NRL 2023 team lists round 6: Reece Walsh an avoid, J’Maine Hopgood a sell

Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh is arguably the form player of the NRL, but here’s why he should be avoided this week for KFC SuperCoach.

Reece Walsh is the fourth most purchased player this week as SuperCoaches rush to replace Tedesco, but I’m taking the controversial route and calling avoid.

Walsh is in great form and has two juicy games still to come (Raiders and Titans) but after that the draw firms up with Eels, Rabbitohs, Manly, Storm and Panthers.

Also at $720,000 you have other options.

Lachie Miller is available for just $25,000 more and brings a huge base and handy dual-position flexibility with him.

I like that more, even if Broncos games are a very hard watch.

Reece Walsh is one of the form players of the NRL. Picture: NRL Photos

FROM HOP-GOD TO HOP-GONE

Until 3.59pm this afternoon, I’d barely given any thought to selling J’Maine Hopgood.

Why would you?

He had scored the fifth most points of any player and looked every part a keeper in averaging 78.8 – the second best average of any forward behind only Payne Haas.

There was also the dream bye schedule and a further $31,400 predicted price rise this week.

Then the clock struck 4pm and the decision was taken out of our hands with Brad Arthur dropping Hopgood to the bench.

It’s hard to see the Parramatta revelation notching keeper scores from the interchange so it’s time to realise that $250,000 profit and free up money for Nicho Hynes next week.

Hopgood’s benching doesn’t just have big implications for the man himself, but also a silver lining for a SuperCoach-relevant teammate.

I’m talking of course of Ryan Matterson, who switches to lock and looms as a must-have for the byes if not before.

J'Maine Hopgood has been demoted to the bench. Picture: NRL Photos

WINNERS FROM TEAMS

- Josh Schuster - Back from a calf injury after a late withdrawal on the weekend. Schuster is a popular buy once again and a crucial purchase for those needing to free money for Nicho Hynes next week, especially given the dual position flexibility. Not a play against the Panthers this week or Storm next week, but a genuine top 17 contender in the next two rounds against the Tigers and Titans.

- Zac Hosking – The most popular purchase this week after retaining a starting back row spot at the Panthers. Does he continue playing 80 minutes even when the cavalry returns? Probably not, but we won’t find out this week with Luke Garner (ribs) and Liam Martin (hamstring) again missing the side. The 26-year-old mature-age rookie has been a revelation in two games so far this year, playing the full 80 minutes each week for an average of 98.5. The naysayers will claim Hosking’s scores have been propped up by the two tries, but to counter that his pure base of 53 is extremely encouraging. SuperCoach Plus predicts a $107,500 rise after this week so Hosking is very hard to turn down, despite the somewhat awkward mid-range price.

Zac Hosking celebrates a try against the Raiders. Picture: NRL Photos

- Tohu Harris - Back from a knee injury after a late withdrawal last week and a crucial inclusion for the 13 per cent who own him. For non-owners, the injury means Harris now sits with a BE of 101 and he could bottom out perfectly just before the byes, at which point he becomes one of the most valuable assets in KFC SuperCoach.

- Jacob Preston - The star cheapie has been named by the Bulldogs despite a nasty finger injury last week and is rated a 50-50 chance. Preston played on with the injury for the full 85 minutes last week and scored two tries. With the massive injury crisis at the Bulldogs – a total of 11 first grade forwards are unavailable or in doubt – SuperCoaches are hoping the young gun has no option but to play through the pain again. Preston has made $275,400 so far and is predicted to rise another $60,000 after this week. He may even be a hold for the entire season if you can cover his round 13 bye.

- Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui and the Titans - Gold Coast players are back from the bye and all the SuperCoach action here surrounds the Big Tino’s “little” brother. He’s the most popular cheapie this week and the numbers are decent for a prop without being brilliant – 32.5 average in 33 minutes, basically all in base and at a solid PPM of 0.9. He’s hardly the best bargain of the year but cheapies are few and far between at the moment and exactly 95,855 KFC SuperCoaches need to create $900,000 for Hynes next week. SuperCoaches also welcome back fellow Titans David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and – thankfully – the next player on this list.

Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui is a popular cheapie this week. Picture: NRL Photos

- Alofiana Khan-Pereria - SuperCoaches copped a shock last week when Titans coach Justin Holbrook hinted the star cheapie could be dropped for this game. AKP has no doubt been brilliant in attack, scoring five tries in four games to start his career. But his acrobatic finishes have masked a massive 10 errors, with Holbrook refusing to guarantee Khan-Pereria’s spot when questioned last week. Thankfully he’s been named for now and KFC SuperCoaches can therefore pencil in a predicted rise of almost $100,000. But definitely don’t get out the permanent marker just yet given Jojo Fifita is lurking on the extended bench.

- Matt Croker - The popular cheapie from last week has been named despite his ribs being put into next week by a textbook Jake Trbojevic hit. The minutes have stayed steady in the mid 40s and he’s made $38,100 so far. But the price rises will end soon given the BE of 17.

LOSERS FROM TEAMS

- Nicho Hynes and the Sharks – Cronulla players are on the bye this week (praise the Lord). But Nicho is a MUST next week so start freeing that cash. Nicho has averaged 141 in his two games and looms as a captaincy option every week regardless of opposition.

James Tedesco will miss at least a week through concussion. Picture: NRL Photos

- James Tedesco - Stood down for the mandatory 11 days due to concussion and therefore misses at least one week. And given his history of head knocks, it could well be more. Throw in the predicted price drop of $66,400, the looming Origin period and the stunning trade options available at fullback, and Teddy is a definite sell for those who haven’t already.

- Jonah Pezet - Jahrome Hughes is back and Pezet therefore drops out of the 17, as predicted. But he’s done his job in making a tick under $100,000 and becomes Hynes next week.

- Jack Bostock - We jotted him down last week as a future cheapie but it hasn’t worked out for the young Dolphin on two fronts. Firstly, he scored just 21 points as the Dolphins copped a hammering from the Dragons. Secondly, he has lost his spot this week to the experienced Edrick Lee.

- Franklin Pele - The popular cheapie is out for six weeks with broken arm. But at $211,100 there’s no money to be made by trading. In other words, he’s only a sell if you’re in a really good trade position or if you can’t get a FRF2 on the park.

Franklin Pele. Broken arm. Now mended. Looks good. Be stronger than ever. @NRL_Bulldogspic.twitter.com/RcaDeLGipn

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 3, 2023

BUY

- Greg Marzhew - Yes Greg can make some bad defensive reads but the Knights can’t defend their way into the eight, they need to attack and Marzhew brings plenty of that to the team. Averaging over 20 runs a game and busting tackles for fun, big Greg’s floor looks to be, very conservatively, 50PPG. At $580,000 Marzhew’s no cheapie but combine him with Jacob Kiraz and you’ll scare any H2H opponent. Even if it all goes pear shaped and Marzhew is dropped for his defence, he’ll still make mass cash – SuperCoach Plus predicts an enormous rise of $131,700 after this week.

- Nathan Cleary - Heavily sold last week and plenty would be regretting that move after a 124 point masterclass. A definite captaincy option against a Sea Eagles team that is scrambling to fill holes in the outside backs and with some positive match-ups to come just get him in. Price-wise, it’s the perfect week to jump on given he’s bottomed out at a $69,200 discount on his starting price.

Shaun Johnson is in vintage form. Picture: Getty

- Shaun Johnson - Johnson is in tremendous form and very popular this week. But the sooner you can get to a Hynes/Cleary one-two punch at halfback the better. SJ can help get you there so he could be a buy this week BUT you’d be selling him the next to get Hynes. He certainly has claims as a one-week-wonder given the good match-up against the Knights and predicted rise of $84,200.

- Payne Haas – Dominating his position like no other player, Haas has scored 90 points more than the next best FRF (Max King). But $750,000 is right up there in terms of Haas’ value. If I could find other areas to upgrade while waiting/hoping Haas hits a flat spot I could see the point in doing so.

AVOID

- Jack Johns - Great stats last week (72 points including a try) and named to start at lock this week, but I still see johns as a trap. Adam Elliott is reportedly a couple of weeks away and when he returns you’d think he slots straight in at lock. Kurt Mann, who returns from a concussion this week, can also play lock, while Jacob Saifiti (suspension) is due back in round eight. Given that shaky job security, the $56,200 predicted price rise is not enough to make the trade worthwhile.

HOLD

- Paul Alamoti - I’m certainly not against selling, but he’s probably fifth or sixth on the list (see priority sells below). While Alamoti has theoretically peaked for now at a price rise of almost $200,000, he has only just scratched the surface of his SuperCoach talent. The kid is averaging 45.8 without scoring a try. His only “big” attacking stats are two try assists, which both came without linebreak assists. He possesses an extremely solid base and is sure to activate another round of price rises at some stage this season as soon as he finds some attacking stats.

SELL

- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Stefano Utoikamanu - I’ve grouped these guys together because they sit in the same SuperCoach category – star early season cheapies who have peaked in price and can now be cashed in. Stefano has made $105,400 but his BE of 47 is almost identical to his average of 49.6. It’s not often we see those two numbers so close together so the universe is telling us to sell. The timing is also near-perfect on The Hammer, who has made $160,000 but now sits with a BE of 49 compared to an average of 62.6.

Paul Alamoti has a great work rate. Picture: Getty

STORM v ROOSTERS

Thursday, 7:50pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17 Tariq Sims

Reserves: 19. Grant Anderson 18 Jordan Grant 20. Tyran Wishart 21 Jack Howarth 22 Jonah Pezet

Roosters

1. Joey Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Drew Hutchison 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Terrell May 16. Corey Allen 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Naufau Whyte 19 Paul Momirovski 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Ben Thomas

BULLDOGS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 4:05pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards

Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Kuris Morrin 16. Jayden Tanner17. Jackson Topine

Reserves: 19. Braidon Burns 19. Karl Oloapu 20. Samuel Hughes 22 Reece Hoffman 23 Andrew Davey

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Taane Milne 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Davvy Moale 17. Hame Sele

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19 Blake Taaffe 20. Ben Lovett 21. Joseph Karapani 22. Dean Hawkins

COWBOYS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Brendan Elliot 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Mitchell Dunn 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Griffin Neame 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Tom Chester 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Riley Price

Reserves: 18. Ben Hampton 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Jake Bourke

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Edrick Lee 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves: 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Mason Teague 20. JJ Collins 21. Jack Bostock 22. Robert Jennings

LISTEN TO OUR KFC SUPERCOACH PODCAST!!!!

PANTHERS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18 Tyrone Peachey 19 Jack Cogger 20 Eddie Blacker 21 Kurt Falls 22 Tom Jenkins

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Karl Lawton16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Cooper Johns 20. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 21.Samuela Fainu 22. Aaron Woods

BRONCOS v RAIDERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Corey Jensen 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Jordan Pereira 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Kobe Hetherington 21. Jock Madden 22. Xavier Willison

Raiders

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Trey Mooney 20. Peter Hola 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Clay Webb

TITANS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Toby Sexton 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Jo Vuna 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Klese Haas

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kruise Leeming 20. Jojo Fifita 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Jack de Belin 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Tautau Moga 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Jayden Sullivan 22. Jaiyden Hunt

KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 6:15pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Phoenix Crossland 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Jack Johns

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Mathew Croker 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Enari Tuala 19. Dylan Lucas 20. Thomas Cant 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Ryan Rivett

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Ronald Volkman 23. Demitric Sifakula

TIGERS v EELS

Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Tigers

1. Charlie Staines 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole.

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Shawn Blore

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Daine Laurie

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson.

Bench: 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Jack Murchie 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Waqa Blake

BYE: SHARKS

Originally published as NRL 2023 team lists round 6: Reece Walsh an avoid, J’Maine Hopgood a sell