NRL predicted teams Round 1 2023, Early Mail, Dolphins a SuperCoach gold mine
It’s the news Manly fans and KFC SuperCoach players have been waiting for — and Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has delivered.
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Only a series of unfortunate events will keep Tom Trbojevic out of Manly’s season opener with new coach Anthony Seibold declaring his superstar fullback fully fit two weeks out from a blockbuster battle with the Bulldogs.
Trbojevic didn’t play in either of Manly’s pre-season challenge matches. He missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury, while a hamstring strain also impacted his pre-season, forcing him to America to work with specialist Bill Knowles.
The trip has worked wonders with Trbojevic smashing through his work at training and expected to play the full 80 minutes in two weeks.
“Tommy trained a full session on Tuesday, a full session of the captain’s run,” Seibold said.
“We’ve got 15 days now. Unless something unforeseen happens, Tommy’s back in full-time training.
“It was only a four-six week injury. We had him over there (America) for two weeks which in some way delayed the full return to training because of the jet lag. But to get the diagnosis of his running mechanics, that was the whole idea.
“He’s got enough in the bank to play 80 minutes. He’s an elite athlete. We’ll prepare for Round 1. We feel as though we have done okay injury wise, touch wood. We’ll have most players to select from for Round 1.”
That should also include Brad Parker (nose) and Morgan Harper (knee) who both left the field on Friday night.
- Martin Gabor
DOLPHINS A SUPERCOACH GOLDMINE
The foundation Dolphins’ team is a KFC SuperCoach gold mine. A new club entering the NRL was always going to bring KFC SuperCoach bargains – and now these top buys have been confirmed after coach Wayne Bennett named a full-strength 17 for the final trial.
“There’s no doubt we’ll be rolling out our strongest line-up,” prop Mark Nicholls said on Tuesday.
According to the club, the only player missing is Edrick Lee with a minor ankle complaint. He is set to be right for round one.
This means star buys Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (ninth most popular) and Tom Gilbert are locked in and set to surge in popularity.
The Hammer will play fullback and will up his game time to 80 minutes after playing just 54 minutes mainly as a bench utility at the Cowboys last year.
Meanwhile, Gilbert appears to have won the starting lock spot and is set to surge from 16 per cent ownership with a good trial performance this weekend.
Unfortunately though, a number of popular Dolphins players have bowed out of SuperCoach contention in Ray Stone (31 per cent ownership, named on bench), Isaiya Katoa (25 per cent, named out of 17) and Valynce Te Whare (21 per cent, named out of 17).
PARRAMATTA
Predicted round one team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Waqa Blake/Zac Cini 5. Sean Russell/Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood
Bench: 14. Mitch Rein/Jake Arthur 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Ofahiki Ogden/Wiremu Greig 17. Jack Murchie/Jirah Momoisea
Casualty ward: Ryan Matterson (Suspended, Rd4), Bailey Simonsson (Shoulder, indefinite), Waqa Blake (Arm, Rd 1), Nathan Brown (Hamstring, Rd 1), Bryce Cartwright (Jaw, Rd 1)
Pre-season news: Parramatta’s preparations were dealt a blow with Waqa Blake suffering an arm injury and Nathan Brown also going down with a hamstring issue. Blake is tipped to be back for round one which would see Sean Russell slot in on the right wing.
Key positional battle: The departure of Isaiah Papali’I opens a backrow slot at the Eels and I expect Penrith recruit J’maine Hopgood to nab it. Ryan Matterson’s decision to take a suspension rather than pay a fine meant Hopgood would likely start in round one anyway but I expect once Matterson is available for selection that it is Doorey rather than Hopgood who makes way.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers:Parra have a really tough draw early which has me avoiding the Eels’ spine early doors. One Eel at a very reasonable price is former Panther Hopgood. Playing in the NSW Cup, Hopgood pumped out stellar stats averaging 38 tackles, 10+ runs, three tackle busts and two offloads while scoring eight tries. In the one NRL game he did get to start – round 25 when Penrith rested their stars – Hopgood scored 67 points in 68 minutes.
Eels Nathan Brown (hamstring) and Waqa Blake (broken arm) have suffered injuries in pre season and both are in doubt for #NRLEelsStorm
— Wacko's Whispers (@WackosWhispers) January 20, 2023
CRONULLA
Predicted round one team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane
Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Wade Graham 16. Royce Hunt 17. Oregon Kaufusi/Jack Williams
Casualty ward: Kade Dykes (ACL, Season), Matt Ikuvalu (Knee, indefinite)
Key positional battle: The backline is very settled with the only likely moving pieces being in the forwards. Wade Graham has signed on to play one more year for the Sharks and is preparing to fill plenty of gaps in 2023. “I’m floating all over the place at the moment in training,” he told Michael Carayannis on SEN Radio. “I’m playing in the back row, a bit of middle. I even got in the halves a couple of times.
“Round one is still a fair distance away but if we were to play tomorrow, I probably wouldn’t be in the starting team, if I’m honest, the way we’re training. But there’s still plenty of time to go before round one. We will just see how we go. Footy’s a funny thing, you never want to look too far ahead.” I expect Royce Hunt and Braden Hamlin-Uele will play similar minutes no matter who gets the start.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Nicho Hynes was immense in his first year at the Sharks scoring 1973 points (the eighth best season score ever) averaging 85.8PPG. With a position leading base average of 32PPG and base/power of 42PPG, Hynes is about as safe a scorer any halfback. However, no halfback is immune from strength of schedule factors and the Sharks have a tough start to the season. Hynes’ average against top-eight teams in 2022 was 63.6PPG from eight games. Compare that to his average against bottom-eight teams (97.5PPG from 15 games – gee the Sharks had a soft draw eh?) and it is a worry for those taking Hynes early.
BRISBANE
Predicted round one team: 1. Reece Walsh/Selwyn Cobbo 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo/Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Pat Carrigan
Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Martin Taupau 17. Thomas Flegler
Casualty ward: Kobe Hetherington (Biceps, indefinite), Reece Walsh (Eye, Rd 1)
Key positional battle: Thebackline looked settled with new recruit Reece Walsh locked in to play fullback. However, Walsh injured his eye in the first pre-season challenge game and is now in doubt for round one. If Walsh is ruled out then Selwyn Cobbo appears to have won the race. It’s expected Billy Walters will hold off the challenge of Cory Paix to start at hooker. Would not shock to see Corey Jensen start with Tom Flegler coming on off the bench against tired forwards.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Hard to find. Walters might be interesting with a full pre-season preparing to play hooker under his belt but his price is awkward. I’m a little off Payne Haas who has been overtaken in the premium FRF category by both Joe Tapine and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Twist my arm and I suppose I would say that Pat Carrigan is a ‘maybe’. But elsewhere I just cannot see value compared to price for any Bronco.
CANBERRA
Predicted round one team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Harley Smith-Shields 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench: 14. Tom Starling/Zac Woolford 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Pasami Saulo/Trey Mooney
Casualty ward: Xavier Savage (Jaw, indefinite)
Key positional battle: The backline was looking settled and then Xavier Savage suffered a broken jaw in the first trial. Savage is expected to miss two months. I expect Jordan Rapana will move from wing to fullback in place of Savage with Harley Smith-Shields coming onto the wing for Rapana. The two Coreys were thought to be duking it out for the vacant lock role. Corey The Red (Horsburgh) is a better defender, though a limited ballplayer. Corey The Hyphen (Harawira-Naera) has much better hands but can certainly miss a tackle. Then Ricky Stuart selected Joe Tapine – the game’s best prop – at lock for the last pre-season hit out. Watch this space. The acquisition of Danny Levi from Super League club Huddersfield gives Canberra three hooking options – the only one who would be SuperCoach relevant is Tom Starling if he were locked in to play big minutes but his diminutive frame does not seem up for that.
Early KFC SuperCoach buys/avoids: Joe Tapine stepped up to well and truly join the elite FRF ranks in SC and real life in 2022. His workrate in offence was significantly higher than previous years, regularly taking two hit-ups in a set and there was venom in the runs with career-best tackle bust numbers. If there’s is a worry it is that Tapine seems to work into his season with his average score in rounds 11-20 being significantly better than his average in rounds 1-10 in every season of the past five. Still, no Origin is a big boost and I think Tapine may have supplanted Haas as the set and forget FRF of 2023.
CANTERBURY
Predicted round one team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson
Bench: 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Andrew Davey 17. Corey Waddell
Casualty ward: Bailey Biondi-Odo (Knee, Rd 21), Sam Hughes (Back, Rd 3), Declan Casey (Shoulder, Rd 2)
Key positional battle: There are plenty of battles still to be had at the Dogs before round one. Coach Cameron Ciraldo is set to give Hayze Perham first crack at fullback, with Paul Alamoti and Jake Averillo the centres. In the forwards any combination of Pangai Jr, Sutton, King and Thompson can fill 8, 10, 13 and the bench with the actual starting trio still very much up in the air. The second-row battle between Andrew Davey and Raymond Faitala-Mariner appears to have been won by RFM.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Some cheapie gold with boom youngster Paul Alamoti a chance to finally show his wares in the NRL. Alamoti has been a star throughout his junior years and in 2022 he played against the men in the NSW Cup. In 15 games he scored four tries, assisted in four more, averaged almost three tackle busts per game while running for 150 metres. Come on Ciraldo, do us SuperCoaches a solid and pick the kid will ya? Meanwhile, at $370k Hayze Perham has significant upside if he can lockdown the No. 1 jersey. Not quite a cheapie but definitely affordable!
DOLPHINS
Predicted round one team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Iassko 3. Brenko Lee 4. Tesi Niu 5. Edrick Lee/Robert Jennings 6. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert
Bench: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Ray Stone, 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Herman Ese’ese
Casualty ward: All expected to be available for selection by round one.
Key positional battle: Travis Meyn reports that the starting pack is pretty much set. Wayne Bennett is set to go with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, Anthony Milford at five-eighth and Sean O’Sullivan at halfback, which likely leaves Isaiya Katoa and Oliver Gildart out of the side. Euan Aitken has confirmed he will make the switch back to centre, after spending time in the backrow over the past two seasons, although he missed the 17 for the final trial. The makeup of the bench looks rather unsettled, so hopefully we get a better guide from the trials. Tom Gilbert is set to win the starting lock position, but Bennett could still hand the No. 13 jersey to Ray Stone and use Gilbert in the front row.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: With only a strong vibe about how the round one backline will look – and no real idea on how it will gel, I’m making Tom Gilbert my guy to watch at the Fins. Gilbert was excellent for the Cowboys in 2022 whether that be on an edge or rolling up his sleeves and working through the middle. With dual position eligibility and tipped to get first crack working through the middle as the team’s starting No. 13 I think he’ll blossom in 2023 and prove a savvy buy.
GOLD COAST
Predicted round one team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Phillip Sami 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. JoJo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark/Isaac Liu
Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Joe Stimson 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Isaac Liu/Erin Clark
Casualty ward: Brian Kelly (Suspension, Rd 4), Patrick Herbert (Knee, indefinite)
Key positional battle: Trav Meyn brings the gold again, revealing Tanah Boyd has won the battle to partner Kieran Foran in the Gold Coast’s new-look spine here. It’s a very inexperienced wing pairing though Fifita was very impressive and held his spot after making his debut in round 18 last year.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Boyd played the final five games of the season at halfback and averaged a very respectable 60PPG while doing so. Admittedly it was a generally soft run of games (excepting the Storm) but if he is to come out averaging 50PPG over the opening eight weeks then he should climb around $100K while providing excellent points per dollar considering his $380K starting price. Erin Clark excelled as a ball-playing lock late in 2022, if he gets a start there in 2023 he has to come under serious consideration at his price.
SEA EAGLES
Predicted round one team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Tolu Koula 4. Brad Parker 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Taniela Paseka 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench: 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Sean Keppie 17. Ethan Bullemor
Casualty ward: Karl Lawton (Knee, Rd 4), Morgan Boyle (Foot, indefinite), Morgan Harper (Shoulder, indefinite), Jason Saab (Knee, indefinite) Alec Tuitavake (Knee, indefinite), Tom Trbojevic (Hamstring, Rd 1), Jamie Humphreys (Jaw, Rd 4-5)
Key positional battle: Reuben Garrick wants to move into the centres, but I cannot see it happening until Jason Saab (who would then replace Garrick on the wing) is fit and available for selection. The forward pack is largely settled. Karl Lawton would probably come straight onto the bench when fit leaving Turbo Jr in a three-way battle with Ben Condon and Ethan Bullemor for the final spot on the bench.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: He’s undeniably cheap, and when fit is possibly the best player in rugby league (and SuperCoach) but a fresh hamstring injury has seen Tom Trbojevic jet off to the USA to do work with hamstring whisperer Bill Knowles and there’s no way I’d be risking bringing him into my team until we have a decent chance to see how his leg holds up. So it’s to a cheapie in Josh Schuster that I go. Injury meant Schuster did not start 2022 until round eight, and to be frank he did not look in NRL shape when he did take the field. Reduced to playing bit part roles off the interchange, Schuster had a forgettable year. He has, stop me now, been training the house down, according to reports, and so I’m expecting to see a leaner specimen in 2023. Schuster will also have the role he covets which is as a starting five-eighth rather than second rower as the club gives him first shot at replacing Kieran Foran. Don’t expect Foran-esque playmaking ability but ideally we get a big-bodied half who does plenty of defence and busts plenty of tackles and with deft hands racks up a few linebreak and try assists along the way. All for not much more than a bottom-dollar cheapie. Do it.
STORM
Predicted round one team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia/William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea/Marion Seve 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. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Josh King 17. Chris Lewis
Casualty ward: Ryan Papenhuyzen(Knee, Rd 6-8), Tariq Sims (Calf, Rd 1-3), Justin Olam (Arm, Rd 6), George Jennings (Illness, Rd 4)
Key positional battle: With Ryan Papenhuyzen not due to return until a quarter of the way through the season Nick Meaney will start the season at fullback. With George Jennings out Meaney’s move should open the door for one of Dean Ieremia or Will Warbrick to start on the wing. Reimis Smith’s return offsets the pain of Olam’s break (somewhat). Welch played just one game in 2022 and his return helps to offset the loss of the Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Cameron Munster had a superb year last year averaging almost 7PPG better than the next best five-eighth (Dylan Brown of the Eels). The Storm star has a career average of 71.5 against his Round 1-8 opponents and averaged 81 points against them from 11 meetings in 2022 (including four triple figure scores). Munster doesn’t come cheap at a snip under $850K, but no player is as ‘set and forget’ at his position and if you’re taking chances elsewhere then his reliable high scores will help with the heartburn.
KNIGHTS
Predicted round one team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dom Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott
Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Leo Thompson 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Jack Johns/Brodie Jones
Casualty ward: Kalyn Ponga (Calf, TBC), Mat Croker (Suspension, Rd 3)
Key positional battle: Signing Lachie Miller frees up Kalyn Ponga to move into five-eighth. Fellow new recruit Greg Marzhew should nail down one wing spot forming a powerful combination with fellow winger Dom Young for when it comes time to bring the ball back from a kick.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: It’s hard going to find much at the Knights to get excited by. Ponga is an undoubted talent, and he’s cheap, but his pre-season calf injury and switch of positions to five-eighth are major red flags for me.
COWBOYS
Predicted round one team: 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. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo
Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. James Tamou 16. Mitchell Dunn/Jack Gosiewski 17. Griffin Neame
Casualty ward: Heilum Luki (Knee, Rd 4), Luciano Leilua (Stood down, Indefinite)
Key positional battle: None really. Expect Heilum Luki to come in for Coen Hess when available with Mitch Dunn/Jack Gosiewski making way. Speaking of Dunn he is expected to be available for selection come round one but if not (he is coming back from an ACL injury) then former Dragon Jack Gosiewski is the likely player to take his spot. Tom Chester is a talented youngster who has been training in the centres for the Cowboys and may make the team as an impact bench player. Coen Hess has confirmed he’ll switch to the back-row, after the return of Tamou.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Fullback Scott Drinkwater produced the fourth best average of any player available at fullback in 2023 in a breakout year. His early ownership rate is far lower than the likes of Latrell Mitchell or James Tedesco, but the Cowboys have a verrrrry favourable early draw and Drinkwater is a good chance to produce more points than either over the opening two months at a significantly lower price point. Further, unlike Tedesco and fellow fullback favourite Tom Trbojevic, Drinkwater does not have a bye in the opening eight weeks. If there is a knock it is that Drinkwater is yet to put together a season where he averages better than 60/60 (60 points in 60% of games) but this year certainly feels like it will be the year he does that.
PANTHERS
Predicted round oneteam: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Matt Eisenhuth
Casualty ward: Taylan May (Suspension, Rd 3)
Key positional battle: The departure of Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau leaves two starting roles unfilled for the premiers. Mitch Kenny likely starts at hooker with Soni Luke to come in once some of the starch has been taken out of the game. Luke Garner would appear to have the lead in the race to replace Kikau. Taylan May’s suspension gives Sunia Turuva a chance to build on the three games (two bench and one start) that he got for the Panthers late in 2022. May will slot straight back in when available though.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: No doubt we’ll all have plenty of Panthers in our squads by the end of the season, but outside of likely cheapie options ala Spencer Leniu or the hooking combo of Mitch Kenny/Soni Luke I’m not sure I can see the case for too many early in 2023. Nathan Cleary might be the exception I suppose. Despite injuries and an interrupted preparation Cleary still averaged 80PPG in 2022 and while the early bye hurts, his main contender for ultra-premium HFB Nicho Hynes from the Sharks has a round six bye so that evens things out. New recruit Garner has appeal at his price if he wins the starting spot and Brian To’o is one I’ll be watching closely after injuries limited him at stages in 2022.
DRAGONS
Predicted round one team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mikaele Ravalawa 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mat Feagai 6. Moses Mbye 7. Ben Hunt 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin
Bench: 14. Aaron Woods 15. Francis Molo 16. Jayden Sullivan 17. Josh Kerr
Casualty ward: Cody Ramsey (Illness, season), Talatau Amone (Stood down, Indefinite), Jack Bird (Knee, Rd 2/3)
Key positional battle: With Cody Ramsey out for the season due to illness the fullback job appears to be Tyrell Sloan’s to lose. Talatau Amone will be available for selection after being stood down. Jack Bird likely slots in at second-row when healthy pushing Murdoch-Masila to the bench.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Just the one Dragon in Sloan interests me and – that’s conditional on him winning the fullback role. Even then the interest is largely thanks to Sloan being available for just $298,600 rather than any great confidence that he would be someone I would slot into my scoring 17 with great confidence.
RABBITOHS
Predicted round one team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray
Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell
Casualty ward: Siliva Havili (Foot, May), Taane Milne (Suspension, Rd 2), Liam Knight (Knee, indefinite), Hame Sele (Calf, TBC)
Key positional battle: Taane Milne has opened the door for Izaac Thompson to nab his spot on the right wing, a strong round one showing may make it hard for Milne to slot back in after serving his suspension.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: A brutal early draw has me shy about forking out $890K for Latrell Mitchell and there are no cheapies I adore so it’s Cam Murray who makes most appeal for me. Murray’s appetite for defensive work makes him an incredibly safe premium 2RF. In the past four seasons he has exceeded 60 points in 70%, 60%, 59% and 70% of games. With around 50PPG of pure base locked in each week to which you can add another 10 or so in power/evasion Murray is sure to give you keeper scores even with tough opposition and should not lose too much money as he helps the Rabbitohs navigate the tough early draw.
ROOSTERS
Predicted round one team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joey Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo/Paul Momirovski 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Matt Lodge 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley
Bench: 14. Drew Hutchison, 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May
Casualty ward: Connor Watson (Knee, indefinite), Billy Smith (Knee, indefinite), Sitili Tupouniua (Knee, indefinite)
Key positional battle: A pretty settled side. Terrell May is pushing Fletcher Baker for the last spot on the bench and a standout from training has been young Siua Wong.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: While I will almost certainly pick James Tedesco to start the year, and have/am flirting with the likes of Sam Walker and Angus Crichton too, the only Rooster who was locked into my team before I began SOS analysis and will stay regardless of the toughish start to the year is Brandon Smith. Priced under $500K and pretty much locked in for as many minutes as he can handle directing an all-star backline Smith represents terrific value. A must.
WARRIORS
Predicted round one team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Jackson Ford 13. Tohu Harris
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Tom Ale
Casualty ward: Jazz Tevaga (Hernia, Rd 2-3) Rocco Berry (Toe, TBC)
Key positional battle: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad appears to have won the fullback spot. Te Maire Martin and Shaun Johnson are set to be the halves, with recruit Luke Metcalf to miss out despite a strong first trial. More questions than answers at the moment I’m afraid, but that’s to be expected in a club which has so many comings and goings this year, including a new coach.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: As far as cheapies go Nicoll-Klokstad has plenty of appeal. But that draw has me looking for some safety elsewhere and so I settle on Tohu Harris. The big man’s 2022 season did not begin until round 10 due to an ACL injury suffered in round 18 of 2021 and while he acquitted himself well on return (playing around 65-70 minutes alternating between edge and lock) he really hit his straps when he moved into the front row rotation for the final eight games of the year. Harris averaged 65PPG while playing big minutes. With a full pre-season under his belt and handy dual-position eligibility, Harris is a legit option to anchor your FRF.
TIGERS
Predicted round one team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tommy Talau 4. Brent Naden 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. David Klemmer 9. Api Koroisau 10. Stefano Utoikamanu 11. John Bateman 12. Isaiah Papali’I 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Fonua Pole 16. Shawn Blore 17. Alex Twal
Casualty ward: All expected to be available for selection by round one.
Key positional battle: Charlie Staines joined from Penrith and he wants Daine Laurie’s fullback job but is set to miss out. Fonua Pole and Stefano Utoikamanu are duking it out to see who nabs a starting job alongside the all-star recruits.
Early KFC SuperCoach winners/losers: Five-eighth Adam Doueihi is the pick here for me. Doueihi’s 2022 did not begin until round 15 due to injury and he did not play in his preferred five-eighth position until round 18. In the eight games where he did play five-eighth, Doueihi averaged a very respectable 72PPG. As mentioned above, the Wests Tigers pack of 2023 should be far superior to the pack Doueihi played behind in 2022 and with that boost I expect him to challenge Munster and Brown for the best average at position. Available for $200K less than Munster I’ve had the Lebanon international locked into my side since the team picker opened.
Originally published as NRL predicted teams Round 1 2023, Early Mail, Dolphins a SuperCoach gold mine
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