KFC SuperCoach NRL Cheapie Bible Round 14

The Canberra Raiders have the softest schedule in the competition — and this is the bargain buy set to benefit most from a KFC SuperCoach perspective.

Last round was not a good week for cheapies, as most will attest to, with the lone success story being the hero that is Mitchell Aubusson. That sentence is peak 2020 right there, KFC SuperCoaches.

It’s getting to that time of year where ‘nuffs’ become potentially more important than legitimate money-making cheapies — to maximise on field cash, and limit auto-emergency nightmares (players averaging under 25 points).

Nevertheless, there are still a few players of note we must look into. An honourable mention to AJ Brimson who made his return from a long string of injuries with a HUGE game of 112 points, sitting just outside Cheapie Bible range.

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A cheapie by definition is any player under $280,000. As the season goes along we will give a running verdict on when to sell, sit, buy or hold every cheapie that hits our radar — if a player is not on the list, we’ve determined they are not a viable selection.

Sit tight, here we go!

Charlie Staines | FLB ($171,900 | Panthers) - 0 points

Stays atop the cheapie list as a reminder, when we get wind of him returning from his hamstring injury there is approximately $150k to be made in ONE week, with upside of plenty more. If you’re one of those teams that can’t quite afford the Nathan Clearys or Jason Taumalolos of this world, then Staines will be the perfect quick hit of cash.

Verdict: WATCHLIST. Track late mail like a hawk as of next week…

Charlie Staines has scored six tries in two games. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Mitch Aubusson | 2RF/CTW ($356,700 | Roosters) - 75 points

Ahhh Aubo, you’re an absolute dream. Making me sound like I know what I’m talking about with scores of 46, 76 and 75 points in the past three weeks to go with $120,000 in price rises and still owning a -19 BE heading into the clash this week with the Storm. With Angus Crichton and Boyd Cordner not too far away (there were rumours they’d both be back this week), the run will come to an end shortly, but those who jumped on have made up ground in rankings, price rises and most importantly nostalgia. Bravo. Exits the Cheapie Bible a hero.

Verdict: HOLD. One of the mid-season buys of the year. Peak 2020.

TEAMS ANALYSIS: Tom Sangster’s lowdown on Round 14

FULL TEAMS: Matto back but host of stars ruled out

10 THINGS: Knights finally find secret to unlocking Ponga

CASUALTY WARD: Manly crisis threatens finals hopes

Tom Dearden | HFB ($283,500 | Broncos) - 67 points

Here’s a young halves call that has panned out (so far). With the Broncos’ form improving — from a very low base — Dearden has been a shining light KFC SuperCoach-wise, with scores of 46 and 67 points in the past two weeks. Notably, his defensive numbers are great for a half with around 20 tackles per week, to go with a bit of attacking upside. The downside here is real however, with the Broncos coming up against the Raiders, Roosters and Panthers in the next four weeks.

Verdict: AVOID.

Tom Dearden has provided spark for the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew

Jackson Ford | 2RF ($304,700 | Dragons) - 53 points

We hyped up Ford on the back of 57 points in 62 minutes against the Rabbitohs, and he delivered once again with 53 points in 65 minutes against the Roosters all in base stats — passing the eyeball test up until the final moments when he threw a Jackie Chan-style kick in attempting to save a try. That sees Ford hit with a suspension and out until round 16. The BE is still 2, and with how well he has played I think the role will be there upon his return so it is worth holding, unless you can get him up to David Fifita this week.

Verdict: HOLD.

Jaxson Paulo | CTW ($198,900 | Rabbitohs) - 36 points

Paulo just can’t quite find the try line despite looking very much up to the task on the wing for the Rabbitohs. He and Campbell Graham have been caught on the outside defensively coming up and in, but that surely is a team tactical agreement rather than a complete misread. Hopefully this week against the Cowboys is the week he finally gets across the stripe, as with any CTW cheapie, that is all it takes to kick that price up over $300k.

Verdict: HOLD. Despite the low score, I think Paulo still has decent money making upside.

Jaxson Paulo of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the round 12 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Jordan Rapana | CTW ($267,800 | Raiders) - 41 points

Now here we go. 42 and 41 points respectively the past two weeks against relatively tough opposition was the precursor to a dream run of matches for Rapana. Here’s why I suggested to get on… Match-ups remaining: Broncos, Titans, Bulldogs, Roosters, Dragons, Warriors and Sharks. Yep, that’s all five of the bottom five teams on the ladder. I suggest you look real hard at Rapana, Nick Cotric, Jarrod Croker and even Jack Wighton as high upside plays in the next few rounds.

Verdict: BUY/HOLD. Averillo sellers can make $100k and have the upside of Rapana in those matchups. LOVE that move as a fifth CTW.

Ben Te’o | 2RF ($171,900 | Broncos) - 8 points

Ok, it’s been dire so far but that is on the back of a bench role of between 10-30 minutes. Now with the TPJ news, Te’o gets the start in the absence of Alex Glenn. So, we could be looking at a two-week window of 80 minutes and then between 30-40 minutes moving forward. Personally, I don’t think the upside is there for long enough to merit an investment.

Verdict: AVOID.

Justin Olam | CTW ($283,900 | Storm) - 76 points

Looking for a 5th/6th CTW with a bit of upside and low BE? Well Justin Olam fits the bill with a BE of just 4… Coming off 76 points where he looked electric in partnership with Cameron Munster and Nicho Hynes against the Bulldogs. Any outside back in a team such as the Storm is worth a look, but just be aware the matchups against the Roosters and Eels the next two weeks are sub-optimal.

Verdict: AVOID.

WINNERS AND LOSERS 🎬

Dominated by the "losers" section yet again after another tough teams day, explains @TomSangsterSC. pic.twitter.com/M77U6Tvn38

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) August 11, 2020

Haumole Olakau’atu | 2RF ($205,200 | Sea Eagles) - 91 points

After playing just 17 and 10 minutes respectively in his first two NRL games, ‘Big O’ was thrust into a huge 75 minute role filling the shoes of Joel Thompson and Curtis Sironen who were both out of the Warriors clash — and didn’t he take that chance! 91 points with a try, 28 tackles, 16 points in tackle busts and 21 points in hitups, yeah, that’s nice! But I’m here to warn you off as BOTH Sironen and Thompson have been named to return this week.

Verdict: AVOID. Don’t get sucked in by the low BE like Andrew Davey owners…

BON VOYAGE

When cheapies eclipse the $300k mark, they will receive a ‘final verdict’ as they bid farewell to the Cheapie Bible superstardom.

Bailey Sironen | 2RF ($306,900 | Rabbitohs) - 28 points

Sironen has been super impressive, but only played the 57 minutes last week against the Broncos for the 28 points (strangely low PPM) meaning the BE hits 36 this week and as of next week will potentially start losing cash. Given he’s named to start on the edge yet again this week I would advise holding in the hope he returns to 80 minutes.

Verdict: HOLD. If he doesn’t score well the next two weeks or the minutes are down, sell to a gun/nuff in Round 16 prior to the Eels matchup.

Ronaldo Mulitalo makes a splash with this barely believable put-down! 😲😲😲 pic.twitter.com/5FSHuZDvYO

— SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) August 10, 2020

Tom Eisenhuth | CTW/2RF ($271,200 | Storm) - 21 points

21 points in the full 80 minutes against a Bulldogs team the Storm put 41 points on is not a good result for owners, and with Brenko Lee named on an extended bench this week as well as Marion Seve not far away, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Eisenhuth back to the bench as soon as this weekend. Plan for a sell as the scores of 7, 11, 10 points from early in the year show Eisenhuth is the definition of an AE nightmare.

Verdict: SELL. Next week or the week after.

Sam McIntyre | CTW ($309,400 | Tigers) - 36 points

So, the answer to the question “Do we have ourselves a new sneaky 80-minute edge back rower available in the CTW?” was a resounding NO. 44 minutes for 36 points created some more much needed cash but that is about where the positives finish. McIntyre has been demoted to the bench this week and to be honest, the Tigers needed to change multiple positions after their thrashing at the hands of the Knights.

Verdict: HOLD. Look to sell in two weeks to a nuff.

NUFFS

A popular topic of conversation this time of year…

Rob Sutherland wrote a beauty of an article about them, the rationale behind why you pick them, and the best ones to pick so all I will add is ensure they not just get the most money for you, but you create an IMPROVEMENT in flexibility and injury coverage with dual position switches. The more Sunday games they play the better for VC-loophole purposes, and for the record I think they are an absolute must to maximise on field cash and therefore points for the run home.

Kayleb Milne | FRF|2RF (Sharks), Ben Trbojevic | CTW/2RF (Sea Eagles) and Jarred Anderson | CTW/2RF (Bulldogs) are the pick of the bunch for me!

Good luck!

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL Cheapie Bible Round 14