KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021: Teams analysis for Round 13

The most popular buy this week is a trap and KFC SuperCoaches should reverse trades now. Full teams lowdown.

WINNERS

* Stefano Utoikamanu – The popular early-season cheapie has been named for the Tigers just when we need him most for first big bye. The absence of Joe Ofahengaue (Origin) has opened the door for Utoikamanu to join the bench.

* Tevita Pangai – Came close to Origin selection for NSW, but ultimately missed out. Already in 35 per cent of teams, TPJ is hot property this week and will likely end in 40-45 per cent of sides. Pangai has a huge advantage over most/all buys this week given he is a potential keeper for the rest of the year – he has the second most points this season in the troublesome FRF position.

* Clint Gutherson – Nowhere to be seen on the NSW team sheet, despite the No. 14 and 18 jerseys being up for grabs, and KFC SuperCoaches are the big winners. Gutho is one of the most consistent players in KFC SuperCoach, scoring the fourth most points of any player this year, on top of the sixth most points last year and 27th most points the year before. Fullback is the hottest position in KFC SuperCoach and it’s important to keep it turning over, particularly with many top performers unavailable right now – Tom Trbojevic, Kalyn Ponga, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Valentine Holmes (Origin) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (injury).

* Matt Burton – Most purchased player last week and third most purchased player this week as KFC SuperCoaches look to cash in Sam Walker. While Burton is not a keeper until the end, he offers great coverage for the upcoming bye (when he’ll start in the halves with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai in Origin) and KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts he’ll make $50,000 in the next week.

Keenan Palasia has been named on the bench for the Broncos and is therefore a risky buy (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

* Ryan Matterson – Missed the Origin squad despite the suspensions of Angus Crichton and Victor Radley, meaning he’s now available for Round 13. While a definite hold this week for those who own already, he’s far from an automatic purchase due to a reduced role since returning from concussion. Once an 80 minute man, Matto’s game time has dropped to 65 minutes over the last two weeks and he’s averaged just 44.5 in that time. A perfect candidate to be upgraded to Tohu Harris next week.

* Reed Mahoney – 22 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches thought the dream was over when Mahoney was named for the Maroons. But as 19th man for Queensland, he’s set to be released and has been named for the Eels, providing a crucial extra number on a tough week.

LOSERS

* Keenan Palasia – The most popular buy this week has been dumped to the bench due to the return of Alex Glenn (calf). He’s therefore an extremely risky cheapie and KFC SuperCoaches are advised to reverse trades. Fair to say the eight missed tackles last week hardly impressed the coach.

* Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Payne Haas – Unfortunately for KFC SuperCoaches, these fringe selections made Origin squads. Even so, Jarome Luai looms as the only sell of this lot (he is the third most sold player).

* David Klemmer – The popular bye round purchase ticked his first box by not getting named for the Blues, but failed his second assignment by getting himself suspended for two weeks.

* Sam Walker – Most sold player this week. The argument on why to sell is emphatic – rested last week, no coverage this weekend, three-round average of 36, BE 126, projected drop of $40,00 after $91,000 last week and good replacements on offer. Time to take that $364,500 and run.

* Bailey Simonsson, Jason Saab, Josh Curran, Josh Schuster – Popular early season cheapies who have peaked at the perfect time. Downgrade to a cheapie or upgrade to a gun.

DRAGONS

TEAM NEWS: Four huge inclusions with Jack de Belin (stood down), Matt Dufty (shoulder), Josh Kerr and Mikaele Ravalawa (both suspension) returning, with only one forced omission in Tariq Sims, who has been named for the Blues. De Belin slots onto the bench for his first NRL game since 2018, replacing Jaiyden Hunt. Dufty’s return pushes Cody Ramsey to the wing with Jordan Pereira dropping out of the 17. Kerr starts in the back row with Billy Burns dropping out. Sims is replaced in the back row by Jack Bird, who switches from centre. Brayden Wiliame takes Bird’s centre spot with Ravalawa returning on the wing.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: Ben Hunt is a popular buy this week after missing Origin selection. The dual position is handy and he’s hit a great run of form, averaging 66 in the last month. Cody Ramsey, a popular cheapie from two weeks ago, switches back to the wing with Matt Dufty returning at fullback. It simply hasn’t worked out for Ramsey owners due to the Round 11 concussion, followed by a very hard-earned 30 last week, which included 19 runs. Hold this week and reassess, with Bulldogs cheapie Aaron Schoupp calling next week. Jackson Ford has impressed with 67 (60 minutes) and 60 (59 minutes) over the last fortnight. These stats are tempting, but realistically he’s just a quick cash grab before Jack de Belin starts to soak up big minutes, while Tyrell Fuimaono and Josh McGuire are both due back in Round 16. And even then the money-making potential is hardly strong with SC Plus predicting just over $40,000 in the next two weeks.

BRONCOS

TEAM NEWS: Without both Payne Haas and Xavier Coates due to State of Origin, but have halfback Tyson Gamble and prop Matt Lodge back from suspension. Lodge replaces Haas in the front row in a straight swap. Thomas Flegler takes the other prop spot, essentially swapping from lock with John Asiata. Highly-rated youngster Selwyn Cobbo debuts on the wing for Coates. Gamble’s return sees Albert Kelly shift from halfback to five-eighth with Anthony Milford dropped. Popular KFC SuperCoach cheapie Keenan Palasia drops to the bench to accommodate the return of skipper Alex Glenn in the second row.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: Tyson Gamble is back from suspension and a crucial extra number for many. We look forward to his 30 points minus 20 in infringements. Payne Haas has been named for the Blues and has hardly set the world on fire this year. But Sangster’s Paradise have far bigger issues to deal with so he likely bats on until stumps. See Tevita Pangai and Keenan Palasia analysis above

Matt Dufty returns from injury for the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

WESTS TIGERS

TEAM NEWS: Stefano Utoikamanu is a huge inclusion on the bench for KFC SuperCoaches. He replaces Alex Seyfarth, who has been promoted to the starting side in place of Origin-bound Joe Ofahengaue. Luciano Leilua (shoulder charge) has been named in his usual back row spot and will play after being cleared by the judiciary.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: David Nofoaluma is a handy but unspectacular target for this week’s bye, especially given the Tigers’ tough upcoming draw. Daine Laurie has fired in the last two weeks just when a bunch of KFC SuperCoaches sold, scoring 65 and 117. He’s a crucial number for many this week. Luciano Leilua looms as a great POD this week with attacking upside, although his win at NRL HQ will limit the input of early-season cheapie hope Shawn Blore.

PANTHERS

TEAM NEWS: Without eight players — Kurt Capewell, Isaah Yeo, Apisai Koroisau, Brian To’o, Liam Martin, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary (Origin) and Moses Leota (suspension). Matt Burton and Tyrone May form a new-look halves pairing in place of Cleary and Luai. Dylan Edwards (hamstring) is a timely return at fullback. KFC SuperCoach fancy Spencer Leniu earns a starting prop spot in place of Leota. Scott Sorensen earns a second row spot in place of Martin, while Matt Eisenhuth wins a promotion to Yeo’s lock spot. Mitch Kenny will play hooker in place of Koroisau, while Robert Jennings wins To’o’s wing spot. Jaeman Salmon, J’maine Hopgood, Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago join the bench.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: Plenty of action here so let’s sum it up quickly. Origin-bound Brian To’o and Nathan Cleary are holds because they are, like, awesome. Queensland rep Kurt Capewell should have been sold weeks ago but do it this week if you haven’t already. After being a big bye-round purchase not long ago, Jarome Luai is the second most sold player after earning a deserved NSW call-up. The suspension of Moses Leota is a God-send for KFC SuperCoaches given popular early-season cheapie Spencer Leniu has been named to start and will likely play big minutes after building up match fitness in the NSW Cup in previous weeks. With the depleted pack, James Fisher-Harris is also set for big minutes this week and is therefore a popular buy. Matt Burton is the most purchased player for two weeks in a row as KFC SuperCoaches look to cash in Sam Walker. While Burton is not a keeper until the end, he offers great coverage this week and KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts he’ll make $50,000 along the way.

STORM

TEAM NEWS: Josh Addo-Carr (NSW) and Felise Kaufusi (Queensland) are missing from last week’s team, while Christian Welch, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster are also on Origin duty. Dean Ieremia replaces Addo-Carr on the wing. Kenny Bromwich (hamstring) returns in the second row in place of Kaufusi.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: Nicho Hynes = gun. Obviously the smart KFC SuperCoaches got on two weeks ago, and the really smart KFC SuperCoaches got on six weeks ago when Ryan Papenhuyzen went down for the first time. Hynes has averaged an outrageous 123 in that period and received another boost last week with confirmation Papenhuyzen (concussion) is out until Round 15-16, meaning Hynes will be a top 17 player for much longer than expected. By now, the $877,000 price tag is extremely hefty. But he’s an automatic VC or C for the upcoming round. Brandon Smith is the second most purchased player this week after notching back-to-back tons at hooker with Harry Grant (hamstring) out. While not a keeper, he is a good player to cover this week, make some cash (projected rise of almost $60,000 this week), then upgrade to Tohu Harris or Jason Taumalolo before the Round 17 bye. Jahrome Hughes is the sixth most purchased player. But he’s far too expensive for me at essentially $700,000, especially considering looming price drops (BE 118).

TITANS

TEAM NEWS: Missing four players due to Origin with David Fifita, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui all selected for Queensland. Fifita is replaced in the second row by Sam Stone. Brimson is replaced at fullback by Jayden Campbell, the son of legend Preston Campbell. Fotuaika is replaced at prop by Jaimin Jolliffe. Fa’asuamaleaui is replaced at lock by Sam McIntyre. Ash Taylor (hip) returns from injury in the halves with Tanah Boyd dropping out of the 17. Tyrone Peachey (suspension), Joseph Vuna and Erin Clark join the bench.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: Should be a red-hot KFC SuperCoach side given the bye coverage, but it’s hard to get excited without David Fifita in the side. Discounting Origin players, Jarrod Wallace is the next most-owned Titan at just 2.3 per cent.

Blake Ferguson has been dropped for the Eels’ clash against Newcastle. Picture: Getty Images

KNIGHTS

TEAM NEWS: New-look front row. David Klemmer (suspension) will miss two weeks and is replaced by Sauaso Sue, while Daniel Saifiti (NSW) is replaced by brother Jacob. Tyson Frizell (ankle) is replaced in the second row by Brodie Jones. Kurt Mann, Nathanael Sasagi and Jack Johns join the bench. Fresh recruit Jake Clifford has been included on the extended bench.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: Adam O’Brien is hardly the most-loved man in fantasy land right now, but surely we can bank on one thing this week – Mitch Barnett will have an increased role with David Klemmer, Daniel Saifiti and Tyson Frizell out. Connor Watson and Jayden Brailey are also crucial extra numbers, but could be on the chopping block coming into Round 17. Bradman Best is the POD of the week for mine. While attacking stats are hard to come by at the Knights, Bradman’s pure base of 37 is off the charts for a centre and he is available at just $440K this week following injury issues. See David Klemmer analysis above.

EELS

TEAM NEWS: Winger Blake Ferguson has been axed in favour of youngster Haze Dunster. Reed Mahoney is a shock inclusion despite being named for the Maroons. He is 19th man for Queensland and the Eels hope he will be released for the game. Five-eighth Dylan Brown and prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard return from suspension, with Oregon Kaufusi going to the bench and Jakob Arthur sliding back to the reserves. Marata Niukore replaces NSW bench forward Junior Paulo in the front row. Will Smith (thumb) returns from injury in the bench utility role.

KFC SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS: Isaiah Papali’i just keeps making fools of the doubters, which previously included myself. The boom Parramatta recruit has the second most points of any KFC SuperCoach player this season and has an extremely safe floor, not scoring below 52. The big price tag of $700,000 is hardly enticing but you need to pay for the best. Likely loses money over the coming rounds due to a BE of 97, so look elsewhere if cash is an issue. Clint Gutherson and Ryan Matterson analysis above.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021: Teams analysis for Round 13