NRL teams Round 2: KFC SuperCoach teams analysis, rage traders put on notice

NRL round two is here and KFC SuperCoaches are rage trading like crazy – and in the process falling into plenty of traps, writes TOM SANGSTER.

The Dolphins captured the hearts of the NRL community with their inaugural win over the Roosters and it appears they’ve also captured the hearts of KFC SuperCoaches.

Backline stars Jamayne Isaako (first) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (fourth) both sit in the most popular buys this week, but are KFC SuperCoaches jumping the gun?

KFC SuperCoach editor Tom Sangster thinks so. Read on for full analysis.

WINNERS FROM TEAMS

* Latrell Mitchell - Sent a scare through owners when he went down with a knee injury against the Sharks. But he played on and arguably played better once picking up the injury, notching 73 points. He has a minor PCL issue but has been named and is set to play, despite sitting out training on Tuesday.

LOSERS FROM TEAMS

* Cameron Munster - Will miss 2-4 weeks following surgery on his finger and is a definite sell. Adam Doueihi and Kalyn Ponga are the most popular replacements (more below).

Cameron Munster suffers a sickening finger injury. Picture: NRL Photos

* Tom Trbojevic - Brilliant return from long-term injury with 97 on the weekend – 194 for the 2.7 per cent who had him as captain. Unfortunately he has the bye this weekend but plenty of KFC SuperCoaches will have the C on him again in round three at his favourite 4 Pines Park, where he averages 82 over his career.

BUYS

* Jackson Ford - I’m shocked the former Dragon (59) is just the ninth most purchased player this week despite being in only 14 per cent of teams. While he didn’t notch any big attacking stats (he came close to a try), Ford ticked just about every box against the Knights, playing the full 80 minutes and being a constant menace every time he ran the ball with three tackle busts, two offloads and a linebreak. What’s more, the job security is decent given he appears well ahead of main competitor for game time Josh Curran, who played just 19 minutes.

Jackson Ford played the full 80 minutes. Picture: Getty

* Adam Doueihi - A typically brilliant SuperCoach performance from Doueihi (89) in that he scored across every single standard attacking category including a try, try assist, linebreak, linebreak assist, offload, two goals, two forced drop outs and five tackle busts.

* Kalyn Ponga - Very popular this week as KFC SuperCoaches look to unload Munster. While Doueihi is the preferred option for mine, Ponga is almost $100,000 cheaper and therefore has appeal after his season-opening 72. The two try assists were typical Ponga brilliance and his commitment was exemplary with plenty of big hits and general scrambling. That said scrambling led to what has become and almost obligatory HIA, but a committed Ponga at a discount price is still a scary proposition for non-owners.

* Tohu Harris - The KFC SuperCoach great scored 88 points in 80 minutes, almost all in base, and is therefore very tempting for those who can free up the cash. What’s more, Tohu is slightly underpriced after being eased back from an ACL injury last year and sits in POD range (for him) at 13 per cent ownership. With dual position flexibility and no bye until round 12, I want him badly but just can’t free the cash this week.

* Christian Welch - Owners are laughing but do you go out of your way to buy him? Well, there are probably more glamourous purchases this week but Welch possesses surety others don’t. Minutes were no doubt skewed at the Storm last week given so many concussions and injuries, but Welch is the one guy who likely played his usual share. He played 57 minutes which is actually lower than last year’s average of 61. Most importantly though, the offload is well-and-truly back after a hiatus last season.

Christian Welch’s offload is back. Picture: Getty

* J’Maine Hopgood, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Isaiya Katoa, William Warbrick, Stefano Utoikamanu, Sunia Turuva, Paul Alamoti - Not much needs to be said that hasn’t already. These cheapies were talked up by literally everyone over the pre-season and the predictions came true. All are must-haves and Hopgood may even be a Corey Parker-like set-and-forget captain after his 101 in pure base and base attack.

* Cameron Murray, Harry Grant, Payne Haas, Reuben Cotter, Patrick Carrigan - Again, don’t need to harp on too much about these guys. All popular, all guns, all coming off great games and you’ll want them in your side at some stage.

WATCH

* Jamayne Isaako and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - The Dolphins were no doubt brilliant in notching their inaugural win, against heavyweight the Roosters no less. Isaako and The Hammer were at the centre of it all and currently sit top of the most purchased player list. So now is a good time to remind KFC SuperCoaches of a golden rule of SuperCoach: Never chase last week’s points. Isaako will not score two tries every week, Tabuai-Fidow won’t notch a try and try assist every week, the Dolphins won’t score 28 points every week and they won’t dominate possession every week (they completed 36 sets to the Roosters’ 24). If Isaako and Hammer back it up this week, get on. But definitely take another look.

Jamayne Isaako is a popular buy but can he back it up?

* Josh King - Fifth most purchased player after a brilliant 96. But let’s take a closer look at the stats. He notched a try assist with linebreak assist and that’s certainly not an every day occurrence for King (he produced just two try assists in 24 rounds last year). Due to injuries and concussions at the Storm, he also played 80 minutes for the first time in his eight-year NRL career. Let’s see if he can back it up before jumping on.

* Braydon Wiliame - Definitely on my radar and well done to the 18 per cent who took the plunge in round one. The try assist was classy, the dual position is heavenly and the base is pretty solid with 13 runs.

* Davvy Moale and Shaq Mitchell - Expect big minutes from both again this week with Tevita Tatola (concussion) and Jai Arrow (hamstring) out. Moale (42 points in 39 minutes) and Mitchell (49 points in 45 minutes) played inflated game time due to the above in-game injuries and could notch similar numbers again this week given the injury crisis at the Rabbitohs. But it may only be a quick cash grab given a bunch of forwards are due back soon – Tatola, Hame Sele and Jacob Host are all due back next week, while Liam Knight and Siliva Havili are both listed as indefinite.

* Bryce Cartwright - The Carty Party is back! But it’s more of a mature 30th than a raging 18th. In other words, Carty is no longer the flashy young gun with attacking stats galore, but the experienced veteran finally playing like a normal back rower. Either way, it’s good for KFC SuperCoach given the 59 points, including 19 runs that most old tough nuts would be proud of. The bad news is that Ryan Matterson (round four) and Shaun Lane (indefinite) are due back soon. Take another look to assess Carty’s role in the side.

* Soni Luke - One to watch after 59 points in 25 minutes. After a disrupted pre-season, surely he starts attracting more minutes soon from basically bottom dollar, especially given the huge impact he had on the Penrith attack when he came on against the Broncos.

HOLD

* Brandon Smith - Former Storm teammate Felise Kaufusi put Brandon’s ribs into another postcode and the star recruit was subsequently sent for scans. He was cleared of major damage, has been named and is set to play. Even so, Smith is the third most sold player after a lacklustre 38 on club debut. But Smith had excuses on the weekend (the ribs, his team well-beaten) and the 58 minutes were encouraging. He even spent time as a ball-playing lock, which puts him under consideration for dual positioning in round six. Smith came close to a barge over try and is worth at least another week, the one big caveat being if you can get to Harry Grant.

* Egan Butcher - Another who copped the wrath of Kaufusi, Butcher also copped the wrath of the referee and was sent to the sinbin, therefore incurring an eight point deduction. In all he copped -14 in negative points, without which his score rises to a respectable 50 in 69 minutes. Even with all the concussions and injuries at the Roosters on the weekend he appeared set for 80 minutes, so he earns one more week with Sangster’s Paradise. But Tohu Harris for only $160,000 more or Josh King for $22,000 less are very tempting – not to mention Jackson Ford for $200,000 less for those who missed him.

* Alofiana Khan-Pereria - You knew the risks when you got on. While AKP scored six tries in two pre-season games, his base was low and we knew he’d score poorly with no tries. We probably weren’t expecting just five points, but CTWs can gain cash very quickly with just a try or two and that could happen as early as this week against the Dragons. The Titans’ left looked very strong on the weekend, but David Fifita and Phillip Sami nabbed all the stats and not our cheapie.

* James Tedesco and Nathan Cleary - 600 SuperCoaches are selling. Just don’t. They are arguably the best SuperCoach players of the last half decade.

James Tedesco had a frustrating game against the Dolphins.

SELL

* Luke Garner - Kikau’s replacement at the Panthers played only 51 minutes (we were hoping for 80) before being yanked and blasted by the coach in the post-game press conference.

* Frankin Pele - Even with the Bulldogs having to get a dispensation to name middle forwards last week due to an injury crisis, Pele played just eight minutes for eight points. He’s a luxury sell given you won’t make any money, but it could be a necessary trade next week especially if Moale and/or Shaq go well again.

* Matt Burton - Sticking to the Bulldogs theme. Cameron Ciraldo’s men looked clunky all over the field but especially on the left where the new combo of Burton and Viliame Kikau just didn’t gel. With Douehi killing it for only $30,000 more, it’s an obvious trade. The Bulldogs play the Storm in Melbourne this week so it could be another tough game for Burton.

* Tommy Talau - Struggled with cramp – perhaps worse – over the weekend and only notched 19 points. In any case, picking an almost mid-range cheapie in a poor attacking side was not a good idea to start with.

* Ray Stone - Somehow went into the season at 15 per cent ownership despite being benched by the Dolphins. It’s time to cut ties after playing just 36 minutes and missing the 17 this week.

* Cameron Munster from above

Latrell Mitchell has been named despite a PCL issue. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

PANTHERS v RABBITOHS

8pm Thursday at BlueBet Stadium

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. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18 Zac Hosking 19 Lindsay Smith 20 Tyrone Peachey 21 Jack Cogger 22 Tom Jenkins

RABBITOHS

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee-Kam 13. Cameron Murray.

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jed Carrtwright 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Terrell Kalo Kalo 20. Ben Lovett 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Josiah Karapani

EELS v SHARKS

6pm Friday at CommBank Stadium

EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig

Bench: 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserve: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Haze Dunster

SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Connor Tracey

Reserves: 18. Thomas Hazelton 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Max Bradbury 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru

BRONCOS v COWBOYS

8.05pm Friday at Suncorp Stadium

BRONCOS

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

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Deine Mariner

COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Tomas Chester 21. Gehamat Shibasaki 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

LISTEN TO OUR KFC SUPERCOACH PODCAST!!!!

ROOSTERS v WARRIORS

3pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium

ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Naufahu Whyte 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Corey Allan 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Elie El Zakhem

WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bayley Sironen

DOLPHINS v RAIDERS

5.30pm Saturday at Kayo Stadium

DOLPHINS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves: 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. JJ Collins 20. Kodi Nikorima 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

RAIDERS

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Matt Frawley 20. Zac Woolford 21. Trey Mooney 22. Peter Hola

STORM v BULLDOGS

7.35pm Saturday at AAMI Park

STORM

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Chris Lewis 20. Joe Chan 21. Kane Bradley 22. Jonah Pezet

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. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Fa’amanu Brown

Bench: 14. Jayden Tanner 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jacob Preston

Reserves: 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Okunbor

WESTS TIGERS v KNIGHTS

4.05pm Sunday at Leichhardt Oval

TIGERS

1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Asu Kepaoa 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Alex Twal

Reserves: 18. Starford To’a 19. Junior Tupou 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brandon Tumeth

KNIGHTS

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jack Johns 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Leo Thompson

Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Enari Tuala 21. Greg Marzhew 22. Dylan Lucas

DRAGONS v TITANS

6.15pm Sunday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

DRAGONS

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

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Michael Molo

Reserves: 18. Josh Kerr 19. Billy Burns 20. Max Feagai 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

TITANS

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Erin Clark 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Chris Randall 19. Treymain Spry 20. Klese Haas 21. Keano Kini 22. Toby Sexton

BYE: Sea Eagles

Originally published as NRL teams Round 2: KFC SuperCoach teams analysis, rage traders put on notice