NRL SuperCoach: Justin Hodges exit to create cheapies at Brisbane Broncos

THE departures of Justin Hodges and Daniel Vidot are set to create massive SuperCoach opportunities at Brisbane — and this is the man who could benefit.

THE departures of Justin Hodges and Daniel Vidot are set to create massive SuperCoach opportunities in the Brisbane backline.

With Jack Reed (shoulder) also out for the first month of the season, a cheapie is just one injury away from getting a crack.

Full analysis below.

PREDICTED BEST 17

Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Jack Reed (set to miss opening month due to shoulder injury), Dale Copley, Jordan Kahu, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Matthew Gillett, Corey Parker (c). Interchange: Adam Blair, Jarrod Wallace, Joe Ofahengaue, Kodi Nikorima

Dale Copley slots into the right centre spot of Justin Hodges (retired). Josh McGuire, who missed the back half of the season with a ruptured Achilles, is the only other addition to the losing grand final side.

PLAYER MOVEMENT

Ins: Carlin Anderson (Ipswich Jets), Herman Ese’ese (Bulldogs), Caleb Timu (Mormon mission)

Outs: Justin Hodges (retirement), Daniel Vidot (Salford), Todd Lowrie (retirement), Ashley Taylor (Titans), Mitch Garbutt (Leeds Rhinos), Matt Parcell (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Dodds (Warrington), Jayden Nikorima (Roosters), David Stagg (retirement), Jon Green (retirement), Marmin Barba (released), Daniel Vidot (released), Zach Strasser (Redcliffe), Jordan Drew (Sharks), James Gavet (released)

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

The exit of Justin Hodges could create a SuperCoach opportunity. Picture: Gregg Porteous

GUNS

Corey Parker

Coach Wayne Bennett reduced Parker’s game time to an average of just 62 minutes last year. But the star lock still notched the fifth most points and sixth highest average. God.

Anthony Milford

Took some time to adjust to five-eighth, but averaged 75 from round eight onwards. However, his 2016 worth will be based on a season average of 65.

CHEAPIES

BACKS

A big opportunity for cheapies comes in the outside backs, where depth will be tested following the exits of Justin Hodges and Daniel Vidot, while Jack Reed (shoulder) is set to miss the opening month of the season. Dale Copley has been earmarked to replace Hodges, while Lachlan Maranta will likely come into the 17 for Reed (with Jordan Kahu to play centre). But from there, it’s only cheapies. Contenders include:

Carlin Anderson

The most exciting backline prospect from a SuperCoach perspective, although he’s yet to play an NRL game. The Broncos had to stave of five rivals to sign the Intrust Super Cup sensation, who played a key role in the Ipswich Jets’ title-winning side. The freakish fullback/winger scored the try of the year in the Queensland competition (featuring four soccer kicks) and can produce attacking stats galore. Anderson will get plenty of opportunities in the pre-season to prove his worth. “Carlin can do things very few people can do and I know that is a throwaway line from most coaches but it really applies to Carlin,” Jets co-coach Ben Walker said. “Carlin can do anything in the game. I have no doubt he can play 10 years of first grade and he has the ability to go all the way if he keeps working hard.”

Brisbane young gun Carlin Anderson. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Aaron Whitchurch

The 100kg centre/winger/backrower was a shock selection for round one last season as a bench utility. The Broncos were smacked 36-6 that night and Whitchurch was promptly dropped for Kodi Nikorima, who made the spot his own. The 23-year-old played one more game over Origin, but will start at bottom dollar for SuperCoach after averaging just 11.5 in 20 minutes per game. The fact Whitchurch played at all last year in a very strong side shows he is rated by Bennett. He has started the pre-season on fire by winning the club beep test.

Tom Opacic

A favourite of Wayne Bennett. The tough-as-teak defensive centre went into last pre-season as an unheralded Holden Cup graduate trying to prove himself to the big boys. He ended up scoring a heap of trial time and impressed enough to earn a spot on the plane to England for the World Club Series (note: Jack Reed, Dale Copley, Corey Oates and Darius Boyd were rested). Bennett re-signed Opacic a few months later, and while he wasn’t sighted in first grade, 2016 could be his year.

Francis Molo is coming off an interrupted season. Picture: Darren England

FORWARDS

Wayne Bennett always bloods young forwards slowly, which generally renders them SuperCoach-irrelevant (think Joe Ofahengaue last season). However, it would be remiss of us not to mention some young guns who may get a crack in the coming season.

Francis Molo

The big prop’s career appeared to be on an upward trajectory after playing five straight NRL games last year. But his season ended in disaster when suspended for eight weeks for the tackle that killed Intrust Super Cup player James Ackerman. 2016 is a new start for Molo, who could well have a grand final under his belt if not for the tragic accident. Will start at bottom dollar after averaging just 15.6 last season in 19 minutes per game.

Joe Boyce

Another of Bennett’s favourites. The veteran coach bought the hardworking lock with him from the Knights last season and handed him a debut over Origin. Boyce notched 24 in 37 minutes and should therefore start close to bottom dollar. In an effort to prepare him for the next level, Boyce trained with the NRL side during the finals series.

Caleb Timu

“The next Gorden Tallis” is back with the Broncos after a Mormon mission. The wide-running backrower was a star player in Brisbane’s Holden Cup sides of 2012 and 2013 before taking a two-year break.

Herman Ese’ese

The 105kg former Bulldog was on the rise last year before a drink driving drama halted his season. Ese’ese debuted for Canterbury in round 19 (notching 19 points in 16 minutes) and is training with the Brisbane NRL squad in the pre-season.

HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS

Brisbane’s NYC side finished third and they provided six players to the Team of the Year - the most of any side. Unfortunately, three of their best talents have left the club - Holden Cup Player of the Year Ashley Taylor (Titans), and Team of the Year members Jayden Nikorima (Roosters) and Jordan Drew (Sharks).

Joe Ofahengaue

Made the Holden Cup Team of the Year despite playing 14 NRL games, including the grand final. Will play plenty of NRL again next season, but starts above bottom dollar and is therefore not an option.

Jayden Berrell

Made the Holden Cup Team of the Year at hooker, but is little chance of playing NRL this year as he bides his time behind Andrew McCullough and Kodi Nikorima.

Jai Arrow

Named starting lock in the Team of the Year, the Corey Parker-like backrower led the Holden Cup for hit-ups and came third in metres gained. These are no doubt incredible stats, but given those in front of him, Arrow’s only chance of NRL footy in 2016 appears to be as a stop-gap over Origin.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach: Justin Hodges exit to create cheapies at Brisbane Broncos