NRL Magic Round team news and KFC SuperCoach NRL trade talk

After a tough month of scrounging for KFC SuperCoach bargains buys, we now have a monsoon of cheapies. Tom Sangster reveals the players to target.

When it rains, it pours.

After a tough month of scrounging for bargains buys, we now have a monsoon of cheapies.

There are at least four quality options for the next fortnight – Jahream Bula, Tyrone Peachey (this week), Max Feagai and Karl Oloapu (next week).

Read on for full teams analysis.

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WINNERS

- Jahream Bula FLB $200,800 - The most popular pick of the week and it’s easy to see why after the young Tiger was a shining light in the club’s drought-busting win over Penrith. Trent Copeland has him listed as a BUY and KFC SuperCoaches concur given his extreme popularity this week. With good job security, a BE of -38 and a juicy matchup against the hapless Dragons this week, Bula satisfies every traditional pointer for a cheapie. Except one ….

The fullback-only eligibility hurts because it’s a position we love to run two guns. Well, in the past at least. But fullback is not the position it used to be. Latrell Mitchell is a bona-fide gun so don’t sell him for Bula and Clint Gutherson’s bye coverage is gold so don’t sell him either. But from there the position is much weaker than normal. Reece Walsh is leaking cash (more below), Jamayne Isaako, Lachlan Miller and Dylan Edwards are coming back to the pack after a strong starts, Will Kennedy has never produced these scores before, Tom Trbojevic is a walking injury and James Tedesco is in the midst of his worst statistical season in a loooong time (although he’s still a handy pick-up at a low price). In summary, running two guns at fullback is far from the be-all-and-end-all move it used to be so there is definitely room for a cheapie, especially one who ticks as many boxes as Bula.

Jahream Bula is the most purchased player this week. Picture: NRL: Photos

- Tyrone Peachey 2RF $289,000 - Again, don’t want to steal Copes’ thunder but Peachey is another very solid bargain buy. With Izack Tago (pectoral) out until round 16, the left centre spot is Peachey’s to lose so the job security is about as good as it gets for a cheapie. The point scoring potential is also there given his 54 in the rain last week, while he has averaged as high as 53 in seasons’ past. He’ll also earn vital dual position status as CTW/2RF if he starts at centre for the next two weeks, as expected.

- Max Feagai CTW $234,800 - Get him on your radar for next week. Feagai has switched to centre this week in place of the axed Zac Lomax. He played his first match of the season last week on the wing and promptly banged out 80 points. He now sits with a BE of -15 and has round 13 coverage to boot. But it’s wise to wait a week to assess the Lomax situation.

- Karl Oloapu 5/8 $200,800 - One of the most hyped young guns in rugby league finally earned his debut last week and immediately showed why just about everyone has talked him up – and why the Bulldogs paid a $500,000 transfer fee to the Broncos to get him to Belmore. Coming off the bench, Oloapu scored 43 points in 47 minutes with no tries or try assists. With numbers like that it won’t be long before he starts. But with Peachey and Bula both ripe for the picking this week, the wise move is to wait a week.

- Valynce Te Whare CTW $200,800 - ‘Val Meninga’ has been named on the extended bench but could replace Brenko Lee at centre on game day, with Lee in doubt due to a leg injury. Te Whare’s tackle busting style has been likened to Konrad Hurrell and that’s music to the ears of KFC SuperCoaches. May also cover Round 13. Watch.

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- Payne Haas FRF $757,000 - The best prop in KFC SuperCoach by a long way is back from a one-game suspension.

- Tohu Harris 2RF/FRF $564,400 - Plenty sold last week after a recurrence of an MCL issue. But the injury isn’t as bad as first thought and Harris has been named to return this week. With no Origin and a plummeting price due to the previously-mentioned injuries, Tohu could be a prime cut-price keeper for Round 13 coverage.

- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad CTW/FLB $545,700 - Back from concussion and a crucial number for almost 40,000 SuperCoaches. Take out the concussion affected games and he’s averaged 63.

- Joey Manu CTW $613,700 - Great news for KFC SuperCoaches with Manu remaining at five-eighth for the Roosters after two wins on the trot. He has averaged 76.5 in the position this year and a tick under 100 over his career. That’s proper keeper areas.

- Reuben Garrick CTW/FLB $545,800 – With Tolu Koula and Brad Parker back from injury this week, Garrick returns to his preferred wing position after a very average stint in the centres last week.

- Jacob Kiraz CTW $650,500 – The potential CTW keeper is back a week early from a knee injury. With a BE of 137, Kiraz could drop to a very juicy price in the near future.

- Haze Dunster CTW $225,100 – We were expecting the popular cheapie to be dumped this week with Bailey Simonsson (concussion) back. But Sean Russell is the man to drop out with Dunster retaining a spot on the wing.

Ryan Matterson has been benched. Picture: Getty

LOSERS

- Ryan Matterson 2RF $723,000 - Returns from a bout of the flu but on the BENCH! Journeyman Andrew Davey has been preferred in the starting side, which doesn’t bode well for a man previously marked as the top purchase in all of KFC SuperCoach for the bye period.

- Robert Jennings CTW $297,100 - Popular cheapie from last week has been dropped for the return of Tesi Niu, as we told you he would.

BUY

- Clint Gutherson FLB $753,100 - The Eels are languishing down in 12th position but that’s hardly King Gutho’s fault with eight tries and six try assists in nine games. Gutherson is another who provides great coverage for the first bye of the season. The price is no longer value but he’s very much a POD with under seven per cent ownership.

- Dylan Brown 5/8 $679,000 - Touted as the five-eighth you had to target for the byes, Brown showed why with a 109 point beauty last week. Still a fair price at $680K so get on now.

Dylan Brown has great bye coverage. Picture: Getty

HOLD

- Josh Schuster 5/8/2RF $271,200 – Looks like he’ll be out for a while as he fights fitness and attitude problems. But selling is hardly worth it given there is little money to be made off the trade. Hold and hope he covers round 13.

- Nathan Cleary HFB $885,200 – Yes, he’s hampered by injury and is not goalkicking at the moment but it’s hard to get around selling one of the absolute greats of the game. And one who will be coming off a humbling loss hungry to make a statement. Cleary to score 100+ this week.

- Tom Trbojevic FLB $594,700 - The Turbo has been well and truly tamed of late, missing last week and plodding along at a 3RA of 40 before that. It’s hard to argue too much against the sell, but I would say that I’m holding because the mixed form and injury worries may well see Tom miss Origin and should that occur he becomes a very juicy Rd 13 play.

- Greg Marzhew CTW $649,300 - The Knights are on a bye and plenty are therefore selling. But big Greg then gets the Titans in round 11 and covers the first bye. A CTW with a floor of 40 (or 39 for the pedants) and has gone over 60 in 67% of games.

SELL

- Reece Walsh FLB $725,500 - Currently the most sold player as many look to take their profits. Priced at $725K with a BE of 156 and a 3RA of 54, the numbers make sense here. Walsh was crushing it early in the year but as he’s shown in past two games when he’s not ON, he’s very much OFF. The return of Mam and hype of Magic Round this week could see him score well but then he faces a tough run of Storm, Panthers, Warriors and Sharks (plus Origin selection a genuine chance).

- Sunia Turuva CTW $387,500 and Eliesa Katoa 2RF $545,800 - Peaked early season buys ripe to be cashed in at massive profits.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has made big changes. Picture: NRL Imagery

BULLDOGS v RAIDERS

Friday, 6pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Bulldogs

1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Declan Casey 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Karl Oloapu 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Franklin Pele, 17 Samuel Hughes

Reserves: 19. Kurtis Morrin 20. Jackson Topine 21. Harrison Edwards 22. Kyle Flanagan 23 Blake Wilson

Raiders

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Xavier Savage 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17.Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider 19 James Schiller 20 Trey Mooney 21 Corey Harawira-Naera 22. Peter Hola

SEA EAGLES v BRONCOS

Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolu Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ben Trbojevic 16 Ethan Bullemor 17. Aaron Woods

Reserves: 18. Samuela Fainu 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Ben Condon

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Xavier Willison 20. Josk Madden 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Kobe Hetherington

WARRIORS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Dylan Walker 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Bayley Sironen 15 Josh Curran 16. Demitric Sifakula 17 Tom Ale

Reserves: 17 Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21 Viliami Vailea 22 Ronald Volkman 23. Kalani Going

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Jaeman Salmon

Reserves: 18. Jack Cogger 19 Luke Garner 20. Thomas Jenkins 21 Spencer Leniu 22. Chris Smith

SHARKS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Jack Williams 16. Wade Graham 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Jesse Colqhoun 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Anthony Milford 16. Mason Teague 17. Herman Ese’ese

Reserves: 18. Kurt Donoghoe 19 Poasa Faamausili 20. Edrick Lee 21 Valynce Te Whare 22. JJ Collins

STORM v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 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. Aaron Pene 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims

Reserves: 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Grant Anderson 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jonah Pezet

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnson 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5.Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Jai Arrow 16. Liam Knight 17. Thomas Burgess

Reserves: 18. Josiah Karapani 19 Blake Taaffe 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Ben Lovett 22. Dean Hawkins

TIGERS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

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

Reserves: 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Justin Matamua 20. Daine Laurie 21. Shawn Blore 22. Triston Reilly

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack De Belin 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Jaydn Su’a 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Michael Molo 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Toby Couchman 19. Jaiyden Hunt 20. Jacob Liddle 21. Zane Musgrove 22. Viliami Fifita

Brandon Smith has been named despite a neck injury. Picture: Getty

ROOSTERS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Drew Hutchison 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Joseph Manu 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Angus Crichton 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Sam Walker 20. Tuipulotu Katoa 21. Billy Smith 22. Nathan Brown

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. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Reserves: 18. Riley Price 19. Ben Hampton 20. Brendan Elliot 21. Taniela Sadrugu 22. Jake Bourke

TITANS v EELS

Sunday, 6:25pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Titans

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Thomas Weaver 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Sam McIntyre

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Sean Russell 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Matt Doorey 22. Jack Murchie

Originally published as NRL Magic Round team news and KFC SuperCoach NRL trade talk