NRL SuperCoach 2016: Wests Tigers study guide reveals the team’s big guns and hidden cheapies
THE Wests Tigers may not have the strongest NRL squad but they do have two SuperCoach guns in their ranks and a bunch of cheapies that could help stump up some much-needed cash as the season wears on.
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THE Wests Tigers may not have the strongest NRL squad but they do have two SuperCoach guns in their ranks with James Tedesco and Aaron Woods. Both men should feature heavily in SuperCoach considerations.
Tedesco especially is a SuperCoach gun. If you have him in your team expect exhilarating performances with line breaks, tackle busts, tries, try assists and offloads.
Aaron Woods is set to step up in his role as captain and should have a massive year.
Robbie Farah is considered a no-go zone but rookies such as Josh Addo-Carr and cheapies like Joel Edwards, Michael Chee-Kam and maybe even Jordan Rankin should spark plenty of interest when finalising SuperCoach squads.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
Ins: Matt Ballin (Sea Eagles), Justin Hunt (Dragons), Jack Littlejohn (Sea Eagles), Tim Grant (Rabbitohs), Joel Edwards (Raiders), Michael Chee-Kam (Sea Eagles), Josh Addo-Carr (Sharks), Josh Aloiai (Eels), Rod Griffin (Ipswich Jets), Billy McConnachie (Ipswich Jets), Jesse Parahi (Union), Jordan Rankin (Hull)
Outs: Pat Richards (Catalan Dragons), Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles), Keith Galloway (Leeds), Tim Moltzen (Sea Eagles), Matthew Lodge (released), Sitaleki Akauola (Panthers), Salesi Funaki (Broncos), Te Marie Martin (Panthers), Shannon McDonnell (St Helens), Kurtis Rowe (QLD Cup), Matthew Woods (Eels)
PREDICTED BEST 17
James Tedesco, Justin Hunt, Tim Simona, Kevin Naiqama, David Nofoaluma, Mitch Moses, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods (c), Robbie Farah, Sauaso Sue, Curtis Sironen, Chris Lawrence, Dene Halatau. Interchange: Ava Seumanufagai, Joel Edwards, Matt Ballin, Kyle Lovett
* Please note that Dene Halatau and Luke Brooks will miss round one because of suspension, whilst Matt Ballin and Joel Edwards are injured and likely to miss the start of the season.
The Wests Tigers have a few question marks on their team composition. Robbie Farah will have Matt Ballin (Sea Eagles), a proven 80 minute hooker, vying for the starting hooker role. How the Tigers incorporate these two veterans in their side is still to be answered. Sauaso Sue will slot into the front row whilst Justin Hunt is the most experienced player in the ranks to take over the wing spot vacated by Pat Richards (Catalan Dragons). He however will be challenged for the position in the pre-season by exciting youngster Josh Addo-Carr. Also in the mix for a position in the top 17 is Michael Chee-Kam (Sea Eagles), who could find himself in the backline when round one teams are announced.
Further complicating matters is the suspension of Luke Brooks and Dene Halatau for round one as well as injuries to Ballin and Canberra Raiders recruit Joel Edwards. Jordan Rankin is a good chance of securing a starting berth for round one in the halfback role and there could be an opening for Tim Grant or Jack Buchanan.
GUNS
James Tedesco ($469,500)
At $469,500, James Tedesco is the sixth most expensive player in NRL SuperCoach and stands alongside SuperCoach royalty with players such as Corey Parker, Paul Gallen and Johnathan Thurston — and he deserves it. He had no injury concerns in 2015 and this showed on the field where he averaged 74.25 SuperCoach points in his 24 games played. Tedesco is a SuperCoach gun and must figure in the selection of your squad for many reasons. His statistics speak for themselves. Tries, try assists, line breaks, hit ups, tackle breaks and offloads, his game has it all and his 0.928 PPM proves it. Not only is he the go-to player for the Tigers but he is unlikely to make State of Origin and will play rounds 12 and 18, which are two of the big bye weeks. He is also an excitement machine and makes NRL watching a delight.
One reason you might leave Tedesco out is that the fullback position also features Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and unless your strategy is two gun fullbacks, then you can’t have them all. Also, the halves pairing at the Tigers in Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses along with the remainder of the Tigers outfit are not the strongest in the competition. He therefore may spend time behind the try line watching opposition goals being kicked, but rest assured Tedesco will give you your money’s worth and should be strongly considered as one of your guns for SuperCoach 2016.
Aaron Woods ($369,900)
Aaron Woods is shaping up to have his biggest SuperCoach year yet. In 2015 he managed 58.5 SuperCoach points in his 20 games played, but with the captaincy role and the departure of Keith Galloway, he is set to take even more of a leader and responsibility role.
Woods averaged 56 minutes in 2015 but he has capacity to increase his minutes to the low 60s in 2016. His average minutes did in fact curtail post State of Origin in 2015. He is a hard working front row forward and shapes up as a compelling choice as a SuperCoach gun in 2016.
CHEAPIES
Joel Edwards ($159,300)
Joel Edwards will never be a SuperCoach gun. However in a season where rookies may be hard to find, he could be a value player who provides cash growth, which will prove invaluable as you upgrade during the bye rounds. Edwards was recruited from the Canberra Raiders where he did not figure in 2015 because of injury. In 2014 he played 20 games for the Raiders averaging 36 SuperCoach points at 0.65 PPM (55.45 average minutes).
Rumours say he has had an injury setback which may delay his start to the season. But when he returns he comes to a Tigers outfit that lacks depth, which might provide him opportunity for extra minutes.
Michael Chee-Kam ($133,300)
Michael Chee-Kam, a signing from the Manly Sea Eagles, only appeared four times in 2015 as a rookie and played limited minutes.
He possesses speed, power and showed enough to suggest he will be a player that will figure in the Tigers’ side during the season and perhaps even from round one. Chee-Kam is a cheapie who should be highly considered in NRL SuperCoach squads.
NO-GO ZONE
Robbie Farah ($363,800)
In previous seasons Robbie Farah, at his starting price of $363,800, would be a must have for SuperCoach players. In 2015 he averaged 57.53 SuperCoach points and did not figure as much in attack. He also saw a reduction in his average minutes played in the second half of the season.
Fast track further to season 2016 and Farah has become a no-go zone. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Farah’s future and he has lost his captaincy role to Aaron Woods. This coupled with the signing of proven 80 minute player Matt Ballin raises serious question marks around game time and the way Farah will be utilised in 2016. Ballin is rumoured to have suffered an injury set back which may delay his 2016 season start but the question marks on Farah remain.
ROOKIES
The Tigers are not the strongest squad in the NRL and lack depth in a number of positions, which could see plenty of rookies get opportunities in first grade during 2016. Josh Addo-Carr, a recruit from the Cronulla Sharks, is an exciting speedster who is attempting to land the wing spot vacated by Pat Richards. Described as the fastest player in Holden Cup last year, reports are that Addo-Carr is training impressively and is a chance to be named for the Tigers’ round one clash against the New Zealand Warriors.
Front rower William McConnachie is a recruit from the Ipswich Jets, where he was an outstanding performer in their successful 2015 season. With Keith Galloway, Martin Taupau and Matthew Lodge all leaving, McConnachie is likely to score a debut at some stage in 2016.
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