NRL SuperCoach year in review: Best buy, biggest flop, highest scores
It was a rollercoaster season of NRL SuperCoach with plenty of highs and lows. We take a look back at the year that was including the best and worst buys, highest scores, biggest flop, while also casting an eye ahead to 2020.
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BEST AND FAIREST
James Tedesco was absolutely scintillating with a season topping average of 84.1, eclipsing second placed Payne Haas by almost six points. The NSW fullback bettered 90 points on eight occasions, including three scores over 132. After nullifying a temporary threat from Tom Trbojevic, Tedesco comfortably finished the year as the game’s premier player. As for overall, it was veteran Cameron Smith who topped the charts with 1768 points putting him two clear of Tedesco, albeit in three fewer games. Prior to the season the Storm rake was too old to his chorus of cynics, but he quickly proved them wrong with a stunning six centuries to his name.
Special mentions: Payne Haas, Jason Taumalolo, Damien Cook
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CHEAPIE OF THE YEAR
Payne Haas delivered the greatest rookie SuperCoach season of all time and it is likely to never be beaten. The 19-year-old Brisbane enforcer averaged a mammoth 78.3 points per game putting him behind only Tedesco. He finished the season with a $505k price rise and was arguably the safest captaincy option in the game. Haas didn’t have a single score under 50 all year, while his high ceiling was evident with three scores over 100.
Special mentions: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Bronson Xerri, Briton Nikora, Maika Sivo
THE REAL MVP
They may not have topped the point scoring charts, but Manu Ma’u and John Bateman were arguably the most valuable players of the season. The back-rowers boasted dual position eligibility at the notoriously volatile centre position where they averaged 72.9 and 71.9 respectively. The Parramatta enforcer was particularly impressive having averaged an outrageous 80 points per game after reverting to his regular 80 minute role from Round 12 onwards. Sadly, he’s on his way to the Super League next season while Bateman won’t be eligible at centre.
MOST IMPROVED
One of the tougher decisions, but it’s hard to go past Melbourne back-rower Kenny Bromwich. While it could be argued Bromwich increased minutes rather than significant output, his attacking prowess grew to a level few knew he possessed. Bromwich averaged 40 points per game in the past three seasons before lifting substantially to 64 in 2019. It simply seemed a case of when the attacking stats dry up, so would the scores, but they just kept coming. Playing outside Cameron Munster, Bromwich provided 10 try-assists, had 11 line-assists and scored five of his own.
Special mentions: James Fisher-Harris, Mitchell Moses, Ken Maumalo
FLOP OF YEAR
Canterbury forward Rhyse Martin is the runaway winner as the biggest letdown of the season. It wasn’t exactly his personal SuperCoach output to blame, he was more a victim of circumstance having etched his name into Dean Pay’s bad books. Martin was the hype purchase after his breakout 2018 season, but a failure to cement a first grade spot and an 80 minute role savaged many optimistic owners. The cruellest part of Martin’s SuperCoach season was the timing of his demise that eventually led to an English Super League shift mid-season. Martin returned to significant minutes between Round 3 and 8 where he averaged 64 leading into the all-important Round 12 bye. He was dropped in Round 9 while priced at almost $600k, returned in Round 10, then hardly cracked 30 minutes off the bench from that point on, brutal.
Special mentions: Jake Trbojevic, Esan Marsters, Anthony Milford, Angus Crichton
ROUND 12 MADNESS
In the same opening bye week in Round 12 that impacted Martin, popular purchases Corey Harawira-Naera (dropped), Viliame Kikau (illness) and Jayden Okunbor (injured) were shock omissions from their respective teams. Meanwhile the heavily sold John Bateman made a considerably early return from injury and popular cheapie Dylan Brown failed to return from a back issue. It was an extremely ego bruising round for most SuperCoaches that would eventually play a significant role in shaping the overall standings.
STAR PERFORMERS
Nathan Cleary’s 186 point haul against Newcastle in Round 25 was the highest single round of the year. The Penrith halfback scored four tries, kicked nine goals, broke eight tackles, and had three linebreaks in the rout. It was the second highest score of all-time behind Tom Trbojevic’s 194 point effort in 2018 in a losing Manly outfit.
2019 TOP 10:
- Nathan Cleary 186 v Knights in Round 25
- Tom Trbojevic 167 v Dragons in Round 14
- Latrell Mitchell 161 v Tigers in Round 8
- Daly Cherry-Evans 156 v Warriors in Round 3
- Tom Trbojevic 152 v Warriors in Round 3
- Maika Sivo 152 v Sea Eagles in Round 25
- Cameron Munster 159 v Eels in Round 9
- James Tedesco 155 v Titans Round in 20
- Cody Walker 150 v Warriors in Round 5
- Damien Cook 146 v Cowboys in Round 9
LOOKING AHEAD
The Round 1 fullback decision will be vital in the early season rankings race. Tedesco looms as the obvious choice but will boast a monster price tag. He’ll be in a category alongside elite SuperCoach talent. Tom Trbojevic averaged 77 despite finishing the season with an injury effected score of 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be a likely POD option despite averaging 71 points. Kalyn Ponga, average 68, could lose vital dual position status. While arguably the pick of the lot, Ryan Papenhuyzen, will be priced at an average of 54.7 points from 40 minutes of game time. ‘The Pap’ averaged 95.3 in his six 80 minute games. Meanwhile, David Fifita will be priced on an average of 54 points from 56 minutes to begin the year. Fifita averaged 71 points across his 10 games of 80 minutes making him a steal to start the new season.
Originally published as NRL SuperCoach year in review: Best buy, biggest flop, highest scores
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