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NRL Live Round 8 Anzac Day: Warriors v Titans, Roosters v Dragons, Storm v Rabbitohs, SuperCoach scores and analysis

A host of SuperCoach must haves have emerged from a wild trio of Anzac Day games that saw a staggering six players crack the ton before updates. See all the SuperCoach Winners and Losers.

Wilson Smith and Tom Sangster
21 min read
April 25, 2024 - 10:32PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
SuperCoach NRL Podcast: Game Day Round 8

A host of SuperCoach must haves have emerged in a wild Anzac Day of footy, with the Titans coming up with an upset over the Warriors to get their first win of the season, while the Roosters and Storm have demolished the Dragons and Rabbitohs respectively.

Here are all the SuperCoach Winners and Losers, on a day that saw a whopping 203 NRL points scored.

WINNERS

1. Cameron Munster - 142 points: Munster has clearly been playing injured for the whole season so far, but he is back to his best, taking control of the game. Was left hobbling after a shocking tackle from Taane Milne in the dying minutes of the game, so hopefully he has avoided injury. At just 4.2% ownership, expect many SuperCoaches to pick him up next week ahead of a juicy matchup against the Titans.

2. Sam Walker - 145 points: In his first game back from concussion, Sam Walker stole the show with the Roosters’ incredlibe Anzac Day win, tearing the Dragons apart with his kicking game.

3. Addin Fonua-Blake - 125 points: One of the form front rowers of the competition, Fonua-Blake has emerged as one of the Warriors key attacking weapons, and his ability to find the try line sets him apart from his fellow props. Already in 31.4% of teams, he is a must have at this point for SuperCoach given his ability to score.

4. David Fifita - 121 points: Speaking of SuperCoach must haves, the Titans star is building a case to as the buy of the week next week, despite his heavy price tag and bizarre usage. Starting off the bench for Des Hasler, Fifita is scoring points at will despite his inconsistent minutes.

5. Angus Crichton - 103 points: One of the most popular purchases last week, Crichton has rewarded SuperCoaches who picked him up, toning up in Round 8.

6. Shaun Johnson - 92 points: While SuperCoaches were sweating on the Warriors halfback as he battled an Achilles injury, Shaun Johnson played through the pain seemlessly.

7. Joe Chan - 42 points: A small win for the 32.6% of SuperCoaches who still own this cheapie, scoring a late try to end up on a respectable score. With a breakevern of -14 heading into the game, he simply needed to get on the field to make cash, and while it won’t be an amazing price rise it is a price rise nonetheless.

8. Jacob Gagai - 87 points: Speaking of cheapies, Gagai has rewarded the almost 20% of SuperCoaches who still have him, finishing up as the Rabbitohs top tryscorer of the night. This was just his second game of the season, so owners need him to play one more game to see a price rise, but with Taane Milne facing a stint on the sidelines that seems like a real possibility.

9. Jaimin Joliffe - 70 points: The Titans front rower has been a SuperCoach standout since the injury to Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, seeing a massive uptick in minutes.

10. Alexander Brimson - 95 points: Back in his preferred position of fullback and looks set to stay there given he played a key role in the Titans first win of the season. Could be an interesting POD purchase, especially given his CTW/FLB dual eligibility.

LOSERS

1. Taane Milne - 52 points: As mentioned above, Taane Milne came up with a shocking tackle on Cameron Munster late in the game against Melbourne that saw him sent to the sin-bin. Given his poor record, he is likely facing a stint on the sidelines.

2. Xavier Coates - 68 points: Despite coming up with a hat-trick in Melbourne’s victory over the Rabbitohs, Coates is on the the losers list after coming off the field in the first half with a hamstring injury. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

3. Kyle Flanagan - 15 points: A rough day at the office for the 10% of SuperCoaches that still have Flanno in their teams, after a poor performance against the Roosters.

4. Terrell May - 24 points: After starring early on in the season it is officially time for SuperCoaches to move on from the 5th most owned player, after playing just 30 minutes in Round 8. With Spencer Leniu’s return on the horizon his minutes looks set to remain low for the foreseeable future, so its time to sell.

5. Te Maire Martin - 48 points: In 15% of teams as SuperCoaches jumped on for a quick cash grab, Martin has done his job and looms as a sell in the coming weeks after barely surpasing his breakeven of 34 this week. He has done his job and made some solid cash.

6. Moses Suli - 0 points: Knocked out in the first hit up of the game, Suli was forced off the field just second into the game and is set to for 11 days on the sidelines after suffering a catergory one concussion.

7. Michael Jennings - 28 points: Didn’t play much of a role in the Roosters demolition job of the Dragons and came off the field in the second half with a suspected triceps injury.

8. Brandon Smith - 26 points: Similar to Jennings, Brandon Smith’s involvement in the Roosters win didn’t translate into SuperCoach success, and his inconsistent gametime is a cause for concern. Time for the 7.9% of owners to abandon ship.

Relive our live SuperCoach NRL blog below.

FULL-TIME STORM 54-20 RABBITOHS

The third and final game of Anzac Day has ended in dramatic fashion, with Rabbitohs star Taane Milne facing a stint on the sidelines, getting sent to the sin-bin after a shocking tackle below the knees left Cameron Munster hobbling.

Not to be outdone by the Roosters, the Melbourne Storm have capped off a high scoring Anzac Day of footy with the second white wash of the day, cruising past the under pressure Rabbitohs with another 10-try outing.

While Sam Walker stole the show for the Chooks, Cameron Munster was the star of this Anzac Day demolition, scoring a whopping 142 SuperCoach points after coming up with a try and four try assists.

It wasn’t just Munster on fire though, with the entire Storm spine impressing. Harry Grant (91) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (84) both crossed over for tries themselves, while Jahrome Hughes (89) came up with two try assists and three line break assists.

TOP 5 PERFORMERS

1. Cameron Munster: 142 points

2. Harry Grant: 91 points

3. Jacob Gagai: 87 points

4. Jahrome Hughes: 89 points

5. Ryan Papenhuyzen: 84 points

76TH MINUTE - CHEAPIE CROSSES AS STORM CRACK 50

Popular SuperCoach cheapie has rewarded the 33% of teams that still have him in their team, going over for his first try in the NRL to take his score for the night up to 41. He only got into the field at the 52 minute mark, but has remained on the field since then.

71ST MINUTE - MUNSTER MASH CONTINUES

The prospect of 50 points for Melbourne remains a possibility, with Cameron Munster coming up with his fourth try assist of the night, putting Tyran Wishart over in the corner, in what would have likely been a fourth try for Xavier Coates had he remained on the field. Munster now jumps up to a whopping 133 SuperCoach points.

66TH MINUTE - MUNSTER SHUTS DOWN SOUTHS FIGHTBACK

Okay now this has surely snuffed out any hint of a South Sydney comeback, with Cameron Munster crashing over for his first of the night, as Melbourne crack 40 points. The try sees Munster ton up, with 112 SuperCoach points. Jacob Gagai remains in No.2 on 86 points, while Harry Grant isnt far behind on 84 points.

60TH MINUTE: WE HAVE A GAME HERE

OH BOY, we have a game on our hands here, with Souths scoring another try, with Isaiah Tass coming up with possession off a bomb, before passing it off to Cameron Murray to barge over. That’s three in a row now for Souths, who have cut Storm’s lead down to 16.

58TH MINUTE: HOLD ON

For the first time tonight the Rabbitohs have back to back tries, with Taane Milne barging over fill in winger Tyran Wishart to score in the corner. Souths are still down by 22 points, but the momentum has swung here a little. They still need a miracle, but could we have a comeback on our hands?

52ND MINUTE: SOUTHS CROSS AGAIN

Its taken more than half an hour, but the Rabbitohs are over for their second try of the night, once again through Jacob Gagai. Souths came up with possession from a short dropout from Melbourne, and sent it wide to Cody Walker who threw a beauty of a harbor bridge pass to Gagai.

Despite his side being down heavily on the scoreboard, is at the top of the SuperCoach scoring for this game, with his second try taking him to 83 points. Cameron Munster has been the standout for Melbourne and is currently sitting on 75 points.

45TH MINUTE: HERE WE GO AGAIN

Storm have picked up where they left off in the first half, with Ryan Papenhuyzen crossing for his second of the night, fooling Taane Milne with a dummy. Whatever Jason Demetriou told the Bunnies at half-time didn’t work. Papi’s double sees him jump up to 62 SuperCoach points, the second highest after the injured Coates.

CASUALTY WARD

We’re back underway for the second hafl and as suspected Xavier Coates has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a hamstring injury.

HALF-TIME: STORM 32-4 RABBITOHS

We could be in for another Anzac Day whitewash here. The Storm are putting on an Anzac Day clinic against the Rabbitohs, with coach Jason Demetriou fighting for his coaching career after conceding six first half tries.

Cameron Munster has been playing injured for most of the season so far but seems back to his best, finishing the half on 60 SuperCoach points after coming up with three try assists.

Xavier Coates is atop the SuperCoach scoreboard at the break, with 68 points after coming up with a hat-trick, but is set to finish the game on that score after coming off with a hamstring injury.

TOP 5 PERFORMERS

1. Xavier Coates: 68 points

2. Cameron Munster: 60 points

3. Nick Meaney: 59 points

4. Harry Grant: 58 points

5. Jacob Gagai: 51 points

38TH MINUTE: STORM GET THEIR SIXTH

Look away now Souths fans... if you havent already turned off the TV. Storm are over for their sixth try of the game, with Harry Grant crashing over from dumm-half after catching the Rabbitohs defence unawares.

33RD MINUTE: STORM WARNING

Here we go. The Storm are on an absolute roll here and the Rabbitohs are in all sorts. Cameron Munster has been playing injured to start the year, but the Storm five-eighth is clearly back to his best, after setting up Xavier Coates for a first half hat-trick.

Sadly Coates appears to have suffered a hamstring injury in the act of scoring, so he likely finishes the night on 68 SuperCoach points. Tyran Wishart comes onto the wing for now.

30TH MINUTE: UH OH SOUTHS

And when it rains it pours I suppose. Just like that Melbourne are over for their fourth try of the night, with a monster run from Nelson Asofa-Solomona setting up his side, before Jahrome Hughes sent it wide to Nick Meaney and William Warbrick who scores in the other corner this time.

28TH MINUTE: XAVIER GETS HIS SECOND

I said earlier in the week in my Draft Waiver Watch video that Xavier Coates was a solid pick up for Round 8 and my prediction has come off so far, with the Storm winger going across for his second try of the night so far, after a great cut-out pass from Cameron Munster.

Coates has leapt to the top of the SuperCoach scoring now on 51 points, while Jacob Gagai isnt far behind on 50 points, while Cameron Munster is on 47.

19TH MINUTE: BUNNIES HIT BACK

While there were danger signs early, the Rabbitohs have hit back against Melbourne, with some Cody Walker magic setting up Jacob Gagai in the corner. The Storm were testing the referee after giving away repeat sets to Souths, but after a glut of possession, the Bunnies finally cracked the Melbourne defence. Gagai has launched to the top of the SuperCoach scoring, with 34 points, while Cameron Murray is the next best on 27 points.

10TH MINUTE: STORM STRIKE AGAIN

And just like that, the Melbourne Storm are over again, with Xavier Coates taking a pinpoint kick from Cameron Munster to score in the corner. Josh King came up with a late offload to Harry Grant, who was quick to hand it off to his star five-eighth.

These are really worrying signs for the Rabbitohs side who are desperate for a win.

7TH MINUTE: PAPI OPENS SCORING FOR STORM

And it hasnt taken long to get our first try of the night, with Ryan Papenhuyzen pouncing on a kick from Jahrome Hughes, to get his fifth one of the year.

Meanwhile, Eliesa Katoa has been put on report for an earlier high shot that was cleared by on field referees.

KICK-OFF

And finally after a brief intermission, we are back underway on Anzac Day, with the Storm-Souths clash underway at AAMI Park in Melbourne, where Storm have won seven in a row on this historic day.

LATE MAIL: STORM, SOUTHS MAKE LATE CHANGES

Late mail is in for the final clash of Anzac Day, and both the Storm and Rabbitohs have made late changes to their teams.

As was the case last week, Nelson Asofa-Solomona has reverted back to the bench an hour before kick-off, with Christian Welch named to start at prop.

Souths have also reshuffled their forward pack before kick-off, with Jai Arrow shifting back to the bench in his return from injury, Keaon Koloamatangi moves to front row, and Michael Chee-Kam comes into the starting side. Arrow was named to start at front row on Wednesday after Shaquai Mitchell was ruled out with injury, but now moves back to the bench.

FULL-TIME: DRAGONS 18-60 ROOSTERS

The Roosters have absolutely embarrassed the Dragons, producing a record score for the Anzac Day Cup and dealing a crippling blow to St. George-Illawarra’s premiership hopes, winning 60-18.

While the Dragons opened the scoring in both halves, it really was one way traffic for most of the game, as the Roosters scored a whopping 10 tries. Sam Walker was the standout for the Chooks, setting up tries and controlling the game with his boot, to finish on 145 SuperCoach points.

Nat Butcher likewise produced an Anzac Day performance for the ages, scoring two tries himself to finish up on 103 points.

The Roosters’ 42-point win has smashed the previous record for the Anzac Day clash, the Dragons’ 29-point win in 2009, while the Roosters’ previous best were 24-point wins in 2013 and 2021.

TOP 5 PERFORMERS

1. Sam Walker (Roosters, HFB, $470,400): 145 points

2. Nat Butcher (Roosters, 2RF, $568,000): 103 points

3. Angus Crichton (Roosters, 2RF, $519,500): 103 points

4. Jadyn Su’a (Dragons, 2RF, $608,100): 97 points

5. Connor Watson (Roosters, 2RF/HOK, $394,300): 88 points

77TH MINUTE: BLOODBATH CONTINUES

This is just hard to watch now … the Roosters have cracked 60 points on the back of a try to Joseph Suaalii, with Sam Walker kicking his TENTH goal of the night. MAKE. IT. STOP.

73RD MINUTE: ROOSTERS CRACK THE 50

Sam Walker continues to expose the Dragons this game, with Nat Butcher pouncing on a kick from the right boot of the Roosters’ No.7 to score his second try of the game and get up to 101 SuperCoach points. Walker is far and away the scoring leader here however, with 141 SuperCoach points after kicking 9 from 9 today.

68TH MINUTE: LOMAX REDEMPTION

After an afternoon to forget for the Dally M leader, Zac Lomax has produced one moment of magic, coming up with the ball to put teammate Tom Eisenhuth over for a consolation try. The Chooks lead by 30 points with 10 minutes to go, and I think its safe to say Lomax won’t be picking up any more Dally M points today.

64TH MINUTE: MAKE IT STOP

The Roosters are running riot here, with James Tedesco getting in on the scoring, after Angus Crichton put his skipper through a gaping hole. Sam Walker still leads the SuperCoach scoring on 117, while Angus Crichton moved into No.2 after this play, on 93 points. This is already the most points the Roosters have scored in an Anzac Day clash against the Dragons, so we could be on for a record outing here.

Meanwhile, Roosters centre Michael Jennings is off with a suspected triceps injury.

60TH MINUTE: MANU GETS HIS DOUBLE

Sam Walker’s kicking game has continued to give the Dragons nightmares, with Joey Manu going over in the corner with a somersault, after Zac Lomax failed to come up with the ball in the contest. It seems like we’re having a repeat of the first half here … after the Dragons opened up the scoring, it has been one way traffic ever since.

55TH MINUTE: ROOSTERS RETURN SERVE

And just minutes after hitting back, the Dragons have conceded another try to the Roosters, this time with Luke Keary crawling over. Sam Walker is 6/6 with his goal kicking today and is still on top of the SuperCoach leaderboard in this game with 97 points, while Jack de Belin has moved up to No.2 on the back of his try, with 81 points.

51ST MINUTE: DRAGONS HIT BACK

The Dragons have opened the scoring in the second half, with Jack de Belin going over under the posts. They now trail by 18 points with just under half an hour to go, but still face an uphill battle to get back on top here.

HALF-TIME: DRAGONS 6-30 ROOSTERS

It’s all one way traffic as we head into the break, after a dramatic first half, that saw Moses Suli forced off the field after the first tackle, an all-time Anzac Day try, and a penalty try awarded to Sam Walker, who leads the SuperCoach scoring at halftime. In his return from a concussion lay-off, Walker’s kicking game has proved key for the Roosters, setting up two tries and scoring one of his own.

TOP 5 PERFORMERS

1. Sam Walker (Roosters, HFB, $470,400): 88 points

2. Nat Butcher (Roosters, 2RF, $568,000): 60 points

3. Jadyn Su’a (Dragons, 2RF, $608,100): 60 points

4. Dominic Young (Roosters, CTW, $642,700): 56 points

5. Angus Crichton (Roosters, 2RF, $519,500): 46 points

37TH MINUTE: FIVE IN A ROW FOR HIGH FLYING ROOSTERS

The Roosters have struck another blow just minutes before halftime, with Nat Butcher running over the top of Tyrell Sloan to score the Roosters fifth try of the game. The situation is dire for the Dragons right now, who are just getting kicked to death by the Chooks’ kicking game right now.

To make matters worse for Sloan, he has been put on report for collecting Sam Walker with a stray boot to the face for a prior play, after Walker came up with a try-saving tackle.

33RD MINUTE: HIGH DRAMA AS PENALTY TRY AWARDED

Roosters halfback Sam Walker has been awarded with a penalty try, after coming up with a chip and chase and breaking through the line, before being illegally taken out by Fa’amanu Brown. Despite the interference, Walker was the first to the ball so the Bunker had no choice but to award a penalty try. The effort takes Sam Walker to the top of the SuperCoach scoring so far, with 84.

27TH MINUTE: MANU GOES OVER

Roosters star Joey Manu has blown this game wide-open, with a linebreak from Nat Butcher putting the chooks in prime field position, before Sam Walker spotted Tyrell Sloan out of position, to set up Manu with a chip kick.

Dominic Young tops the SuperCoach scoring so far on 55 points, with Sam Walker on 54 and Jadyn Su’a on 53.

17TH MINUTE: DRAGONS UNDER FIRE

Dally M leader Zac Lomax has had a moment forget, producing a poor offload to Ben Hunt, who knocked on for Angus Crichton to score the Roosters second try of the game.

12TH MINUTE: CHOOKS HIT BACK

The Roosters have hit back, with new recruit Dominic Young scoring in the corner after attacking the edge that is now without Moses Suli. In his first game back from suspension, Young looked to have produced a double movement, however the Bunker overturned the decision, backing the Rooster after Kyle Flanagan dropping off the tackle.

Jayden Su’a is on top of the SuperCoach scoring early with 40 points, but Young isn’t far behind on 37 points.

6TH MINUTE: DRAGONS OPEN THE SCORING

St George-Illawarra have produced an all-time Anzac Day try, with a chip and chase from Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan being regathered by Ben Hunt and passed to Jack Bird and Jaydn Su’A to go next to the posts. Dally M leader Zac Lomax has also started this game on fire, with 23 points.

FIRST TACKLE DRAMA

High drama in the very first tackle of the game, with Dragons centre Moses Suli left on the ground after a massive collision with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Suli has unsurprisingly been forced off the field, with Jack de Belin coming on and moving in to lock, with Tom Eisenhuth moving into left centre.

KICK-OFF: DRAGONS-ROOSTERS

And we’re underway in the traditional Anzac Day clash, with the Dragons hosting the Chooks at Allianz stadium. It’s the first time since 2018 that the Dragons come into this clash sitting above the Roosters on the ladder. Can they produce another Anzac Day upset? Or will the Chooks be too good?

FULL-TIME: TITANS HOLD ON IN ANZAC DAY BOILOVER

It took them eight weeks, but the Titans have finally won their first game of the 2024 season, holding off a late Warriors fightback with some desperate defence to win 27-24.

The Warriors dominated possession in the last 20 minutes, but proved unable to crack the uncharacteristically resilient defence of the Gold Coast.

David Fifita proved the difference maker for the Titans, making an immediate impact after his injection halfway through the first-half, ending up on a whopping 120 points.

For the Warriors, it was Addin Fonua-Blake who got them back into the contest in the second half, barging over for his second try to keep his team alive, and finishing on a game high 125 points.

The Warriors had their moments late in the game, however Rocco Berry was denied a try by the Bunker, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was help up over the line, before a desperate effort from AJ Brimson denied a try to Jackson Ford.

TOP 5 PERFORMERS

1. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriros, FRF, $676,000): 125 points

2. David Fifita (Titans, 2RF, $787,300): 120 points

3. Alexander Brimson (Titans, CTW/FLB, $588,500): 94 points

4. Shaun Johnson: (Warriors, HFB, $786,700): 92 points

5. Charnze Nicholl-Klockstad (Warriors, FLB, $724,200): 90 points

63RD MINUTE: WAHS GO BACK TO BACK

We have a game on our hands here, as the Warriors have scored their second try in a matter of minutes, with Rocco Berry taking possession in an ugly contest. SJ converts to put the Warriors behind by just three points with 15 minutes left in the contest. Titans fans must be getting very nervous right now …

Meanwhile Moeaki Fotuaika has been called off the field by the independent doctor for a mandatory HIA.

Oh how this game has swung! While the start of the second was all Gold Coast, the last 15 minutes has been all the Warriors. The Titans are hanging on here but only just.

58TH MINUTE: WARRIORS FIGHTBACK BEGINS

The Bunker won’t take this one away from them! The Warriors have hit back with Addin Fonua-Blake making a quick impact in his second stint on the field, barging past David Fifita to score under the posts. AFB now finds himself on a monster score of 104. As someone who put the VC on him I may have to consider looping if he keeps this up!

55TH MINUTE: TITANS ON TRACK FOR FIRST 2024 WIN

Mere seconds after my previous post, the Warriors produced a crucial error through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to give the Titans great field position. And they were quick to capitalise on it, with AJ Brimson scoring his second try of the game, thanks to a great offload from David Fifitam who has proved unstoppable since making his way onto the field. Brimson now finds himself on 85 SuperCoach points after this play, while David Fifita is on 96.

53RD MINUTE: BUNKER DENIES RTS TRY

The Warriors looked to be back in this contest courtesy of a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looking to score, until the bunker intervened after spotting a knock on at dummy half from hooker Wayde Egan. The Titans hold on to the lead for now, but the Warriors looked to have turned a corner here.

42ND MINUTE: TITANS SCORING SPREE CONTINUES

The Titans have picked up where they let off in the second half, scoring the first try after the resumption with a smooth flick pass from Brian Kelly putting Alofiana Khan-Pereira in the corner. The try has put the duo into respectable SuperCoach territory, with AFP now on 59, while Kelly isn’t far behind on 56.

The question now is, can the Titans keep the train rolling? Or will they still somehow find a way to lose this?

SANGSTER SUBBED OFF + DRAGONS V ROOSTERS LATE MAIL

Good afternoon SuperCoaches, Wilson Smith here. Tom Sangster has abandoned his post to head up the road to Dragons vs Roosters clash at Allianz so I’ll be taking over the blog for the rest of the night, so be sure to stick around for all the latest updates and SuperCoach analysis.

Late Mail is in for the traditional Anzac Day clash and there are no more late changes an hour out from kick-off. Daniel Tupou and Victor Radley were ruled out on Wednesday after picking up injuries at the Roosters’ Captains run, which sees Michael Jennings come into the side at centre, Joseph Suaalii goes to the wing and Connor Watson moves into lock, with Siua Wong the new face on the bench.

For the Dragons, Mikaele Ravalawa has been ruled out with a knee injury, which sees Jack Bird back into the centres, Zac Lomax revert to the wing forced out with knee soreness in Wednesday’s update which sees Jack Bird return from a head knock in the centres and with Zac Lomax shifting to the wing.

HALF-TIME: TITANS 19 LEAD WARRIORS 12

I kept banging on this week about David Fifita being POD of the week and he’s backed up the faith.

Fifita is at just 3 per cent ownership but barged over one off the ruck after being used as an impact weapon off the bench yet again.

Tanah Boyd then nailed a field goal on the siren.

Top scores so far:

– Addin Fonua-Blake 59

– David Fifita 59

– Tanah Boyd 58

– Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 56

– Shaun Johnson 54

32nd MIN: TITANS FIGHTBACK IS ON

The Titans are well-and-truly back in it here with Tanah Boyd jinking and barging over to make it 12-all.

It’s a great fightback for the Titans who barely touched the ball in the opening exchanges.

13th MIN: BRIMSON SPARKS TITANS

The Titans are back in it at 12-6 with AJ Brimson again proving a real spark at fullback.

After starting the season at centre, Brimson has switched to fullback for the last two weeks and immediately ignited the Titans today by backing up a break by Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

8TH MIN: WHAT INJURY? SJ DOMINATES EARLY

Another try assist for Shaun Johnson, this time sending Addin Fonua-Blake over for a close-range barge over.

AFB himself was a very popular SuperCoach buy this week and appears destined to lead the FRF position at season’s end for total points.

It’s very early to say something like that, but surely only injury can stop him given Payne Haas has missed plenty of footy.

Johnson has surged to 45 SuperCoach points already, AFB 41.

No Titan is in double figures.

4TH MIN: SJ TO CNK FOR OPENER

What a combo in both NRL and SuperCoach!

Shaun Johnson gets the try assist and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad the try as the Warriors open the scoring.

SuperCoaches had been sweating on Johnson all week but he appears to be showing no ill-effects from an Achilles injury.

CNK was talked up as a POD replacement for the injured Kalyn Ponga and duly delivered.

PRE-GAME: JOHNSON CLEARED TO PLAY

Shaun Johnson has been cleared to play despite a painful Achilles injury in a huge relief for 20 per cent of SuperCoaches.

The Warriors are 1-17 with Dylan Walker (ankle) also cleared.

The Titans have switched David Fifita to the bench. Klese Haas starts in the second row with Isaac Liu to start at lock.

FINAL TEAMS

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Jacob Laban 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Zyon Maiu’u 17. Paul Roache

Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey

Cut: 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Edward Kosi 23. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 16. Isaac Liu

Bench: 11. David Fifita 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Joe Stimson

Cut: 19. Tony Francis 20. Aaron Schoupp 21. Keano Kini 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Shaun Johnson is carrying an Achilles injury. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Shaun Johnson is carrying an Achilles injury. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

EARLIER....

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the big Anzac Day triple-header.

There’s a plethora of SuperCoach relevant players in action today with the following key players in action:

Warriors vs Titans

Shaun Johnson: Following revelations that the Warriors halfback is carrying an Achilles injury his ownership numbers began to plummet. Then when Nathan Cleary was named to make his return that steady trickle turned into a flood. Those that held will be hoping for one last big score from Johnson against a team which is conceding an average of 30 points per game.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad: CNK has the second-best average of any fullback in the game right now thanks in large part to his phenomenal workrate which has seen him average 26 runs per game so far this season. The injury to Kalyn Ponga meant plenty of coaches needed a new fullback this week and while Reece Walsh was the most popular pick CNK had plenty of supporters too.

David Fifita: The Titans are a SuperCoach cesspool right now with just one player averaging better than 60PPG. That player is David Fifita with the SC stud rolling along at a commendable 73.8PPG right now. Fifita looks like he still has a couple of gears to move through yet and his explosive upside and low ownership makes him a superb vice-captaincy option.

SuperCoaches will be hoping to see Terrell May get plenty of time on ground on Anzac Day.
SuperCoaches will be hoping to see Terrell May get plenty of time on ground on Anzac Day.

Dragons vs Roosters

Terrell May: The fifth most popular player in the game May’s limiting factor is not ability it is opportunity. In five games so far this season the big bopper has played 50+ minutes. In those five games he is averaging 68 PPG. In his two other games May has languished on the bench playing just 20 minutes (round five) and 30 minutes (round seven) for a combined 58 points. The Roosters lose both those games. Coach Trent Robinson may not care about your SuperCoach side, but he should care about the ladder and his team is demonstrably better when May plays so c’mon Robbo let the big man rumble!

Zac Lomax: He wanted to play at a different position for a different club going in to this season so you would have got long odds on Zac Lomax having the most points on any player in the game at this point of the season. But lead the ladder he does and with a 3RA of 95.7PPG, Lomax looms as another great VC option.

Storm star Harry Grant wearing the club's Anzac jersey. Picture: Coby Schifcofske (Melbourne Storm)
Storm star Harry Grant wearing the club's Anzac jersey. Picture: Coby Schifcofske (Melbourne Storm)

Storm vs Rabbitohs

Harry Grant: The SuperCoach stud has been a bit of a dud in 2024 averaging just 59PPG. The workrate is fine, Grant is averaging more in base this year than he has in the past three seasons (in which he averaged better than 70PPG each year). It is the attacking stats, specifically the tries and try assists which have completely dried up. This game, on Anzac Day, at home, against the lowly Rabbitohs looks cherry ripe for a change in fortunes for Grant. His 39,483 owners will certainly be hoping so.

Ryan Papenhuyzen: Other than a bumper 132 point game against the Warriors in round two ‘RPap’ has been quite safely held by his opposition with just two tries and one try assist from those five games. Tonight’s game profiles well for Papenhuyzen as he averages 85.5PPG against the Rabbitohs (from four games) and then he has the lowly Titans up after that.

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Originally published as NRL Live Round 8 Anzac Day: Warriors v Titans, Roosters v Dragons, Storm v Rabbitohs, SuperCoach scores and analysis

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/nrl/supercoach-news/nrl-live-rd-8-anzac-day-warriors-v-titans-roosters-v-dragons-storm-v-rabbitohs-supercoach-scores-and-analysis/news-story/a9b5a1e697aa73b131c139d4d7407268