NRL SuperCoach 2016: 10 studs, 10 duds revealed
IT’S never too early to start working on your NRL SuperCoach team. Resident guru Tom Sangster has named Warriors maestro Shaun Johnson, the world’s best player in 2014, on our list of duds for 2016.
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IT’S never too early to start working on your NRL SuperCoach team. Resident guru Tom Sangster has named Warriors maestro Shaun Johnson, on our list of duds for 2016.
It may seem a long way away with the summer heat beating us down but there are just 78 days until the Eels and Broncos kick off next year’s Telstra Premiership and you can bet the best SuperCoach players are already pencilling in their first line-ups.
Johnson, named the world’s best player just last season, heads our list of SuperCoach duds for 2016 — and he’s not the only big name that Tom Sangster is urging you to steer clear of.
Another is the player boasting the highest average in 2015 — Parramatta’s Semi Radradra. But that is strictly an early season warning as the Eels have a superb bye schedule.
Heading up Tom’s list of studs to build your 2016 line-up around is Penrith winger Josh Mansour, a SuperCoach favourite who suffered through an injury-ravaged season in 2015.
There are the usual rookies to profit from but included on Tom’s studs list is a player who breaks one of the golden rules of SuperCoach — never pick a player after a career year.
THE DUDS
Shaun Johnson
Predicted 2016 starting price: $423,000
2015 average: 70.5
The Warriors halfback is set to start 2016 slowly following a serious ankle break. Second to only Johnathan Thurston in the halves last year in terms of season average, Johnson will no doubt be a SuperCoach factor at some stage during the year. But there are better buys for round one, including Thurston (best SuperCoach half of all time), Daly Cherry-Evans (now the dominant half at Manly following exit of Kieran Foran), Anthony Milford (averaged 75 from round eight onwards, but price will be based on a season average of 65) and Jackson Hastings (to be the most popular cheapie in SuperCoach following the James Maloney’s move to the Sharks).
MORE SUPERCOACH:
Cameron Munster
Predicted 2016 starting price: $370,000
2015 average: 61.88
The rookie revelation finished 2015 with the fourth highest average of any centre/wing. He averaged a massive 93 over the last five rounds — the best of any player. However, with Billy Slater fit and firing, Munster is expected to move to centre, which will dramatically reduce his involvement.
Semi Radradra
Predicted 2016 starting price: $487,000
2015 average: 81.11
The Fijian flyer finished 2015 with the highest average of any player. He’ll therefore start 2016 as the most expensive player, with law of averages saying his price will go down. That said, given the Eels possess the best draw in the comp for the byes, Radradra will be essential over the Origin period — hopefully after a price drop.
Brett Morris
Predicted 2016 starting price: $354,000
2015 average: 58.93
Finished last season as the sixth highest-averaging centre/wing in the comp. However, his involvement could be reduced in 2016 due to a mooted move from fullback to the wing to accommodate recruit Will Hopoate.
Dylan Walker
Predicted 2016 starting price: $314,000
2015 average: 52.29
The former Rabbitoh is set to switch to five-eighth at the Sea Eagles in 2016, which will dramatically reduce his running stats.
James Maloney
Predicted 2016 starting price: $398,000
2015 average: 66.25
Moves from the Roosters (who had the best attack in the comp last season) to the Sharks (who had just the seventh best attack in the comp). In 2015, Paul Gallen often got more touches than the five-eight or halfback, stifling their attack.
Aidan Sezer
Predicted 2016 starting price: $358,000
2015 average: 59.61
The former Titan was a borderline keeper last year, but Sezer is unlikely to kick goals at the Raiders, with the competition’s best sharpshooter Jarrod Croker to retain the duties. Croker finished last season with a dual crown as the NRL’s top point scorer and most accurate kicker.
Matt Ballin
Predicted 2016 starting price: $259,000
2015 average: 43.23
Averaged 71 minutes last year at the Sea Eagles, but will likely only play bit-parts off the bench at the Tigers behind Robbie Farah.
Damien Cook
Predicted 2016 starting price: $350,000
2015 average: 84.37
Averaged a massive 84 last season (the highest of any player). This would usually make him the most expensive player for 2016, although he will incur a discount because he played just three games. Even so, his predicted starting price of $350,000 is way too high for a player whose price is inflated by three tries in three games. Further, he is far from a guarantee for 80 minutes at the Rabbitohs given the presence of Cameron McInnes.
Shaun Lane
Predicted 2016 starting price: $243,000
2015 average: 40.5
The rangy backrower was a rookie revelation last season, averaging 40.5. However, he won’t notch a price discount given he played seven games. Likely to start at a bank-busting $243,000.
THE STUDS
Jackson Hastings
Predicted 2016 starting price: $130,800
2015 average: 18.57
Will be the most popular player in SuperCoach 2016. Hastings will take over from James Maloney at five-eighth — where he averaged 41 in five games last year when filling in for Mitchell Pearce. However, Hastings will start close to bottom dollar due to a season average of just 18.57 — down due to stints as bench hooker.
Josh Mansour
Predicted 2016 starting price: $320,000
2015 average: 53.58
The former Kangaroo will start at just $320,000 following an injury-ravaged season — a bargain given he was the best centre/wing in SuperCoach 2014. Mansour is the only winger who can go close to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in base stats.
Bryce Cartwright
Predicted 2016 starting price: $340,000
2015 average: 57.18
The star Panther’s price will be based on an average of 57, which is down due to a slow start as he returned from a serious ankle injury. But the freakish backrower averaged 69 from round 12 onwards. Consistency is an issue, but he has potential to become an all-time SuperCoach great. Game time should improve under the new interchange rules from an average of 53 minutes.
Latrell Mitchell
Predicted 2016 starting price: $113,800
2015 average: N/A
One of the most hyped rookies in the NRL. The Holden Cup Team of the Year member, who has been compared to Greg Inglis, is aiming to play NRL next year following the departure of Tuivasa-Sheck. Mitchell and English recruit Joe Burgess are gunning for the one wing spot.
Ashley Taylor
Predicted 2016 starting price: $113,800
2015 average: 12
The Holden Cup Player of the Year experienced a tough NRL debut at the Broncos last year, fracturing his finger in the 30th minute and scoring just 12 points. The up side for SuperCoach is that his injury-affected score won’t activate a price rise and he will again be available at bottom dollar. The classy halfback has moved to the Titans, where he will be pushing Tyrone Roberts and Kane Elgey for a starting berth.
Shaun Fensom
Predicted 2016 starting price: $390,000
2015 average: 64.43
The reduction of interchanges could see the Canberra tackling machine return to 80 minutes. He averaged 67 minutes last year and still finished with the 10th most points of any player.
James Segeyaro
Predicted 2016 starting price: $380,000
2015 average: 63.67
The exit of Apisai Koroisau to Manly could see Segeyaro return to 80 minute duties. The Penrith rake would overtake Cameron Smith as the best hooker in SuperCoach if he played the full game.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Predicted 2016 starting price: $465,000
2015 average: 77.42
“Never buy a player after a career year.” It’s a golden rule of SuperCoach. Except when RTS is involved. While it will be tough for the Warriors recruit to keep his incredible scores coming, his base stats are simply too good to ignore, making him a must from round one.
Michael Gordon
Predicted 2016 starting price: $270,000
2015 average: 45.22
Gordon had an interrupted season, switching between wing, fullback and bench at the Sharks. Now at the Eels, he is set to play solely in his favoured No. 1 jersey, where he has been a SuperCoach keeper in the past. He averaged 57 in each of the two preceding seasons.
James Graham
Predicted 2016 starting price: $330,000
2015 average: 55.69
The English warhorse is set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the new interchange rules. With an enormous motor, expect Graham’s game time to improve considerably from an average of 54 minutes last season.
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2016: 10 studs, 10 duds revealed
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