NRL SuperCoach 2016: Fresh start for Newcastle Knights under Nathan Brown
A NEW coach coupled with a mass exodus of senior players is set to perk plenty of SuperCoach interest at the Knights.
THE mass exodus of senior players (Kurt Gidley, Chris Houston, Beau Scott etc.) will no doubt perk up some SuperCoach interest and may even make this team watchable from a fantasy standpoint.
Nathan Brown coming in as head coach replacing Rick Stone can only be a bonus, with the Sione Mata’utia not likely to be named on the bench every week only to start come game day. Thank goodness for that!
There are no real guns to speak of here, but some value players may arise come round one team lists, but Joseph Tapine and Robbie Rochow in particular are ones to watch out for in the back row.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
Ins: David Bhana (Warriors), Krys Freeman, Trent Hodkinson (Bulldogs), Micky Paea (Hull FC), Will Pearsall (Sea Eagles)
Outs: Adam Clydsdale (Raiders), David Fa’alogo (retired), Kurt Gidley (Warrington), Kerrod Holland (Bulldogs), Chris Houston (Widnes), Joey Leilua (Raiders), Clint Newton (retired), Chad Redman (QLD Cup), Tyrone Roberts (Titans), Beau Scott (Eels), Carlos Tuimavave (Hull)
PREDICTED BEST 17
Jake Mamo, Nathan Ross (assuming James McManus retires due to concussion), Sione Mata’utia (suspended round one), Dane Gagai, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen (c), Trent Hodkinson, Kade Snowden, Tyler Randell, Korbin Sims, Robbie Rochow, Tariq Sims (suspended for first five rounds), Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Danny Levi, Jack Stockwell, Sam Mataora, Joe Tapine
Trent Hodkinson is the new halves partner for Jarrod Mullen, with Tyrone Roberts and Kurt Gidley having left the club. Tyler Randell is promoted to the starting hooker spot in place of Adam Clydsdale, with Holden Cup Team of the Year member Danny Levi set to score a bench spot. Robbie Rochow is likely to run the right edge vacated by Test hardman Beau Scott.
GUNS
Do I have to list anyone? Oh OK then if I have to…
Dane Gagai - CTW|FLB $343,800
Whilst Gagai is one of the very few gun CTW options, he is a far better SuperCoach player at fullback. He carries such a huge attacking load for the Knights at centre or at the back that he is still a viable option despite the fact he could push for Origin selection. With an average of 54.38 and PPM of 0.69 he seems solid, but a five round average of 32.40 to finish the season whilst playing at centre shows the dangers. Such elusive footwork and speed off the mark, if at any point he gets a prolonged run at fullback he becomes almost a must have.
Kade Snowden - FRF $405,300
Snowden had a HUGE 2015 and became somewhat of a handy POD for many in the front row. He averaged a whopping 64.10 points at 1.23 PPM. For those playing at home, that’s MONEY. Snowden is a workhorse with an appetite for an offload. With the losses of Chris Houston and Beau Scott, plus Tariq Sims to miss the opening five rounds through suspension, Snowden could see increased minutes and workload early on. Love the big man, but he’s probably too pricey to start with.
CHEAPIES
Danny Levi - HOK $184,300
Yes, bench hookers are normally SuperCoach road kill. But it’s slim pickings for cheapies at the Knights. The Holden Cup Team of the Year member finished 2015 with an average of 29.14, which isn’t overly exciting, but the 0.93 PPM is. In the one game where Levi played 65 minutes he finished with 62 points. Levi is one to watch if Tyler Randell ever gets hurt, as Kurt Gidley and Tyrone Roberts are no longer there to cover the utility positions.
Sam Mataora - FRF $177,000
This one is simple, if there is a distinct lack of cheapies in round one team lists and Mataora has forged a role in the front row rotation during the trials, he’s worth a look. He needs more than 30 minutes to be worth it, but with a PPM of 1.14 and the new interchange rules, you would hope that would eventuate.
HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS
The Knights have had to deal with plenty of departures, so keep an eye out for 2015 NSW Under-20s Origin young gun Luke Yates (FRF|2RF), along with NSW Under-18s halves combo Brock Lamb (5/8|HFB) and Jack Cogger (HFB). The Saifiti brothers - Jacob and Daniel - are probably the most NRL ready and the Fijian internationals could force their way into the pack at some stage. But given the Knights finished last in NYC Holden Cup in 2015, don’t expect a whole lot.
VALUE
Joseph Tapine - 2RF $233,000
Retirements and player movement always create opportunity. Tapine made strides last season and impressed many at the club with an average of 36.85 in just 38 minutes per game. The two games where he saw 66 and 80 minutes he produced scores of 82 and 71 respectively. There is serious upside here with this kid.
Robbie Rochow - 2RF $282,300
Similar story for Rochow. He already averaged 55.80 last season at 0.88PPM, and many are backing him to take over the 80 minute role that Chris Houston/Beau Scott have held down for so long. The issue here was only the five games played last season. Will he be eased back? Will he resume an 80 minute role straight away? Who knows, but with Tariq Sims on the sidelines for the first five weeks, it would make sense and his average can only go up with more consistent minutes. A very good mid-priced option.
NO GO ZONE
Akuila Uate - CTW $306,100
Man can this guy score a try. But if he doesn’t, be prepared for a score under 10! Uate is the Sangsters’ SuperCoach Dictionary definition of boom or bust. It’s a risk sometimes worth taking on guys in the low price bracket to make fast cash, but even if Uate has a BE of -150 at some point this season, I’m going nowhere near him.
Jarrod Mullen - HFB $328,800
Maybe it’s just me, but I really like the safety or added base stats of goal kicking duties for my halves. Not only does Mullen lack that, the Knights simply don’t score enough on a weekly basis to make him an attractive option at this price. Or any price for that matter!
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