NRL SuperCoach 2016: Brisbane Broncos to blood cheapie in round one
SUPERCOACHES take note: The Broncos are almost certain to blood a cheapie on the wing in round one as they battle injury and a backline exodus.
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SUPERCOACHES take note: The Broncos are almost certain to blood a cheapie on the wing in round one as they battle injury and a backline exodus.
And in Anthony Milford and Corey Parker, they possess two genuine SuperCoach guns.
Open the wallet, because there is plenty of value here.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
Ins: Carlin Anderson (Ipswich Jets), Herman Ese’ese (Bulldogs), Salesi Funaki (Tigers), James Roberts (Titans), Marion Seve (Tigers), Caleb Timu (Mormon mission)
Outs: Dale Copley (Roosters), Mitchell Dodds (Warrington Wolves), Jordan Drew (Sharks), Mitch Garbutt (Leeds Rhinos), Jon Green (retired), Justin Hodges (retired), Todd Lowrie (retired), Jayden Nikorima (Roosters), Matt Parcell (Sea Eagles), David Stagg (retired), Ashley Taylor (Titans), Daniel Vidot (Salford)
PREDICTED BEST 17
Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Jack Reed (set to miss opening month due to shoulder injury), James Roberts, Jordan Kahu, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt, Adam Blair, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Matthew Gillett, Corey Parker (c). Interchange: Josh McGuire, Jarrod Wallace, Joe Ofahengaue, Kodi Nikorima
James Roberts slots straight into the right centre spot of Justin Hodges (retired). Josh McGuire, who missed the back half of the season with a ruptured Achilles, is the only other addition to the losing grand final side. However, he will play from the bench for at least the first month as he eases back.
PREDICTED ROUND ONE SIDE
A cheapie is almost certain to get a run on the wing, with Jack Reed (shoulder) and Lachlan Maranta (fractured wrist) to miss the first month, plus Justin Hodges (retired), Dale Copley (Roosters) and Daniel Vidot (Salford) having left. It’s understood Aaron Whitchurch and Tom Opacic are vying for the spot, with young gun Elijah Alick an outside chance. Carlin Anderson, a recruit from the all-conquering Ipswich Jets in the Intrust Super Cup, is not considered ready for first grade at this stage.
Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Jordan Kahu, James Roberts, Aaron Whitchurch/Tom Opacic, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt, Adam Blair, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Matthew Gillett, Corey Parker (c). Interchange: Josh McGuire, Jarrod Wallace, Joe Ofahengaue, Kodi Nikorima
GUNS
Corey Parker (2RF, FRF) $481,800
Coach Wayne Bennett reduced Parker’s game time to an average of just 62 minutes last year. But the star lock still notched the fifth most points and sixth highest average. Parker says he is no chance of 80 minutes this year, despite the reduced interchange, but he still looms as a must-have at some stage, even if not from round one.
Anthony Milford (5/8) $408,900
Took some time to adjust to five-eighth last year, but averaged 75 from round eight onwards. However, his 2016 worth will be based on a season average of 65. Now has the electrifying James Roberts outside him, but the Queensland Origin hopeful has been stripped of dual position status (only available at five-eighth).
CHEAPIES
BACKS
As mentioned, Aaron Whitchurch and Tom Opacic are in a two-horse race for a round one wing spot.
Aaron Whitchurch (CTW, 2RF) $133,300
The 100kg centre/winger/backrower was a shock selection for round one last season as a bench utility. The Broncos were smacked 36-6 that night and Whitchurch was promptly dropped for Kodi Nikorima, who made the spot his own. The 23-year-old played one more game over Origin, but starts at bottom dollar for SuperCoach after averaging just 11.5 in 20 minutes per game. The fact Whitchurch played at all last year in a very strong side shows he is rated by Bennett. He started the pre-season on fire by winning the club beep test.
Tom Opacic (CTW) $113,800
A favourite of Wayne Bennett. The tough-as-teak defensive centre went into last pre-season as an unheralded Holden Cup graduate trying to prove himself to the big boys. He ended up scoring a heap of trial time and impressed enough to earn a spot on the plane to England for the World Club Series (note: Jack Reed, Dale Copley, Corey Oates and Darius Boyd were rested). Bennett re-signed Opacic a few months later, and while he wasn’t sighted in first grade, 2016 could be his year.
FORWARDS
Wayne Bennett always bloods young forwards slowly, which generally renders them SuperCoach-irrelevant (think Joe Ofahengaue last season). However, it would be remiss of us not to mention some young guns who may get a crack in the coming season.
Francis Molo (FRF) $133,300
The big prop’s career appeared to be on an upward trajectory after playing five straight NRL games last year. But his season ended in disaster when suspended for eight weeks for the tackle that tragically ended the life of Intrust Super Cup player James Ackerman. 2016 is a new start for Molo, who could well have a grand final under his belt if not for the harrowing accident. Starts at bottom dollar after averaging just 15.6 last season in 19 minutes per game.
Joe Boyce (2RF) $151,800
Another of Bennett’s favourites. The veteran coach bought the hardworking lock with him from the Knights last season and handed him a debut over Origin. Boyce notched 24 in 37 minutes and therefore starts close to bottom dollar at $151,800. In an effort to prepare him for the next level, Boyce trained with the NRL side during the finals series.
Caleb Timu (FRF, 2RF) $113,300
“The next Gorden Tallis” is back with the Broncos after a Mormon mission. The wide-running backrower was a star player in Brisbane’s Holden Cup sides of 2012 and 2013 before taking a two-year break.
Herman Ese’ese (FRF) $133,300
The 105kg former Bulldog was on the rise last year before a drink driving drama halted his season. Ese’ese debuted for Canterbury in round 19 (notching 19 points in 16 minutes). He is training with the Brisbane NRL squad in the pre-season and has immediately impressed.
HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS
Brisbane’s NYC side finished third and they provided six players to the Team of the Year - the most of any side. Unfortunately, three of their best talents have left the club - Holden Cup Player of the Year Ashley Taylor (Titans), and Team of the Year members Jayden Nikorima (Roosters) and Jordan Drew (Sharks).
Joe Ofahengaue (FRF, 2RF) $156,900
Made the Holden Cup Team of the Year despite playing 14 NRL games, including the grand final. Will play plenty of NRL again next season, but starts above bottom dollar and is therefore not an option.
Jayden Berrell (not added)
Made the Holden Cup Team of the Year at hooker, but is little chance of playing NRL this year as he bides his time behind Andrew McCullough and Kodi Nikorima.
Jai Arrow (not added)
Named starting lock in the Team of the Year, the Corey Parker-like backrower led the Holden Cup for hit-ups and came third in metres gained. These are no doubt incredible stats, but given those in front of him, Arrow’s only chance of NRL footy in 2016 appears to be as a stop-gap over Origin.
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