SuperCoach NRL: Trent Copeland updates his team ahead of round one TLT

Resident SuperCoach stats nerd Trent Copeland updates his team and has a come-to-Jesus moment as he turns his back on Rhyse ‘God 2.0’ Martin.

Dean Pay, we need to have a word.

‘GOD 2.0’ aka Rhyse Martin in RESERVE grade?! One of the few players who consistently played 80 minutes at NRL standard (arguably representative standard), had the best goal kicking record in the competition and even scored a hat trick while the Bulldogs were being Bulldozed last season. Well done, mate, we’ll reward you by sitting behind Adam Elliot, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Sauaso Sue and Corey Harawira-Naera among others.

I digress, as that rant could go on forever, much like Dean Pay I have been watching the trial form of my players and making some questionable decisions — particularly since the horribly unfortunate injuries to Tom Trbojevic, Tevita Pangai Junior and Scott Drinkwater forced a huge team structure revamp.

Here are the changes I have made to the Crusaders 2.0…

Trent Copeland's 2019 SuperCoach Team Version 2.0.

HOOKER

IN: Damien Cook ($726,000) & Reed Mahoney ($374,300)

OUT: Cameron Smith ($594,400) & Kurt Mann ($258,900)

As is the common problem with most SuperCoaches, the HOK slot is proving extremely problematic. I don’t want to spend over $1m of my cap in this position, but if none of Nathaniel Roache, Mann or the Brailey brothers jump out of the pack I may be forced to do so. Cook picks himself, and if the Eels go with a four-big-man bench on TLT then Mahoney will likely be my guy. Kerrod Holland is the other option.

Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs is on track to once again dominate the hooker position. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

PROP

IN: Marty Taupau ($605,100) & Pat Carrigan ($168,100)

OUT: Payne Haas (BRO | $181,900)

With the four week suspension to Haas, I simply can’t fathom missing out on three weeks of price rises from someone else — and then a near-guaranteed trade down to Haas in round 7 (provided he is playing by then) — in a position of need where cheapies are thin that certainty of a trade down option is rare. I think the strategy of starting with Haas is flawed and will leave your team’s overall value too far behind from the get-go despite ‘saving a trade’. Big KAPOW replaces him in an obvious upgrade and allowing me to move Dylan Napa from FRF2 to FRF3. I have wanted Taupau in from the outset as I think he and Fifita are locked in as the top two FRF’s. Carrigan fills my cheapie slot until TLT.

SECOND ROW

IN: Jai Arrow ($598,000), Isaiah Papali’i ($462,400), Cameron Murray ($458,900) & Briton Nikora ($168,100)

OUT: Rhyse Martin ($634,300), Tevita Pangai Jnr ($495,000), Joe Stimson ($352,900) & John Bateman ($400,000)

*Sad face* It just has to happen, hopefully Dean Pay comes to his senses after a few bench games from Martin, and we get to trade him in at $450k at some point before the first bye on his way to playing 80 minutes again. TPJ is a reluctant sell as I think we will all own him again pretty quickly, and Joe Stimson may well get back in on TLT if he’s named to start on the edge. John Bateman is one I think almost everyone will own later on this season, as a starting lock for the Raiders with his skill set available to us in the centres is priceless. Injury the only reason he goes out. Jai Arrow comes in as an every-week captaincy option if he plays upwards of 65 minutes (fingers crossed that lower back is fully healthy), particularly with Ryan James struggling to be fit for round one. Papali’i is a personal favourite who could be set for a breakout in the Simon Mannering sized hole for the Warriors. Murray looked at home playing big minutes in the middle during the Charity Shield and Nikora is a no-brainer if selected for the Sharks. Handy dual-flexibility too.

HALVES

IN: Michael Morgan ($409,200) & Adam Keighran ($168,100)

OUT: Chanel Harris-Tavita (NZL | $168,100)

Morgan comes in to replace Tom Trbojevic/Scott Drinkwater from an early iteration due to the injuries to both (with Kalyn Ponga swinging to fullback). As I wrote in the pre-season Stat Attack, Morgan is one of the most underpriced players in all of SuperCoach in 2019, with an average of over 65PPG in the past without legend Johnathan Thurston. He should have the reins full time, and unprecedented time and space with the arguably the best pack in the NRL.

CENTRES

IN: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($265,500), Jordan Kahu ($278,700) & Corey Allan ($168,100)

OUT: Esan Marsters CTW ($568,500), Brad Abbey ($203,800) & Jaeman Salmon ($210,500)

I really hope things fall our way with cheapies on TLT, as I desperately want to keep Esan Masters here as the fulcrum of my CTW with speculative options all around him. But if things don’t go to plan I’m comfortable having one of Kurt Capewell or John Bateman with guys like CNK, Kahu etc. Gotta risk it for the biscuit, right?!

FULLBACK

OUT: Tom Trbojevic ($691,200)

This one is for injury purposes, firstly it was Trbojevic out for Drinkwater with the hammy twinge, now it is Drinkwater out for a swing down of Kalyn Ponga from the five-eighth slot. I’m a firm believer that Ponga is the highest scoring five-eighth this season, so I’m keeping him here until I can afford Tommy Turbo.

TEAM: THE COPES CRUSADERS 2.0

So, there you have it. The Copes Crusaders 2.0 — that is almost certain to be torn up by unforeseen TLT shenanigans. Good luck!

HOOKER

Damien Cook ($726,000)

The best hooker in the game right now. Yes he’s super expensive, but the man himself told our very own Peter Brown he loves SuperCoach, and he’s going to be even better in 2019. I’ll have some of that x2 as skipper most weeks please!

Reed Mahoney (PAR | $374,300)

I’m not sold here just yet, pending a 4-big-man bench for the Eels. But the price of Mahoney allows for a trade to Holland or down to one of the Mann, Roache, Katoa etc that jump out of the pack.

PROP

Andrew Fifita ($634,300)

As a theme in my team, you will see that if there is a clear standout at any given position I will always try to start with that player, in part for their elite scoring, but also in saving two trades to get them in at a later date. Fifita fits that mould. Averaging 67.8PPG in 2018, Fifita was almost 10PPG higher than the fifth highest averaging FRF in Sam Burgess, and has the prospect of Gallen playing less minutes given his age, with no Wade Graham or Luke Lewis to start the year. As one of very few FRFs with 100+ point upside in any given week, Fifita’s worth paying up for in my opinion.

Marty Taupau ($605,100)

Taupau is an absolute beast, his trial form has been solid, plays round 12 and quite simply is a lock in my opinion to be alongside Fifita as the best two FRF’s in 2019. Throw away the key.

Dylan Napa ($288,100)

Here’s where I’ve started to take a couple of mid-priced punts in order to afford the guns like Fifita, and rest assured, I separate my SuperCoach selections FAR from real life perspective for obvious reasons. I am optimistic the Bulldogs’ new signing can resurrect his somewhat stalled career, and get back to his 2016 form — averaging 52.4PPG in 57 minutes. Even if he falls slightly short of that mark, he will be a slow burning cheapie that covers round 12.

Pat Carrigan ($168,100)

This could be Jacob Host, Tui Kamicamica or a similar cheapie that pops up in preseason. But what is essential here is the dual position flexibility.

Jake Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles is expensive but worth every penny. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

BACKROW

Jake Trbojevic ($667,600)

You get what you pay for here. Jurbo has finished SECOND in overall points the past two seasons, so don’t overthink this one. Pick the best and most consistent big man in the game.

Jai Arrow ($598,000)

I think Jai Arrow is the most ‘underpriced’ gun in the FRF|2RF categories, providing his health is where it seems to be. Quite simply, if he plays 65+ mins per game, he will average 70PPG or more and be a lock in captain alongside Damian Cook every week. With Ryan James struggling with a knee injury, you would assume big minutes are on the horizon at least to start the season.

Isaiah Papali’i ($462,400)

Did you used to like Simon Mannering as a SuperCoach player? I certainly did! Well, this is the man to fill his role, and last year when given the full 80 minutes Papali’i excelled. After a disappointing first trial, he came to life in the Warriors second hit out last week with tackle busts, offloads and a massive work rate. In the absence of Rhyse Martin for my man crush, Papali’i may be my new man!

Cam Murray ($458,900)

Murray’s performance in the Charity Shield allayed any fears that Wayne Bennett would possibly start with the young gun on the bench. He was simply outstanding, scoring a try, lots of H8’s and looking at home playing big minutes in the middle with Sam Burgess on an edge. If he sees 60+ minutes he will be a keeper. 80 minutes (which he is capable of) and Murray would be one of the best in the business!

Briton Nikora ($168,100)

Nikora looms as the favourite to start on Wade Graham’s vacant left edge alongside SHAUN JOHNSON! Yes, that’s right, exciting times at base price and dual position CTW. Will be the most popular player in the game alongside Zac Lomax if he gets the start come TLT. I like that with this selection I have cover for CTW|2RF with Capewell/Bateman too.

Josh Kerr ($168,100)

This one is also a placeholding cheapie, which I’m hoping pops up in preseason like we had last year with Viliame Kikau (wouldn’t that be nice!). Fingers crossed.

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers may just be the best halfback in the game. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

HFB

Nathan Cleary HFB ($577,000)

I think Cleary is the best halfback in the world right now, which is scary given how young he is. There isn’t a safer pick in a risky position than Cleary, with a game built off great base stats, a very up-tempo offence and being one of the best goal kickers in the NRL.

Adam Keighran ($168,100)

With the loss of the great SJ to the Sharks comes great opportunity for one of two Kiwi youngsters — Harris-Tavita, or Adam Keighran. At this stage it’s looking like Keighran will get the gig, and he’s an exciting prospect given the likes of Mason Lino have come in and averaged well above 50PPG with the attacking prowess of the Warriors on their day. If Channel Harris-Tavita gets the nod, this spot is his.

FIVE-EIGHTH

Michael Morgan ($409,200)

On the back of arguably the best pack in the NRL with the likes of Taumalolo, Hess, Scott, McLean, McGuire etc, Morgan should have ample time and space to cause havoc. In the last extended absence of Johnathan Thurston, Morgan stepped up and averaged over 65PPG in that space. Go you good thing!

Dylan Brown ($168,100)

Looks the favourite for the Corey Norman-sized No. 6 hole for the Eels. Handy dual position for trades later in the season and at base price, you simply can’t ignore Brown.

CTW

Kurt Capewell ($340,200)

Capewell is a bit of an enigma in SuperCoach circles. He has shown upside higher than most in any position (156 points in round 15, 2017!!) when playing 80 minutes, but is priced as he is due to a bit-part bench role with Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and playing basically 80 minutes each in recent years in the back row. With Lewis and Jesse Ramien gone from the right edge Capewell should have an open run at a big role this season. In seven 80-minute matches last season, Capewell averaged 53.15PPG — well above what he’s priced at.

Jordan Kahu ($278,700)

The rationale behind the Michael Morgan selection stands here for Kahu also. Very much underpriced with a dominant forward pack if he is locked in to the starting fullback role and kicking goals. If you buy into the Cowboys being a good team this year, Kahu is a no-brainer as a second CTW in the ‘punt CTW’ strategy.

Jordan Kahu looks set for a good year at the Cowboys. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad ($265,500)

With the mooted Jack Wighton switch to the halves (filling the hole left by Blake Austin’s move to Warrington), it looks as though youngster Nicholl-Klokstad from the Warriors is the frontrunner to take over at fullback for the Raiders. Nick Cotric or Michael Oldfield could also take this job, but for now, CNK is a lock at just over $200k with a huge work rate and SuperCoach friendly game.

Zac Lomax ($196,900)

Lomax was incredible in the finals for the Dragons, and has been highly regarded for some time now. The other thing Lomax possesses is an unbelievably accurate boot. If anything was to happen to Gareth Widdop, Lomax would add 8-12 points per game immediately.

Corey Allan ($168,100)

Albert Hopoate ($168,100)

Bronson Xerri ($168,100)

These three talented youngsters round out my ‘place holding’ rookie slots, and certainly seem in the mix to get gigs come round one in their respective sides. Reuben Garrick and Paul Momirovski are the other two most definitely in my plans come TLT.

FULLBACK

James Tedesco ($689,000)

I called 80+PPG for Tedesco when he joined the Roosters from the Tigers, and after a somewhat slow start (for his standards) he got very, very close. Finishing the season with scores of 113, 108, 57, 57, 74, 85 and a 180-point BOMB against the Eels. How on earth could you pick a starting side without the prospect of THAT in there?

Kalyn Ponga ($614,300)

How bloody good was this kid in 2018!? Second in the Dally M in only his first full season at fullback, and his first at a new club, all with playing Origin on top of that. The only downside was that you couldn’t own him AND Teddy/Turbo. Not this year *sigh of relief*. Incredibly, the Knights are going to move him into the halves this season, which will naturally increase his tackle numbers but decrease his >8m runs. Does that deter me from picking him? Not one bit. With the goal kicking duties in a very good side, I can see Ponga keeping his average in the mid 60s despite some poor trial form.

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