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SuperCoach NRL: SC Winners and Losers from Tigers vs Eels, Rabbitohs vs Roosters

James Tedesco has delivered the goods throughout the SuperCoach season and he gave loyal owners one last monster score. See the full Winners and Losers from Friday Night Footy.

Sean Teuma and Martin Gabor
15 min read
September 6, 2024 - 10:51PM
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SuperCoach NRL: Waiver Watch Round 25

On a night where we had the much-hyped Spoon Bowl between last and second-last, a match between 15th and third turned out to be the pick of the bunch.

South Sydney fought hard late to get close to the Roosters, while the Eels completely blew the Tigers away in front of a sold out Campbelltown Stadium.

Who impressed in the final round of SuperCoach? Find out below in the final Friday Night Footy Winners and Losers for 2024.

SUPERCOACH WINNERS

1. James Tedesco (138) – We’ve seen plenty of big scores from the fullback this season, so what’s the harm in throwing in another monster game? Two tries and two try assists meant SuperCoach gold for ‘Teddy’.

2. Junior Pauga (109) – Scored the bulk of his points in the first half as the Roosters continued to target his wing. Despite coming off early he cracked the century to cap a good night for the stand-in winger.

3. Brendan Hands (102) – A fantastic game from the Eels hooker who has done his chances of locking down an 80-minute role next year no harm. Had the top score in the Spoon Bowl with a try and two assists.

4. Deajarn Asi (95) – Had a very busy night and with Dylan Brown coming off in the second half he was forced to shoulder the load in the run to the 80th minute. He did a great job and his goalkicking helped reach a big total.

5. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (92) – If it in fact is to be his last game in the blue and gold of Parramatta, he went out with a brilliant

6. Latu Fainu (84) – While it might seem rough now, Fainu showed the future of the Tigers is in good hands with a great effort at halfback. He scored a try and had some good moments to finish with a great score.

7. Angus Crichton (89) – The ‘Gus Bus’ had one last SuperCoach stop and it was another big one with the Origin star able to bring up his score through a plethora of ways. His try assist left the Rabbitohs stunned.

8. Bryce Cartwright (91) – We saw a bit of everything from the big man tonight, from an intercept leading to a try assist, through to him scoring potentially the easiest try of his career in the second half.

9. Will Penisini (91) – Had a double courtesy of tries either side of half time and he looked outstanding against an inexperienced Tigers side. The tempo of the game really suited him down to the ground.

10. Heath Mason (79) – Despite almost being steamrolled by Maika Sivo, the young fullback gave it his all and never stopped trying. What his role next year in the side looks like with Jahream Bula back remains to be seen.

Friday Night Footy top SuperCoach scores.
Friday Night Footy top SuperCoach scores.

SUPERCOACH LOSERS

1. Liam Le Blanc (7) – Used sparingly by interim coach Ben Hornby, playing less than 13 minutes of the game. He was in the game when the Roosters were dominating and could muster just two runs in his time out there.

2. Zach Dockar-Clay (3) – Was called into the game with 14 minutes remaining but he finished with a poor score per minute. Made one run and three tackles during his limited time.

3. Solomona Faataape (20) – In a game that opened right up for the outside backs, Faataape wasn’t able to cash in. He ended the game with just the five runs.

4. Davvy Moale (20) – Was given enough time to make things happen with two 17-minute stints, but it was an unhappy night for the starting front rower.

5. Stefano Utoikamanu (32) – You could tell from the moment that he begged Api Koroisau to challenge a blatant knock on that it wasn’t going to be his night. Not his best game by any stretch of the imagination.

6. Alex Twal (26) – The fan favourite made just six carries in his 36 minutes of time on the field to record a below par score.

7. Ofahiki Ogden (18) – Was called into the starting 13 but only played the 22 minutes and was not seen for the rest of the evening.

8. Richie Kennar (29) – Had a few poor defensive reads that won’t come up in SuperCoach but left his outside man under pressure. It was game 50 for Kennar, whether 51 is with South Sydney remains to be seen.

9. Api Koroisau (47) – Tried his best to make things happen but it’s fair to say his sin bin early in the second half was the turning point of the game. From there the Eels completely ran away with the game.

10. Jacob Host (28) – His predicted score was never going to set the world on fire, but he still played the entire 80 minutes on an edge and could only produce 28 points. Not a great output with a few missed tackles.

Mark Nawaqanitawase had a strong debut. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
Mark Nawaqanitawase had a strong debut. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images

MATCH REPORT: MARKY MARK STARS AS CHOOCK SURVIVE SOUTHS SCARE

—Martin Gabor

He was kept fairly grounded in front of plenty of red, white and blue flags 40 days ago when he played sevens for Australia at the Paris Olympics, but Mark Nawaqanitawase got his NRL career off to a flying start as the Tricolours beat the Rabbitohs 36-28 on Friday night.

Nawaqanitawase wasn’t supposed to play any first grade after he switched codes a few weeks ago, but after three impressive performances in NSW Cup, the former Wallaby earned his debut and took just a few minutes to prove his worth.

After he settled the nerves by taking the opening kick-off, the powerful winger produced a moment of magic that will haunt rugby fans as he flew over Tyrone Munro to reel in a Luke Keary bomb to open the scoring.

The Roosters need the Titans to beat Penrith, but their hopes of securing a home qualifying final have received a boost, after surviving a late comeback from bitter rivals South Sydney.. Picture: Getty Images
The Roosters need the Titans to beat Penrith, but their hopes of securing a home qualifying final have received a boost, after surviving a late comeback from bitter rivals South Sydney.. Picture: Getty Images

It’s everything the Roosters could have hoped for and more, with the winger producing a couple of terrific offloads in attack as he and Joseph Manu combined well, although he missed his assignment as Jye Gray scored for Souths.

Dom Young (calf) and Daniel Tupou (rested) are expected to return, but their replacements showed they can handle the job in the finals if required with Junior Pauga scoring a hat-trick before he came off with a knee injury.

Mark Nawaqanitawase impressed in his NRL debut. Picture: Getty Images
Mark Nawaqanitawase impressed in his NRL debut. Picture: Getty Images

SWEET AND SOUR CHOOKS

Their discipline in the first half left a lot to be desired with Spencer Leniu dropping three balls, but there are few teams who are as fun to watch when the Roosters click into gear.

In their first game since losing Sam Walker, Brandon Smith and Victor Radley to long-term injuries, the premiership heavyweights took a while to get going but looked as clinical as ever once things started to flow.

Sandon Smith doesn’t have Walker’s trickery but he did pop a nice ball for Sitili Tupouniua to score, while Brad Fittler Medal winner Angus Crichton continued his amazing year with a huge break for James Tedesco to score the first of his two tries.

Crichton was unstoppable at times but does have a slight concern after he was placed on report for raising a forearm which caught Tallis Duncan in the throat.

They were much better than last week, but they have a long way to go ahead of what will likely be a trip to Penrith to open the finals after they conceded a few late tries.

James Tedesco is back at his brilliant best at the right time of the year. Picture: Getty Images
James Tedesco is back at his brilliant best at the right time of the year. Picture: Getty Images

SOUTHS HAVE TO GO NORTH

The only way is up for the Rabbitohs after they finished their season from hell in 16th spot, just one win above the Wests Tigers who were deplorable on Friday night in their Spoon Bowl battle with the Eels.

It completes two years of misery for the Bunnies who led the league after 11 rounds last season but made history by missing the top eight, with Souths then sacking coach Jason Demetriou after a slow start to the year.

They’ve had to deal with unwanted headlines off the field with Latrell Mitchell that are somehow still dragging on, with the superstar fullback set to miss round one next year when Wayne Bennett returns to the club to try to fix this mess.

END OF AN ERA

It’s been a brutal year for South Sydney fans who haven’t had much to cheer about, but they showed their appreciation for two club legends who played their last game in the famous cardinal and myrtle jersey.

Damien Cook dazzled at dummy-half during their years at the top but is off to the Dragons next year, while Tom Burgess leaves as the club’s second-most capped player and part of an awesome foursome of brothers who carried the forward pack for many years.

While Souths fans gave it to Luke Keary when he left the field, the biggest cheer was saved for their veteran Englishman as Burgess said farewell with a late try and conversion to end his career in the NRL.

FULL-TIME - Roosters 36-28

The Roosters tried to kick for Mark Nawaqanitawase and use his ability in the air, but it was Tyrone Munro who picked up the loose ball.

The Rabbitohs winger raced 95m down the field in a tremendous show of speed to give Souths fans their highlight of the night.

In a great moment for the departing Tom Burgess, the big prop gets over for a try after a lovely short pass from Peter Mamouzelos close to the line.

He gets the shot at goal and kicks it.

Souths scores another late try with Jacob Gagai kicking inside and young fullback Jye Gray there to pounce and score.

Here are the top SuperCoach scores from full-time:

Rabbitohs vs Roosters - top SuperCoach full-time scores
Rabbitohs vs Roosters - top SuperCoach full-time scores

70th minute - Roosters 36-10

Junior Pauga has his hat-trick for the evening with James Tedesco putting a grubber in and Jacob Gagai just watching the ball, allowing Pauga an easy try.

Just as it looked like the Rabbitohs scored a spectacular try, it is ruled out due to an obstruction from Jacob Host.

Jye Gray cut through the line and passed to Tyrone Munro, who did an extaraordinary job to pass over the top to Taane Milne before going out.

Milne touched down, but it was called back.

60th minute - Roosters 30-10

It looked like the Roosters would make it three tries in a row, but the Bunker steps in to stop a spectacular try due to an obstruction.

With the Rabbitohs line under attack again, Mark Nawaqanitawase gets up high again but is deemed to be escorted off the ball by Taane Milne and is penalised.

They need just a few tackles to push the lead out even further as they find space on the right and James Tedesco strolls in.

South Sydney has completely fallen away.

50th minute - Roosters 26-10

The second half starts quite methodically, before a penalty to the Roosters gives them the best chance in the early stages.

They only need a few tackles with Sandon Smith taking the ball to the line and drawing the defence in to allow Sitili Tupouniua the easiest of passages to the line.

That is far too soft from South Sydney and they can’t let in tries like that if they want to keep this close.

As for the Roosters, those are the type of plays they would love from Sam Walker’s replacement.

The Roosters go back-to-back with Angus Crichton stepping Richie Kennar and Jacob Gagai, breaking through the line and passing inside to James Tedesco to score.

This could get ugly.

HALFTIME - Roosters 14-10

The Rabbitohs give the Roosters an invitation to their territory and they took full advantage.

They’re able to catch Souths out for numbers out wide and Junior Pauga produces a nice finish to stay inside the touch-line to score.

Just as it looked like the Roosters would hold a handy advantage at the break, Cody Walker hits Sitili Tupouniua with a deadly left-foot step to leave him clutching at thin air and he scores.

De La Salle Va’a has come onto the field to make his NRL debut.

It’s the Roosters catching the Rabbitohs defence out on their right-side once again, with Richie Kennar racing in and taking nobody to give Pauga his second.

Here are the top SuperCoach scores from halftime:

Rabbitohs vs Roosters - top SuperCoach haltime scores
Rabbitohs vs Roosters - top SuperCoach haltime scores

30th minute - Roosters 6-4

A bad defensive read from Joey Manu allows the Rabbitohs to strike for their first points of the night.

A nice backline movement forces the error from the centre, and Mark Nawaqanitawase slips over to allow Jye Gray the easiest of passages to the line.

The discipline of the Roosters has allowed the Rabbitohs to get back into the game.

20th minute - Roosters 6-0

Angus Crichton is placed on report for raising a forearm while in possession of the ball. He’ll face a nervous wait for the charge sheet.

You’d be surprised if he misses a week, but who knows with how the judiciary operates.

The Rabbitohs have had plenty of chances in Roosters territory but they just lack the creativity to make anything happen.

It’s been a decent enough game in the opening 20 minutes.

10th minute - Roosters 6-0

Joseph Sua’ali’i collects Jye Gray with a shoulder to the head with the Rabbitohs fullback falling to the ground, but the Bunker refuses to take any action.

It was a penalty in the Cowboys-Storm game last week, so who knows what set of rules will be played in the finals.

From the next set a Luke Keary kick lands perfectly for new recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase who leaps high in the air with a spectacular catch to stamp himself as the next big thing in rugby league.

What a try that was.

8PM: The oldest rivalry in the game is underway with the Rabbitohs hosting the Roosters.

FULL-TIME - Eels 60-26

Joey Lussick takes the score out to 60 as he dives on a grubber, and Reagan Campbell-Gillard is given the shot at goal, all but indicating he won’t be there next year.

At least the season finishes on a high for the Tigers, with Charlie Staines scoring on the siren to give fans something to cheer about.

Here are the top SuperCoach scores from full-time:

Tigers vs Eels - top SuperCoach full-time scores
Tigers vs Eels - top SuperCoach full-time scores

70th minute - Eels 54-22

And just like that, the Wests Tigers will claim their third wooden spoon.

Deplorable middle defence from the Tigers allows Clint Gutherson to stroll in to score with players just standing and watching him.

They’ve been terrible tonight and you can’t mount a case that they don’t deserve to finish last.

The pain doesn’t stop for the Tigers with a horrible blunder gifting the Eels another try - Alex Seyfarth was being driven into his own in-goal and opted to pass to Heath Mason but the pass was taken by Gutherson for the easiest of tries.

At last some good news for the Tigers, with Isaiah Papali’i breaking the run of Eels tries after he catches the defence out at dummy half.

The good news doesn’t last long with the Tigers failing to complete the set and Reagan Campbell-Gillard getting over for a rare try through some more soft defence in the middle.

60th minute - Eels 36-16

Just as they looked to be coming back, the Tigers have been dealt a blow with skipper Api Koroisau sent to the sin bin for a spear tackle on Clint Gutherson.

Dylan Brown has come from the field with a knee injury.

Parramatta scores with their first set of six in somewhat controversial circumstances with Will Penisini knocking the ball back and into the hands of Bryce Cartwright to score.

It looked like it hit a Tiger on the way through, but the Bunker saw it differently.

It’s now two tries in two sets with 12 men on the field with Maika Sivo the beneficiary of a very late offload from Kelma Tuilagi.

Tigers players dropped off thinking he was held, but the referee disagreed.

50th minute - Eels 26-16

The Tigers needed a hot start and they couldn’t have had a worse one.

Latu Fainu threw a no-look pass to Lachlan Galvin, but it was picked off by Bryce Cartwright and he passes inside to Will Penisini for his second of the night and make the task near impossible for the Tigers.

Heath Mason gets some revenge on Maika Sivo as he drops a bomb from the fullback.

Poor discipline from the Eels gives the Tigers multiple set restarts, and a chopped pass from Api Koroisau drops into the hands of Latu Fainu who races through to score.

They’re back to within 10 points.

7PM: As we knew yesterday, the Roosters have made two changes to their side.

Former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase makes his debut on the wing with Dom Young out, and Blake Steep comes onto the bench with Lindsay Collins out.

The Rabbitohs are 1-17.

HALFTIME - Eels 22-10

Heath Mason couldn’t have had a worse 20 seconds.

He pulled out of attempting to catch a bomb from Deajarn Asi, then he misses the tackle on Will Penisini that leads directly to a try.

They close the half out with the last three tries and are looking very good to avoid the wooden spoon.

Here are the top SuperCoach halftime scores:

Tigers vs Eels - top SuperCoach halftime scores
Tigers vs Eels - top SuperCoach halftime scores

30th minute - Eels 16-10

It’s the Eels turn to attack and the Tigers defence offers little resistance.

Deajarn Asi is able to take on the line and bust it far too easily to help Parramatta tie up the scores once again.

Maika Sivo makes a break and finds himself one-on-one with Heath Mason, who bravely takes on the winger and stops him.

The action is frantic and a standing Dylan Brown is able to get an offload back inside to Brendan Hands who gives the Eels the lead once again.

20th minute - Tigers 10-6

Josh Feledy has his first try in the NRL and what a time to produce it.

With the Eels defence rushing up, Lachlan Galvin put a nice grubber in behind the line to catch them out of position.

The kick for goal from Api Koroisau is a shocker and wouldn’t have hit two sets of posts.

The bad kicking isn’s exclusive to the Tigers hooker, with Deajarn Asi putting the restart out on the full.

It is Galvin again with a superb pass. He throws a bullet across two teammates and hits Junior Tupou on the chest to make it back-to-back tries.

Maika Sivo blows the challenge for the Eels and both teams are done for the night in that area.

10th minute - Eels 6-0

Parramatta wins the early battle of territory but a clever Api Koroisau wins the first penalty of the night after catching out Brendan Hands at marker.

They can’t take advantage with Heath Mason spilling the ball.

We have out first Bunker call of the night with Maika Sivo ruled to have knocked down a pass from Mason, preventing the Eels from posting first points.

The Eels look well on top so far.

Stefano Utoikamanu has blown the Tigers’ last challenge of the year with a horrible call after dropping it cold.

From the next set the Eels have the first points with Sivo bumping over Charlie Staines like he wasn’t there to score in the corner.

Wooden spoons have been confiscated at Campbelltown Stadium due to fears of them being thrown onto the ground.
Wooden spoons have been confiscated at Campbelltown Stadium due to fears of them being thrown onto the ground.

6PM: The moment has arrived.

Spoon Bowl is here.

Winner finishes 16, loser takes the wooden spoon.

Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels begins now.

5.30PM: We are just 30 minutes away from the most important clash of the final round.

Some say it’s the Knights and Dolphins with a spot in the finals on the line, but they’re kidding.

This is the game where everything is on the line. Wests Tigers and Parramatta are playing for keeps.

Well, playing to avoid keeps.

A sold out crowd at Campbelltown Stadium will witness history and we’re privileged to be along for the ride.

Rabbitohs vs Roosters - top recent SuperCoach scores.
Rabbitohs vs Roosters - top recent SuperCoach scores.

5PM: Exciting halfback Latu Fainu will step up for the biggest game of his young career.

Called off the interchange and into the starting 13 in place of Aidan Sezer, Fainu will have the task of helping the Tigers avoid the wooden spoon.

In another sign of the youth of the Tigers, Tony Sukkar will become the latest young gun to make his NRL debut, called onto the bench.

The Eels have kept the same 17 as named on Tuesday for this intriguing clash, with Ofahiki Ogden starting and Shaun Lane dropping back to the bench.

Tigers vs Eels - top recent SuperCoach scores.
Tigers vs Eels - top recent SuperCoach scores.

EARLIER: If I told you back in March that a fixture between the Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels would be the most-anticipated clash of the rugby league season, you would’ve laughed.

But that’s the scenario we have on a glorious Friday night for rugby league, where Campbelltown Sports Stadium will be filled to the brim with fans to watch 16th v 17th in the sold-out Spoon Bowl.

The Tigers are looking to avoid a third-straight wooden spoon, while the Eels want to avoid their first since 2018.

As we come down to the final round of the SuperCoach season, there’s $50k on the line and a number of players who could be decisive to that outcome on Friday night.

Dylan Brown has seen a jump in ownership on the back of his whopping 162 point haul last time out, with a number of SuperCoaches jumping ship from the injured Sam Walker to the Eels halfback.

Still owned by 20% of players, Tigers captain Apisai Koroisau has seen a slump in point scoring form lately, averaging 56 from his last three.

Dylan Brown is the most-owned player in this fixture. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images
Dylan Brown is the most-owned player in this fixture. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images
Lachlan Galvin has been one of the breakout SuperCoach stars of the season. Picture: NRL Photos
Lachlan Galvin has been one of the breakout SuperCoach stars of the season. Picture: NRL Photos

Cheap gems from season 2024 Lachlan Galvin and Blaize Talagi also have one more chance to reward their owners who have stayed loyal to them.

Following the Spoon Bowl is a showdown between old foes the Rabbitohs and Roosters.

For SuperCoaches, it’s all the Chooks for this one, with a number of armbands going to James Tedesco this week who has once again shot up in ownership on the back of a century last week, plus the injury to Tom Trbojevic.

Injuries decimated the Roosters last week, with Sam Walker the notable casualty for SuperCoaches, still owned by a quarter of players. Brandon Smith and Victor Radley were also wiped out in the clash against the Raiders.

Dominic Young is another set to be rested this week, a further blow for SuperCoaches considering his 26% ownership. We will however get our first glimpse of ex-Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase, who has come into the team and is owned by a whopping (checks notes) three players! All the best to you three.

What a night it’s set to be. Who are you keeping an eye on SuperCoaches?

Originally published as SuperCoach NRL: SC Winners and Losers from Tigers vs Eels, Rabbitohs vs Roosters

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