KFC SuperCoach teams analysis Round 5: Tom Sangster’s lowdown

This is the perfect week to save a trade — or even two — given the glaring issues over the week’s top cheapies, writes TOM SANGSTER.

This is the perfect week to save a trade — or even two.

While Sam Walker is a must-have and those who don’t own him should buy immediately, from there the cheapie batch is very thin.

The next most popular cheapies all have serious KFC SuperCoach drawbacks — Teig Wilton (job security), Jackson Topine (minutes) and Ben Condon (job security).

So don’t dive in yet. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view.

Teig Wilton is the sixth most popular player this week (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

WINNERS

* Sam Walker - By far the most popular buy this week after 81 on debut, including two try assists. The 18-year-old looked very comfortable in his first NRL game and his job security is impeccable given Luke Keary (ACL) is out for the season. A must-have at some stage, although KFC SuperCoaches can afford to wait another week and still get him at the same price. That said, there’s no real point in waiting on such an obvious talent.

* Ryan Matterson - Popular backrower named for the Eels after a late withdrawal on the weekend, which was a huge blow for those who still own him given the Eels played the last game of the round. With a break even of 137, KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts he’ll drop almost $130,000 in the next month, at which point he’ll be a very juicy pick-up.

* Jason Taumalolo - Returns for the Cowboys from a hand injury. There are huge question marks over his role and minutes - not to mention he’s playing for the basket case Cowboys. But the BE of 122 suggests a huge price drop is coming and he’ll be a bargain by around round eight - just ahead of the Origin period (from a KFC SuperCoach perspective we dearly hope Lolo’s bid to play Origin for Queensland is denied).

* Josh Schuster - Named despite a hand injury. Last week’s most popular buy rose by $80,200 over the weekend and KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts another $61,500 this week. A starter for many this week with Cody Walker suspended.

* Teig Wilton – Sam Walker aside, the Cronulla young gun is the cheapie of the week and sixth most popular buy overall. Scored 78 on weekend and with a break even of -31 has set up a predicted price rise of $57,000, according to KFC SuperCoach Plus. Despite being switched to centre late, Wilton made 25 runs on the weekend. Yes TWENTY FIVE runs, not a misprint. That said, job security is sketchy given Briton Nikora is due back from suspension next week and Siosifa Talakai isn’t too far away.

* Jackson Topine - Amazing numbers on debut - 73 minutes, 53 points, 43 tackles, playing mostly as a hooker. Of course, these minutes are likely dramatically inflated due to the concussion to Lachlan Lewis, so KFC SuperCoaches can afford to take another look this week.

Ben Condon is a cheapie to watch. Picture: Evan Morgan

* Ben Condon - Another cheapie to watch at 2RF. The 35 points from last week hardly yell “buy me” but the 80 minutes on an edge were very encouraging. Note though, he plays for the struggling Cowboys, while Reuben Cotter and Tom Gilbert are due back soon. Take another look this week.

* Harry Grant – Named in jersey No. 21 for the Storm but mail suggests he’ll come onto the bench. Huge keeper prospect for KFC SuperCoach but is expected to be eased back minutes-wise. SuperCoach translation: Hopefully we see a significant price drop before picking up for a bargain.

LOSERS

* Cody Walker - Out for a week due to suspension. He’s somehow the eighth most sold player, but do whatever you can to hold given his keeper prospects (second most points of any five-eighth). Sangster’s Paradise will run Josh Schuster as starting five-eighth for a week.

* Jamal Fogarty - Named for the Titans despite a calf injury, but still rightly the most sold player. Hasn’t quite lived up to his billing as a pre-season POD, dropping almost $30,000, and a money-making trade to Walker is most definitely on (most popular trade of the week).

* Tex Hoy - Out with a hamstring injury, but he’s done his job by making $125,600. Hoy to Walker is the second most popular trade of the week. Lock it.

* Tom Trbojevic - Will sit out another week for the Sea Eagles and when he does finally return is set to play centre. KFC SuperCoach translation: Huge price drops coming, meaning Turbo will be a bargain at some stage.

RABBITOHS V BRONCOS

Thurs 8 Apr, Stadium Australia, Sydney, 7:50pm

RABBITOHS

1 Latrell Mitchell, 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Campbell Graham, 5 Josh Mansour, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Tevita Tatola, 11 Jacob Host, 12 Jaydn Su’A, 13 Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Dean Hawkins 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Troy Dargan 21. Steven Marsters

Team news: Without both Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi due to suspension. Benji Marshall replaces Walker in the halves. Jacob Host replaces Koloamatangi in the starting back row. Dean Hawkins will make his NRL debut from the bench. Liam Knight remains unavailable due to ongoing issues with concussion.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Latrell Mitchell is the fifth most sold player as KFC SuperCoaches pivot to Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is coming off the third best KFC SuperCoach score of all time. The Teddy-Pap combo appears a must for now, but don’t lock it in for the entire season. It could get interesting over Origin with both players set to be named in Brad Fittler’s squad (Teddy starting and Pap on bench). Also keep an eye on Kalyn Ponga’s return and especially Tom Trbojevic, who could drop to outrageous levels if he returns at centre, as predicted.

Damien Cook is a yo-yo, going 36, 102, 46 and 106. Even so, those who avoided Cook are well in the black given the big starting price and the fact those ahead of him (Connor Watson, Jayden Brailey and Jacob Liddle) all started at essentially half the price. See Cody Walker analysis above.

BRONCOS

1 Jamayne Isaako, 2 Xavier Coates 3 Richard Kennar, 4 Tesi Niu, 5 David Mead, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Tom Dearden, 8 Matt Lodge, 9 Jake Turpin 10 Payne Haas11 Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13 Tevita Pangai Jnr

Bench: 14. Brodie Croft 15. Thomas Flegler 16. John Asiata 17. Ben Te’o

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. Cory Paix 21.

Team news: Patrick Carrigan is out for a week due to a grade one crusher tackle with Tevita Pangai to start at lock and John Asiata coming onto the bench. Herbie Farnworth (shoulder) is out, replaced by Richard Kennar at centre. Tom Dearden retains the starting halfback role with Brodie Croft on the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The Broncos are near-on useless for actual NRL, but are a KFC SuperCoach gold mine. Their most popular KFC SuperCoach players this year have all seen massive rises - Jordan Riki ($108,000 rise), Tesi Niu ($115,000), David Mead ($75,000) and Jamayne Isaako ($135,500). Payne Haas’s score of 55 was hardly brilliant. But it was against the miserly Storm and the game time of 69 minutes was certainly encouraging. That game time is basically on par with his 2020 output of 72 minutes, despite assertions during the pre-season he would drop to around the 60 minute mark.

WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES

Fri 9 Apr, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, 6pm

WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Marcelo Montoya, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Wade Egan, 10. Tohu Harris, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Jack Murchie, 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 15. Tom Ale, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Josh Curran

Reserves: 18. Rocco Berry 19. Paul Turner 20. Jackson Frei 21. Taniela Otukolo

Team news: Come into the clash off a five-day turnaround. Props Addin Fonua-Blake (knee) and Bunty Afoa (suspension) are out. Lesson Ah Mau and Tohu Harris make a new-look front-row pairing. Jack Murchie starts in the back row for Harris. Tom Ale and Josh Curran join the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: David Fusitu’a is another failed cheapie so far, actually losing $11,700 despite starting at a bargain price. But even one try can change things very quickly so stick strong. Despite being named at prop this week, Tohu Harris is perennially underrated. He has the fourth most points of any 2RF with an incredibly consistent scoring range of 66-87. His pure base of 63 is the best in the business and KFC SuperCoaches should look no further if hunting a safe option.

SEA EAGLES

1 Dylan Walker, 2 Jason Saab, 3 Brad Parker, 4 Morgan Harper, 5 Reuben Garrick, 6 Kieran Foran, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Taniela Paseka, 9 Lachlan Croker, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Jack Gosiewski, 12 Josh Schuster, 13 Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Cade Cust, 15. Toafofoa Sipley, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Tevita Funa 19. Zac Saddler 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Ben Trbojevic

Team news: Coach Des Hasler has gone the conservative route with Tom Trbojevic (hamstring), who has not been named and will miss at least another week. Morgan Harper comes into the centres to replace the injured Moses Suli (hip/back). Morgan Boyle (shoulder) is replaced in the starting back row by Jack Gosiewski with Toafofoa Sipley joining the bench. Popular KFC SuperCoach cheapie/nuff Ben Trbojevic has been named in reserves.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Ben Trbojevic has been named on the extended bench and finally appears within reach of a long-awaited debut. That said, the 23 per cent who own him would much prefer he remain a dual position nuff rather than mess up auto emergency options. Popular cheapie Jason Saab has averaged just 16.3 this season and therefore dropped by $33,200. He’s a luxury sell, but you won’t make much/any cash off the trade. See Josh Schuster and Tom Trbojevic analysis above.

PANTHERS V RAIDERS

Fri 9 Apr, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith, 7:55pm

PANTHERS

1 Stephen Crichton, 2 Charlie Staines, 3 Paul Momirovski, 4 Matt Burton, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 James Fisher-Harris, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Kurt Capewell, 13 Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Matt Eisenhuth, 17 Liam Martin

Reserves: 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Robert Jennings 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Jaeman Salmon

Team news: No changes after a strong win. Stephen Crichton will continue in the fullback role despite switching position with Charlie Staines late in the Sea Eagles game as Crichton struggled with cramp.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Nathan Cleary has averaged almost 100 this year. Amazingly, he leads the halfback position despite missing a game and is an obvious hold through to Origin, and probably through to stumps. Jarome Luai has snuck under the radar at just 11 per cent ownership to lead the five-eighth position by almost 50 points. And he likely increases that lead dramatically this week with second-placed Cody Walker out through suspension. Charlie Staines’ struggle for base stats is a real issue – he has a base of just 13 when negative stats are taken into account. But his switch to fullback for the final minutes last week was very encouraging, reaping immediate rewards with a try assist. Stephen Crichton has been named at fullback yet again but appeared to struggle with the running load, cramping up at times, meaning Staines could spend plenty of time at the back in upcoming games.

RAIDERS

1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Bailey Simonsson, 3 Jarrod Croker, 4 Sebastian Kris, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Jack Wighton, 7 George Williams, 8 Josh Papalii, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Ryan Sutton, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Joseph Tapine

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Saliva Havili, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Ryan James

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Semi Valemei 20. Dunamis Lui 21. Corey Harawira-Naera

Team news: Joseph Tapine (ankle) is a significant inclusion, returning at starting lock. Ryan James returns to the interchange after starting against his former club last week. Dunamis Lui drops to the reserves.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Bailey Simonsson’s price rise of $32,000 is hardly brilliant but he’s done it without scoring a try and he made a very encouraging 17 runs last week. Persist. Ryan James has made $56,200 so far and now sits with a BE of 48, which is essentially his average. Usually this is a sign to sell, but don’t even think about it as James is set for more massive rises after the injury-affected score of five falls out of his rolling average. Taking out the injury-affected game, James has averaged almost spot on 40 minutes and is scoring at an amazing yet probably unsustainable 1.66 PPM.

TITANS V KNIGHTS

Sat 10 Apr, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, 3pm

TITANS

1 AJ Brimson, 2 Phillip Sami, 3 Brian Kelly, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Tanah Boyd, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Mitch Rein, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleui, 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 David Fifita, 13 Tyrone Peachey

Bench: 14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Erin Clark

Reserves: 18. Beau Fermor, 19. Herman Ese’ese, 20. Sam McIntyre, 21. Ash Taylor

Team news: Cult hero Anthony Don (hip) is out. Brian Kelly (hand) returns at centre which pushes Phillip Sami onto Don’s wing. Jamal Fogarty (calf) has been named at halfback despite a minor injury last week.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The 2,500 KFC SuperCoaches who sold Big Tino must be regretting it after he pumped out his first big game at his new club. Tino played 71 minutes, mostly in the middle and aside from one line break the rest of Tino’s points were made up of nothing but pure base and seven tackle busts. David Fifita is absolutely slamming it with an average of 91.3. He has the most points of any 2RF despite literally crawling out of a hospital bed for one game. Criticism of Fifita always surrounds lack of base stats, but his pure base of 44 is elite for an edge back rower, or any backrower not named Tohu Harris. See Jamal Fogarty analysis above.

KNIGHTS

1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Starford To’a, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Gehamat Shibasaki, 5 Hymel Hunt, 6 Connor Watson 7 Blake Green, 8 David Klemmer, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Sauaso Sue

Bench: 14. Chris Randall 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Brayden Musgrove 20. Simi Sasagi, 21. Garrett Smith

Team news: Kalyn Ponga (shoulder) is a huge inclusion at fullback in a straight swap Tex Hoy (hamstring). Both starting halves from last week are out with Mitchell Pearce (pectoral, 10-12 weeks) replaced at halfback by Blake Green and Kurt Mann (concussion) replaced by Connor Watson. Prop David Klemmer (knee) has been named and is expected to play despite an injury last week. Chris Randall, Pasami Saulo and Brodie Jones join the interchange.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Kalyn Ponga is back and one to watch, although the fullback position is stacked and it would take some fair showings to overtake Teddy and Pap. Perhaps the biggest KFC SuperCoach factor is whether he kicks goals ahead of Mitch Barnett. Speaking of Barnett, he now sits second for total points at 2RF and has risen by $72,000. Jayden Brailey is going along very nicely, having risen by $150,000. He and Connor Watson (also a price rise of $150,000) sit first and second at hooker for most points. Watson’s move to five-eighth this week is interesting from a KFC SuperCoach perspective. His great base of 43 almost certainly takes a hit, although that will even out with his minutes increasing from 55 per game to 80. Translation: Expect similar KFC SuperCoach output and consider for top 17s. See Tex Hoy analysis above.

BULLDOGS V STORM

Sat 10 Apr, Stadium Australia, Sydney, 5:30pm

BULLDOGS

1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Nick Cotric 3 Will Hopoate, 4 Corey Allan, 5 Tuipulotu Katoa, 6 Jake Averillo 7 Kyle Flanagan, 8 Luke Thompson, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 Jack Hetherington, 11 Adam Elliott, 12 Corey Waddell, 13 Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Jackson Topine 15. Renouf Atoni 16. Dylan Napa 17. Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves: 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Chris Smith 21. Dean Britt 22. Joe Stimson

Team news: DWZ replaces Nick Meaney (ribs) at fullback. Jackson (lock) and Thompson (prop) return straight to the starting side with Renouf Atoni and Jack Hetherington moving to the interchange, and Dean Britt and Joe Stimson moving to the extended bench. Jake Averillo (ankle) returns at five-eighth in place of Lachlan Lewis (concussion), who copped a heavy knock last week.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: See Jackson Topine analysis above. He is literally the only guy of interest in this side given the Bulldogs haven’t scored a single point in three rounds.

STORM

1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2 George Jennings, 3 Reimis Smith, 4 Justin Olam, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Brandon Smith, 10 Christian Welch, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ken Bromwich, 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Bench: 14. Chris Lewis 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nicho Hynes

Reserves: 18 Aaron Pene 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Brenko Lee 21. Harry Grant

Team news: Harry Grant (knee) has been named in jersey No. 21 but expect him to play after taking part in captain’s run before the Broncos game. Felise Kaufusi returns on the right edge after missing two games due to suspension, pushing Tom Eisenhuth back to the bench. Brenko Lee (hamstring) has been named on the reserves list and could challenge Reimis Smith or George Jennings for a spot in the outside backs.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Ryan Papenhuyzen is already popular at 41 per cent but still the third most popular player after 197 on weekend, the third highest score of all-time. The Teddy/Pap combo at fullback is clearly the way to go in 2021. See Harry Grant analysis above.

ROOSTERS V SHARKS

Sat 10 Apr, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 7:35pm

ROOSTERS

1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Joey Manu, 5 Brett Morris, 6 Drew Hutchison, 7 Sam Walker, 8 Isaac Liu, 9 Freddy Lussick, 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Angus Crichton, 12 Sitili Tupouniua, 13 Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Benjamin Marschke, 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 16. Nat Butcher 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 19. Egan Butcher 20. Joseph Suaalii 21. Matt Ikuvalu

Team news: Unchanged 17. Sam Walker is by far the most popular KFC SuperCoach buy this week after scoring 81 on debut and generally looking very comfortable in the top grade. Sitili Tupouniua failed HIA on Sunday and with only a six-day turnaround will need to show no symptoms and pass required protocols to play. If ruled out Nat Butcher would start, which could see Nat’s brother Egan Butcher, an edge forward, come onto the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: KFC SuperCoach trivia time: Who has the most KFC SuperCoach points of any player in 2021? It’s not Teddy, or Pap, or Fifita. No the wily veteran Brett Morris has snuck under the radar at 13 per cent ownership to top the KFC SuperCoach charts in 2021. If he stays fit this season, Morris (174 tries) almost certainly goes into third place on the all-time tryscoring list ahead of Beaver Menzies (180). At this rate, he could even overtake Billy Slater (190) and slot into second place this year, although all-time record of Ken Irvine (212) is out of reach unless Morris plays another couple of seasons. See Sam Walker analysis above.

SHARKS

1 Will Kennedy, 2 Mawene Hiroti, 3 Josh Dugan, 4 Jesse Ramien, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Aaron Woods, 11 Teig Wilton, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey, 15. Aiden Tolman, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Billy Magoulias

Reserves: 18. Brayden Trindall, 19. Nene Macdonald, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Franklin Pele

Team news: Jesse Ramien (suspension) returns at centre, pushing Connor Tracey to the bench and Braydon Trindall out of the 17. Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) has been named and is a chance to play despite a rather dire initial diagnosis. Josh Dugan (concussion) needs to pass required protocols. Briton Nikora misses his second game due to suspension with KFC SuperCoach fancy Teig Wilton to continue on the right edge.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: Matt Moylan busted out his best score of the year last week with 64, right on cue as the second most sold player of the week. Left-field bargain option Connor Tracey was flying at centre, averaging 68 in the past fortnight. However, he moves back to the bench this week and has therefore bowed out of KFC SuperCoach contention. See Teig Wilton analysis above.

TIGERS V COWBOYS

Sun 11 Apr, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, 4:05pm

TIGERS

1 Daine Laurie, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 James Roberts, 4. Moses Mbye, 5 Tommy Talau, 6 Adam Doueihi, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Zane Musgrove, 9 Jacob Liddle, 10 James Tamou, 11 Luke Garner, 12 Luciano Leilua, 13 Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam, 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Joe Ofahengaue

Reserves: 18. Alex Seyfarth, 19. Joseph Leilua, 20. Jake Simpkin, 21. Tukimihia Simpkins

Team news: Madge has once again swung the selection axe, with Moses Mbye promoted to the starting side, with Tommy Talau moving to the wing and Asu Kepaoa nowhere to be seen and Michael Chee-Kam joining the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The Tigers are struggling NRL-wise but are a hotbed of KFC SuperCoach cheapie action - Daine Laurie ($131,000), Stefano ($111,200) and Jacob Liddle ($113,500) have all made massive cash, with plenty more to come. David Nofoaluma has lost almost $100,000 so far and has a break even of 81. Looming bargain.

COWBOYS

1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 4 Connelly Lemuelu, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Scott Drinkwater, 7 Ben Hampton, 8 Francis Molo, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Shane Wright, 12 Ben Condon, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Josh Maguire 17. Lachlan Burr

Reserves: 18. Esan Marsters, 19. Reuben Cotter 20. Corey Jensen, 21. Jake Clifford

Team news: A huge inclusion for the desperate Cowboys, with Jason Taumalolo named to make his return from a broken hand and start at lock, pushing Josh McGuire back to the bench. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moves to the wing with Justin O’Neill out after a head knock, and Kyle Feldt returns from suspension in place of Murray Taulagi.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: In general the Cowboys are struggling so steer clear. See Jason Taumalolo and Ben Condon analysis above.

EELS V DRAGONS

Sun 11 Apr, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, 6:15pm

EELS

1 Clint Gutherson, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Tom Opacic, 4 Marata Niukore, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Dylan Brown, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Shaun Lane, 12 Ryan Matterson, 13 Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Will Smith 17. Bryce Cartwright

Reserves: 18. Ray Stone, 19. Haze Dunster, 20. Keegan Hipgrave’, 21. Jordan Rankin

Team news: He was a very late withdrawal in Round 4, but Ryan Matterson has once again been named to make his return from concussion and should be good to go this week. His return pushes Eels enforcer Isaiah Papali’i back to the bench, while Bryce Cartwright is set to make his club debut, with Ray Stone and Keegan Hipgrave dropping back to the reserves.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The best hooker in KFC SuperCoach is ... drum roll ... Reed Mahoney. Literally no-one would have predicted that at the start of the year but he’s approx 80 points clear of Damien Cook. Fergy Ferg remains the most entertaining player to watch in NRL with his mix of errors and brilliance. He has the second most points of any CTW and made almost $120,000 last week. See Ryan Matterson analysis above.

DRAGONS

1 Matt Dufty, 2 Cody Ramsey, 3 Jack Bird, 4 Zac Lomax, 5 Mikaele Ravalawa, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Adam Clune, 8 Blake Lawrie, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Josh Kerr, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Tyrell Fuimaono

Bench: 14. Poasa Faamausili 15. Trent Merrin 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Brayden Williame

Reserves: 18. Jackson Ford 19. Kade Ellis 20. Jordan Pereira. 21. Max Feagai

Team news: The Dragons have made just one big change as they look to continue their surprisingly good start to the season. Jack Bird returns to the starting side from suspension at centre, with Brayden Williame moving back to the bench and Jackson Ford back to the bench.

KFC SuperCoach analysis: The mighty Dragons are on fire after winning three from four, but very little is doing from a KFC SuperCoach perspective. Zac Lomax has dropped $23,000 so far and looms as a decent cut-price keeper in a few weeks, pending Origin chances.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach teams analysis Round 5: Tom Sangster’s lowdown