NRL draw 2016: Semi Radradra biggest SuperCoach winner from next season’s schedule
SEMI Radradra will be the most valuable player in SuperCoach over Origin, with his Eels securing a dream draw for 2016.
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SEMI Radradra will be the most valuable player in SuperCoach over Origin, with his Eels securing a dream draw for 2016.
The Fijian flyer, who produced the highest average of any SuperCoach player last season, is the only genuine keeper set to play all three tough Origin rounds.
However, Radradra is likely to start 2016 as the most expensive player in the game. SuperCoaches should therefore avoid the tryscoring winger early and hope for a price drop, before jumping on just prior to the byes at a bargain price.
In other SuperCoach news from the announcement of the 2016 NRL draw:
* THE worth of Radradra’s teammate Michael Gordon, who was already a popular prospect, has also gone through the roof due to his team’s favourable schedule;
* JAMES Tedesco (pending Origin selection), Shaun Fensom and James Graham also emerged as essential commodities over the byes;
* AFTER the Eels, the Dragons are the next most valuable side, followed by the Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders and Tigers;
* THE draw was generally kind on Origin guns. Corey Parker, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, Andrew Fifita, Trent Merrin, Greg Inglis, Daly Cherry-Evans and Billy Slater will all miss a minimum of just three games over Origin - the best possible scenario;
* THE schedule wasn’t so kind on Johnathan Thurston, Josh Dugan, Brett Morris and Tedesco (if he makes the NSW side), with all to miss at least four games;
* CANTERBURY young guns Tyrone Phillips and Brad Abbey loom as key bye-season cheapies, with both in contention for backline spots in place of NSW stars Josh and Brett Morris. Roosters rookie Latrell Mitchell may also be an essential cheapie from round 13 onwards.
* TOP shelf non-Origin guns Sam Burgess, Simon Mannering and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will miss two key Origin rounds, the worst possible scenario.
NRL CASUALTY WARD: Off-season injury list
SUPERCOACH: Players set to dominate 2016
NRL TRANSFER CENTRE: Player movement
PREDICTED TEAMS: How your side will line up
1. Eels (byes on rounds 13 and 16)
Lowdown: The best schedule in the comp. Play all three tough Origin rounds.
Rep player analysis: Origin players miss five weeks (the worst possible result). However, Beau Scott is the only Origin contender - and he’s not a SuperCoach factor.
Players to target: Semi Radradra is a must-have. Michael Gordon’s credentials also skyrocketed. He switched between wing, fullback and bench at the Sharks, but should considerably up his output as Parramatta’s frontline No. 1. Other borderline gun options include Nathan Peats, Manu Ma’u and Anthony Watmough.
2. Dragons (byes on rounds 13 and 18)
Lowdown: Brilliant bye schedule. The Dragons play two Origin rounds – and the one they miss isn’t until round 18.
Rep player analysis: Origin players miss four games. This is bad news for prospective Josh Dugan owners, while Tyson Frizell is on the fringe of NSW selection.
Players to target: No genuine keepers. But Tysone Frizell (if he misses Origin) leads a group of borderline guns that also includes Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Mitch Rein, Mike Cooper and Jack De Belin.
3. Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders, Tigers (byes on rounds 15 and 19)
Lowdown: Free for two Origin rounds, including the first (round 12). Round 15 will be tough to cover, but their final bye (round 19) should be relatively easy as only four sides are on the bye.
Rep player analysis: The likes of Johnathan Thurston, James Tedesco (pending selection), Michael Morgan and Brett Morris will miss at least four games over Origin.
Players to target: James Tedesco (if he misses Origin), Shaun Fensom and James Graham are must-haves over this period. Jarrod Croker will be hard to ignore, while Tyrone Phillips and Brad Abbey are cheapie prospects at the Bulldogs, with the Morris twins to play for the Blues.
4. Roosters (byes on rounds 12 and 16)
Lowdown: Miss the first big Origin week (round 12), but will be must haves from then onwards as their final break (round 16) falls on an easy week where only one other team has the bye.
Rep player analysis: Origin players miss four weeks – Boyd, Cordner, Aidan Guerra, Michael Jennings, Mitchell Pearce, and possibly Blake Ferguson, Daniel Tupou and Dylan Napa.
Players to target: Highly-fancied cheapie Latrell Mitchell should get a run when Jennings and co are out for Origin. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho will have to step up in absence of Boyd Cordner, Aidan Guerra and possibly Dylan Napa. Blake Ferguson could be a revelation at fullback, provided he misses Origin selection.
5. Broncos, Knights (byes on rounds 15 and 18)
Lowdown: Available for the first tough bye (round 11), but 15 and 18 will be very hard to cover.
Rep player analysis: Origin players miss just three rounds (the best possible result), which is fantastic news for SuperCoach ‘God’ Corey Parker.
Players to target: Anthony Milford could be a special to get through round 12 (provided he misses Origin). He averaged 75 from round eight onwards last year. Newcastle forwards Kade Snowden and Robbie Rochow fall into the borderline keeper category. Brisbane’s Aaron Whitchurch, Tom Opacic and Carlin Anderson loom as potential round 12 cheapies, with Darius Boyd on Origin duty.
6. Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm, Titans, Warriors (byes on rounds 12 and 18)
Lowdown: Both byes fall on tough weeks, but with a massive gap in between. They are therefore gold from for five rounds from 13 to 17. Many SuperCoaches will be tempted to jump on in round 13 and cop the hit in 18.
Rep player analysis: Origin players miss just three weeks - making Cameron Smith a hold from start to finish. Other SuperCoach relevant players here include Greg Inglis, Daly Cherry-Evans and Billy Slater.
Players to target: Not the best schedule, which is unfortunate for top shelf guns Sam Burgess, Simon Mannering, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jesse Bromwich and Shaun Johnson. There is also a glut of borderline guns who could be used for a five round hit-and-run mission from round 13, or be held to the end from round 13. Examples include Issac Luke, Bodene Thompson, Konrad Hurrell, James Roberts, Cameron Munster, Tohu Harris, Marika Koroibete, Adam Reynolds, George Burgess and John Sutton.
7. Panthers and Sharks (byes on rounds 12 and 15)
Lowdown: The worst bye schedule, with both byes falling early and on tough weeks. Conversely, they are the first teams to finish all their byes, ensuring a massive rush from round 16 onwards.
Rep player analysis: Origin players miss just three rounds - brilliant news for SuperCoach guns Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita and Trent Merrin.
Players to target: The likes of Josh Mansour, James Segeyaro, Bryce Cartwright, Tyrone Peachey, Dallin Watene Zelezniak, Jack Bird, James Maloney and Wade Graham will be key targets from round 15 onwards.
Originally published as NRL draw 2016: Semi Radradra biggest SuperCoach winner from next season’s schedule
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