NRL SuperCoach 2025: Use these 5 tactics to boss new Flex position

The introduction of a brand new Flex position in NRL SuperCoach 2025 opens a host of fresh and exciting tactics. Here’s how to use the new rule to your advantage.

SuperCoach NRL 2025 will welcome the addition of one of the most significant and exciting features in the game’s history. Drum roll ... Introducing the all-new Flex position.

Think of your Flex player as the 18th man in actual NRL, ready and available if a player gets knocked out or injured.

The new rule also opens up a host of new tactics:

1. PLAY THREE FULLBACKS

Fullback is the highest scoring position in SuperCoach and has been for a long time. In fact, the four highest averages from last year were from fullbacks – James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Edwards.

But with only two slots at fullback, we simply couldn’t fit them all in. Now the Flex position gives SuperCoaches an opportunity to pick as many as THREE fullbacks, even more if you have dual position players in other slots. That said, an issue arises when a top cheapie emerges at fullback, which leads us to our next point.

Tom Trbojevic and other fullbacks will be popular following the introduction of the Flex position. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

2. GENERATE CASH

Flex means your SuperCoach NRL squad now consists of 26 players instead of 25 – and that means another opportunity for early cash generation.

In particular, Eels young gun Isaiah Iongi is being backed as one of the cheapies of the year but is only available at fullback. The Flex position allows SuperCoaches to play two guns at fullback, while also generating cash with Iongi in the Flex position.

START SELECTING YOUR SIDE IN THE TEAM PICKER HERE OR SIGN UP TO SUPERCOACH PLUS FOR ACCESS!

3. USE MORE LOOPHOLES

Playing captaincy and emergency loopholes isn’t for everyone, but Flex will certainly help with these SuperCoach tactics. Your Flex player can be used as C or VC so it could be worthwhile using Flex on a player who plays late in the round.

4. PLAN AHEAD

This is particularly useful for the byes, when fielding a full squad is difficult. Plan ahead for the bye the following week by stashing a player who plays the next round, and therefore save a trade.

5. DUAL POSITION FLEXIBILTY

DPPs are even more important under the Flex rule as your Flex players can be substituted into other positions during the trade. Want to trade a hooker to a fullback? A dual position Flex player gives you another avenue to do it.

FLEX EXPLAINER

In the past, when a key player went down early, SuperCoaches had to cop it on the chin – until now.

Coming on the back of player position announcements for 2025, the change brings Australia’s biggest and best fantasy game into the new era of concussion protocols.

Think of your Flex player as the 18th man in actual NRL, ready and available if a player gets knocked out or injured.

The Flex player will expand squads to 26, and coaches will pick 18 players to start on field each round, up from 17.

SuperCoaches could run three fullbacks under the Flex system, including James Tedesco. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Crucially though, weekly totals will be made up of the best scoring 17 of your 18 on-field players - effectively dropping the lowest score each round.

Flex will make SuperCoach easier to play and, at the same time, create opportunities for new strategies when picking a starting squad and putting a team out each round.

Could selecting an extra gun in the Flex slot deliver vital added points? Do you run three fullbacks given fullback is the highest scoring position in SuperCoach? Or is it smarter to pick a mid-pricer who can generate extra cash? Or a high-risk, high-reward player who can produce high ceiling games? Do you use the Flex position as a loophole opportunity?

And when it comes to the bye period, the Flex player could offer a crucial extra position to stash a player with a good schedule and save a trade the following week.

SuperCoach Plus subscribers will get the first chance to experiment with Flex when the early Team Picker opens next week.

Top SuperCoach point scorers of 2024.

FLEX QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Is the salary cap increasing?

Yes, the salary cap will increase to $11.8m, in line with the actual NRL cap. Equally though, prices will be scaled back slightly to allow for picking a 26th player (for the Flex position). But with all that said, the game difficulty will remain the same.

Can the Flex player be nominated as captain or vice-captain?

Yes. The Flex player is treated the same as anyone else in your starting line-up and can be traded, substituted (with another player in the corresponding position or via DPP) or named C or VC. One factor to keep in mind - there is no emergency cover for your selected Flex player. If they don’t play, the zero score will drop out of your total for the week but there will be no cover from the bench.

How does best 17 scoring work and are emergencies included?

Each round, you’ll score from your best 17 players only (including your Flex player selection). You’ll still need to ensure that your best available players are in your starting line-up.

What happens if my captain isn’t in my best 17?

If your captain’s doubled score is NOT in your best 17 scores for the round, then their points will not count - you simply get your best 17 scores only. Similarly, if your captain’s doubled-score is NOT in your best 17 scores, you do NOT automatically receive double points from your vice captain - your vice captain only receives double points if your captain does not play for any reason.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2025: Use these 5 tactics to boss new Flex position