KFC SuperCoach NRL: The best and worst of the CTW position
Former KFC SuperCoach NRL champion Joe Naddaf rates the CTW guns you want, those you don’t and the cheapie speedsters set to make a quick profit.
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This year shapes up as a season like no other.
I can’t wait to see how KFC Supercoaches adapt to all the new changes. It’s going to be an absolute Zinger!
Welcome to my KFC WICKED WINGerS, this selection of players will be broken into four groups. The out and out guns, my VFM’s (Value for Money), the all important cheapies and my traps of 2023.
GUNS
Joseph Manu $801,500
As an NRL fan, it an absolute travesty that the Kiwi custodian isn’t plying his trade as a fullback week in week out. What a talent!
Has there ever been a more KFC SuperCoach friendly player? He accumulates points in every attacking stat: Tries, try assists, line breaks, line break assists, tackle busts and offloads.
I will never forget his 50 points in carries against The Raiders last year in the absence of NSW Fullback James Tedesco or his 191 in 72 minutes against the St George Dragons while deputising in the five-eighth jersey.
Despite starting the season against The Dolphins and Warriors, Manu is a reluctant and very very nervous watch for me*
*If he takes the field at fullback or 5/8th, then SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
He will be in my side instantly, even as a one week play.
Reuben Garrick $742,600
In his previous two seasons Garrick has sat in the top echelon of the CTW position.
Of course, Tom Trbojevic is always a factor when discussing the Gerringong junior. Last year with Turbo in the side, Garrick averaged 62 PPG (Points Per Game) compared to 75 PPG when he assumed the fullback role. I would have expected Garrick to average more with Turbo in the side thanks to his left-hand sweeps and cut out balls but it’s his hunger for carries and kick returns that are profitable. So a Turboless Sea-Eagles side bodes well for this astute goal kicker. The inclusion of Josh Schuster at 5/8th also adds another variable, will ‘Silky Hands’ Schuster create more attacking opportunity?
VFM’s
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad $327,100
In a recent interview on NRL.com, and I quote, Charnze said, “I’m here as fullback, I signed as a fullback. That’s me this year, I’m not a utility or a winger.”
That arrogance is exciting KFC Supercoaches. While the Warriors aren’t exactly an attacking machine I’m expecting the local junior to be his busy self.
Priced at 31 PPG average, I can see CNK averaging 55+. Add to that his DPP Status (Dual Position Player) he will mature and be traded to a proven gun come the Warriors round 12 bye.
Reimis Smith $316,800
Like CNK, Smith will average a minimum 20 points more than his injury affected 2022, Unlike CNK, Smith plays for a flamboyant and attacking side in the Melbourne Storm. A creative spine in Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen means plenty of opportunity, and KFC Supercoaches love opportunity.
Let’s pray for some early season tries and negative break-evens before moving him on ahead of his round nine bye.
CHEAPIES
While cheapie forwards usually take 6+ weeks to mature, if the right CTW can jag a few tries they will secure a big negative break even while you sit back as their price soars. At their peak they can be upgraded to fallen guns like Joey Manu, Reuben Garrick or cashed in for the next cheapie ripe for the picking to upgrade elsewhere.
Timing is imperative.
Paul Alamoti $200,800
In an SG Ball match against the Sydney Roosters in 2021 the young centre made such an impression that Roosters’ supremo Nick Politis made serious inquiries to lure him to Bondi. All the wraps are warranted. A genuine tackle buster with a handy Matt Gidley flick to match. Josh Reynolds has never seen a young three-quarter run such great lines. If he can secure prime real-estate on the left edge with Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Josh Addo-Carr then he will be close to the cheapie of the year. Playing outside Kikau, can he match the heights of Izack Tago or Taylan May of 2022? Without a doubt in the world!
Billy Smith $289,500
I’ve talked up young Billy Smith in the last 2 seasons of my WICKED WINGerS articles. The poor kid has had a horrendous run of serious injuries. A highly touted Roosters junior that has unrivalled potential. Any outside back in a Roosters team that is feeding off Walker, Keary and Tedesco must be considered and at under $300k he could be the one that got away.
Wishing you a healthy season Billy!
Tyrell Sloan $298,600
Another sub $300k option. With the news that Cody Ramsey will miss the entire season the time is now for Tyrell Sloan and don’t the Dragons need him to have a breakout season. In 2021, the local junior finished the season with scores of 91 and 95 so the potential is there. Unfortunately, the Dragons have the bye in round one so keep your ears close to the ground. Any confirmation prior to the first TLT (Team List Tuesday) then Sloan should be one of the highest owned players.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira $200,800
Coming off 25 tries for the Burleigh Bears last season, Khan-Pereira is already at 47% ownership. With the departure of Greg Marzhew and the retirement of Corey Thompson KFC Supercoaches are hopeful Titans coach Justin Holbrook will hand AKP, as he’s known, a starting role.
TRAPS
Kotoni Staggs $511,900
Siosifa Talakai $635,000
Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me! It won’t be fool me three times.
These two are Co-captains of my never again list. On their day, Staggs and Talakai are arguably the most damaging centres in the NRL. I’ve had them in and out of sides the last two seasons. It hurts me to reminisce the agony they have caused me.
Last year, I sat out Staggs for his 108 and 102 against NRL heavyweights the Roosters and Panthers but a week either side of those games I played him for his 38 and 37 against the lowly rated Warriors and Bulldogs, it makes you sick in your stomach. A feeling that resonates with all KFC Supercoaches.
Like many heartbroken KFC Supercoaches, last season I traded Talakai into my side after a 114 point masterclass against the stingy Storm and his first half obliteration of Morgan Harper at PointsBet Stadium. I forked out $700,000 only for him to miss 5 games, average 47 PPG and bleed $290k. #thehurt
Charlie Staines $378,800
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow $330,200
To me, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow smells like the 2021 version of Charlie Staines. In 2020, on debut, the Forbes’ Ferrari crossed for four tries and 158 points, Staines was the talk of the KFC SuperCoach community the following year. He was the most popular player all off-season and that carried on into round 1. I had a gut feel that leaving him out was the way to go – right up until just before lockout. Then I followed the masses and brought him in to my side. In 20 games he had eight scores under 20 points and a further three games under 30; abysmal numbers considering he was on the end of a premiership winning back line.
In his ten 80 minute games, Tabuai-Fidow averaged 42.9 PPG in an invigorated Cowboys side that surpassed all expectations to finish third on the ladder. Priced at an average of 31.4 PPG you would want a minimum 50 PPG average to warrant his selection, but for me there are not enough runs on his board to warrant selection. Playing at a new franchise and with new combinations The Hammer is strong no for me.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: The best and worst of the CTW position
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