NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 18

THE brutal bye period is finally over and SuperCoaches can start to finalise their squads for the run home.

THE brutal bye period is finally over and SuperCoaches can start to finalise their squads for the run home — presented by hipages.

WINNERS

*Jordan Rapana - Returns early from a hamstring injury and looms as a strong POD for the run home.

*Angus Crichton and Damien Cook - The popular SuperCoach pair have been named by coach Anthony Seibold to face the Bulldogs, but both will be monitored closely following Wednesday night’s Origin clash.

*Tom and Jake Trbojevic - The Manly duo would be strong candidates for a rest following a gruelling Origin series, however Manly’s dire injury situation gave Trent Barrett no other option than to name the brothers to face the Storm.

*Viliame Kikau - Named to start on an edge for Penrith where he should play an 80 minute role once again.

*Jai Arrow - Named to start having the benefit of a four-day turnaround after Origin.

*Ryan Matterson - The best CTW in SuperCoach when fit has been named in the extended Roosters squad.

*Nick Cotric - Could see his SuperCoach output significantly increase after being moved to fullback for the Raiders.

Ryan Matterson has been spotted in team lists for the first time in months. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

LOSERS

*Nathan Cleary and James Maloney - Named in the extended squad and are likely to be rested from Friday night’s clash with Cronulla after facing a two-day turnaround from Origin.

*Joe Tapine - Rubbed out for two weeks after failing at the judiciary, meaning he won’t take his place against the Cowboys this weekend.

*Greg Inglis - Remains sidelined with a broken thumb suffered in the Rabbitohs’ Round 16 clash with North Queensland.

*Tevita Pangai Jnr - The Brisbane forward will play off the bench with Andrew McCullough returning from Origin duty and Alex Glenn reverting to the back-row.

* Kurt Mann - The popular cheapie has been dropped to the bench for Jason Nightingale and becomes an auto-emergency nightmare.

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Panthers v Sharks

Friday 13th July, Panthers Stadium, 6pm

Panthers: 1 Caleb Aekins, 2 Christian Crichton, 3 Waqa Blake, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Tyrone Phillips, 6 Tyrone May, 7 Jarome Luai, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo (c), 13 James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14 Wayde Egan, 15 Corey Harawira-Naera, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Moses Leota

Reserves: 18 Liam Martin, 19 Kaide Ellis, 20 Tyrone Peachey, 21 James Maloney, 22 Nathan Cleary

Team news: Nathan Cleary and James Maloney are unlikely to face the Bulldogs after being named on the extended bench. Tyrone Peachey has also been named on the extended bench but is more likely to be promoted to the starting team should he play limited minutes on Wednesday night as expected. Young gun Caleb Aekins earns a debut at fullback for the injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Viliame Kikau retains his place in the starting team.

SuperCoach analysis: Nathan Cleary could drop to below $400k within a fortnight and will be a small upgrade from cheapie Kurt Mann. Cleary’s buy prospects hinge on whether or not he wins the goal-kicking duties from James Maloney after the Origin period. Viliame Kikau loomed as a sell this week but a return to the starting side has him locked in as an indefinite keeper that can be played in top 17s with confidence.

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c)

Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18 Scott Sorensen, 19 Ava Seumanufagai, 20 Sosaia Feki, 21 Kyle Flanagan

Team news: Wade Graham returns from injury in place of Scott Sorensen who drops out of the squad. Josh Dugan misses out again due to injury.

SuperCoach analysis: With a breakeven of 117 it really is now or never to sell Andrew Fifita. He’s a strong hold for mine in a relatively weak FRF position in 2017. With Cronulla fighting to strengthen their position in the top eight the big man could be set for increased minutes during the run home. Despite a welcome return to SuperCoach form, Paul Gallen isn’t quite in the top echelon of 2RFs this season and at a hefty $608,400 isn’t a buy. Jesse Ramien remain a strong POD option for the run home, boasting a mighty impressive season average of 57.7 and a whopping 72 points per game over the past five weeks.

Nathan Cleary could be a an option in a few weeks. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Knights v Eels

Friday 13th July, McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.55pm

Knights: 1 Nick Meaney, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Josh King, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Mitch Barnett, 12 Aidan Guerra, 13 Herman Ese’ese

Interchange: 14 Nathan Ross, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Jacob Lillyman,

Reserves: 18 Luke Yates, 19 Sam Stone, 20 Jack Cogger, 21 JJ Felise

Team news: Kalyn Ponga misses out after earlier reports suggested he could make an early return from a hamstring injury. Nick Meaney debuts at fullback, Mitchell Pearce returns pushing Jack Cogger out of the team. Danny Levi starts at hooker for Slade Griffin (knee).

SuperCoach analysis: Kalyn Ponga’s hamstring injury isn’t as severe as first thought making him a hold for those with minimal trades up their sleeve, however he can be moved on to Tom Trbojevic or James Tedesco for those with room to play around. Mitchell Pearce’s return should help Ponga’s output when he takes the field, however there’s little SuperCoach interest elsewhere at the Knights.

Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14 Tepai Moeroa, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Peni Terepo

Reserves: 18 Kane Evans, 19 Kirisome Auva’a, 20 Jaeman Salmon, 21 Kaysa Pritchard

Team news: Tepai Moeroa (suspension) returns on the bench for Will Smith in Parramatta’s only change.

SuperCoach analysis: Parramatta have little to no SuperCoach relevance at the moment. It’s a shame Nathan Brown doesn’t have dual 2RF/FRF status as he’d be a decent pick up with the big boppers. Like Paul Gallen, I can’t see Brown edging his way ahead of the likes of Angus Crichton, Jake Trbojevic, Jai Arrow and Jason Taumalolo in the back-row.

Alex Johnston is buy of the round. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Bulldogs v Rabbitohs

Saturday 14th July, ANZ Stadium, 3pm

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Kerrod Holland, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Jeremy Marshall-King, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott.

Interchange: 14 Fa’amanu Brown, 15 Clay Priest, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Danny Fualalo.

Reserves: 18 Asipeli Fine, 19 Matt Frawley, 20 Francis Tualau, 21 John Olive

Team news: David Klemmer returns from Origin at prop and looms as a serious POD after playing major minutes in his first week without Aaron Woods.

SuperCoach analysis: Will Hopoate flopped as a bye period purchase, but he remains a hold as a fifth CTW for the run home due to his strong base stats. He came within an inch of a try and linebreak against Canberra that would have bumped his score above 60. David Klemmer has been somewhat of a silent assassin in SuperCoach this season without really coming under the spotlight until Aaron Woods’ departure. Klemmer averages 57PPG and has a five-round average of 64. In his first game without Woods he played 74 minutes for 78 points in base stats. Lachlan Lewis delivered for owners last week with 60 points and is a strong downgrade option for those looking for cash but ensuring they have a playing half with dual position status. Rhyse Martin has emerged not just as a keeper but an almost certain starter in 17s following a bumper 153 points against the Raiders.

Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Hymel Hunt, 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess

Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Mark Nicholls, 17 Tevita Tatola.

Reserves: 18 Matt McIlwrick, 19 Braidon Burns, 20 Dean Britt, 21 Kyle Turner, 22 Billy Brittain.

Team news: Hymel Hunt replaces Greg Inglis at centre, while the entire Rabbitohs Origin contingent have been named to back up. Keep a strong eye on final teams for news regarding Damien Cook and Angus Crichton in particular who were rested after Origin I.

SuperCoach analysis: Alex Johnston is arguably buy of the week largely due to the severe lack of quality in CTW this season. The Rabbitohs fullback average 59.9PPG this season that would be higher had he not had an injury impacted 5 point game back in Round 11. Johnston has benefitted from a rampant Rabbitohs attacking unit this season which will be aided by a friendly run home with the side playing their next five games at ANZ Stadium. Johnston’s base is far lower than others in the same position, but he has the largest ceiling of almost anyone in SuperCoach. Damien Cook and Angus Crichton are a strong chance to be rested this week as per Origin I, that being said the latter is a strong POD for the run home with just 16 per cent ownership.

Rhyse Martin has evolved into a SuperCoach gun. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Sea Eagles v Storm

Saturday 14th July, Lottoland, 5.30pm

Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Matthew Wright, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Bradley Parker, 6 Dylan Walker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Manase Fainu, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Shaun Lane, 1 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14 Trent Hodkinson, 15 Kelepi Tanginoa, 16 Frank Winterstein, 17 Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18 Jorge Taufua, 19 Thomas Wright, 20 Tevita Funa, 21 Toafofoa Sipley, 22 Lloyd Perrett

Team news: Unchanged from their Round 16 side that beat Penrith. Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom and Jake Trbojevic have been named to back up from Origin.

SuperCoach news: Once again Manly’s injury toll has forced the Origin contingent to back up which is great news for SuperCoach. With squads stacked this time of season Tom Trbojevic can be left out of sides that think Melbourne’s defence will limit Turbo’s attacking output. Jake Trbojevic is close to a must-have for the run home but the trade can wait a week with a breakeven of 79 and potential for reduced minutes following Origin.

Storm: 1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14 Brandon Smith, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17, Joe Stimson

Reserves: 18 Cheyse Blair, 19 Tui Kamikamica, 20 Young Tonumaipea, 21 Ryley Jacks, 22 Brodie Croft, 23 Albert Vete

Team news: The entire Origin contingent have been named to back up from Wednesday night’s clash. Billy Slater will be a strong chance at earning a rest as a result of injury concerns in 2018 and a three-day turnaround from Origin. Jesse Bromwich returns from injury at prop.

SuperCoach analysis: Cameron Munster is a great POD for the run home but the trade can definitely wait with a breakeven of 109. Cameron Smith will likely be the most captained player this week. The Storm hooker has blown his critics away in recent months, now sitting with a season average of 69.5PPG.

Nick Cotric is a strong POD following his move to fullback. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Raiders v Cowboys

Saturday 14th July, GIO Stadium, 7.35pm

Raiders: 1 Nick Cotric, 2 Michael Oldfield, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Sam Williams, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Dunamis Lui, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14 Blake Austin, 15 Luke Bateman, 16 Siliva Havili, 17 Iosia Soliola

Reserves: 18 Liam Knight, 19 Jack Murchie, 20 Royce Hunt, 21 Craig Garvey

Team news: Nick Cotric looms as a great POD after shifting to fullback in place of Brad Abbey (concussion). Jordan Rapana is another POD and his return should keep Abbey out of the team and Cotric at fullback.

SuperCoach news: Joe Tapine failed at the judiciary and will miss two weeks. The Raiders back-rower was a borderline top 17 option regardless so most sides should be able to cover his absence. SuperCoaches could do far worse than moving Tapine onto Jai Arrow this week, however it’s perhaps a luxury trade. Jarrod Croker (138) delivered his first ton of the season at the perfect time for owners, he’s a hold till the end of the season and can be utilised based on quality of opposition. Nick Cotric could be a super POD for the run home having been shifted to fullback, however it would be a gamble having not had a look at the young gun in the number one. Jordan Rapana makes an early return from injury and also becomes a POD despite Canberra’s tough run home, ditto Josh Papalii.

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 John Asiata, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Shane Wright, 17 Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18 Justin O’Neill, 19 Ethan Lowe, 20 Mitchell Dunn, 21 Francis Molo, 23 Jake Clifford

Team news: Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess have been named to back up from Origin. John Asiata returns from a lengthy injury lay off at prop.

SuperCoach analysis: Minimal SuperCoach interest at the Cowboys with Jason Taumalolo a must-have.

Tevita Pangai Jnr is a sell. Pic: Getty

Broncos v Warriors

Sunday 15th July, Suncorp Stadium, 2pm

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Jayden S’uA, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14 Kotoni Staggs, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Tevita Pangai Jnr

Reserves: 18 Jonus Pearson, 19 Patrick Mago, 20 David Fifita, 21 Sam Tagataese, 22 Jake Turpin, 23 Tom Opacic

Team news: Wayne Bennett has named all his Origin stars to return. Tevita Pangai has been benched following Alex Glenn’s return to the back-row.

SuperCoach analysis: Anthony Milford has finally hit form for patient owners and looms as a hold for the run home, however there’s surely better options to play in starting 17s. Jamayne Isaako belted out 86 points without a try or assist against the Titans and is a definite hold for the run home. Brisbane play five of their final eight games at Suncorp, including their next three, making the attacking pair decent options on any given week. Tevita Pangai Jnr is a sell after being relegated to the bench with a number of forwards back from injury.

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitu’a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Simon Mannering, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Joseph Vuna, 17 Anthony Gelling

Reserves: 18 Ligi Sao, 19 Karl Lawton, 20 Blake Ayshford, 21 Mason Lino

Team news: Little SuperCoach interest here with Gerard Beale replacing Ken Maumalo (knee) on the wing.

SuperCoach analysis: Commiserations to those who captained Shaun Johnson on the weekend following his season-low 17 points. Regardless, SJ is a must for 17s each week with a season average of 65PPG. Peta Hiku is a sell for the 22 per cent of coaches who held, however he’s a hold as a fifth CTW for those running low on trades.

Kurt Mann has been dumped to the Dragons bench. Pic: Getty

Dragons v Tigers

Sunday 15th July, Jubilee Oval, 4.10pm

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18 Patrick Herbert, 19 Hame Sele, 20 Blake Lawrie, 21 Reece Robson, 22 Jai Field, 23 Darren Nicholls

Team news: Popular cheapie Kurt Mann has been dropped to the bench for Jason Nightingale and becomes an auto emergency nightmare. Fortunately he’s done his job for owners and can be sold next week after bottoming out in price. Paul McGregor has named all his Origin contingent to back up with the benefit of a four-day turnaround.

SuperCoach analysis: The bubble has burst on Kurt Mann, thankfully it came after the all-important bye week where he smashed out 76 points. With a breakeven of 15 Mann isn’t an urgent sell, he can be moved on to the likes of Nathan Cleary or Esan Marsters in coming weeks. Euan Aitken isn’t a must-have but is a very reliable option for the run home.

Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Josh Aloiai, 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18 Jacob Liddle, 19 Luke Garner, 20 Tim Grant, 21 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Team news: David Nofoluama returns from injury and looms as a CTW POD in a weak position in 2018. Benji Marshall returns in the halves for Josh Reynolds.

SuperCoach analysis: Esan Marsters retained the goal-kicking duties despite Moses Mbye’s arrival at the club. Marsters is therefore a must-have, but with a breakeven of 111 it can wait a few weeks.

Titans v Roosters

Sunday 15th July, Cbus Super Stadium, 6.30pm

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Konrad Hurrell, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika, 16 Will Matthews, 17 Jack Stockwell

Reserves: 18 Morgan Boyle, 19 Leilani Latu, 20 Kane Elgey, 21 Brendan Elliot, 22 Jai Whitbread

Team news: Jai Arrow will be a popular purchase after being named to back up from Origin in the starting team. Konrad Hurrell starts at centre for Dale Copley (knee).

SuperCoach analysis: Jai Arrow is now among the SuperCoach elite and is a must-have. Arrow averages 69PPG this season and 80PPG over the past three rounds. AJ Brimson was underwhelming as a cheapie but did a reasonable job for owners making $100k and earning a valuable 33 points last week. He can be moved on over the next week or two. Ryan James isn’t a purchase at $710k after coming back to earth with 52 points without a try to his name.

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Joseph Manu, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Nat Butcher, 12 Victor Radley, 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14 Zane Tetevano, 15 Lindsay Collins, 16 Mitchell Aubusson, 17 Kurt Baptiste

Reserves: 18 Matthew Ikuvalu, 19 Sitili Tupouniua, 20 Ryan Matterson, 21 Sean O’Sullivan, 22 Paul Momirovski, 23 Poasa Faamausili

Team news: Ryan Matterson is a huge inclusion on the extended bench and remains a hold for anyone that still owns him. Boyd Cordner will be rested after Origin, while Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco have been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: Ryan Matterson’s return is massive for both owners and non-owners. If he returns to an 80 minute role he immediately becomes the best CTW in SuperCoach. Keep a trade up your sleeve for when and if it happens. James Tedesco is a decent captaincy option against the struggling Titans.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach teams analysis Round 18