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NRL SuperCoach winners and losers: Analysis from Titans vs Roosters, Dragons vs Sharks

It was a high-scoring Sunday of SuperCoach action with James Tedesco and Kayal Iro among the top performers. TOM SANGSTER’S analysis

Tom Sangster, Eamonn Tiernan and Kevin Merrigan
13 min read
August 25, 2024 - 7:27PM
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Sam Walker of the Roosters celebrates his try with his team mates during the round 22 NRL match between Dolphins and Sydney Roosters at HBF Park, on August 02, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Sam Walker of the Roosters celebrates his try with his team mates during the round 22 NRL match between Dolphins and Sydney Roosters at HBF Park, on August 02, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

It was a high-scoring Sunday of SuperCoach action with James Tedesco and Kayal Iro among the top performers.

SuperCoach winners:

* Kayal Iro (110) - Continued his brilliant recent form. Took his 5RA well above the 80 mark with a try, try assist and nine tackle busts.

* Briton Nikora (96) - Scored a trademark try and also produced some nice ball-play with two linebreak assists.

* Jesse Ramien (90) - Spiders on him all game with a try and two try assists. Great score considering he missed 10 minutes and was docked eight points for a sin bin.

* Sam Stonestreet (78) - Two tries for the young gun.

* Daniel Tupou (123) - The Roosters’ left wing is a nice spot to be and Tupou cashed in with two tries and a try assist.

* Angus Crichton (122) - Scored a hat-trick on top of his usual work as the Roosters ran rampant.

* James Tedesco (118) - SuperCoaches predicted plenty of points with Tedesco the most popular captain, and so it unfolded. Teddy was in everything and did his absolute best to chase down the 158 of captaincy rival Tom Trbojevic, but ultimately fell short.

* Alofiana Khan-Pereira (118) - Yet another hat-trick and he is now set for the Ken Irvine medal. Got the better of his battle of the speedsters against Dominic Young.

* Jayden Campbell (58) - Solid enough but it could have been a whole lot better if not for a few brain explosions and a disallowed try.

* Zac Lomax (59) - Hardly his best score of the year but should crack the 60 mark on updates, which is a handy score with no big attacking stats. Had a try disallowed.

Final SuperCoach scores from Sunday action.
Final SuperCoach scores from Sunday action.

SuperCoach losers:

* Ben Hunt (18) - Talked up as a POD replacement for Nathan Cleary but the Dragons only got 37 per cent of possession in the first half. Had a potential try assist denied after his final pass hit the referee.

* Sam Walker (62) - The score is nothing to be sneezed at but SuperCoaches were hoping for more given the dominance of the Roosters.

* Joey Manu (37) - The popular POD just couldn’t notch a big attacking stat as teammates starred around him.

* Dom Young (33) - Could cut-and-paste from Manu above. The left saw most of the action, meaning limited opportunities for Young.

* David Fifita (43) - Struggled in the heat and had to take a 20 minute break. Couldn’t get involved against the club he backflipped on earlier this season.

* Terrell May (24) - Only 30 minutes for the popular SuperCoach prop.

* Joseph Suaalii (4) - Came off with a shoulder issue but has been cleared of serious injury. Set to play next week.

James Tedesco was in everything for the Roosters.
James Tedesco was in everything for the Roosters.

MATCH REPORT: TOP 8 RACE WIDE OPEN

- Eamonn Tiernan

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will hope his side has the last laugh in September after the Sharks completed the double over their rivals on Sunday afternoon.

Cronulla moved into third on the ladder thanks to the 38-10 victory at a sold-out WIN Stadium, while the Dragons must now win their last two games to play finals for the first time since 2018.

A competitive first half turned into a landslide second as the visitors scored the final 24 points of the match to run away with it.

Flanagan, who delivered the Sharks their only premiership back in 2016, has a 6-6 finals record and he could face his old club again in week two of finals next month.

Cronulla are 0-3 in finals since coach Craig Fitzgibbon arrived in 2022 and the club hasn’t won a finals game since in 2018 - when Flanagan was the coach.

Flanagan would no doubt love nothing more than to send his former club crashing out of finals in straight sets for the third season in row.

TOP EIGHT RACE HEATS UP

The Dragons are still in the top eight but heading into the final two games of the regular season there are four teams clipping at their heels, sitting just one win back.

The 11-win Dragons’ poor point differential (-120) means they’ll almost certainly need to win their final two games - against the Eels and Raiders - to clinch a first finals berth in six years.

The Broncos, Dolphins, Knights and Raiders all sit on 10 wins and the first three have a better differential than the Dragons.

The Sharks on the other hand have leapfrogged the Panthers into third spot but it means they’ll likely run into a red-hot Roosters in the first week of finals for their troubles.

The Roosters are expected to head into that clash riding a six-game winning streak and will be heavy favourites to extend more mystery on Cronulla’s poor finals record in recent years.

KLEIN’S QUIP AS BUNKER ATONEMENT CONTINUES

The sin bins in the wake of the Bunker’s howler Stephen Crichton decision continued on Sunday afternoon.

Bulldogs skipper Crichton was inexplicably not binned for a no-arms head-high tackle that knocked out Warriors veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on Friday night.

Crichton was handed a suspension by the match review committee the following morning and the Bunker officials copped a clip from head office.

Souths skipper Cameron Murray was softly binned following a Bunker backflip on Saturday night and the trend continued on Sunday when Jesse Ramien caught Mat Feagai high in the 17th minute.

Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes tried to use his captain’s challenge for offside, which prompted a classic one-liner from referee Ashley Klein.

“You can’t challenge, but you can have a sin bin,” Klein shot back.

Ramien was then marched, making him the seventh player binned in Round 25.

Jesse Ramien was binned but had a blinder. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Jesse Ramien was binned but had a blinder. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

FULL-TIME: SHARKS 38 DEFEAT DRAGONS 10

It was a massacre in the end with the Sharks scoring four unanswered tries in the final 23 minutes.

The game had it all – sin bins, cheap shots, a number of players on report, refereeing howlers and a referee stopping a potential try by getting in the way.

Ultimately though, the Dragons now drop out of the top eight and the Sharks consolidate their spot in the top four.

67 MINS: SHARKS SCORE OFF BLATANT FORWARD PASS

Sam Stonestreet is over for his second but how did the referee miss the pass going forward by well over a metre?

It’s the second time in a couple of minutes that the referees have been involved in controversial moments.

The Sharks now lead by 22 and have the match locked up.

65 MINS: DID REF COST DRAGONS A TRY?

When it’s not your day, it’s not your day.

The Dragons were on track to score a try through Zac Lomax and get back within 10 points, but the final pass from Ben Hunt struck referee Ashley Klein.

Lomax still had plenty of cover defence to deal with, while there were also suggestions Hunt’s pass was forward.

61 MINS: NIKORA TRY LIKELY SINKS DRAGONS

That’s two tries within four minutes for the Sharks with Briton Nikora changing ankles on a hole run to score a trademark try.

The Dragons were only four points behind a few minutes ago.

Now they trail 26-10.

57 MINS: KENNEDY STRIKES CRUCIAL BLOW FOR SHARKS

Just when we said the Dragons were back in it, the Sharks have responded straight away.

Will Kennedy rose high over a Tyrell Sloan to reel in a bomb and score under the posts.

The Sharks now lead 20-10.

55 MINS: TUIPOLOTU TRY GETS DRAGONS BACK IN IT

The Dragons are making a late run here, clawing back to 14-10 through a try to Christian Tuipulotu.

A change in shape in the backline saw Luciano Leilua move outside the centre and it fooled the Cronulla defence with Tuipulotu faced with a simple run to the line.

Zac Lomax missed the conversion, which could prove crucial.

45 MIN: DRAGONS TRY DISALLOWED

The Bunker has intervened to turn down a try to the Dragons.

Zac Lomax crossed from a scrappy grubber play, but Tyrell Sloan was ruled to have pushed Kayal Iro in the back as he was chasing the ball.

The try was initially confirmed by the Bunker, before they had a second look.

HALF-TIME: SHARKS 14 LEAD DRAGONS 6

The Sharks have put on a late blitz to take a strong lead at the break.

Cronulla put on two tries in six minutes, with Kayal Iro and Samuel Stonestreet both crossing.

Blayke Brailey is causing all sorts of havoc through the middle and the Dragons are only just hanging on.

“The scoreline probably reflects the dominance the Sharks have had,” said Andrew Voss in commentary.

SuperCoach winners:

* Kayal Iro (53) - Continuing his brilliant recent form (5RA 80) with a try and heap of work.

* Jesse Ramien (47) - Spiders on him all game. Great score considering he missed 10 minutes and was docked eight points for a sin bin.

* Sam Stonestreet (41) - Late try (with linebreak) and busted plenty of tackles.

SuperCoach losers:

* Zac Lomax (28) - Relatively quiet first half by his standards with no big attacking stats. Still got through plenty of work though with 10 runs.

* Ben Hunt (15) - Talked up as a POD replacement for Nathan Cleary but the Dragons only got 37 per cent of possession in the first half.

22 MINS: CHAOTIC PLAY GIVES DRAGONS LEAD

Jack Bird was the eventual tryscorer in a crazy play that included two kicks, two flick passes and two dropped balls.

We can’t do it justice in words so we’ll let the video do the work.

17 MINS: SIN BIN LIGHTS UP DERBY

There is plenty of feeling at WIN Stadium between these two local rivals with Jesse Ramien sin binned for a high shot on Mat Feagai.

“Moderate force, direct to the head”, was the call from the referee.

Ramien may find himself on the charge sheet come Monday morning and may miss a week or two, although you’d expect he’s back for the finals.

Jesse Ramien’s high shot on Mat Feagai.
Jesse Ramien’s high shot on Mat Feagai.

13 MINS: LOMAX FIRES UP OVER CHEAP SHOT

Zac Lomax was left fuming after Kayal Iro rubbed the star Dragon’s head into the turf.

Iro was penalised for the play, which occurred right in front of the touch judge.

The score remains 6-nil to the Sharks.

6 MINS: RAMIEN OPENS SCORING

The Sharks are ahead 6-nil after Jesse Ramien stood up his opposite number to score out wide.

Mat Feagai came up with the simple one-on-one miss.

The Sharks are playing with incredible speed and precision to start the game, with the Dragons struggling to keep pace.

LATE MAIL: FINAL TEAMS IN FOR SHARKS V DRAGONS

Ronaldo Mulitalo has been ruled out for the Sharks, with Mawene Hiroti replacing him on the wing.

Kayal Iro, Tom Hazelton (both illness), Braydon Trindall and Teig Wilton (both hamstring) have been cleared.

The Dragons have switched up their pack with Raymond Faitala-Mariner ruled out and utility Lyhkan King-Togia the new face on the bench.

Blake Lawrie comes into the starting side at prop with Jack De Belin dropping to the bench.

Ryan Couchman will start on the edge with Luciano Leilua to provide impact from the bench.

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 16. Blake Lawrie 12. Jaydn Su’A 15. Ryan Couchman 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange: 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 14. Toby Couchman 18. Lyhkan King-Togia

Reserves: 20. Michael Molo

Cut: 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 19. Mikaele Ravalawa 21. Jesse Marschke 22. Connor Muhleisen

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 18. Mawene Hiroti 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 21. Chris Veaila

Cut: 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 19. Billy Burns 20. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Niwhai Puru

Ronaldo Mulitalo is out for the Sharks. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Ronaldo Mulitalo is out for the Sharks. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

FULL-TIME: ROOSTERS 48 DEFEAT TITANS 22

A total of 14 tries and 70 points, this was prime attacking rugby league – and SuperCoaches cashed in.

SuperCoach winners:

* Daniel Tupou (123) - The Roosters’ left wing is a nice spot to be and Tupou cashed in with two tries and a try assist.

* Angus Crichton (122) - Scored a hat-trick on top of his usual work as the Roosters ran rampant.

* James Tedesco (118) - SuperCoaches predicted plenty of points with Tedesco the most popular captain, and so it unfolded. Teddy was in everything and did his absolute best to chase down the 158 of captaincy rival Tom Trbojevic, but ultimately fell short.

* Alofiana Khan-Pereira (118) - Yet another hat-trick and he is now set for the Ken Irvine medal. Got the better of his battle of the speedsters against Dominic Young.

* Jayden Campbell (58) - Solid enough but it could have been a whole lot better if not for a few brain explosions and a disallowed try.

SuperCoach losers:

* Sam Walker (62) - The score is nothing to be sneezed at but SuperCoaches were hoping for more given the dominance of the Roosters.

* Joey Manu (37) - The popular POD just couldn’t notch a big attacking stat as teammates starred around him.

* Dom Young (33) - Could cut-and-paste from Manu above. The left saw most of the action, meaning limited opportunities for Young.

* David Fifita (43) - Struggled in the heat and had to take a 20 minute break. Couldn’t get involved against the club he backflipped on earlier this season.

* Terrell May (24) - Only 30 minutes for the popular SuperCoach prop.

* Joseph Suaalii (4) - Came off with a shoulder issue but has been cleared of serious injury. Set to play next week.

Final scores from Roosters v Titans
Final scores from Roosters v Titans

62 MINS: ROOSTERS SURGE TO 42-16 LEAD

It’s an absolute bloodbath here.

The Roosters have scored three unanswered tries to start the second half.

Angus Crichton now has a hat-trick, while James Tedesco also scored.

Teddy (109) is doing his best to chase down the 158 of captaincy rival Tom Trbojevic.

52 MINS: FIFITA FORCED OFF DUE TO HEAT

The 28 degree day on the Gold Coast has taken its toll on David Fifita, who has been forced to take a spell.

Usually an 80 minute man, Fifita made it through just 32 minutes in his first stint.

“He’s not injured, it’s just the heat,” said Fox Sports sideline eye Eloise Sohier.

David Fifita was forced from the field due to the heat. Picture: NRL Photos
David Fifita was forced from the field due to the heat. Picture: NRL Photos

42 MINS: SUAALII CLEARED OF SERIOUS INJURY

Huge news for the Roosters and potentially the Wallabies with Joseph Suaalii’s shoulder injury confirmed as just a burner.

He may even come back onto the field.

HALF-TIME: ROOSTERS 26 LEAD TITANS 10

The Roosters scored three answered tries in the final 11 minutes of the half to take a commanding lead.

SuperCoach winners:

* Daniel Tupou (91) - The Roosters’ left wing is a nice spot to be and Tupou has cashed in with two tries.

* Alofiana Khan-Pereira (62) - Has got the better of his battle of the speedsters against Dominic Young. Two tries.

* James Tedesco (56) - In everything for the Roosters and has two try assists. But he needs a huge second half to match Tom Trbojevic’s 158.

* Angus Crichton (50) - Scored the opening try and got through his normal work.

SuperCoach losers:

* Dom Young (27) - Has a try but owners will be hoping for more attacking stats in the second half.

* David Fifita (25) - Just couldn’t get involved against the club he backflipped on earlier this season.

* Jayden Campbell (20) - A few brain explosions and a disallowed try for the popular five-eighth.

* Joseph Suaalii (4) - Came off with a shoulder injury and looks set to miss plenty of time.

31 MINS: ATTACKING ACES STAR IN TRY-FEST

Some of the game’s best attacking players are coming to the fore on a sunny 28 degree afternoon on the Gold Coast.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira has a double, one a near length-of-the-field special, while Daniel Tupou is the latest to cross for the Roosters.

The Roosters lead 16-10 and there could have been plenty more points given two tries were (correctly) disallowed.

22 MINS: MORE CARNAGE FOR ROOSTERS

Injuries and suspensions are again biting the Roosters.

Joseph Suaalii is the latest entrant to the casualty ward, going off in serious pain with a shoulder injury.

Victor Radley is also on report, while JWH could miss plenty of game time (more below).

13 MINS: JWH ON REPORT, BINNED

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ final future hangs by a thread after being placed on report and sinbinned against the Titans.

JWH was only 13 minutes into his return from a four-match ban.

Today’s incident saw the Roosters enforcer shoulder Titans hooker Sam Verrills directly to the head.

5 MINS: CRICHTON GETS ROOSTERS ON BOARD

Angus Crichton has continued his brilliant season by opening the scoring for the Roosters in just the fourth minute

It’s a huge early boost for the 45,074 SuperCoaches who own him.

Crichton collected a loose Sitili Tupouniua pass before charging over.

KICK-OFF: SUPERCOACHES BANK ON TEDDY

We’re underway and the number of SuperCoaches who captained James Tedesco is now official – 39.5 per cent.

It’s currently sunny and 28 degrees on the Gold Coast so we’re in for a high-scoring clash.

FINAL TEAMS ARE IN

Brandon Smith has been ruled out for the Roosters, with Zach Dockar-Clay replacing him at hooker and Sandon Smith joining the bench.

Nat Butcher has been cleared to return from a rib cartilage issue.

At the Titans, AJ Brimson comes into the starting side at centre for Phil Sami, with Keenan Palasia the new face on the bench.

Beau Fermor will play after a kidney injury, while Moeaki Fotuaika is back from suspension.

Sunday, 2pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 14. AJ Brimson 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall

Interchange: 15. Isaac Liu 16. Erin Clark 17. Klese Haas 19. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Tanah Boyd

Cut: 4. Phillip Sami 20. Joe Stimson 21. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 22. Tony Francis

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher

Interchange: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings

Cut: 9. Brandon Smith 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Siua Wong 22. Robert Toia

Hooker Brandon Smith is out for the Roosters. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
Hooker Brandon Smith is out for the Roosters. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

SUPERCOACHES BANK ON ROOSTERS STARS

Lots to play for on Sunday as round 25 comes to an end.

Plenty of important games for both the NRL ladder and SuperCoaches as we’re treated to two exciting fixtures.

First up, the Backflip Cup, where David Fifita comes face-to-face with the side he sensationally backflipped on joining earlier this year as the Titans host the Roosters.

Fifita has been averaging 67 from his last three matches which is below his average and historically he doesn’t perform well against the Roosters, so it will be interesting to see how he goes amid spotlight attention.

SuperCoaches have been flocking to Roosters assets this week, with Sam Walker, Dominic Young and James Tedesco all among the top 10 most traded in players this week.

Walker was the second most popular purchase this week for the injured Nathan Cleary, only behind Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans who only notched 41 points.

Can Sam Walker and James Tedesco treat their new owners? Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images
Can Sam Walker and James Tedesco treat their new owners? Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Tedesco is in some phenomenal scoring form, averaging 101 points in his last three games, seeing his ownership shoot up to nearly 30%.

For the Titans, both Keano Kini and Jojo Fifita have been excellent lately, both averaging just below 90 over their past three games.

Round 25 concludes with an exciting clash between the Dragons and Sharks in Wollongong.

The Dragons are looking to hang on to a spot in the eight, while the Sharks are trying to remain in the top four, so there’s lots at stake here.

SuperCoach favourite Kayal Iro has been in a superb scoring run, averaging 88 from his last three.

Exceeding that number is both Braydon Trindall and Ronaldo Mulitalo for the Sharks, both averaging over 90 from the last three.

Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle both hit 90+ last time out for the Dragons at Wollongong, so perhaps they can do it again today.

Who will you be keeping an eye on today?

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach winners and losers: Analysis from Titans vs Roosters, Dragons vs Sharks

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