NRL SuperCoach Buy, Hold, Sell round 8: Great cheapies + injury crisis = BOOST

Round 8 is usually the time where we sit back, relax and save trades. But with so many great buys, plus a host of injuries, it may even be time to burn another boost.

Round 8 is usually the time where we sit back, relax and save a trade or two.

But with so many great buys on offer, plus a host of SuperCoach-relevant injuries, forget about that dwindling trade balance.

In fact, given the proverbial sandwich the SuperCoach gods have concocted for us this week, it may even be time to burn another BOOST.

BUY

* Billy Smith (DNP) - Coach Trent Robinson confirmed in his post-match press conference that Smith will come back into the side after suspension and he’s therefore the cheapie of the week. Has averaged 77.5 over his first two games and is projected to see a price rise of almost $100,000 in the coming week alone, with many more to come.

* Allan Fitzgibbon (52) – How has he not played more NRL? The 26-year-old scored a try and had another disallowed to force his way into cheapie calculations. Earned his spot on merit at the Titans so job security shouldn’t be an issue, nor is talent.

* Leka Halasima (72) - A simple eye test will tell you this 18-year-old is a future superstar. Scored 72 points including a try on his starting debut and will be available in the mid-to-high $300,000s in the coming week. It’s a dead set bargain for a talent of his calibre, but there are plenty of cheaper options on offer this week.

Billy Smith will be a very popular cheapie this week. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

* Sione Finau (13) - Has a left wing spot at the Dragons locked in until Christian Tuipulotu returns from a hamstring injury in round 11 at the earliest, with Tuipulotu’s replacement Mat Feagai (ankle) going down long-term over the weekend. Will have a fat break even this week after being activated as 18th man and only playing limited minutes, but will likely be the most purchased player next week.

* Nathan Cleary (116) - After a horror start to the season, the four-time premiers are back, which means Cleary is back. Despite the weekend ton, Cleary will still be available in the $600,000s in the coming week. It’s a steal for one of the greats of SuperCoach, even with Origin looming.

* Jacob Kiraz (84) - A dead set legend of SuperCoach and has returned from injury with an average of 72.5 over two games. A tackle busting and offloading gun (he notched 30 points in those stats combined on the weekend), Kiraz is the archetypal SuperCoach CTW, especially when playing wing. Arguments against include potential Origin selection and any switch to the centres, where he averages more than 10 points less than on the wing.

* Herbie Farnworth (98) - has scored the second most points of any CTW this year despite scoring only two tries. Base stat beast who won’t play Origin (he’s English) and covers the big round 12 bye.

HOLD

* Kalyn Ponga (34) – This hold is getting harder and harder every week. Notched his third straight score in the 30s, the Knights are clueless, and he’s set for a huuuuge price drop. Still, Origin is just around the corner so Kalyn will likely fire up and he has a good schedule.

Kalyn Ponga is a reluctant hold. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

* Demitric Vaimaga (38) - Halasima is the young gun at the Warriors lapping all the prise but Vaimaga has produced a tidy few weeks since the injury the James Fisher-Harris. Count that cash.

* Mawene Hiroti (83) – A late try on top of some very strong base and power, including eight tackle busts and 19 runs. Will rise by over $100,000 this week but get prepared to sell when Kayal Iro (hamstring) is back in round 9.

* Haumole Olakau’atu (50) - To the naked eye you would’ve sworn that Haumole Olakau’atu was in line for a shocker of a score. A few errors, a late penalty and a tough outing in general made for a tough watch. But somehow he managed a respectable score of 50 – a good sign moving forward for prospective owners.

* Dylan Egan (49) - Promoted to start on game day yet again and we can expect that to be the norm going forward. He has now averaged 75 minutes in the last two weeks switching between left edge and middle. He’s now hit almost $200,00 in rises but could almost be a keeper based on starting output.

* Savelio Tamale (75) – A try, seven tackle busts and almost 20 runs. Tamale has initiated another price rise just when many sold.

SELL

* Harry Grant (DNP) - Late withdrawal for the Storm and will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury.

* David Fifita (DNP) - Out for a month with a hamstring injury. Thankfully for the 10,000 who got on this week, we received the news early so you could reverse.

* Jayden Campbell (DNP) - Had been going well for SuperCoach with his run-first mentality but is out for 4-5 weeks with an ankle injury.

* Reece Walsh (49) - Bravely played on but is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a PCL injury.

* Jack Howarth (31) - The popular early-season mid-ranger is out indefinitely due to a dislocated shoulder. Howarth’s injury could open the door for Kane Bradley as a cheapie.

* Lachlan Hubner (20) - Copped a category 1 concussion on the weekend and is out for a week. Time to cash in after almost $150,000 in price rises.

* Matty Nicholson (40) – First the good news: Nicholson played the full 80 minutes even with Zac Hosking back from injury. Now the bad: The workrate just wasn’t there. Potential sell in the coming week after peaking at a rise well over $200,000.

* Tom Jenkins (38) - The move to the wing hasn’t been kind to Jenkins, who has averaged 42.5 since his switch two weeks ago. The price rises have now eclipsed the $200K barrier so it’s time to cash in.

* Thomas Cant (56) - A half ton in pure base, including 46 tackles, makes for nice reading. That performance will take his earnings to around the $150,000 mark. But with Dylan Lucas due back from a hamstring injury as early as this week, get prepared to cash in.

* Isaiah Iongi (75) - SuperCoaches have a huge decision to make. He’s made well over $200K so is an easy cash-in, especially with the bye this week. But his two tries have also set up another round of price rises.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Buy, Hold, Sell round 8: Great cheapies + injury crisis = BOOST