Updated SuperCoach Cheapie Bible: Top bargains of 2024 rated and ranked
It’s a rough year for cheapies in NRL SuperCoach Land but we’ve sorted the men from the boys in this definitive list of best and worst bargain buys.
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Vegas is out of the way and SuperCoaches are scrambling for cheapies for the rest of round one.
We’ve trawled through the lower grades, junior nurseries and resurgent veterans to determine the best bargains.
Below we rank the best money-makers in NRL SuperCoach 2024.
NEW ADDITIONS
* Joe Chan (fifth), Danny Levi (sixth) and Xavier Savage (10th) all slot in high after scoring starting spots for round one.
BIGGEST RISES
* Kyle Flanagan is up eight spots and has emerged as a serious buy as cheapies fall left, right and centre.
* Klese Haas is also up eight spots after scoring the edge back row spot of David Fifita at the Titans.
BIGGEST FALLS
* Bronson Xerri, Kaeo Weekes, Kayal Iro, Thomas Mikaele and Kane Bradley all see big drops after missing round one teams.
CHEAPIE BIBLE 2024
1 Ethan Strange (5-8/CTW $238,900)
Strange has bounced up and down these rankings like a yo-yo all pre-season. But he’s jumped back to the top after winning the five-eighth spot vacated by Jack Wighton and is a must-have. This means Strange’s main competition for the spot, Kaeo Weekes, drops way down this list after missing selection.
Ranking change: Up 1 spot from 2
2 Morgan Smithies (2RF $345,000)
The English import will start at lock for the Raiders. With Corey Horsburgh suspended for the opening rounds and rumoured to be moving into the front row rotation once back, the No. 13 jersey could be Smithies’ to lose. At very least he has a few games to push for the role permanently. That’s about as good as job security gets for cheapies in SuperCoach this year. Smithies has impressed with his ball-play during pre-season and notched big tackle numbers in the Super League, the issue for SuperCoach is how often he runs the ball.
Ranking change: Up 2 spots from 4
3 Jaeman Salmon (2RF/CTW, $317,100)
Salmon goes from a bit-part player at the all-conquering Panthers to starting lock at the Bulldogs. Don’t expect Salmon to run the ball much – he’ll play more of a ball-playing role – but minutes should be solid and he’ll make plenty of tackles. Dual positioning works perfectly with Burbo.
Ranking change: Up 2 spots from 5
4 Samuel Hughes (FRF $238,900)
Wins a bench spot at the Bulldogs, as expected. Enormous in the first trial with 14 runs for 129 metres in 33 minutes and generally very pleasing on the eye. Unfortunately he picked up a concussion in the final trial and didn’t get much game time, but with a two-week gap to round one he’s set to be fit. Hughes played five games last year but it’s fair to say he was eased in, only averaging 14 minutes for 16 points. Perhaps the biggest factor in Hughes’ favour is the glowing off-season praise from Canterbury football boss Phil Gould.
Ranking change: Up 2 spots from 6
5 Joe Chan (2RF $238,900)
Came somewhat from nowhere to win the vacant edge back row spot at the Storm, surging into the spot with a brilliant final trial. Recruit Shawn Blore is waiting in the wings so job security is not great, while the return of Nelson Asofa-Solomona could have a domino effect on Chan’s spot and minutes. But a starting forward at base price is almost impossible to turn down, even with job security issues.
Ranking change: New addition
6 Danny Levi (HOK $238,900)
Broke his jaw twice last year and therefore starts cheap. But Levi is a favourite of coach Ricky Stuart and has won the starting hooker role for round one. With a career PPM of around 0.75, we can expect an average of 30 in 40 minutes and rise of $60,000. In 50 minutes he’d average 37.5 and make around $135,000. It’s not huge money but he’s still the best cheapie at hooker.
Ranking change: New addition
7 Drew Hutchison (HFB/CTW $354,900)
Is he a centre? Is he a prop? Is he a backrower? Is he a five-eighth? Wrong to all of the above. One of the game’s great utilities, Hutchison has won the halfback spot at the Bulldogs. Starts well-underpriced after averaging only 51 minutes last year.
Ranking change: Up 2 spots from 9
8 Kyle Flanagan (5/8 $310,500)
Flanagan starts cheap after playing only bit-parts at the Bulldogs but is assured a far bigger role at the Dragons as starting five-eighth. But there’s a kicker – literally. If the son of coach Shane wins the goalkicking duties, he could realistically average close to 50 and be a must-have. Unfortunately, going on the trials, Flanno won’t kick with Zac Lomax preferred, which makes price rises much more difficult.
Ranking change: Up 8 spots from 16
9 Jack Bostock (CTW $314,500)
The Dolphins have recruited well in the centres with Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo. But wing spots are open and Bostock is confirmed a role for round one. The former Dragon starts cheap after just four NRL appearances in 2023 but will push for a permanent spot in 2024. Great athleticism and his height (194cm) is a key advantage.
Ranking change: Down 1 spot from 8
10 Xavier Savage FLB/CTW $350,200
We predicted he’d score a wing spot for round one and thankfully for SuperCoaches the prediction has stuck. Averaged 46 in 17 games in 2022 but is priced on an average of 10 points less. The return of centre Sebastian Kris from suspension in round two is a worry with Albert Hopoate to return to a wing and one of Savage or Nick Cotric to drop out. But going on pre-season, Cotric looms as the first winger to fall.
Ranking change: New addition
11 Joey Lussick (HOK $313,700)
Wins the starting hooker spot at the Eels. But despite pre-season chat from coach Brad Arthur that he wanted an 80 minute hooker, Lussick won’t play the full game with Brendan Hands on the bench. Lussick averaged 68 minutes last year so is there really room for improvement?
Ranking change: No change
12 Liam Henry (FRF $238,900)
Blayney-born big bopper Henry already has three NRL appearances to his name (one in 2022, two in 2023) as well as 47 NSW Cup games. In 2023 Henry played 21 times in the NSW Cup often playing 60+ minutes in the middle and averaging over 150 metres and 40 tackles per game. These are big numbers. He’s scored a bench spot for the World Club Challenge and stays there for round one. Hopefully he retains the spot when Scott Sorensen returns.
Ranking change: No change
13 Viliami Fifita (2RF/FRF, $204,300)
Fifita is base price, dual position and has scored a bench spot for round one. However, there are serious job security issues with Hame Sele (hamstring) and Luciano Leilua (suspension) expected to come into the 17 for round two.
Ranking change: Up 2 spots from 15
14 Klese Haas (2RF $356,000)
The brother of Payne has won the vacant edge back row spot of David Fifita (pectoral), who is out until round four. Translation: We have a borderline cheapie confirmed to play round one and presumably big minutes. They are the positives. But the negatives are significant. Job security post Fifita’s return is almost non-existent. Haas also averaged 52 minutes last year which does not leave much room for improvement. One to keep an eye on rather than buy.
Ranking change: Up 8 spots from 22
15 Taine Tuaupiki (FLB/CTW, $277,700)
Starts the season at fullback for the Warriors with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ruled out for the first three weeks due to a hamstring injury. While we’d obviously prefer Tuaupiki to play more than three games, he may just be a last resort option given the dearth of cheapies this season.
Ranking change: Up 8 spots from 23
16 Keano Kini (FLB, $287,900)
Some big ticks here. Kini will play round one with Jayden Campbell out until round four with a knee injury. Kini is also an absolute beast, winning man of the match in the 2023 Queensland Cup grand final despite only being 19. Even though Campbell is very good, Kini is a rare talent and a chance of pushing his way into a permanent spot. But there are also crosses. Job security is bordering on horrible given Campbell is due back after just one price rise. He is also only available at fullback for SuperCoach, which is a position to stack guns and not cheapies. If he was available at CTW I’d say he’s a risk worth taking on talent. But he’s not so avoid.
Ranking change: Up 8 spots from 24
BYE IN ROUND ONE
17 Aidan Sezer (HFB/5-8 $345,000)
Sezer is back in the NRL after a stint in the Super League. We were relatively keen heading into the trials but the buy always hinged on one thing – goalkicking. With the kicking he can realistically average 45-50PPG, which would create some decent cash flow. Unfortunately though, Sezer seems to have lost the goalkicking race to Apisai Koroisau and also has a bye in round one.
Ranking change: Up 3 spots from 20
18 Samuela Fainu (2RF $263,000)
Fainu put together a solid five games for the Sea Eagles last season mainly as an edge backrower. He starts in cheapie range due to limited minutes and is set to score a bench spot at the Tigers. Game time is again an issue, as is the bye in round one, while Fainu’s PPM of 0.6 is far from elite.
Ranking change: Up 3 spots from 21
MISSED SELECTION FOR ROUND ONE (ie: the ‘keep up your sleeve list)
19 Bronson Xerri (CTW $345,100)
The former Shark is back in the game after a lengthy ban for breaching doping regulations but has missed round one selection. Great in the trials, notching over 130m in both, and only one injury away from NRL.
Ranking change: Down 12 spots from 7
20 Sua Faalogo (FLB/CTW $339,000)
Another heavily-backed cheapie who didn’t get up for round one. Faalogo produced a brilliant debut in round 27 last year and went on to star in two Tests for Samoa. Billed as a generational player, keep him in mind for a mid-season purchase and he’s a must-have if Papenhuyzen goes down again.
Ranking change: Up 5 spots from 25
21 Kaeo Weekes (FLB/5-8 $273,400)
Weekes was the favourite for the five-eighth spot at the Raiders but was overtaken by Strange (above). Weekes showed flashes of brilliance at the Sea Eagles last season – including 68 in 27 minutes against the Knights – but comes in well-underpriced after averaging just 45 minutes per game.
Ranking change: Down 3 spots from 18
22 Jayden Brailey (HOK $330,000)
A pre-season hamstring injury means Brailey will miss the start of the season. But the SuperCoach potential is there for later in the year. The Newcastle rake starts at borderline cheapie price after a season ruined by an ACL injury, the second of his career. Brailey was a picture of consistency over his last three seasons prior to last year’s aberration, averaging 58, 59 and 58.
Ranking change: Up 5 spots from 27
23 Kayal Iro (CTW/FLB $219,900)
Iro was named 18th man for round one and needs only one backline injury to make his way into a starting role. Former NSW Cup Player of the Year.
Ranking change: Down 5 spots from 28
24 Thomas Mikaele (FRF, $238,900)
Missed a round one bench spot despite a barnstorming final trial. Mikaele stepped up when Coen Hess went down injured scoring two tries, three tackles busts, four offloads and a linebreak in seven runs.
Ranking change: Down 10 spots from 14
25 Kane Bradley (CTW/2RF $238,900)
Bradley won an edge back row spot for the final trial ahead of more fancied options Shawn Blore, Trent Loiero and Joe Chan. But Chan won out for round one so we watch and wait on Bradley.
Ranking change: Down 22 spots from 3
26 Mavrik Geyer (2RF $204,300)
The son of Penrith great Mark Geyer has been named out of the 17 for round one but is only one, maybe two, injuries off an NRL berth. Previously an edge backrower, Geyer has bulked up 8kg and is set to also play in the middle rotation this year.
Ranking change: Up 4 spots from 30
27 Jack Cole (5/8 $204,300)
Played five-eighth in Penrith’s World Club Challenge in place of Jarome Luai. Luai returns for round one and Cole drops out, but he is highly-rated at the club. Keep him in your black book for later in the season.
Ranking change: Up 2 spots from 29
28 Chevy Stewart (FLB/CTW $204,300)
Once the seventh most popular SuperCoach player, Stewart has fallen down the list following confirmation he has lost the race for the Canberra fullback spot to Jordan Rapana. Keep him up your sleeve.
Ranking change: Up 3 spots from 31
29 Dylan Egan (2RF $204,300)
After talking the young gun up big-time and backing him for a starting spot, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan did the dirty on SuperCoaches and recruited two veterans who can play Egan’s exact position – Luciano Leulia and Raymond Faitala-Mariner. Early in the pre-season Flanagan compared the young forward to Liam Martin, but unfortunately Egan has missed the round one squad.
Ranking change: Up 3 spots from 32
30 Josh Feledy (CTW $238,900)
We thought Feledy would push for a backline spot to start the season but he was nowhere to be seen in the Tigers’ squad for the second trial. Handed his NRL debut in round 27, Feledy did not look out of place despite his team getting pumped 54-12.
Ranking change: Up 3 spots from 33
ALREADY PLAYED IN ROUND ONE
31 Ben Trbojevic (CTW/2RF $277,400)
- 72 points. Came through as our top buy heading into round one. Get on next week if you somehow missed out.
32 Spencer Leniu (FRF, $332,400)
- 31 points. But facing suspension for a racial slur.
34 Fletcher Baker (FRF $320,000)
- 31 points.
35 Xavier Willison (FRF $265,200)
- Named on the bench but missed the final 17 on game day.
36 Tallis Duncan (2RF $321,600)
- Named 18th man for the Rabbitohs but relinquished that role on game day.
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