NRL SuperCoach: Bulldogs vs. Roosters, Knights vs. Dragons SuperCoach analysis for Friday Footy
The Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights sealed unorthodox round 5 wins, but who really shone through the woeful conditions? Full SuperCoach analysis inside:
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The Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights sealed unorthodox round 5 wins, but who really shone through the woeful conditions?
STUDS
1. Matt Burton (Bulldogs, 137) It’s hard to pass on the top scorer of the night, especially when they put on three tries and an 80% conversion rate.
2. Kalyn Ponga (Knights, 109) Surpassing a 107 projected score, Ponga put the cherry on top with Newcastle’s final try in second half.
3. Joseph Manu (Roosters, 101) Near doubling his projected score of 56, Manu’s performance tonight is his second best of the season (behind round 1 – 106).
4. Zac Lomax (Dragons, 99) Just shy of triple digits, Lomax returned to form following a quiet round 4. The 330 owners who traded him out may be experiencing some regrets though he remains in 6% of teams.
5. Dylan Lucas (Knights, 92) If you’re looking at Lucas for a potential trade, now is the time. It’s predicted his stocks with increase by up to $20,000 by round 8.**
DUDS
5. Dane Gagai (Knights, 42) Gagai’s projected 86 was a far cry from the 42 he put on. It’s not the worst by any means, but the past three rounds of 56, 62 and 94 had owners feeling confident.
4. Tyrell May (Roosters, 22) A projected 59 and running average 63 had us all holding high hopes for May, but it’s safe to 22 points weren’t enough to satisfy his 62,000+ owners. In fact, May has officially disappointed a whopping 42% of SuperCoach players.
3. Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs, 19) Off the back of a 77-point round 4, Crichton severely underperformed on this occasion. It’s a harsh punshinment for the 176 owners who traded him in.
2. Matt Croker (Knights, 16) 15 short of breakeven and 30 below projected, Croker was far from in form and his SuperCoach 2,245 owners have been left to pay the price.
1. Dominic Young (Roosters, -14) Need we explain why? A send off in the first half – the first of this season – sealed Young’s fate.
FULLTIME – KNIGHTS VS DRAGONS
A near pointless second half was saved in the closing minutes by Kalyn Ponga, who topped the SuperCoach points ladder with 109. Notably, his predicted was 107. Zac Lomax wasn’t far behind with 99 while Dylan Lucas rounded out with 92. **If you’re looking at Lucas for a potential trade, now is the time. It’s predicted his stocks with increase by up to $20,000 by round 8.
76TH MINUTE
The McDonald Jones slip-n-slide continues to put a damper on the efforts of St George, though Kalyn Ponga has done his duty to the Knights to claim the first try of the second half, pushing Newcastle’s lead out to 18. The try tips Ponga’s SuperCoach points over the 100 mark (102), giving 33,700+ owners something to smile about among one of the messiest NRL games imaginable. While it might be too late to trade him in – given the high price tag – it may be worth considering the Dally M winner for captain next week.
60TH MINUTE
It’s been a slow and tryless second half, but some SuperCoach owners can still celebrate as their players thrive in poor conditions. Halfback Jack Cogger has come out of the blue to rack up an impressive 70 points off the back of a dismal 19 in round 4. His stocks are down $86000 and those looking for a cost-savvy trade might want to consider him for next week.
50TH MINUTE
Bradman Best was agonisingly close to adding another try to Newcastle’s tally, but a video review overturned the decision to keep the scoreline 24-10. Best himself remains on an underwhelming 11 SuperCoach points.
Moments later the field farewelled Jack Bird (20 points) with a suspected knee injury. Given the centre’s history of lower leg injuries, it might be worthwhile looking at trade in options for round 6.
HALFTIME TALK
An early try put Knights’ Jackson Hastings in a good spot, the centre just one point away from his breakeven. Owners should look at keeping him while stocks increase, with tge potential to trade in a few rounds time if needed. The big-name Knights duo of Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai are showing a mix of performance. Ponga seems to be track for his projected 107, while Gagai is lacking in the points department.
35TH MINUTE
In the space of five minutes, Newcastle has inflicted two tries worth of pain of onto the Dragons, first from Enari Tuala followed by Dylan Lucas. Kalyn Ponga has continued top kicking form with 4/4 and sits on 61 SC points. With stocks at $829,800 and in 22.8% of SuperCoach teams, you would hope to see Ponga’s stats on the rise.
21ST MINUTE
And just like that, a magic pass from Zac Lomax and try execution from skipper Ben Hunt hands the Dragons their first lead of the match. Lomax has now levelled his breakeven of 52 with 60 minutes to play – can he make the most of it for the sake of 8,500+ owners?
25th minute follow: Knight retain lead with a try from Enari Tuala (35) and conversion by Kalyn Ponga (34)
15TH MINUTE
Zac Lomax took it upon himself to level the field, scoring in the corner but unsuccessful with the conversion. Nonetheless, his early try means quick SuperCoach points (22) – what are much needed after an uncharacteristically low 51 in round 4.
5TH MINUTE
Knights halfback Jackson Hastings opened the scoretab early to bring his 921 owners some joy. Historically, Hastings does score well against the Dragons which may result in an increase in price lead in into round 6.
LATE MAIL: KNIGHTS VS DRAGONS
All eyes will be on the battle of the fullbacks as the Knights host the Dragons on a rain-soaked McDonald Jones Stadium.
Kalyn Ponga and Tyrell Sloan, who have both been in enigmatic attacking form to start the season, might be forced to put the long balls and sharp side steps away as they prepare to brave the torrid conditions.
Dylan Lucas has returned to the backrow for the Knights after wounded veteran Tyson Frizell was a confirmed out for the clash against the Dragons.
It is the only late change for the Knights, who welcome Dane Gagai back from injury.
The Dragons have made one late positional switch, with coach Shane Flanagan dropping Tom Eisenhuth back to the bench as Blake Lawrie starts at lock forward.
BULLDOGS VS ROOSTERS
The Bulldogs have held onto to what was once a 26-point lead to narrowly claim victory over a tenacious 11-man Roosters side.
There was no celebration spotted from Cameron Ciraldo, the head coach nowhere near satisfied with the 30-26 win.
75TH MINUTE
Victor Radley was the next in line to leave the field, sent to the sinbin (73rd minute) for a hip drop. Lucky for some, the second-rower put on 51 SC points before his departure. Despite playing with just 11 men, Daniel Tupou (65 points) managed to make his way over the line to score Roosters’ fifth try of the night.
65TH MINUTE
Good luck may have run out for the Roosters as Matt Burton goes over for his second try of the night, pushing the difference back out to 10. It’s good news for Bulldog fans, who were starting to enter panic mode, and even better news for Burton’s 8,000+ owners. Previously averaging 41, Burton’s 130 so far tonight is a sure reward for sticking with him. Unfortunately, there are 188 SuperCoach players reeling in the fact they traded him out one round too early.
57TH MINUTE
The Bulldogs are being outplayed by a side of 12 men as a once 26-0 scoreline turns into 26-20.
Egan Butcher has stolen the show with a try double that bumps his SuperCoach tally to an illusive 78 out of nowhere, with Joseph Manu joining the party for the Roosters’ fourth.
50TH MINUTE
The Roosters have had a glimpse of relief thanks to Egan Butcher (54 points), going over the line. But the golden moment was short lived as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii left the field for an HIA. Unnecessary force in the tackle puts Bulldog Sam Hughes on report.
Meanwhile Bulldog Connor Tracey may end up in a few more teams next round than the 580 he’s currently picked for. Sitting on 91 points just after halftime, Tracey could make a smart trade before his stocks shoot up. In the past week he’s been traded in to replace Warriors’ Luke Metcalf.
HALFTIME TALK
A 26-point deficit at halftime is possibly the smallest problem for the Sydney Roosters as they stare down the barrel of an ugly loss to the Bulldogs which could have lasting implications.
Both Sam Walker and James Tedesco have been ruled out after suffering head knocks, while Dom Young was sent off for a shocking high shot on Blake Taaffe which sparked an ugly melee.
Could Young’s -14 SuperCoach score be the worst we’ve seen – or will see – this year?
It’s an ugly thought, considering he’s already earned the titles of ‘first player to be sent off in season 2024.’
Michael Jennings, 35, is back for his first game since 2020 when he copped a doping ban, with the 2013 premiership winner activated as the 18th man.
Tedesco was ruled out after he was knocked out trying to tackle a rampaging Viliame Kikau just minutes after the independent doctor ruled Sam Walker to come from the field after Stephen Crichton’s knee caught him in the back of the head.
The Bulldogs had already raced to an 18-0 lead before Young was sent off after he jammed in off the wing and whacked Taaffe high, with Bulldogs players rushing in to show their displeasure after the fullback was knocked out cold.
The night started awfully with Young burning a challenge on the second play of the night, with the Bulldogs taking full advantage with three quick tries as Kikau and Matt Burton terrorised them down the left.
37TH MINUTE
To say this game has shaped into a nightmare for the Roosters is an understatement, and the 20-0 scoreline is the least of the problem. Following a tackle on Bulldogs’ first tryscorer Blake Taffee, Dominic Young has become the first player to receive a send off since round 23 in 2023. It means the Sydney side is left to play with 12 men for the remaining 43 minutes on top of losing James Tedesco and Sam Walker (HIA).
20TH MINUTE
No mercy has been shown to the Roosters as they trail 18-0 at quarter time. A double from Matt Burton puts him a top the SuperCoach live points with 82, to the delight of his 8000 owners. In the meanwhile, Roosters halfback Sam Walker has been taken off for an HIA following a knee to the head. Walker will be assessed by an independent doctor while 5459 SC players cross their fingers for good news.
Tedesco leaves the field after a big collision with Viliame Kikau.
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9TH MINUTE
It took less than one minute for the Bulldogs to put points on the board, fullback Blake Taaffe scoring in the corner on the first play following the Roosters’ unsuccessful challenge. With a projected score of 41 and breakeven of 24, Taffee already has 33 points in the game. If he continues in form, SuperCoach players might want to look at a trade for round 6 before his stocks skyrocket.
Eight minutes, Matt Burton went over for the Bulldogs’ second to accumulate 55 points. It follows suit of the five-eighths history against the Roosters, where he scores consistently above the 50-mark.
LATE MAIL
A late change from the Bulldogs features Bronson Xerri joining Kitione Kautoga to make his Bulldogs NRL debut against the Roosters, Blake Wilson dropping out with illness.
The 23-year-old has been promoted into the Canterbury backline at centre to play his first NRL game in over four years against the Sydney Roosters.
Completing the change, Jacob Kiraz has been moved from centre to wing.
Xerri last played in the NRL for the Sharks in 2019 before he received a four-year ban for testing positive to steroid use.
Roosters meanwhile drop Nat Butcher from the side, with Sitili Tupouniua starting in his place in the second row.
Egan Butcher comes into the interchange bench to play his 50th NRL match alongside Joseph Sua’ali’I, the pair both having played all their NRL matched for the Sydney side
In SuperCoach eyes, James Tedesco boasts the highest predicted score (89) of both sides in tonight’s Bulldogs vs. Roosters clash. It’s a welcomed stat for the 435 players who traded the fullback in this week despite a meagre 47 against Penrith in round 4.
In enemy territory, the Bulldogs’ highest predicted – fourth highest of the lot – is centre Jacob Kiraz (61). Kiraz has increased in value by $39,200 since round 1, and with a breakeven of 40, is likely to continue that trend.
MORE BEFORE
Both the Bulldogs and Roosters are coming into their match off narrow losses, but the Bulldogs are worse for wear based thanks to some key injuries.
Inspirational back-rower Jacob Preston copped a broken jaw against the Rabbitohs and is replaced by Josh Curran – but this could be a boon for SuperCoaches as he gets through some early tough work.
Josh Addo-Carr is also missing due to concussion, making Connor Tracey a set and forget option for another week.
Harrison Edwards is back on the bench to cover the forward loss.
The Roosters will regain the services of Lindsay Collins, reshuffling their forward pack and sending the recently re-signed Terrell May to the bench.
May is owned by 43.8% of SuperCoaches who will have to see if his numbers are affected by the change.
Angus Crichton also returns to the starting back row and is a good budget option in the forwards at $409k.
It will be a huge game in the Hunter as strong rivals the Knights and Dragons clash.
All the talk has been about Zac Lomax’s release from St George Illawarra leading into the game, but the Dragons are in prime position to take advantage of Newcastle’s turnaround from a tough match across the ditch so he is still a strong option for your team.
The Dragons are relatively unscathed beyond their off-field news.
But there was a huge blow for Newcastle on the eve of the game with their veteran forward Tyson Frizell ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien will likely add Dylan Lucas to his final 17.
Bulldogs v Roosters
Friday, 6:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon
Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Liam Knight 17. Kitione Kautoga
Reserves: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Bailey Howard 22. Chris Patolo 23. Poasa Faamausili
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley
Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May
Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Egan Butcher 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Siua Wong
Knights v Dragons
Friday, 8:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell (out, replacement to be named) 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott
Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker
Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Brodie Jones 21. Tyson Gamble 22. Thomas Cant
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth
Bench: 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Michael Molo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Viliami Fifita 21. Toby Couchman 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
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Originally published as NRL SuperCoach: Bulldogs vs. Roosters, Knights vs. Dragons SuperCoach analysis for Friday Footy
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