NRL SuperCoach weekend review - finals week one

THE horror run of NRL finals injuries and looming suspensions is set to create some serious opportunities for SuperCoach Finals.

THE horror run of NRL finals injuries and looming suspensions is set to create some serious opportunities for SuperCoach Finals.

With at least 14 players either ruled out or in doubt for upcoming matches, plenty of fresh faces are set to take the field over the coming weeks, with cut-price cheapies likely to emerge.

Unlike regular SuperCoach where injuries can be debilitating because only two trades are permitted per week, SuperCoach Finals involves naming a new side every week depending on which teams remain in the finals race.

And with plenty of fringe players set to be named for next week, SuperCoaches will have a plethora of solid cheap options given the huge casualty ward.

Jamie Lyon (calf), Steve Matai (high tackle), Matt King (broken arm), Nathan Merritt (shoulder) and Kevin Proctor (spear tackle) could miss games.

Joe Galuvao (ankle), Jason King (high tackle), Tony Williams (leg), Aaron Payne (knee), Michael Ennis (chest), Richie Fa’aoso (concussion), Jarrod Croker (concussion) and Josh Papalii (high tackle) are chances of being named for their next match.

Todd Carney (Achilles) also suffered a potentially serious injury, but will have no bearing on SuperCoach as the Sharks have been eliminated.

In other SuperCoach news from week one of the finals:

* Given their massive wins, Cowboys, Storm and Raiders proved to be astute buys. Highlights included Michael Morgan (81), Johnathan Thurston (79), Matt Bowen (76), Cameron Smith (85), Ryan Hoffman (104), Shaun Fensom (76), Josh McCrone (71) and Sam Williams (69).

* Highly fancied cheapies Mahe Fonua (54) and Sisa Waqa (65) produced great scores, but won’t be available this week as the Storm have the week off. Same goes for bargain Bulldog Josh Jackson (50).

* Losing sides the Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles were massive disappointments, with only nine players from these clubs scoring above 60. 14 players from the winning four clubs scored above 60. 

* Ben Barba (25) was the high-priced flop of the round.

* Paul Gallen (65), carrying injury, also failed to deliver on his huge price tag.

* James Segeyaro (46) was the big beneficiary from Aaron Payne’s injury, playing 70 minutes from the bench.