Tom Sangster’s top 10 cheapies for KFC SuperCoach NRL 2020
Cheapies are the cornerstone of any KFC SuperCoach team. After months of speculation, here is Tom Sangster’s FINAL list.
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After months of speculation, we finally have definitive information on the best cheapies in KFC SuperCoach.
Here’s Tom Sangster’s top 10.
TOM SANGSTER’S TOP 10 CHEAPIES
1 Blayke Brailey, HOK, $201,000
The most popular player in KFC SuperCoach for good reason. The younger Brailey is confirmed as the top hooker at the Sharks, taking over from Knights-bound brother Jayden, which should lead to an increase from 30 to 60 minutes. Will make plenty of money and be an easy stepping stone to Damien Cook or Cameron Smith. The recent injury to Cameron King (ACL) further enhances Brailey’s claims.
2 Jarome Luai, HFB/5/8, $257,400
The fourth most popular player in KFC SuperCoach 2020, Luai has scored James Maloney’s halves spot at the Panthers. Luai played 13 games for Penrith last year but the majority were as a bench utility with limited minutes. In the four games he started at five-eighth, Luai averaged 46.75 and he is priced at a $180,000 discount to that average, with handy dual-position eligibility to boot.
3 UPDATE: Zane Musgrove, FRF, $201,000
* Replaces Xavier Coates, who missed selection
Zane Musgrove is the best prop cheapie in KFC SuperCoach 2020. The 23-year-old has brained it in the NRL in the past and returns for his first game since 2017 after an enforced break from the game for disciplinary issues. The problem with young props is that they can take a while to adjust physically to NRL and are often eased in, but Musgrove is a bit older. Despite his long break, Musgrove has plenty of runs on the board in NRL and should command decent minutes in a rather weak forward pack. He averaged 39 in his last NRL season and if he matches that he makes serious money.
4 Gehamat Shibasaki, CTW, $286,400
Scores a centre spot at the Knights for Round 1 after an impressive off-season. The former Bronco scored a try in the recent trial, albeit against a very understrength Roosters. He is also the great grandson of a Japanese pearl diver – an awesome fact with absolutely no relevance to this story.
5 Kallum Watkins, CTW, $271,800
Wins a centre spot at the Titans and starts cheap after a disrupted first season in the NRL. Watkins has some decent pedigree, having played 25 Tests for England.
6 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, FRF, $171,900
The barnstorming prop has been named on the bench for Round 1 at the Warriors following season-ending ACL injuries to Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei. A rare Victorian junior, Taunoa-Brown brained the Queensland Cup last year before heading across the ditch. He was a shock selection at starting prop for the Indigenous All Stars, notching 88 metres in 12 runs (only David Fifita made more metres), a tackle bust, offload and 28 tackles – all in just 40 minutes. He backed that up in the final trial with an almost identical stat line – eight runs for 77 metres, a tackle bust, offload and 28 tackles. Currently owned by just two per cent of KFC SuperCoaches.
7 Kurt Mann, CTW/FLB, $287,100
Will partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves at the Knights, but has handy dual positioning for KFC SuperCoach at FLB and CTW. Starts cheap after playing seven of 19 games off the bench last year.
8 Toby Rudolf, FRF, $171,900
Rudolf has won the final bench spot at the Sharks ahead of Billy Magoulias. Rudolf was super impressive in the final trial with a try, 11 runs for 89 metres, seven tackle busts and 28 tackles (with none missed).
9 Josh Kerr, FRF/2RF, $233,000
Wacko says Kerr’s on track for a Round 1 return despite a minor knee injury in the All Stars and being named on an extended bench. After averaging just 23 minutes last year, Kerr has been earmarked for increased game time in place of ageing warrior James Graham. Kerr’s PPM of 1.23 sits in the elite range and he’s good for a sneaky try from short range, as he showed for the Indigenous side. Dual positioning works nicely with the likes of Patrick Carrigan and Liam Knight.
10 Bradman Best, CTW, $240,700
Best will miss the first three weeks with a foot injury but he’s still worth carrying as a non-player to save a trade later on. Weighing a hefty 103kg, Best showed in three games last year that he won’t be physically intimated by playing against men — very rare for an 18-year-old.