SuperCoach study guide: Gold Coast Titans offer plenty of cheapies
WHEN SuperCoaches go on the hunt for must-have players this year, it is fair to say few will look to the Gold Coast for an answer.
WHEN SuperCoaches go on the hunt for must-have players this year, it is fair to say few will look to the Gold Coast for an answer.
The Titans have been widely panned in the lead up to 2016 for their new-look roster which saw them lose a number of their star players, including James Roberts and Aidan Sezer.
They are now set to start the season as the shortest priced wooden spoon favourites in NRL history. But, like any club going through a rebuilding phase, the Titans could very well have a few SuperCoach specials hidden within their ranks.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
Ins: Nathan Friend (New Zealand Warriors), Chris McQueen (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Zeb Taia (Catalan Dragons), Ashley Taylor (Brisbane Broncos), Tyrone Roberts (Newcastle Knights), David Shillington (Canberra Raiders), Leivaha Pulu (Wyong Kangaroos), Cameron Cullen (Burleigh Bears) Jeff Lynch (Canberra Raiders).
Outs: Nate Myles (Manly Sea Eagles), Aidan Sezer (Canberra Raiders), James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos), Dave Taylor (Catalan Dragons), Kevin Gordon (retired), Shaun Hudson (North Queensland Cowboys), Ben Ridge (retirement), Matthew White (Melbourne Storm), Brad Tighe (retirement), Kalifa Faifai Loa (St George Illawarra Dragons), Beau Falloon (Leeds Rhinos), Caleb Binge (Intrust Super Cup), Jamie Dowling (Intrust Super Cup), Jamal Fogarty (Intrust Super Cup).
PREDICTED BEST 17
Will Zillman, Anthony Don, Josh Hoffman, Nene Macdonald, David Mead, Tyrone Roberts, Ashley Taylor, Luke Douglas, Nathan Friend, David Shillington, Chris McQueen, Ryan James, Greg Bird. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Eddy Pettybourne, Zeb Taia, Agnatius Paasi.
There has definitely been a lot of player movement within the Titans this pre-season, and so it presents quite a different starting 17 to what we saw last year. Some of the new faces include David Shillington, Chris McQueen and Zeb Taia, while Nathan Friend will make a welcome return. The biggest unknown for the club however surrounds their halves combination. With exciting young halfback Kane Elgey ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL, incoming playmaker Tyrone Roberts is the only half who is guaranteed a starting spot. A number of possibilities have been thrown up regarding who will partner him, with young former Bronco Ashley Taylor the favourite to take Elgey’s place. Daniel Mortimer is also a possibility while Greg Bird could also have a turn in the halves.
GUNS
This is a bit of a stretch.
When you scan the Titans SuperCoach list for the season ahead, one thing is immediately obvious – they are not bringing many stars to the game.
The player who averaged the most points last year was Greg Bird (52.42 over 12 games) while the highest scorer was Luke Douglas with 1179.
Realistically, there are better players throughout SuperCoach.
But if you are looking for a Titans big gun, the best bet will be Bird, who is dual position in 2016 (back row and five-eighth).
Greg Bird - $331,400
I cannot stress enough that Bird is probably one of the best buys for the Titans – but certainly not for the competition overall. While Bird is strong on the field, the points do not always translate too well for him in SuperCoach. The biggest hope with the enforcer this year is that he will get more game time, particularly at lock. If he gets dragged into the halves that can affect his points so watch for that throughout the year.
CHEAPIES
Here is where the Titans come good. While not all the men listed below will necessarily play straight away this year, they have plenty of potential. It is also fair to say that if Ash Taylor lands a starting position he could very well become the must-have cheapie in SuperCoach. And the others would not be very far behind.
Ashley Taylor - $133,300
The Titans recruit has played one NRL game but comes to the club highly recommended by the likes of Wayne Bennett. When he arrived, he probably did not expect that he could be playing a full season as the starting halfback, but that is now very much a reality given the injury to Elgey. All he really has to do is prove himself in the trials. If he is named to start for round one, snap him up immediately.
Brian Kelly - $113,800
Young back Brian Kelly is very close to an NRL debut. The 19-year-old is said to be a favourite of Neil Henry’s and - without too much backline depth at the club - could be called upon this year. Keep an eye out for him.
Jeff Lynch - $113,800
This former Raider has impressed Titans coaching staff so much in the pre-season that his trial training run has turned into a one-year second-tier contract. Lynch has already promised he will be doing everything he can to push for a starting position and it is likely we will see the young prop get a run at some stage.
Shannon Walker – not priced
He is not listed in the SuperCoach ranks for 2016 yet, but do not at all be surprised if Shannon Walker makes an NRL comeback for the Titans this year. The speedster is contracted to Intrust Super Club Tweed Heads Seagulls but has been training with the Gold Coast first grade squad over the pre-season. He is a hot favourite to play in the Auckland Nines and could threaten the Titans backs for a starting spot. Once his NRL return comes – and it really should – expect Walker to come in close to bottom price.
VALUE PICKS
Chris McQueen - $249,100
The former Rabbitoh has not been a massive SuperCoach force in recent years, but that should all change in 2016. While he was on the outer at his former club, the Maroon is expected to be in the starting 13 for the Gold Coast and will be racking up far more minutes here than at South Sydney. With his mid-range price tag, McQueen could be a great pick-up early on.
NO GO ZONE: PLAYERS TO AVOID
Zeb Taia - $354,500
For the last three years, Zeb Taia has been over playing with French Super League club Catalan Dragons. For the big forward to then come back to the NRL with a $350,000-plus SuperCoach salary is almost laughable. Taia is expected to be coming off the bench for the Titans and will have to do a lot to maintain that price. Do not buy while he is so overpriced.
HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS
Brian Kelly is the under-20s player with the best chance of picking up an NRL debut this year. Jed Cartwright is also an outside chance, but if the Titans need to fall back on any players, expect them to look to the Intrust Super Cup. The Titans are already lacking experience and will not be looking at the under-20s too often to beef up their squad.
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