NRL SuperCoach: 10 things we learned from round 12
MISFIRING SuperCoach greats, Origin selection shocks and a fresh injury crisis. Here are the 10 things we learned from round 12.
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MISFIRING SuperCoach greats, Origin selection shocks and a fresh injury crisis.
Here are the 10 things we learned from round 12 of SuperCoach NRL — presented by hipages.
1 Fifita, Matterson injuries sting
The late withdrawals of Andrew Fifita (29.2 per cent) and Ryan Matterson (30.1 per cent) proved a massive dagger to a large number of SuperCoaches. Fifita missed the match due to bone bruising on his knee suffered a few weeks back, while Matterson failed to overcome a concussion from last round. Both men were fairly easily covered, however their availability for the upcoming bye round will prove crucial in a brutal week. Both men should cleared to play, but there’ll be a nervous wait for owners until final teams are named.
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2 Te Maire Martin outscores Brimson … just
The talking point prior to the round was AJ Brimson (18.1 per cent of trades) v Te Maire Martin (8.3 per cent of trades). The Cowboys five-eighth narrowly edged the young Titan 39 points to 35. Most pleasing was the fact both players had reasonable base stats. Martin made 30 tackles and six runs to go with his try assist, while Brimson had 15 tackles and nine runs. Martin can prove his worth in this week’s bye while AJ owners will be hoping he does enough to hold his spot through until round 17.
3 Kikau wows from the bench
Viliame Kikau was the second most sold player this week and he made coaches question the move. The Penrith back-rower played 54 minutes and belted out 78 points in the process. Kikau scored a barnstorming try late in the game in a nice boost to his score. Well proven as a SuperCoach asset off the bench, Kikau looms as a hold until round 17 although an upgrade to a round 13 gun could still be a savvy investment.
4 Just two runs from Latrell … seriously
Latrell Mitchell’s Origin selection surely makes him a sell. Mitchell has the potential to be a SuperCoach Immortal, but he needs the ball in his hands! The boom Roosters centre had just two runs against the Titans yet mustered 66 points. Latrell’s base stats remain a serious concern for owners, however his lethal attack and additional goal-kicking duties are enough to tempt a possible hold over the Origin period. Despite the temptation, Latrell now misses round 13 and 17 and is a prime sell candidate this week at a hefty $571,500 price tag.
5 Time for Milford to go?
Despite his poor start to the season, Anthony Milford offered plenty of hope with an upcoming run against the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Roosters and Eels at Suncorp Stadium. He flopped, notching scores of 56, 51, 38 and 39. The question now is hold or sell? All signs point to sell, with the major blow being his lack of round 13 coverage. The problem with Milf is you can almost guarantee he’ll string consecutive tons together the week after you sell. Milford has managed just two games over 56 this season to leave him with an average of just 49.9 PPG. Rest assured, whatever decision you make with Milf will invariably be the wrong one.
6 Thurston’s form slump
The greatest playmaker in SuperCoach history is in the greatest form slump of his career. His three-game average of 25 makes for sad reading and season average of 49 isn’t much better. JT is offically in the midst of his worst ever SuperCoach season, but can regain some brownie points with SuperCaoches with a massive performance in this week’s first bye.
7 Cameron Smith still the GOAT
Like Thurston, the knives have been out for Smith, who is also in the misdst of his worst SuperCoach season ever. However, he gave a timelt reminder of his GOAT status with hooking masterclass against the Cowboys in the grand final replay. Smith went into the weekend as the sixth-best hooker in SuperCoach, but has now surged into third spot following his 123-point monster, although he still sits a massive 234 points behind Damien Cook.
8 Fonua the offloading freak
Mahe Fonua confirmed his billing as a SuperCoach beast with a base stat belter against the Bulldogs. Fonua produced a stunning seven offloads for 28 points. Throw in two tackle busts and 21 runs, and you have one of the best base stat performances of the season from a centre. Fonua also had a try with line break disallowed (rightfully), which would have elevated him almost to the century mark.
9 Pangai officially joins the SC elite.
SuperCoaches have been saying it for years — if Tevita Pangai Jr ever gets the minutes he deserves, he will be an elite SuperCoach player. Well, that time has officially come. Pangai has averaged 70 minutes for an average of 67 points over the past month, which places him well and truly in the keeper realm.
10 Now the real fun starts
Origin selectors haven’t been kind to SuperCoaches. Angus Crichton has surged from being almost no chance of Origin a month ago to making the NSW side on the bench. Popular SuperCoach players Latrell Mitchell and Damien Cook have also scored spots in Brad Fittler’s side and therefore won’t cover this week’s tough first bye. SuperCoach revelation Jai Arrow has been named in the Queensland side, which throws round 17 planning out the window, while the likes of James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic will all play the insterstate blockbuster as expected.
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach: 10 things we learned from round 12
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