about the shift to 5/8.

Put your hand up if you’re concerned about Anthony Milford’s (right) ability to find an injury. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

FULLBACK

OUT: Ben Barba ($467,300)

IN: Scott Drinkwater ($219,400)

It’s easy enough to justify dropping the banned Ben Barba. His replacement in the Beasts is a controversial one in the office with opinion roughly split 50/50 as to whether Jahrome Hughes or Drinkwater will win the race to replace Billy Slater at the back for the Storm.

If Drinkwater is named at fullback for round one I consider him a must. If he is not then I’ve got a few options. I have enough cash left to go up to the man tipped to be Canberra’s starting fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad or even North Queensland recruit Jordan Kahu (via CTW/FLB duals). But I don’t want to do that, I want Drinkwater so c’mon Craig Bellamy do me a solid will you.

Those are the changes I have made since I first published my team in early February, here’s hoping I don’t need to make too many more...here’s the team as it stands today:

HOOKERS

Andrew McCullough ($505,300)

Please see above.

Blayke Brailey ($168,100)

Please see above.

FRONT ROWERS

Martin Taupau ($605,100)

I avoided Fifta last year worried about his dodgy knee and possible Origin selection issues and then the big fella went out and averaged a position-leading 67.8 PPG. As a result I told myself I wouldn’t make that mistake again. But it looks like I will. And this despite history telling me Fifita goes ‘large’ more often than Taupau — for reference over the past four seasons Fifita exceeded 60 points in 66% of games while Taupau exceeded that mark in just 52% of games. So why ‘Kapow’ you ask? Well, big Marty doesn’t have a chronic knee problem, he’s just a little under $30K cheaper, he’s dual-position eligible and his new coach Des Hasler has a proven track record of entrusting props to play big minutes. Oh and he plays the first bye too.

Andrew Fifita ($634,300)

See above.

Andrew Fifita was impressive when playing for the Indigenous All Stars. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Tevita Pangai Jr ($495,000)

TPJ as he’s fondly known by a legion of fans bounced around positions last season playing prop, bench, lock and edge second-row at various stages of the 2018 season. New coach Anthony Seibold has made it clear he sees TPJ playing in the middle in 2019 and the departure of Josh McGuire frees up plenty of minutes at lock. Assuming he gets 55-65 MPG in the middle then Pangai should be good for 40-45 in base and the man loves an offload so attacking stats can be expected too. Dual-position and a bit of a bargain at the price.

Patrick Carrigan ($168,100)

This selection is speculative at best with Carrigan competing against the likes of Patrick Mago, David Fifita, Jaydn Su’A, Thomas Flegler and Kotoni Staggs (who apparently has the inside running for the 14 jersey due to his ability to cover CTW and 2RF). Carrigan was immense in the QLD Cup last year and if given a chance I have no doubt he can impress at NRL level, but if he is not selected to start Round 1 I’ll move him on as it’s vital to make money straight away and you can’t carry potential on your bench — you need points.

Manly workhorse Jake Trbojevic. Picture: Brett Costello

SECOND ROWERS

Jake Trbojevic ($667,600)

As reliable a player as you can find in the NRL, Trbojevic averaged 59 PPG in base stats alone in 2018 and that workrate is a key factor in ‘Jurbo’ posting consecutive seasons in which he scored over 60 PPG in 70% of games played. Loves scoring a try and has a great combination with his brother. A safe captaincy choice every week and one worth paying for.

Jai Arrow ($598,000)

Pretty close to the first person picked in my squad, Jai Arrow was immense early/mid 2018 until injuries and fatigue wore him down. Despite reducing his minutes and workload over the back third or the season, Arrow still finished the season averaging over 50PPG in base and averaged better than 6PPG in offloads across the season too. The tough end to 2018 means he’s a bit of a bargain to start 2019 and with an off-season to recover and also learn to manage the workload I’m expecting big things.

Jai Arrow was one of Rob’s first picked.

Angus Crichton ($646,900)

I’ll be honest, I have been toying with a few options for my third premium 2RF. I originally had Josh Papalii as I liked the flexibility his dual-position eligibility provided and appreciated his low ownership level. However, there is word Papalii will move to the FRF in 2019 and I don’t like uncertainty when I’m paying the best part of $600K. Next I threw in ‘God MkII’ AKA Rhyse Martin as it’s hard not to ignore the lure of a goalkicking 80 minute forward. But again there are some questions over Martin’s role with the recruitment of Corey Harawira-Naera raising at least the spectre of reduced minutes for Martin in 2019. Of course Jason Taumalolo has to be considered. But what about the recruitment of Josh McGuire I thought? The Cowboys run very, very deep in the middle now and surely JT’s minutes could suffer. So the Mighty Angus it is. Averaging 52 PPG in base in 2018 and moving to a Roosters’ team that will see him running off gun halves Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk in 2019 combined with a POD-alicious 8% ownership equals sign me up.

Isaiah Papali’i ($462,400)

I’m aware he comes with the stigma of a ‘mid-ranger’ price tag but I think Papali’i will finish priced as a keeper in 2019. The former rugby union prodigy was playing 80 minutes on an edge for the Warriors in 2018 while still a teenager and acquitting himself supremely well. With another off-season in the gym and the departure of Simon Mannering clearing the path for Papali’i to play 80 minutes week in week out, I’m expecting the youngster to score 45-55 in base with 10+ points in attacking stats.

Joe Stimson ($352,900)

Intermittently given big minutes through the 2018 season, Stimson appeared to earn coach Bellamy’s trust as the season progressed and then looked to cement his place on the edge with a superb finals series. In the 12 regular season games in which he played 60+ minutes, Stimson averaged 51.75PPG with 46 of those in base stats. Not overly blessed with attacking prowess, Stimson should nonetheless prove a steady money maker and dependable reserve you can upgrade once you’ve built your bank.

Taane Milne ($181,100)

To be honest I’m not a huge fan of this selection and it’s as much a placekeeper as anything. Not expecting Milne to start.

HALFBACKS

Nathan Cleary ($577,000)

Consecutive 60/60 (scoring over 60 PPG in at least 60% of games) is exceptionally rare for a half and yet Nathan Cleary achieved the feat in 2017/2018. Cleary was reduced to just 15 games in the 2018 regular season (14 if you subtract a game in which he was forced from the field at halftime) and yet he still exceeded 68 points nine times. Available for $30K less than Shaun Johnson he is the best premium HFB to own.

Insert NZ Warrior cheapie here ($168,100)

One of Chanel Harris-Tavita, Hayze Perham or Adam Keighran should win the battle to replace Shaun Johnson. Whoever does is in my team at this slot — hope it’s Keighran personally as he’s dual-position and I like his game from a SC perspective.

FIVE EIGHTHS

Kalyn Ponga ($614,300)

See above.

Dylan Brown ($168,100)

Earmarked by the Eels as the man to replace Corey Norman at five-eighth. The prodigiously talented Brown was impressive in the Eels trial against the Raiders and barring an injury looks sure to start in round one.

Kalyn Ponga playing for the Maori All Stars. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

WINGS/CENTRES

Firstly a word on my tactics here. This is the first season I have opted to run completely free of a high-priced true CTW. Instead I have spent mid-ranger money on a couple of 2RF who are able to be picked at CTW and then full cheapie. I’ve produced a stat heavy piece to explain the move.

John Bateman ($400,000)

The Englishman has a touch of the Tyrone Peachey’s about him with an ability to play in the backrow, centres or even halves at a pinch. Luckily for SuperCoaches the word is Bateman should get solid minutes in the backrow and thus he has a touch of the 2018 Ryan Matterson’s about him — hopefully absent the unlucky HIA injuries. Has a very SuperCoach friendly game and averaged 23 tackles, 16.4 runs, 2.4 offloads and 4.4 tackle breaks last year in the UK — as noted by my colleague and SC idol Tim Williams here.

LISTEN! Resident SuperCoach experts Tom Sangster and Tim Williams have the lowdown on the players to target and avoid in 2019.

Kurt Capewell ($340,200)

The second 2RF/CTW in my squad, Capewell should be a major beneficiary of the upheaval at the Sharks as somebody has to take the minutes on offer after the departures of Luke Lewis, Ricky Leutele, Edrick Lee and Jesse Ramien along with the injury to Wade Graham. I’m not expecting huge scores, after all in the six games Capewell started in the backrow last year (four 80 minute games and one each of 67 and 60 minutes) he averaged 45 PPG, but I’ll take a dependable base of 45 from one CTW to start the season. Add to that Capewell is priced at a $100K discount to a 45 average and he’s a no-brainer for mine.

Zac Lomax ($196,900)

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. Surely this is the year he delivers on his massive talent.

Cheapies

Will fill remaining slots with cheapie CTW who are named to play in round one. At this stage my leading contenders are the likes of Briton Nikora, Bronson Xerri, Corey Allan, Morgan Harper and Albert Hopoate.

FULLBACKS

James Tedesco ($689,000)

In various iterations of my team I have had all three of Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and Kalyn Ponga. In this squad I have room for just one and currently I’m going Teddy. Ponga’s positional switch may be a masterstroke, but as stated above I like to limit uncertainty when paying top dollar. Trbojevic is a gun, but returning Manly coach Des Hasler is not renowned as an attack-minded coach. Tedesco has stability with same coach, same playmakers and — for mine — same level of ability as Trbojevic and that’s why he’s in the Beasts ... that and the fact he’s a Rooster.

Scott Drinkwater ($219,400)

See above.