NRL SuperCoach trial scores and analysis 2025: Pre-Season Challenge week 3

The Roosters were meant to be a hot-bed of SuperCoach talent but their bargains flopped, while injuries also had a big say in the final week of the Pre-Season Challenge.

The final week of the Pre-Season Challenge is done and SuperCoaches are back to the drawing board.

Plenty of teams rolled out full strength teams or very close, but injuries hit and top cheapies failed.

Full analysis and scores from every game below.

SEA EAGLES VS PANTHERS

6pm Friday February 21 at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

SuperCoach analysis:

– While it’s unclear who will miss out on a place in the Sea Eagles backline in round one, Lehi Hopoate has surely done enough to book himself a spot following a strong performance. Hopoate showed off his versatility, starting on the wing but playing the second half in fullback, notching four linebreak assists, one try assist and 82 SuperCoach points

– Reuben Garrick was quiet in his limited minutes, finishing the game with just five SuperCoach points.

– Ethan Bullemor will likely be operating off the bench in 2025, but he showed that he’s hungry for tries, finding the line and ending the game on 80 points.

Match report

WESTS TIGERS VS EELS

8pm Friday February 21 at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

SuperCoach analysis:

– Isaiah Iongi is owned by over 50% of players and his first half performance should see that figure rise even further. An impressive try and a delightful cut-out ball try assist definitely caught the eye, with the rookie ending the match on 77 points.

– Another cheapie who scored well was Jack Bird, notching a try and securing 62 SuperCoach points.

– “Get him in your team right now”. That’s what Andrew Voss had to say about new Tigers signing Terrell May after a dominant first half showing. 15 hit-ups, 111 metres, 18 tackles and one offload for 55 SuperCoach points.

– Brent Naden is looking like he’ll be sidelined for a while after suffering a knee injury

Match report

DRAGONS VS RABBITOHS

3pm Saturday February 22 at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

SuperCoach analysis:

- South Sydney were soundly thrashed but Peter Mamouzelos is one player who can hold his head up high. The hooker wracked up 36 tackles without one miss and crucially added two linebreak assists while also making number of darts from dummy half - 76 points at his price is an outstanding return especially when his team was so well beaten.

- Jamie Humphreys started the game as the backup hooker and understudy to English import Lewis Dodd at halfback but when Dodd was sin-binned Humphreys grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck setting up one try and scoring another. He’s not bottom-dollar after scoring 104 points from his one game in 2024, but at just a tick over $300K we may have another cheapie halfback to consider.

- Valentine Holmes confirmed he’ll be taking over the kicking duties at the Dragons for 2025. The move is not a shock considering Holmes slotted conversions at a tick under 85% last season but it is a blow to those hoping the much cheaper Kyle Flanagan might get the nod. Holmes slotted five conversions out of six against the Rabbitohs and notched 79 SuperCoach points, which included two try assists.

Match report

BRONCOS VS BULLDOGS

5:30pm Saturday February 22 at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

SuperCoach analysis:

- He may have spent the second half on the sideline with ice on his calf (precautionary) but Reece Walsh did enough in 40 minutes to suggest he’s worthy of very strong consideration in the very strong fullback position. Walsh only had the three runs for 37 metres but around that he picked up a try/linebreak assist and a forty twenty to finish with 40 points in 40 minutes. There were also two - admittedly atrocious - goalkick attempts which suggests that Walsh will get the job if/when Adam Reynolds is injured.

- Seemingly nailed to start at lock under new coach Michael Maguire, Kobe Hetherington did no harm to his cheapie credentials with nine runs for 68 metres and 26 tackles (no misses) which added up to 37 points from one stint. He’s all potatoes and little meat but at $338K there’s still plenty of value here.

- Bulldogs star Jacob Preston was the top scorer from this match with 92 points thanks to a tremendous solo try. Nailed in the Canterbury backrow and priced at $609,200, is he worth throwing some cash at?

Match report

DOLPHINS VS TITANS

7:30pm Saturday February 22 at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

SuperCoach analysis:

- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was on the field for only 20-25 minutes as he returns to speed from his ACL injury, securing 29 points in that time.

- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki put in a solid showing for the Dolphin, with a linebreak, linebreak assist and 72 run metres contributing towards his 60 points. Already owned by 16%, that number could rise considering his low price of $368,200.

- Dolphins winger Jack Bostock limped off the field halfway through the second half following an awkward mid-air collision. Bostock was clutching at the back of his knee and will be sent for scans. Kieran Foran will also be sent for scans after suffering a bicep injury.

ROOSTERS VS KNIGHTS

3:15pm Sunday February 23 at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

SuperCoach analysis:

- The Roosters were dominated but popular mid-ranger Mark Nawaqanitawase (53) was a shining light in attack with a try assist and linebreak assist. However, he limped off late and we await diagnosis.

- Robert Toia (24) was only solid after a great first trial in which he scored 49 points.

- Sandon Smith (41) is the second most popular cheapie in SuperCoach but it was hardly a great outing. Would have scored 24 without a late runaway try against the run of play.

- James Tedesco (33) was busy as always but, going on today, it could be a tough year for the Roosters and it’s hard to justify his starting price.

- Naufahu Whyte was a strong for the well-beaten Roosters with 47 points off the bench, including 13 runs for 11 metres. Lock him in.

- Kalyn Ponga (88) has one of the easiest draws of any gun to start the season and confirmed his credentials here.

- Phoenix Crossland (51) is now a genuine cheapie option after locking in the starting hooker role ahead of Jayden Brailey. Two try assists.

- Greg Marzhew (43) couldn’t join the try party but was his usual busy self with 13 runs, three tackle busts and four offloads.

STORM VS COWBOYS

5:15pm Sunday February 23 at Casey Fields, Melbourne

SuperCoach analysis:

- Jaxson Purdue (91) locked himself in as one of the premier cheapies of SuperCoach 2025. The job security isn’t perfect with Zac Laybutt waiting in the wings, but word is Laybutt will return from an ACL injury in reserves.

- Cheapie option Tom Duffy (60) couldn’t have done much more in search of a round one halfback spot and will no doubt surge in popularity, especially after kicking goals. Main rival Jake Clifford missed the match following recent hernia surgery but Duffy has been mooted as a threat all pre-season and may have locked himself in for round one. We hope.

- Robert Derby (6) appears to have bowed out as a cheapie. He got limited minutes after Braidon Burns scored the starting wing spot.

- Injury drama at Storm. Repeating news from over the weekend, Ryan Papenhuyzen has been ruled out of the first two rounds (that includes the bye in round two). Sua Fa’alogo failed to finish with a hamstring injury which could open a centre spot, with Nick Meaney switching to fullback.

- Cameron Munster (31) and Harry Grant (30) had enough classy touches to prove they will be hot property yet again. But the round two bye makes them hard to target for round one.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach trial scores and analysis 2025: Pre-Season Challenge week 3