NRL SuperCoach 2024: Rob Sutherland updates his team

One star is the best prop in the game, the other averaged 120PPG over the final eight rounds of 2023, and yet Rob Sutherland has axed them both - he explains his insanity here.

Payne Haas and Kalyn Ponga were two of the first players I picked when I did my first draft for 2024.

But in this version of my team I have cut them both.

In Haas’s case I have gone looking for a little more value at a little lower price. With regards to Ponga, I think you can make a solid case for any two of about eight fullbacks ahead of round one - in this iteration of my team I’m taking a punt on a player I both fear to own and not own in equal measure.

HOOKER

UNCHANGED

Harry Grant HOK $750,000

The best hooker in SuperCoach, Grant’s 73.5PPG average in 2023 was 8.5PPG better than the next nearest at the position (Damien Cook) and as a result Grant scored 122 points more than Cook even though he played one less game (and 125 less minutes over the course of the season). Late in the regular season and in the finals, Storm coach Craig Bellamy opted to start Grant off the bench limiting his star to 50-65 minutes per game. The move helped rather than hindered Grant and it won’t worry me if he is named at 14 for round one.

Harry Grant is clearly the top pick at his position. Picture: Getty Images

Jayden Brailey HOK $330,000

If Jayden Brailey is not the unluckiest man in rugby league, then he’s surely in the top three. After playing 23 regular season games for the Sharks in 2019 Brailey headed to the Knights with big expectations for 2020. Unfortunately his season ended part way through the second round of the season due to an ACL injury. He bounced back to play 22 regular season games (plus one final) in 2021 only to rupture his Achilles in the pre-season of 2022 limiting him to the final eight games of the regular season. Then along comes 2023 and 62 minutes into round six Brailey went down again – his ACL again – and his season was done. All of which is to say there’s clearly plenty of risk in picking Mr Brailey. But there’s reward too. In those seasons where he did not cop a catastrophic injury (2019 and 2021) Brailey averaged 46PPG and then 59PPG. The 1302 points he scored in 2021 would have been enough to place him fourth at position if he scored them in 2023. In Brailey’s absence Phoenix Crossland really shone for the Knights at hooker last year, and he may eat into Brailey minutes a little in 2024 but that doesn’t worry me at the price, rather I just hope Brailey finally gets the good luck with injury that he’s due.

FRONT ROW

CHANGES

Payne Haas FRF $750,400 OUT Joe Tapine FRF $656,500 IN

Of the ‘elite’ FRF options Payne Haas is the most reliable when it comes to producing ‘keeper’ scores of 60+ game after game and that’s why he’s the rock I originally planned to build my FRF around. But I felt my squad was a little thin, a little too reliant on cheapie placeholders who, even if they did play, would play such limited minutes that I could not really rely upon them. Swapping out Haas for Tapine frees up $100K and my hope is that over the course of the season the move pans out about equal - or even slightly in my favour. For while Haas had the clearly superior average in 2023 (Haas averaged 74PPG while compared to Tapine averaged 64PPG) he actually scored nine less points as Tapine (who as a Kiwi has no Origin eligibility issues) played three more games. In 2022 - when Tapine actually averaged slightly more than Haas - the points difference between the pair favoured Tapine by a whopping 270 points. I gave serious thought to saving another $100K and grabbing Reuben Cotter instead of Tapine but feel he’s just a rung below the elite at position just for now.

Joseph Tapine. Picture: NRL Photos

Sione Fainu FRF $204,300 OUT Xavier Willison FRF $265,200 IN

With minutes up for grabs there’s money to be made in the Broncos FRF. Willison is a good chance to land a bench job at the Bronx and while he won’t make big money he comes with a lower entry price to fellow Brisbane cheapie Fletcher Baker. My team structure would be better with a FRF/2RF dual OR just the one cheapie and Keenan Palasia (see below) as my FRF3 but that requires a 2RF cheapie I like more than Willison or Henry and I have not found one, yet.

UNCHANGED

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui FRF/2RF $791,500

Tino averaged 56PPG in 2021, 67PPG in 2022 and 78PPG in 2023 so he’ll obviously finish 2024 around the 89PPG mark. Wishful thinking that may be, but even if he ‘just’ maintains his 75+PPG average I’d consider this a good buy. With upside galore and a base of 55+ Fa’asuamaleaui also brings plenty of reliability having played 19, 21, 22 and 19 games over the past four seasons. If there’s one wrinkle it is that new Titans coach Des Hasler sure knows how to destroy a lock for SC purposes – he turned both James Graham (Bulldogs) and Jake Trbojevic (Manly) into ball distributors who rarely engaged the line – hopefully the ‘Mad Scientist’ leaves our Tino alone.

Liam Henry FRF $238,900

Normally I like to start the season with a starting prop as my FRF3 otherwise a 3-4 week injury to one of my starters will force an early trade. But I’m happy to take a punt on Henry here as I’m carrying some FRF insurance below. As for Henry I’ve sung his praises in the cheapie bible here.

SECOND ROW

CHANGES

Viliame Kikau 2RF $468,500 OUT, Brendan Piakura 2RF $426,800 IN

Viliame has never been a ‘worker’ - his base PPG average hovers in the low 30s - and instead acquired his SC relevancy by racking up big attacking/power based stats when at the Panthers. My fear is, will those come at the Dogs? At Penrith Kikau had Jarome Luai feeding him from the inside and a rotating cast of legitimate threats like Brian To’o, Taylan May and Izack Tago attracting defenders on the outside. I think it is fair to suggest the Bulldogs (even the Penrith-lite Bulldogs) are not the same threat. And so I’ve booted Kiks and picked Piakura. Firstly, the negatives; Piakura is not a noted worker so a base in the high 30s from the full 80 minutes looks about the best we can hope for and would have to settle for mid 30s on occasions. But, I think it’s a fair bet the Broncos score more points than the Dogs in 2024 and Piakura is a try scorer on an edge. Piakura’s job security looks good too thanks to the departure of Kurt Capewell, and the $40K saved is put to work below.

Brendan Piakura looks to have a starting role lined up at the Broncos. Picture: Liam Kidston

Myles Martin FRF|2RF $204,300 OUT Bronson Garlick 2RF|HOK $268,500 IN

Martin was always a placeholder and to an extent Garlick is too, but the higher price tag means I am placeholding a more realistic budget now. With that said, Garlick had a sneaky good finish to 2023. Up until round 21 Garlick was averaging 23PPG and 24 MPG. Over the final four games of the regular season he averaged 40PPG and 50MPG and was starting the game to reduce Harry Grant’s workload. IF Garlick were carving out a role as a starting hooker who then grabbed a second shorter stint as a roving middle then he presents as pretty good value. BUT, there’s also a risk that the emergence of Sua Faalogo (who is a chance to grab a bench spot) comes at Garlick’s expense - can the Storm really carry BOTH a utility fullback and utility hooker on their bench? Soooo Placeholder for now, but one with potential.

UNCHANGED

Beau Fermor 2RF $467,300/Josh Curran 2RF $421,700 and Shaun Lane 2RF $446,200

Like most SuperCoaches I have found the mid-range bonanza at 2RF too tempting to ignore.

Fermor was working his way towards making his debut for the Qld Maroons in 2023 after a barnstorming 2022 and then ruptured his ACL in pre-season and had to sit out the entire year. Back in work now, Fermor has a new coach to impress in Des Hasler. If he does and regains his spot on the edge then he’s a lock in my team at that price.

Shaun Lane is another of the ‘no luck in 2023’ gang. Pre-season injury meant Lane’s season did not begin until round six, then an injury in round 11 saw him miss a stack more games and his round 19 return lasted just three games before further injury. Priced at a 44PPG average, Lane is a 15/20PPG better player than that.

Curran was under-utilised at the Warriors in 2023 and joins the Bulldogs for 2024. An edge forward/lock, he has a huge appetite for work and I can see him starting at 13 or possibly as a slightly undersized prop in the Reuben Cotter mould. Another I love at the price – provided he’s named for round one.

Veteran half Aidan Sezer is a DPP priced just above cheapie range. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

HALFBACK

CHANGE

Tyron Wishart HFB|5/8 $238,900 OUT, Aidan Sezer HFB|5/8 $345,000 SHIFTED to HFB

Wishart was always just a placeholder, and the money I saved above has gone towards replacing him with Kyle Flanagan (below). To make this change I slid Sezer up from 5/8 to HFB. Sezer – who is back in the NRL after a stint in the Super League – is expected to start in the halves for the Tigers and I also expect him to take the goalkicking duties (more on that later). It’s the kicking that is crucial here. Without that job I see Sezer averaging 35-40PPG which is fine but not exciting. With the kicking I expect Sezer to average 45-50PPG and that’s a mark at which he’ll both provide a serviceable backup and make me some cash.

UNCHANGED

Nicho Hynes HFB $970,000

Unlike Tom Sangster I don’t get the 10% salary cap bonus required to fit both Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes in my team for round one so I had to choose between the two. I genuinely don’t think you can go too wrong with either of Hynes or Cleary and obviously you want both as soon as you can. In the end Hynes’ durability won out over Cleary’s slightly higher ceiling. But as I say – either is good.

St George Illawarra Dragons recruit Kyle Flanagan during pre season training. Picture Dragons media

FIVE-EIGHTH

CHANGE

Kyle Flanagan 5/8 $310,500

After going rather gosh darn well for the Roosters in 2020 (18 games, average of 59PPG) Flanagan’s NRL, and SuperCoach, career kind of flatlined at the Bulldogs. He did play 17 games for the Dogs in 2023 with nine starts (averaging 40.2PPG) and eight games off the bench – most of which saw him play very limited minutes. Now at the Dragons, Flanagan is expected to nab a starting spot as five-eighth alongside veteran half Ben Hunt. Priced at 30PPG Flanagan offers upside if starting in the halves. But there’s a kicker – literally – Flanagan is a rather excellent goalkicker and the Dragons 2023 kicker Zac Lomax can be erratic (analysis of each NRL team’s goalkicking options for 2024 here). If Flanagan lands a starting role (let’s say 40PPG) AND the kicking role (add 10PPG conservatively) then you’re getting a 50PPG player at a 30PPG price. That’s nice.

UNCHANGED

Dylan Brown 5/8 $780,800

No five-eighth has a workrate like Dylan Brown. The Parramatta playmaker averaged 37PPG in base alone in 2023, a rate which is absolutely elite for a half. Around that he stacks plenty of attacking stats as his 2022 average 74PPPG and 2023 average 76PPG attests. Brown also ‘owes’ the Eels after a scandal-plagued 2023 limited him to just 17 games. The return of his left-side bodyguard Shaun Lane (see above) is yet another bonus.

Ben Trbojevic has impressed in the pre-season. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

CENTRE/WING

CHANGE

Krystian Mapapalangi CTW $219,900 OUT, Ben Trbojevic 2RF/CTW $277,400

Dom Young’s departure means there is a valuable role up for grabs on the right wing at Newcastle and Mapapalangi, who missed the entire 2023 season due to a shoulder injury, is a chance to grab it. BUT Ben Trbojevic has had a tremendous pre-season (so far) and is in line to nab a starting spot playing 2RF for the Sea Eagles. YES that spot is possibly only a ‘placeholder’ as the club rebuilds Josh Schuster’s fitness. BUT if you can get a starting 2RF in your centres for under $300K then you have to respect that.

UNCHANGED

Taylan May CTW $458,800

The departure of Stephen Crichton opens a centre slot at the Panthers. Known more as a winger, May (who did not play any NRL games in 2023 after injuring his ACL in the World Club Challenge) has played some centre at NSW Cup level and reportedly spent the season bulking up in preparation for the shift into the centres. Faces stiff competition for the job from the likes of Tyrone Peachey, new recruit Paul Alamoti and youngster Jesse McLean.

Drew Hutchison HFB|CTW $354,900

Enough of the ‘Fat Aubo’ jokes; Drew Hutch is a rugby league god capable of starring in the halves, centres and second row. Now at the Bulldogs, Hutchison is being touted as a good chance to form a new-look halves pairing and if selected to start there then he’s worth some consideration. Don’t believe me? The stats don’t lie, as a starting half in 2023 Hutchison averaged 62PPG. To be fair, the stats don’t perhaps tell the whole story. DHutch started just four games in the halves, and in one of those he scored 130 points which slightly skewed the average if I’m being honest. And there’s job security issues. And it’s the Dogs. So, he may not stay, but for now Drew Hutchison is MY GUY.

Bronson Xerri CTW $345,100

Xerri is back in the game after a lengthy ban for breaching doping regulations. Reportedly training the house down at the Bulldogs Xerri has plenty of competition for a starting role but is leading that race. If named to start Rd 1 then he’s in, if not it’s back to that drawing board.

Sua Faalogo CTW/FLB $339,000 IN

Faalogo produced a brilliant debut in round 27 and went on to star in two Tests for Samoa. While he starts a fair way above bottom dollar, he still represents serious value given his billing as a generational player. Adding to his appeal – and I feel dirty typing this – is the fact that Ryan Papenhuyzen, the man holding him out of a start at fullback at the Storm, has a horrible history when it comes to injuries and managed 17, 13, 12 and just two games in his past four seasons. Even when ‘Paps’ is fit I expect Faalogo to start from the bench, should Papenhuyzen succumb to injury again then we’ve a starter on our hands.

Ethan Strange 5/8|CTW $238,900/Chevy Stewart CTW|FLB $204,300

Ricky Stuart doesn’t take my calls anymore, but if he did I would tell him that Strange should be his starting five-eighth and Stewart his fullback. If Ricky rolls that way then these two stay, if not I’ll have some work to do.

Latrell Mitchell is an upside pick with plenty of risk. Picture: Rohan Kelly

FULLBACK

CHANGES

Kalyn Ponga FLB $892,800 OUT Latrell Mitchell FLB $789,400 IN

Ponga averaged a rather impressive 87PPG in 2023. But that number does not tell the whole story. The Knights started 2023 with Ponga at five-eighth instead of his preferred fullback position. That experiment ended in round 13 and Ponga went on to average 105.3PPG at fullback over the remainder of the season. Even that does not tell the whole story, as Ponga resumed the goalkicking duties in round 18 and then averaged 119PPG over the remainder of the season. so why am I making this change you ask? Good question. Having re-read those stats I’m now second-guessing myself. But, let me talk you through the madness.

PROS

First point: The Rabbitohs were, to be frank, not very good last year. Or to be more accurate, they were very good in patches and when not very good they were pretty bad. They are too good a squad to miss the eight again and I expect a lift in 2024. As the focal point of attack, and goalkicker, Mitchell’s personal SuperCoach output will improve if his club does.

Second point: Latrell Mitchell was very very good in patches, he averaged 107PPG over rounds 5-9 inclusive a span which included matches against the Storm, Panthers and Broncos. And outside that purple streak, Mitchell - thanks in no small part to his goalkicking role - was still very reliable scoring 60+ in 75% of games and 55+ in 87.5% of games.

CONS

There’s no way to sugar-coat this: Mitchell is not an ironman. Over the four seasons 2020-2023 Mitchell has played just 61 regular season games. For comparison James Tedesco played 80 games over that period and Kalyn ‘concussion issues’ Ponga played 64 games.

The durability is a legitimate concern, especially as I am already running the Trbojevic gauntlet below. I have a very firm eye on Tedesco as an option, Dylan Edwards too (whose durability will see him finish in the ‘elite’ range for season points but whose lack of ceiling probably sees him miss a top-5 PPG ranking at the position). Oh and there’s Ryan Papenhuyzen and Reece Walsh too. All I can promise is at some point every one of those guys will be road-tested in my squad before round one.

UNCHANGED

Tom Trbojevic FLB $833,500 IN

Speaking of high risk, high reward fullbacks - ‘Turbo Tom’ is the top banana in that category.

Trbrojevic, who played just 40 games in 2020-23, makes Mitchell look like Lou Gehrig. That’s the risk. The reward is that over that period Trbojevic averaged 98.6PPG. When fit and healthy he is the best fullback in the game. A big call considering the talent that plays at that position but a hill I’m happy to die on. Having constructed a team full of sensible choices and position covering dual position options, I’m happy to take a chance on you Tom.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2024: Rob Sutherland updates his team