SuperCoach 2016 Bargain Basement: Trent Copeland unveils his weekly cheapies analysis
TRENT Copeland kicks off his Bargain Basement column where every week he will run through the best (and worst) cheapies in SuperCoach.
WELL, what a weekend that was. Carnage everywhere, serious injuries to popular cheapie Ben Henry and guns Paul Gallen and James Segeyaro — and yes, I own bloody all of them!
Every week I will run through the best (and worst) cheapies — players under $150k — and give you an insight into who played well, who is worth jumping on board or if it’s time to sell. Ownership percentage will dictate initially who I cover initially but in each week subsequent week new players arise — and this will be the place to hear about them.
Jackson Hastings HFB | 5/8 (Roosters 62.07 per cent owned) — 70 points
Showed signs of brilliance. As we saw last season when Mitchell Pearce was out through Origin, the kid is going to be a star. His 70 points in a losing effort is nice to see, not kicking goals isn’t ideal but if you’re one of the 38 per cent who don’t own him, rectify that please.
Verdict: Must own. And start with confidence.
Latrell Mitchell CTW | FLB (Roosters 61.58 per cent owned) — 13 points
GI Junior, as he is being touted, had an underwhelming debut for the Roosters with only 13 SuperCoach points, as did half of his teammates as it turns out in the 42-10 loss to the Rabbits. The goalkicking duties are a positive and no doubt he is one to stick with.
Verdict: Not a great start and the double for Joe Burgess doesn’t help once Tupou returns. But you still have to have him.
Jayden Nikorima HOK | HFB (Roosters 55.80 per cent owned) — 50 points
Looked classy with footwork at the line, and had one try assist. But the most exciting prospect about his debut performance was the 22 tackles, a nice base stat performance for a young half in a huge defeat.
Verdict: Surprisingly a very strong prospect for the eight weeks Pearce is on sidelines. If you chose Cherrington or Parcell, change that ASAP.
Ben Henry 2RF | CTW (Warriors 49.67 per cent owned) — 14 points
The fourth cheapie in the top five most-picked players in SuperCoach (Sam Burgess is the other at 52.06 per cent). Boy, what a sad story this is. Not only for all of those SuperCoaches who were thanking the Lord that they had a starting 2RF in the CTW position, but also spare a thought for poor Ben Henry. His third season-ending injury in as many years.
Verdict: Either trade to one of the other CTW cheapies named below, or whack him on the pine until someone of note pops up (Could be a handy VC loophole option).
Jacob Saifiti FRF | 2RF (Knights 41.31 per cent owned) — 41 points
These brothers are HUGE! Playing in the tropics amid a torrential downpour, young Saifiti looked every bit a top grade player. No errors, and plenty of hit-ups over 8m which is gold for SuperCoach.
Verdict: A slow burner — watch out for his role once Tariq Sims returns.
Daniel Saifiti FRF (Knights 4.31 per cent owned) — 59 points
Everyone picked the right Saifiti brother right? Wrong. Jacob started and will no doubt be a solid purchase, but brother Daniel stormed over for a try in the wet, and all bar one of his hit-ups were over the 8m mark. The Knights pack isn’t exactly filled with stars outside of Kade Snowden so another performance like this and we may have to jump on.
Verdict: Nice game, but he’s a watchlist man. If he does it again, get on board.
Ashley Taylor HFB | 5/8 (Titans 38.35 per cent owned) — 40 points
Two try assists, 18 tackles and an offload in a promising debut for the youngster on the Gold Coast. In horrible weather he hardly had a chance to express himself, so the -6 points in errors can be written off.
Verdict: Looks a player, and has an open run to stay in the team. Locked in for a mid-season upgrade to a gun.
Jaelen Feeney FLB | 5/8 (Knights 37.72 per cent owned) — 18 points
Not a great start for the Feen-Dog (that’s what I like to call him anyway). Jake Mamo will be putting pressure on from reserve grade but you’d think Nathan Brown gives him a good crack at the role. Only eight total runs and no real involvement on attacking plays, let’s hope those two things change in the dry next weekend!
Verdict: Will need to improve, but hold on for now.
Nathan Green CTW (Sea Eagles 23.48 per cent owned) — 26 points
You’d look at it and think, “Ahh … Greeny didn’t play much!”. Well, you’d be wrong! The fiery red-headed left-side backrower saw the full 80 minutes, and obviously got through a mountain of work …
All jokes aside, Manly were woeful in this one and everyone was affected by it scores-wise.
Verdict: We had hoped he would be in the Soliola mould from last season, but hopefully the attacking stats come. Hold firm.
Nathan Davis CTW (Titans 20.23 per cent owned) — 42 points
Geez he’s a big boy. A strapping young lad who wouldn’t look out of place in the back row made a big run down the right edge for his line break. Throw in a few offloads, tackle busts and a forced dropout and it was a steady debut. Will be interesting when Nene MacDonald returns.
Verdict: Wouldn’t think he plays more than three games, but a nice start.
Jordan Rankin FLB | 5/8 (Tigers 10.39 per cent owned) — 32 points
No goalkicking duties hurts, but the Tigers actually played very well in a strong first half against the Warriors. Playing on the left edge has been very profitable in the past with Tedesco and Simona linking up so hopefully that formation flourishes in the near future. Had a line break and eight points in tackle busts so there is promise.
Verdict: Solid bench FLB or 5/8 option. Not best 17 material without the goalkicking duties though.
Zane Musgrove FRF (Rabbits 2.76 per cent owned) — 47 points
Wow, for someone who wasn’t on our radar he really stepped up in a big way with 47 points — all in base stats. With the two Burgess brothers to return he may lose minutes but after this performance he has to be watched this week. If he can replicate this performance a sideways trade from a Leuluai/Fisher-Harris could be on the cards.
Verdict: On the watchlist for sure. Pounce before first price rises if he keeps this up.
Craig Garvey HOK (Bulldogs 0 per cent owned) — 0 points
You might be thinking “WHO???” But this one isn’t about how well he played in round one, or who he is. This one is about the opportunity that presents itself through the injury to Michael Lichaa who is out for several months. The Bulldogs will no doubt want Garvey to step into a big defensive role and if he can average 40+ minutes he will be a big earner and a handy first bye round player.
Verdict: Watch his role for a few weeks and pounce before price rises, maybe using a swing of Nikorima to the halves.
Manaia Cherrington HOK (Tigers 8.47 per cent owned) — 21 points
It was always a dicey situation for the young hooker, and despite Jason Taylor saying he was pencilled in for an 80-minute role until Farah or Ballin were back he started from the bench with Kyle Lovett starting in the hooker role.
Verdict: If you made the decision to start with him (ouch!), sit him outside your playing 17 this week and make a more informed choice on who to bring in before the price changes next week.
There you have it, a quite extensive list for round one when many SuperCoaches are forced to spread their cash without knowledge of role or form. Next week onwards will be far more defined in who we need to own.
Good luck, cheapies are the recipe for SuperCoach success so make sure you get the right ones!
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