NRL teams round 10: David Fifita ruled out indefinitely, plus SuperCoach analysis

Axed Titans star David Fifita has been ruled out indefinitely and will seek urgent medical advice following ongoing complications from a pre-season operation.

The curious case of David Fifita has taken another twist with the dumped Titans forward ruled out indefinitely and seeking urgent medical advice.

Days after being sent to reserve grade by Gold Coast coach Des Hasler, Fifita will now not play at all this weekend.

Instead, he will consult a specialist’s opinion on an ankle injury he underwent surgery on last year.

Fifita had a setback in his rehabilitation from the operation which limited his pre-season training. He then started the season as a bench forward and has struggled to produce consistent performances.

After a lacklustre effort in Gold Coast’s 50-18 round 8 loss to the Cowboys, Hasler dropped a bombshell and sent Fifita to the Hostplus Cup last weekend.

The axing is understood to have come after Fifita asked Hasler to play on the left side where Maroons hopeful Beau Fermor has been firing in the back row.

Fifita missed Gold Coast’s Magic Round loss to the Bulldogs, the Titans’ fifth straight defeat.

The ex-Maroons forward only managed nine runs for 58m as the Ipswich Jets were thrashed 32-0.

Fifita was set to remain in the reserves again this weekend, but the Titans have instead opted to send him to a specialist to investigate pain in his ankle.

The Titans desperately need a win against the Knights in Newcastle on Friday night.

—Travis Meyn

David Fifita training with the Ipswich Jets this week. He has been ruled out indefinitely.

SUPERCOACH WINNERS FROM TEAMS

* Lyhkan King-Togia - Retained at halfback for the Dragons after a great season debut and therefore the most popular buy of the week.

* Corey Horsburgh - Named by the Raiders despite a late concussion on the weekend and seemingly set to play.

* Fletcher Sharpe - Leads a host of great purchases at CTW this week as SuperCoaches look to cash out Jaxon Purdue. Other targets include Jacob Kiraz, Dylan Lucas, Herbie Farnworth and KL Iro.

* Jacob Preston - The popular Bulldog faces the judiciary tonight and will either be banned for four games or none.

* Jayden Campbell – The SuperCoach stud has been named to return early for the Titans from an ankle injury.

SUPERCOACH LOSERS FROM TEAMS

* Thomas Jenkins - Very popular cheapie has been dropped to the bench following the return of Brian To’o (hamstring).

* Peter Mamouzelos - Out with an elbow injury and therefore the second most popular sell.

* Sandon Smith, Connor Watson, Billy Smith - The Roosters are on the bye this week so plenty are selling.

* Thomas Cant - Popular cheapie again misses the 17 for the Knights, so it’s time to cash in at a big profit.

* Max Plath - Old news now but Plath underwent surgery on a foot injury last week which is set to see him out of action until Round 13.

* David Fifita - Dropped last week and now out indefinitely with an ankle injury.

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ROB’S SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS AND Q&A

With 18 players scoring 100+ and 49 players hitting 75 or more, last week was certainly a magic round for SuperCoaches.

Hopefully you cashed in. But if you were one of the unlucky ones who missed out, fear not because the big byes/Origin period is right around the corner and with a little planning now you’ll make some big jumps up the rankings.

I’ll get into the usual Buy/Sell analysis of the most popular trades below and then you can join me for the live Q&A session via the comments section below. But first a quick chat about byes/Origin.

Round 10: NRL Teams and SuperCoach trade talk.

Max Bryden has done some excellent work HERE outlining how the byes work, which teams to target/avoid and also which players to target/avoid.

And my colleague Tyson Jackson has had a go at naming those players who are set to benefit from teammates being selected for Origin HERE. In that article I added some Bye schedule/Origin commitment implications. This is an often overlooked issue.

As an example - on paper Penrith players who are selected for Origin II will play round 16. But Origin II is in Perth and the Panthers’ round 16 clash against the Warriors in Auckland at 3pm on Saturday. That’s a long trip and a short turnaround.

Do yourself (and me) a favour and check out both articles.

BUY/SELL TRADE ANALYSIS

Lyhkan King-Togia - A strong debut from LKT with two try assists, a linebreak, forced drop out and 25 in base. You don’t ‘have’ to buy him this week as his price won’t change until after his third game, but his coach indicated that the job security is decent so no objections to those grabbing the kid this week.

Fletcher Sharpe - Form, draw, bye schedule - Sharpe ticks every box. Averaging better than 40PPG in base alone over the last few weeks all Sharpe needed was for the Knights to knock the rust off their attack and he looked primed to go big. That’s exactly what happened against an undermanned Rabbitohs in Brisbane and with the Titans, Eels and Panthers (minus Origin players) to come there looks to be more points looming. Strong buy.

Cameron McInnes - The third most popular buy of the round and I don’t see it. Yes McInnes is a workaholic and yes he did snag a try last week on his way to 90 points. But the edentulous Shark scores too often in the 50-60 range to be a buy for mine. Much prefer the likes of Pearce-Paul or Olakau’atu for just a little more money.

Kai Pearce-Paul - Speaking of KPP, the big man punched out his fourth consecutive 60+ score of the season with over 50 in base. A true POD in barely 1% of teams, Pearce-Paul and the Knights have a bye-friendly draw and the Englishman is not eligible for Origin which is another fillip.

Got some trade questions? Send them in via the comments section below...

Jacob Kiraz had a day out against the Gold Coast Titans. Picture: Getty Images

Jacob Kiraz - Another Magic round hat-trick hero, the only fear with Kiraz is that his fine form - and excellent partnership with Stephen Crichton (who HAS to be in the NSW team) - might see him picked for the Blues. I think the return of Zac Lomax from injury probably edges Kiraz out of Origin contention but it’s still a chance and as a result I have Sharpe just ahead of Kiraz this week for those looking for a CTW.

Dylan Lucas - Another 80 minutes, 60+ in base effort from Lucas and he’s still available for under $700K. The Titans have been horrible at containing left edge 2RFs over the last few weeks and is would not surprise me in the least to see Lucas bag a try and 100+ points this week.

Ryley Smith - The injury to Peter Mamouzelos has plenty of coaches turning to Ryley Smith and while I don’t hate it I also don’t love it. Smith is playing big minutes and he had his best game of the season last week making 49 tackles in 72 minutes. The Eels do play rounds 12 and 13 also so Smith is useful early bye cover. But he’s no keeper so you are using one trade now to gain (at best) 50PPG over the next month before then using another trade ahead of round 15.

Kalyn Ponga - Another Knight who cashed in against Souths, Ponga is an absolute steal at sub $550K. However, unlike last year when KP announced that he would not seek Origin selection, he’s stayed silent on the matter this year and as a result we have to assume he’s eligible. With Reece Walsh injured (and out of form) you would have to think Ponga is the leading contender to be named fullback for the Maroons. If that happens, then from rounds 12-18 Ponga will only play two games. Pass.

Sua Fa’alogo - After scoring 66 points in 50 minutes in round eight Fa’alogo was given a start last week and he tonned up against the Raiders with a try, try assist, three linebreaks and a million tackle busts. Incredibly, Fa’alogo could be dropped back to the bench this week if Will Warbrick shakes his lingering concussion issues. Even if he survives the cut then the fact that Melbourne have byes in rounds 12 and 15 has me preferring Sharpe.

Nicho Hynes - The Cronulla halfback has taken charge of the Sharks attack in the last few weeks and is reaping the SuperCoach rewards with a 3RA of 86.7. I won’t try to talk anyone out of buying Hynes but I would say this. That three-round run of good scores coincided with games against a horribly out of form Knights, a defensively questionable Tigers and the cellar-dwelling Eels. The Sharks have Manly, Melbourne Roosters and a bye in the next four rounds. Hynes can score against anyone, but it wouldn’t shock me if his next 3RA is about 15-20PPG less than his current one.

Eliesa Katoa - Another week another score in the 70s from Melbourne’s Mr Reliable. With no Origin issues Katoa is a great player to own throughout the major bye period though missing rounds 12 and 15 hurts.

Luron Patea - A big boy with a decent motor (averaging 46 minutes, 24 tackles, 3.2 tackle breaks and 111 metres per game in NSW Cup) Patea is not the worst ‘nuff’ going around and might play some reasonable minutes over Origin but I’m not keen on cheapie props at this stage of the season.

Scott Drinkwater (ball) has had consecutive games of 100+ points. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Drinkwater - Another big second half effort saw ‘Drinky’ hit triple figures for the second game in a row. Seemingly out of Origin consideration, Drinkwater has a decent draw ahead missing just one match (round 12) in the next 10 weeks. The price is getting up there but that’s really the only negative I can identify. Real FOMO areas as a non-owner.

Beau Fermor - Another player with double 100s to his name, Fermor’s fine form and versatility could be playing him into Origin. Which sucks for us owners and like Kiraz above is enough for me to caution overall players into looking elsewhere.

Selwyn Cobbo - Loving life at fullback where he’s punched out consecutive 70s for the Broncos. If the positional change were permanent then I would be all in on Cobbo at $470K. But it’s not. So I’m not.

Jaxon Purdue - Has rocketed to $638K and despite the Cowboys excellent bye round draw now is the time to cash in on the youngster.

Corey Horsburgh - Was well contained by the Storm (and an HIA) last week but personally I’m happy to hold Big Red until we see the Origin teams. If selected by the Maroons then I’ll move him on. If we get lucky and Slater looks elsewhere then his round 12 and 13 coverage will be valuable.

Sandon Smith - Well that zero point effort (due to a concussion) really sucked for those of us counting the big cash increase that we expected after Smith scored 129 points against the Dragons in round eight. A bye this week then the staunch defence of the Dogs in round 11 is far from ideal. But I for one will hold because I needs all the round 12 and 13 coverage I can get. Smith a sell after those weeks for me.

Connor Watson - The bye this week and then likely Origin selection has a few coaches offloading Watson this week and while I won’t talk you out of it the hooker position is so thin that it’s hard to sell a guy I’d love to lock and leave at the position all year.

Isaiah Iongi - Another whose price has probably peaked and could be moved on. But there’s also a fair argument for holding as the return of Mitch Moses has really fired up Parramatta’s attack and Iongi is a direct beneficiary of that. The Eels play each of the next five rounds before missing round 15. I plan to hold until after round 14 at this stage but understand those who are selling.

Jacob Preston - The Dogs are challenging Preston’s crusher tackle ban at the judiciary and I think they’ll lose. If they do then Preston will be rubbed out for four weeks and that would make him a sell.

Jahrome Hughes - Bit of personal pain here as despite Hughes being:

* Origin proof,

* key to the best attack in the game, and

*a POD at under 10% ownership,

I think it’s time to sell. Hughes is carrying a nagging shoulder injury and is one gang tackle away from missing big chunks of game time. Further, if/when the Storm run up a big score (as I expect they will this week against the Tigers) then Hughes will be yanked from the field for a rest. Sell.

ROUND TEN TEAMS

EELS V DOLPHINS

Thu May 8 2025, 7:50pm, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Matt Doorey

Reserves: 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Toni Mataele 22. Brendan Hands

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert Interchange: 14. Ray Stone 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Sean O’Sullivan

Reserves: 18. Harrison Graham 19. Oryn Keeley 20 Max Feagai 21.Kenny Bromwich 22. Junior Tupou

KNIGHTS V TITANS

Fri May 9 2025, 6:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Paul Bryan

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Hass 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Chris Randall 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16 Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Allan Fitzgibbon 22. Sean Mullany

RABBITOHS V BRONCOS

Fri May 9 2025, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Fletcher Myers 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Saliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Dunan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange: 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc

Reserves: 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Jacob Host

Broncos

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter

RAIDERS V BULLDOGS

Sat May 10 2025, 3:00pm, GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Manaia Waitere 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Bailey Howard

Reserves: 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Blake Wilson 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison

DRAGONS V WARRIORS

Sat May 10 2025, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lykhan King-Tongia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Reserves: 18. Nathan Lawson 19.Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Blake Lawrie

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Taine Tuaupiki 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange :14. Sam Healy 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18.Te Maire Martin 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith 22.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 23. Eddie Ieremia

COWBOYS V PANTHERS

Sat May 10 2025, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kai O’Donnell

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Thomas Jenkins

Reserves: 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Casey McLean 21. Daine Laurie 22. Trent Toelau

STORM V TIGERS

Sun May 11 2025, 2:00pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Josh Feledy 22. Tristan Hope

SEA EAGLES V SHARKS

Sun May 11 2025, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park, Brookvale

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga

Interchange: 14. Tommy Talau 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Caleb Navale 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Aitasi James

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton

Reserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Chris Veaila

Originally published as NRL teams round 10: David Fifita ruled out indefinitely, plus SuperCoach analysis