NRL SuperCoach teams analysis round 1 2024: Ben Trbojevic cheapie of the year

We officially have a new most popular player in NRL SuperCoach 2024 but also some must-sells after a topsy-turvy teams day for round one.

Tom Sangster analyses the big NRL SuperCoach talking points from the Vegas team announcements.

Only four teams were announced this week ahead of the US games on Sunday, with the rest of round one teams to be announced on Tuesday next week.

We therefore have a painfully long wait between games from this Sunday to next Thursday. But SuperCoaches can update teams as much as they like during the downtime with only the four Vegas teams locked out once they take the field. Happy SuperCoaching.

WINNERS

* Ben Trbojevic CTW/2RF $277,400 - We officially have a new most popular player in SuperCoach 2024. As predicted, Burbo has won an edge back row sot at the Sea Eagles with Josh Schuster not making the trip to Vegas following a pre-season full of setbacks.

While Schuster is aiming to return soon, it will likely be off the bench and Burbo will therefore get at least a month of strong price rises, probably more. Start him in your 17 this week at CTW, with dual positioning just a bonus.

Ben Trbojevic is the most popular player in SuperCoach. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

* Brendan Piakura 2RF $426,800 - Named and will play for the Broncos despite a knee injury in the trials. He was brilliant in said trial before going down and is hugely popular, owned by almost 30 per cent of SuperCoaches. The eye test is good and he has an opportunity for improvement given he has taken the edge back row spot of 80 minute man Kurt Capewell (Warriors). The fact Piakura already averaged 57 minutes last year is nagging my brain, but he remains a very solid option in a hugely competitive 2RF mid-range market.

* Jacob Gagai FLB/CTW $204,300 - Named on the wing for the Rabbitohs with Campbell Graham (sternum) and Tyrone Munro (shoulder) out long-term and Jack Wighton (suspension) due back in round three. This is a tough one. Gagai may well end up being one of the better round one cheapies if it’s Richie Kennar, not Gagai, who drops out when Wighton returns. Although if Gagai is axed we’ll be left with a non-playing cheap CTW we can’t get rid off. There is also Izaac Thompson who didn’t make the trip to Vegas due to visa issues. The risk is real here, but also so tempting.

Debutant Jacob Gagai comes with plenty of risk heading into round one. Picture: NRL Imagery

* Sitili Tupouniua 2RF $398,200 and Siua Wong 2RF $462,000 - The race for edge back row spots at the Roosters has been a constant of pre-season SuperCoach musings and now we have our answer. Tupouniua and Wong have beaten out the far more experienced Nat Butcher (bench) and Angus Crichton (out of 17). Both are now serious mid-range candidates. But with strong player depth at the Roosters all across the pack, can you trust the job security? I’m leaning towards Shaun Lane, Beau Fermor, Morgan Smithies and Piakura instead.

* Spencer Leniu FRF $332,400 - After being backed for a bench spot for much of the pre-season, Leniu will start for at least round one with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves out suspended. Leniu is extremely popular following his move from the Panthers, where he averaged just 33 minutes. Even though he is noted as more of an impact weapon, he should improve on that at the Roosters. But is he still worth a buy? Not when you can get cheapies Samuel Hughes and Liam Henry for $100,000 cheaper.

* Xavier Willison FRF $265,200 - Named for the Broncos despite chat he could miss the 17. With that job security issue hanging over him, plus being a little more expensive than the cheapies mentioned above, he’s a pass for me.

LOSERS

* Terrell May FRF $430,200 - I talked up May for much of the pre-season after he roared home with an average of 53 over his final seven games last year. But he’s been named on the bench and is therefore an avoid.

* Tallis Duncan 2RF $321,600 - Very popular cheapie misses the 17 for the Rabbitohs even with a four-forward bench. Avoid for now but keep him up your sleeve for later in the year.

BUY

* Tom Trbojevic FLB $833,500 - I’m all over Tommy Turbo this year. His draw is great (no bye until round 13) and his first seven rounds are all day or early kick-offs so nice dry tracks for plenty of points. He’s a captain option basically every week and I plan to do just that in Vegas to get ahead of the pack this weekend. The big risk is of course injury. But he’s expensive and can be traded to most other fullbacks without needing extra cash. So realistically, by buying Turbo the only thing your are risking is one trade. Sign me up.

SELL

* Payne Haas FRF $750,400 - I can hear the moaning from Brisbane already as this is definitely a controversial call. Haas is a great of SuperCoach, no doubt. But he is so consistent that his price barely fluctuates. I’d much prefer to spend big on other positions with attacking upside (read: Nicho Hynes, Turbo and Dylan Brown) and buy Haas for the same price later on.

* Reece Walsh FLB $813,000 - This is not a knock on Walsh who is no doubt one of the great players in our game right now. But he also lacks base stats and has serious competition in a crack fullback position. I have Kalyn Ponga, Tom Trbojevic, Scott Drinkater and Ryan Papenhuyzen ahead.

NRL ROUND ONE - VEGAS GAMES

SEA EAGLES v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 3rd March, 1:30pm (AEDT), Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Josh Aloiai, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Karl Lawton, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jake Arthur, 19. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, 20. Aaron Woods, 21. Tommy Talau, 22. Brad Parker

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Isaiah Tass, 4. Richard Kennar, 5. Jacob Gagai, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Sean Keppie, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Thomas Burgess

Reserves: 18. Tallis Duncan, 19. Michael Chee Kam, 20. Shaquai Mitchell. 21. Peter Mamouzelos 24. Dean Hawkins

ROOSTERS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 3rd March, 3:30pm (AEDT), Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Joey Manu, 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Sam Walker, 8 Spencer Leniu, 9 Brandon Smith, 10 Lindsay Collins, 11 Sitili Tupouniua, 12 Siua Wong, 13 Victory Radley Bench: 14 Sandon Smith, 15 Naufahu Whyte, 16 Nat Butcher, 17 Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Angus Crichton 20. Egan Butcher 21. Connor Watson 22. Connor Watson

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Jesse Arthars, 3. Selwyn Cobbo, 4. Kotoni Staggs, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy, 15. Fletcher Baker, 16. Kobe Hetherington, 17. Xavier Willison

Reserves: 18. Corey Oates, 19. Jock Maddem, 20. Tristan Sailor, 21. Marty Taupau, 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach teams analysis round 1 2024: Ben Trbojevic cheapie of the year