KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 3 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind runs his eye over every KFC SuperCoach NRL Round 3 game and lines up the next must-have trade targets.

Absolute chaos! We need an 18th man! Players are dropping like flies.

Teams trying to defend against David Fifita are making the same cries for help as those decimated by injury in a horror Round 3. The Titans’ million dollar man left a trail of destruction in North Queensland on his way to consecutive KFC SuperCoach centuries and his price is set to soar out of reach for those who don’t act fast.

Before the weekend even started there was a scramble to cover injuries to Ryan Matterson, Nathan Cleary and Ryan Papenhuyzen and the list of woes for KFC SuperCoaches grew with every game. But amid it all cheapie prospects emerged and prices have surged. Manly cheapie Josh Schuster will be the week’s most popular trade in target at five-eighth, Sam Walker is set for his shot with the Roosters and Tigers prop Stefan Utoikamanu scored a try to put the dollar signs spinning in the eyes of KFC SuperCoaches.

ROUND 4 LATEST: CASUALTY WARD | EARLY MAIL ON TEAMS

Let’s take a look at the highs and lows from each game and the players to add to your watchlist.

PANTHERS 12-10 STORM

Highs: Kurt Capewell, 95, top scored with his matchwinning try with a linebreak and string of tackle busts on top of 53 in base points. Played the full 80 minutes switching sides of the field when Kikau had a rest. Cameron Munster, 86, had two linebreaks, six tackle busts four forced drop outs on top of 37 in base points.

Lows: James Fisher-Harris 39, had just 25 tackles and 9 runs in 51 minutes on the field.

Watchlist: Brian To’o, 57, has a workrate few can match in the CTW position. He had 39 points from hit-ups and five tackle busts. It’s only a matter of time before the tries start flowing too. Charlie Staines, 56, rewarded those who held onto him with a try and linebreak. Has Manly up next so should be good for another try or two and price rises.

DRAGONS 38-12 SEA EAGLES

Highs: Zac Lomax, 92, had two tries and seven from seven with the boot. Looks like one of the top CTW options again. Josh Schuster, 90, had a try assist, two linebreaks and a very solid 42 base points playing on the edge for Manly.

Lows: Jason Saab, 20, still hasn’t found the tryline needed to spark a price rise. Ben Hunt, 41, was a popular trade in with 8% of coaches picking him up for a cash grab. With a broken leg and $52k price rise, he’ll go straight back out.

Watchlist: Reuben Garrick, 88, scored a try, had six tackle busts, kicked two goals and had 33 points in hit-ups. Looking more like the form from his rookie season after a horror 2020. Speaking of returns from a rough spell, Jack Bird, 71, had two try assists and is looking sharp.

RABBITOHS 26-16 ROOSTERS

Highs: Cody Walker, 95, had two tries, two linebreaks and seven tackle busts. We can probably dismiss worries that Latrell Mitchell would eat into his points. They’ve struck up a lethal combination and are only helping each other rack up the points. Dane Gagai, 89, is also reaping the benefits of being on the Bunnies left edge and had a try and try assist. He’s looking like State of Origin version with a massive workrate in the opening three rounds. Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 79, had 71 in base points in 79 minutes having to play big minutes when injuries hit the Roosters.

Lows: The injuries just kept coming for the Roosters Lachlan Lam, 21, Luke Keary, 33, Lindsay Collins, 41. Daniel Fifita, 1, scored a solitary point after being sin-binned for a punch on Jai Arrow.

Watchlist: Jai Arrow, 63, is ticking over some big scores in limited minutes. He’s averaging 1.4PPM. Popular Roosters cheapie Sam Walker will surely debut against the Warriors with Lam and Keary out.

RAIDERS 31-34 WARRIORS

Highs: Kodi Nikorima, 134, had a try, two try assists, 5/6 goals, four tackle busts, two offloads, a line break and six linebreak assists as he ran riot against the tired Raiders outfit. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 133, was equally impressive with a try, three linebreaks, six offloads and nine tackle busts. Ryan Sutton 113, near doubled his previous best SuperCoach score with a try on top of 84 base points in 73 minutes as one of the last Raiders forwards standing.

Lows: Raiders cheapies Ryan James, 5, and Sebastian Kris, 9, were wiped out of the game with one headclash. Injuries also hit Joseph Tapine, 10, and Peta Hiku, 18. In such a high-scoring game Baily Simonsson, 32, and David Fusitua, 34, still couldn’t nab a try.

Watchlist: Cheapie Sean O’Sullivan, 70, had 35 in base stats and a sprinkling of attacking stats on his Warriors debut.

BRONCOS 24-0 BULLDOGS

Highs: Jamayne Isaako, 114, had a try, try assist, five tackle busts, two linebreaks and kicked 4/6 with the boot to treat owners to an $82k price rise. Xavier Coates, 99, had two tries and linebreaks but also had 41 in base points. Herbie Farnworth, 99, had 46 in base points, six tackle busts, three linebreaks and a try assist.

Lows: Kyle Flanagan, 13, put 118 points on the Broncos this time last year with the Roosters. The Bulldogs are struggling big time with Flanagan and other signing Corey Allan, 36, both losing value fast.

Watchlist: Tevita Pangai, 82, is the top FRF after three rounds but has tough fixtures ahead. The Storm know how to keep the opposition’s best forward quiet, much like they did to Fisher-Harris. Adam Elliott, 79, might be the glimmer of hope for SuperCoach points at the Bulldogs with a three game average of 72.7PPG putting him among the best in 2RF this year.

EELS 28-4 SHARKS

Highs: Regan Campbell Gillard, 97, had a try, linebreak and try assist as the Eels piled on the points late in the game. Eels backrower Marata Niukore, 89, sure looks good filling in for the injured Waqa Blake in the centres. He had 43 in base stats, a try assist, linebreak and eight tackle busts.

Lows: The Sharks had nobody left on the bench at half time with Wade Graham, 8, Briton Nikora, 18, Sione Katoa, 42, and Will Kennedy, 44, injured. The Eels lost Mitchell Moses, 7, after just 26 minutes.

Watchlist: Eels cheapie Ray Stone, 62, scored a try and could be in for some price rises if the minutes fall in his favour while Matterson is out. Sharks cheapie Connor Tracey, 42, started the game in the centres and finished at fullback.

KNIGHTS 20-24 TIGERS

Highs: Connor Watson, 104, had 56 in base stats, eight tackle busts, a line break and try assist in just 55 minutes. Tex Hoy, 103, had a try, try assist, two linebreaks and six tackle busts and took over goalkicking duties midgame. With news Kalyn Ponga is still a couple rounds away Hoy will probably have risen $200k for his owners. Adam Douehi, 90, had a try, try assist and 4/4 goals. Cheapie prop Stefan Utoikamanu, 64, scored a try and will rise in price much quicker than expected.

Lows: Jacob Saifiti, 2, went off injured after three minutes. Popular Tigers picks Joe Ofahengaue, 31 and James Roberts, 28, are not delivering the goods for owners.

Watchlist: Mitchell Barnett, 77, missed two shots at goal then handed the kicking tee to Hoy. Without the kicking duties he drops back into the 2RF pack. A solid debut from the Knights’ CTW cheapie Dominic Young, 34, who came in for the injured Bradman Best.

COWBOYS 8-44 TITANS

Highs: David Fifita, 112, had a try, linebreak, 10 tackle busts and four offloads on top of 50 in base points. Phillip Sami, 107, playing outside Fifita benefited from the defensive chaos he created with a try, try assist, two linebreaks and eight tackle busts.

Lows: Jake Granville and Jake Clifford

Watchlist: Tyrone Peachey, 79, scored a starting role and made the most of it with two linebreaks and a try assist in 43 minutes. Cowboys cheapie Murray Taulagi, 71, had a try and two linebreaks. Potential money maker if he can hold a spot in the backline. Valentine Holmes, 70, at fullback and kicking goals had many people interested in pre-season. He showed why with a try assist, linebreak and four linebreak assists.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 3 best players and trade targets