NRL Round 26 teams: KFC SuperCoach grand final carnage as guns ruled out

The KFC SuperCoach gods have saved one of the toughest team days of the season for the grand final with a host of guns either out or in doubt.

Hope you have trades. The KFC SuperCoach grand final is here and the gods have dished up a doozy.

Among those unavailable are Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco, but perhaps the biggest blow of all is Reuben Garrick being named out of the Manly 17 as he battles a back fracture.

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WINNERS

- Reuben Garrick CTW/FLB $629,300 - Garrick has a fractured back from that controversial tackle by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad but is still in the Manly squad, albeit on the extended bench. It looks like his fitness will go down to the wire but SuperCoaches may not have the luxury of waiting given the Sea Eagles play the second last game of the round.

Garrick is obviously the story to follow this week given he is owned by 41 per cent of all SuperCoaches and is the fifth most owned player of the top 10 per cent. We’ll have our Late Mail scouts all over it.

Reuben Garrick has been named despite a back fracture. Picture: NRL Images

- Reece Walsh FLB $665,100 - Back from the bye and the most popular purchase this week with all the injuries at fullback. Walsh is a scary player for any H2H opponent so the appeal is clear. That said, the injury to Adam Reynolds is a bit of a worry for Brisbane’s attack. And Walsh’s run home is not that great either – the Raiders (at home farewelling the likes of Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker) then Storm (playing for a top-four finish). It’s not a slam dunk but the price is very good for a player of his calibre.

- Payne Haas FRF $669,100 - Like Walsh, Haas is also back from the bye. But there are differences here. Walsh relies on attacking stats while Haas relies on base and therefore game time – and expect big game time as the Broncos aim for minor premiership.

- Brian To’o CTW $775,900 - The SuperCoach gun is back for the Panthers after being rested last week. He’s rocking a three-game average of 85.6 and has decent match-ups against the Eels and Cowboys.

LOSERS

- Latrell Mitchell FLB $704,000 - Won’t play again this SuperCoach season after copping a ban for his stray/dirty elbow. Sell.

- Cody Walker 5/8 $591,800 - On the bye and struggling for form with a 5RA of 56.8. The Rabbitohs have the Roosters in the final round with both teams likely playing for their season, so don’t expect a blow-out. In other words, sell Cody if you can.

- Other Souths players - Seven of the 10 most sold players this week are from the Rabbitohs, who are on the bye in grand final week – Mitchell, Walker, Alex Johnston, Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Damien Cook, Keaon Koloamatangi.

- Nick Meaney FLB/CTW $602,200 - Ryan Papenhuyzen is back. Well kind of. Pap is on the extended bench and could come onto the 17, likely on the bench as a super sub. Where this leaves Meaney is anyone’s guess but owners will no doubt be nervous heading into the SuperCoach grand final.

Joseph Manu is a key SuperCoach buy this week. Picture: Getty

BUY

- Joey Manu CTW - 5/8 $676,900 - Buy of the week and potential captain. Manu has a career average of 91.4 at fullback (where he will play this week with Teddy out) and takes on the wooden spoon-bound Tigers this week at home at Allianz Stadium.

- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak CTW/FLB $677,600 - Coming off a hattrick. Only Greg Marzhew and Jamayne Isaako have averaged more at CTW this year and he has two great match-ups to finish in the Dragons and Dolphins. When he had the pleasure of playing the Dragons earlier in the season Watene-Zelezniak scored four tries and 175 SuperCoach points. Could it happen again? Yes.

- Scott Drinkwater FLB $874,200 - Sits just a point per game behind Kalyn Ponga as the top-averaging fullback in SuperCoach this season. Good match-up against the Dolphins this week but has the Panthers to finish.

- Cameron Munster 5/8 $636,100 - Disappointing last week in scoring just 28 in a good match-up against the Dragons. But he rarely has two bad games in a row and has another good match-up this week against the Titans before the Broncos to finish.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is on fire for the Warriors. Picture: Getty

HOLD

- Jacob Preston 2RF $575,900 - Misses this round with the second week of his suspension but could be a handy number for next round when J’Maine Hopgood is on the bye. There are bigger targets this week in the backs rather than fiddling with consistent forwards.

- Shaun Johnson HFB $887,800 - The great man is currently the fifth most sold player (and three of those ahead of him are South Sydney players who are on a bye this week) and it’s hard to see why. The Warriors are on an absolute tear right now and SJ has very positive match-ups against the Dragons this week then Dolphins to finish. With plenty to play for, it’s hard to see SJ being rested. Would not shock if he finishes the topscoring player over combined rounds 26-27.

SELL

- James Tedesco FLB $719,300 - Out this week with concussion but should be available for the final round. However, fullback is a red-hot position and it’s grand final week, so sell if you have the trades.

- Clint Gutherson FLB $710,000 - Gutho has been brilliant his year in scoring the third most points of any player. But he has the toughest match-up in the game this week in the Panthers before the bye. So to put it another way, two byes.

James Tedesco is out with concussion. Picture: Getty

PAPENHUYZEN FIRMS FOR STORM

Melbourne legend Cameron Smith believes the time is now for Ryan Papenhuyzen after the Storm star edged closer to an NRL return by being being named on an extended bench for Saturday’s game against the Gold Coast at AAMI Park.

Papenhuyzen has stepped up his comeback plans over the past three weeks in the Queensland Cup for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, playing a significant role in particular over the past fortnight.

However, his return to the big time will hinge on whether coach Craig Bellamy believes he is physically and mentally ready for the NRL given he has spent more than a year out of the top grade recovering from a shattered kneecap.

Bellamy kept the door ajar on Tuesday afternoon when he named Papenhuyzen in a 22-man squad, although significantly he was selected in the No.19 jersey – an indication he is no certainty to play against the Titans.

Smith, speaking on SEN on Tuesday morning, said that this week may be the best time to play Papenhuyzen given there are only two games remaining before the finals.

“He’s had two and a half games back in the Queensland Cup and he performed quite well again on the weekend, you’d like to think his confidence is slowly building,” Smith said.

“I think they have to throw him in, at some stage he has to go in and I don’t think there’s a better time than this week, they take on the Titans in Melbourne.

“After that, they finish with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. We know where the Broncos are at, at the moment they’re flying, they’ll be very confident, and they’ve got a big aggressive football side ...

“I would bring him in off the bench, start Nick Meaney and bring Papenhuyzen in when the game has settled down a little bit when the sting has been taken out of the match.”

—Brent Read

Ryan Papenhuyzen has been named on the extended bench. Picture: Getty

PANTHERS v EELS

Thursday, 7:50pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Jack Cogger 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Zac Hosking 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Jaemon Salmon 19. Luke Sommerton 20. Jesse McLean 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Matt Eisenhuth

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Shaun Lane 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Joe Ofahengaue

Reserves: 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Brendan Hands 20. Waqa Blake 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Ofahiki Ogden

WARRIORS v DRAGONS

Friday, 6pm, Daniel Anderson Stadium, Auckland

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Freddy Lussick

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Edward Kosi 22. TeMaire Martin 23. Kalani Going

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo

Interchange: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove

Reserves: 18. Toby Couchman 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Max Feagai 21. Sione Finau 22. Jaiyden Hunt

DOLPHINS v COWBOYS

Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Robert Jennings 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Josh Kerr 16. Euan Aitken 17. Herman Ese’ese

Reserves: 18. JJ Collins 19. Isaiya Katoa 20. Valynce Te Whare 21. Anthony Milford 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Heilum Luki 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Reserves: 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Brendan Elliot 20. James Tamou 21. Robert Derby 22. Jack Gosiewski

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STORM v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Reimis Smith 19. Ryan Papenhuyzen 20. Chris Lewis 21. Tariq Sims 22. Tyran Wishart

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Isaac Liu 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini 19. Jo Vuna 20. Tony Francis 21. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 22. Josiah Pahulu

ROOSTERS v TIGERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Corey Allan 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton

Reserves: 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Egan Butcher 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Naufahu Whyte

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Triston Reilly 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Will Smith 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

Interchange: 14. Justin Matamua 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Aitasi James 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Josh Feledy 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Tommy Talau

RAIDERS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 7:35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. James Schiller 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Brad Morkos 20. Jack Wighton 21. Sebastian Kris 22. Adrian Trevilyan

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Martin Taupau 21. Tristan Sailor 22. Deine Mariner

BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Harrison Edwards

Interchange: 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Luke Thompson 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Tevita Pangai Junior

Reserves: 19. Jayden Okunbor 20. Samuel Hughes 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Hayze Perham 23. Joseph O’Neill

Sea Eagles

1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Kelma Tuilagi 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Dean Matterson 20. Ben Condon 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Reuben Garrick

KNIGHTS v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

Reserves: 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Brodie Jones 22. Fa’amanu Brown

Sharks

1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Matt Moylan

Reserves: 18. Jesse Colquhoun 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Oregon Kaufusi 21. Kayal Iro 22. Jayden Berrell

Originally published as NRL Round 26 teams: KFC SuperCoach grand final carnage as guns ruled out