NRL SuperCoach 2016: Cowboys study guide reveals they have the big guns but could lack rookies and cheapies
THE Cowboys have made it clear they are chasing the elusive back-to-back titles, so don’t expect too much from them when it comes to rookies and cheapies.
THEY may have clinched their first premiership last year, but the Cowboys still have plenty to prove in 2016.
North Queensland has made it clear already that they are chasing elusive back-to-back titles and have not lost any motivation.
With these promises, the Cowboys loom as one team with a number of potential big guns for the SuperCoach season ahead. However, do not look to them too much for rookies and cheapies, with the Cows on track to field the same grand final 17 for the opening rounds.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
INS: Shaun Hudson (Gold Coast Titans), Jahrome Hughes (Townsville Blackhawks)
OUTS: Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), Cameron King (Parramatta Eels), Glenn Hall (retirement), Robert Lui (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Parramatta Eels), Scott Schulte (Parramatta Eels), Zac Santo (Canberra Raiders)
PREDICTED BEST 17
Lachlan Coote, Kyle Feldt, Justin O’Neill, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Jake Granville, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Ethan Lowe, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, John Asiata, Scott Bolton, Ben Hannant
The Cowboys are shaping up for a big 2016, with the club expected to field the same 17 that played in last year’s grand final victory. This is not always ideal for SuperCoaches, as the club will not be producing many rookies, but it should provide plenty of consistency.
GUNS
Johnathan Thurston - $486,900
One of the biggest must-haves in SuperCoach, JT will be the man to build your teams around in 2016. He is the best playmaker in the game and has retained dual positions for the year ahead. Priced at $486,900, he’s an expensive addition but one that will provide plenty of quality to any side.
Michael Morgan - $372,700
Morgan is another Cowboys star that comes with the dual position blessing. Whether you pick him at fullback or five-eighth, Morgan stepped it up a level in 2015 and should only go further this year. He has a $372,700 price tag and is coming off a 58.96 season average.
Jake Granville - $342,800
The young No. 9 attracted many headlines last year as he turned from relative unknown to one of North Queensland’s best. With a full season now under his belt, Granville will definitely be one to keep an eye on for 2016.
CHEAPIES
You will be hard-pressed to find cheapies in the Cowboys side this year. Even a young gun like Coen Hess, who has only played one game, is priced at $237,100 following a brilliant debut last season. But there are a few possibilities that may crop up through the year, while someone like second rower John Asiata is expected to come off the bench for the Cows again this year.
John Asiata - $192,100
Asiata made his first grade debut in 2014 and became a regular off the Cowboys bench in 2015. He is one of the few cheapies expected to be in the Cowboys 17 early on this year and hopefully with the new interchange rule, he will get more time on the field. He only averaged 32 minutes last season, but also had a 30.38 point average in SuperCoach. If his time goes up, expect to see those points skyrocket too.
Gideon Gela-Mosby - $113,800
This youngster is one to definitely pay attention to in 2016. Gela-Mosby has been training with the first grade squad this pre-season and is hopeful of an NRL debut this year. But what is it that makes him so special for SuperCoaches? If you have not already heard of the 19-year-old, the most important thing to note about Gela-Mosby is his freakish try-scoring ability. The speedy winger broke the under-20s record last year for most tries in a season, notching up 38 four-pointers. And while under 20s is a different level to the NRL, there is still no denying he has definite white line fever. Fingers crossed Paul Green gives him a run at some stage.
VALUE
The forwards
Given how well the Cowboys did last season, a lot of their prices are sitting quite high. But you may find plenty of value in their forward pack. Depending on how they operate under the new interchange rule, the likes of James Tamou ($313,300), Ben Hannant ($276,400) and John Asiata ($192,100) could be well worth a buy.
NO GO ZONE
Coen Hess
Young Coen Hess is a star in the making. But for a $237,100 price tag he is not worth picking up. He has a lot of potential and should get more game time in 2016 but hold off buying him until his price better reflects his rookie status.
HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS
The aforementioned Coen Hess and Gideon Gela-Mosby are the under-20s players with the best chance at an NRL start this year. Otherwise, the youngsters will have a hard time fighting their way into a side packed with stars. The Cowboys have also signed the likes of Intrust Super Cup players Jahrome Hughes and Shaun Hudson to the first grade squad, so expect them to get a start ahead of any Holden Cup players.
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