NRL SuperCoach teams analysis round 16

SUPERCOACHES have been rocked by the axing of last round’s most popular buy John Olive, but the news isn’t all bad with three fresh cheapies emerging.

WINNERS

* Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris - New Zealand’s loss is SuperCoaches’ gain. Both Johnson and Harris have been named for the Warriors after skipping the Denver Test due to niggling injuries. Johnson is the second most purchased player, Harris is seventh.

* Rhyse Martin - The star cheapie has earned a reprieve for the Bulldogs following the injury to Raymond Faitala-Mariner (hand) and exit of Aaron Woods to the Sharks.

* Tevita Pangai Junior - The popular forward has been named to start by the Broncos after sitting out the rep round with a rib injury.

* Kurt Mann - The cheapie of the week. Likely to play in the halves this week if Gareth Widdop and/or Ben Hunt fail to back up. If not, he retains a wing spot against the leaky Eels.

* Viliame Kikau - Named to return from a knee injury for the Panthers and promoted to start following an injury to Corey Harawira-Naera.

* Joseph Tapine, Sam Burgess, Damien Cook, Jai Arrow, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic and Kalyn Ponga - Key SuperCoach players named and expected to back up from the rep round.

* Gareth Widdop - Named for now and therefore the fourth most purchased player this week, but Widdop has a tight turnaround from the Denver Test and may be rested.

LOSERS

* John Olive - Last week’s most popular purchase has been axed by the Bulldogs.

* Mahe Fonua - The star cheapie is set to miss the rest of the season due to a broken arm.

* Ryan Matterson - The highest-averaging CTW in SuperCoach missed out again due to concussion and a wrist injury.

* Andrew Fifita - Expect the big-man’s game time to suffer following the mid-season arrival of Aaron Woods at the Sharks.

John Olive has been axed by the Bulldogs.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels, Thursday 7.50pm at WIN Stadium

Dragons: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Kurt Mann, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Jacob Host, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange: 14 Jeremy Latimore, 15 Jason Nightingale, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves: 18 Blake Lawrie, 19 Reece Robson, 20 Jai Field, 21 Hame Sele, 22 Darren Nicholls, 23 Patrick Herbert

Team news: Gareth Widdop, James Graham (England), Leeson Ah Mau (New Zealand), Jack De Belin, Paul Vaughan and Ben Hunt (Origin) have been named to back up. However, Tyson Frizell will sit out after copping a head knock in Origin. His starting back row spot is taken by Jacob Host with Luciano Leilua joining the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Dragons have no real need to back up their players against the probable wooden spooners. Gareth Widdop has been named and he remains the fourth most purchased player, pending late mail. Thankfully, we will know if he’s on the final team sheet before first lockout. Even so, Widdop is far from an automatic buy. He started the year brilliantly but has hit the skids of late, currently sitting with three and five game averages of 43.7 and 48.4.

Whether Widdop plays has a big effect on Kurt Mann, who likely comes into halves if Widdop is out. Mann is rightfully the most purchased player following a strong 60. While the ideal scenario was to get on last week (especially given the axing of John Olive), waiting the extra round has only cost $39,000 and with a BE of -18 there are more big price rises to come. Euan Aitken was the most purchased player in the gun range last week, and right on cue he produced his worst score of the year. The livewire centre received an early shower and played only 67 minutes as the Dragons put a cricket score on the Sea Eagles.

Eels: 1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Jarryd Hayne, 5 George Jennings, 6 Mitchell Moses, 7 Corey Norman, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Brad Takairangi, 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Peni Terepo

Reserves: 18 Kirisome Auva’a, 19 Kane Evans, 20 Jaeman Salmon, 21 Suaia Matagi

Team news: Mitchell Moses (knee) returns at five-eighth, pushing Clint Gutherson to fullback, Bevan French to the wing and Josh Hoffman out of the side. Tongan firebrand Manu Ma’u (broken cheekbone) is replaced in the back row by Marata Niukore. Will Smith replaces young gun Reed Mahoney (suspension) on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Nathan Brown is on my Watch List. He was on his way to a second 80 minute game in a row last match before coming off with a corked arm. Brown is a proven SuperCoach gun and genuine POD for round 18 onwards at just seven per cent ownership. George Jennings is the eighth most sold player after exceeding all expectations with a $255,000 price rise. Cash him in for Kurt Mann or upgrade to a gun.

PODCAST! The teams are in and there are a host of shocks to deal with. Join Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland.

New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Friday 8pm (6pm AEST) at Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitua, 3 Anthony Gelling, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Karl Lawton, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Simon Mannering

Interchange: 14 Sam Cook, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Bunty Afoa, 17 Jazz Tevaga

Reserves: 18 Blake Ayshford, 21 Sam Lisone, 22 Albert Vete, 23 Peta Hiku, 23 Issac Luke, 25 Ken Maumalo

Team news: Coach Stephen Kearney has included all three Denver Test Kiwi internationals on an extended bench. Hooker Issac Luke, centre Peta Hiku and winger Ken Maumalo flew out of Denver on Tuesday and are due to arrive home early on Wednesday morning (NZT), almost 24 hours later than originally scheduled. David Fusitu’a (ankle) has been named to return from injury while Solomone Kata (hamstring) has been named despite failing to finish last match. Simon Mannering starts at lock for Adam Blair (suspension). Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will play for the Warriors after missing the Denver Test.

SuperCoach analysis: Shaun Johnson (second) and Tohu Harris (seventh) both sit high on the most purchased list. Johnson is an absolute must as he is averaging 12 points more than the next best halfback (Mason Lino, who isn’t even playing) and 16 points more than the next best active halfback (Daly Cherry-Evans).

Harris is right on the border of the must-have category. Take out his two injury-affected games and Tohu has averaged 67.5 this year, which places him in the elite keeper range. Further, Johnson’s return from injury last match was music to the ears of Harris owners as he averages almost 70 with the star playmaker inside him and just 47 without. At just 18 per cent ownership, Harris remains a relative POD despite his storied history as a SuperCoach player.

Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Scott Sorensen, 13 Paul Gallen (c)

Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya

Reserves: 18 Aaron Gray, 19 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 20 Sosaia Feki, 21 Braden Uele, 22 Kurt Dillon, 23 Kyle Flanagan

Team news: New recruit Aaron Woods slots straight into the side on the bench, replacing youngster Jack Williams (pectoral, season). Luke Lewis (calf) and Wade Graham (cheekbone) are both injured with Kurt Capewell and Scott Sorensen forming a new look back row. There is no sign of Josh Dugan (stress fracture fibula), who was originally aiming to return this round. Matt Prior and Valentine Holmes have been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: Andrew Fifita is the big SuperCoach loser from the arrival of Aaron Woods. Fifita was already attracting reduced minutes as he eased through a knee injury, averaging just 53.7 points in the last three weeks, and his game time will hardly improve with Woods at the club. At 34 per cent ownership, the ninth most popular player in the game, the sale of Fifita offers a great opportunity for a POD. The 10 per cent who held Scott Sorensen (BE 27) get a nice unexpected price kick after he was named to start in place of the injured Wade Graham (cheekbone).

Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm, Friday 7.35pm (7.55pm AEST) at Adelaide Oval

Roosters: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Daniel Tupou, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Mitchell Aubusson, 5 Blake Ferguson, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 9 Jake Friend (c), 10 Dylan Napa, 11 Victor Radley, 12, Nat Butcher, 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange: 14 Lindsay Collins, 15 Zane Tetevano, 16 Kurt Baptiste, 17 Matthew Ikuvalu

Reserves: 18 Sitili Tupouniua, 19 Paul Momirovski, 20 Mitchell Cornish, 21 Billy Smith, 23 Frank-Paul Nuuausala, 25 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Team news: Nat Butcher starts in the back row for NSW captain Boyd Cordner (concussion). Mitch Aubusson moves to centre for Joseph Manu (suspension). Ryan Matterson (concussion/wrist) remains sidelined. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been named in reserves due to his delayed flight back from Denver, with Siosiua Taukeiaho returning in a straight swap at prop. James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Napa have been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: Ryan Matterson (concussion/wrist) remains injured, meaning he’s guaranteed to miss this week and next (bye) and he’s therefore a sell candidate. $572,000 is a lot of money sitting on the bench and there’s a strong chance he sees reduced minutes on his return. Blake Ferguson has snuck under the radar to produce the most points of any CTW, yet is owned by just 10.6 per cent. He leads the competition in runs and run metres, and he averages a barely-believable 36 in pure base.

Storm: 1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Ryley Jacks, 8 Tim Glasby, 9 Cameron Smith, 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich

Interchange: 14 Brandon Smith, 15 Christian Welch, 16 Joe Stimson, 17 Jahrome Hughes

Reserves: 18 Young Tonumapiea, 19 Tui Kamikamica, 20 Patrick Kaufusi, 21 Cheyse Blair, 22 Brodie Croft, 23 Justin Olam

Team news: Billy Slater (hamstring) returns at fullback. Jahrome Hughes drops to the bench with Sam Kasiano (PCL) out following an injury in the Pacific Test. Joe Stimson moves to the interchange with Ryan Hoffman to start. Josh Addo-Carr, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Slater have been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: Suliasi Vunivalu ($355,200) and Curtis Scott ($300,100) both prick the ears as cut priced players to get SuperCoaches through the bye. Cameron Smith is rocking a three-game average of 101 and is a captaincy choice after resting up over the rep weekend. He’ll be fired up for a big game against Cooper Cronk for the first time.

Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles, Saturday 3pm at Panthers Stadium

Panthers: 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Christian Crichton, 3 Tyrone Peachey, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Tyrone Phillips, 6 James Maloney (c), 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Sione Katoa, 10 James Tamou, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Isaah Yeo, 13 James Fisher-Harris

Interchange: 14 Wayde Egan, 15 Kaide Ellis, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Moses Leota

Reserves: 18 Jarome Luai, 19 Liam Martin, 20 Tyrone May, 21 Nick Lui-Toso, 22 Caleb Aekins, 23 Paea Pua

Team news: James Tamou starts for Reagan Campbell-Gillard (broken jaw) with Moses Leota joining the interchange. Viliame Kikau (knee) returns and starts in the back row with Corey Harawira-Naera out. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand), Nathan Cleary, James Maloney and Tyrone Peachey (NSW) have been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: Nathan Cleary is expected to resume goalkicking and he’s therefore a serious target for round 18 or 19. The Panthers have a great run home including the Sea Eagles (twice), Raiders, Titans, Knights and Warriors. Cleary scored the fourth most points of any player last year, but keep a close eye on his round 18 availability as the Panthers play just 48 hours after the final Origin. SuperCoaches have received a double boost with Viliame Kikau (knee) not only named to return, but also named to start. SuperCoaches should be hammering the “reverse trade” button as he is currently the third most sold player.

Sea Eagles: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Brian Kelly, 5 Bradley Parker, 6 Dylan Walker, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Manase Fainu, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Joel Thompson, 12 Frank Winterstein, 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14 Trent Hodkinson, 15 Matthew Wright, 16 Shaun Lane, 17 Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18 Thomas Wright, 19 Kelepi Tanginoa, 20 Toafofoa Sipley, 21 Lloyd Perrett

Team news: Dylan Walker (fractured eye socket) returns at five-eighth with Trent Hodkinson dropping to the bench. Akuila Uate (ankle, season) is replaced on the wing by Brad Parker. Manase Fainu has again been named at hooker with Matt Wright benched as Manly attempt to get clearance for Fainu to play. Tom Wright drops to the reserves. Martin Taupau has been named despite still being stuck in Denver. The Trbojevic brothers have been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: No trade targets here due to the looming bye. Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic and Martin Taupau simply MUST back up given all the injuries, so lock them into your 17.

Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Saturday 5.30pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Jack Cogger, 8 Herman Ese’ese, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Josh King, 11 Sam Stone, 12 Mitchell Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra (c)

Interchange: 14 Danny Levi, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Luke Yates, 17 Jacob Lillyman

Reserves: 18 Jamie Buhrer (c), 19 Nathan Ross, 20 Brock Lamb, 21 Pasami Saulo, 22 Nicholas Meaney

T eam news: Lachlan Fitzgibbon (suspension) is replaced in the back row by Sam Stone, with Jacob Lillyman recalled on the bench.

SuperCoach analysis: Very little doing due to the round 17 bye. Oh and that Kalyn Ponga is pretty good.

Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Kerrod Holland, 4 Marcelo Montoya, 5 Reimis Smith, 6 Lachlan Lewis, 7 Jeremy Marshall-King, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14 Fa’amanu Brown, 15 Danny Fualalo, 16 Ofahiki Ogden, 17 Greg Eastwood

Reserves: 19 Asipeli Fine, 20 Matt Frawley, 21 John Olive, 23 Clay Priest

Team news: Mass changes. Moses Mbye (transferred to Tigers) is replaced at fullback by Will Hopoate, with Kerrod Holland coming into the side at centre. The Bulldogs will field an all-rookie halves pairing with Matt Frawley (dropped) and Kieran Foran (foot, season) replaced by Lachlan Lewis (debut) and Jeremy Marshall-King. Raymond Faitala-Mariner (broken hand) is replaced in the back row by Rhyse Martin. John Olive has been dropped with Marcelo Montoya shifting to centre and Reimis Smith called up on the wing. Aaron Woods (transferred to Sharks) and Clay Priest (reserves) drop out of the pack. David Klemmer starts at prop with Ofahiki Ogden (debut) and Danny Fualalo added to the bench. Utility Fa’amanu Brown also comes onto the interchange.

SuperCoach analysis: The production line of cheapies continues at the Bulldogs with three potential targets emerging in Lachlan Lewis, Reimis Smith and Kerrod Holland. All are wait-and-sees. Lewis, the nephew of Wally, is yet to play an NRL game but could offer a perfect halves downgrade for Te Marie Martin next week. Smith scored 25 on his season debut last week but has only played one game and SuperCoaches can therefore take another sighter — particularly important given the new-look nature of Dean Pay’s team.

Holland has the most potential of the three, promoted to starting centre and set to take the goalkicking duties from Moses Mbye. Holland is available for $219,200 after averaging just 26 minutes as a bench utility. But with a break even of 34 there is no point rushing in. Speaking of cheapies, Rhyse Martin has earned a welcome reprieve following the injury to Raymond Faitala-Mariner. Martin now offers vital round 17 coverage and is predicted to make a tick over $100,000 along the way. Will Hopoate at fullback … Hmmmm

SUPERCOACH PODCAST! Best buys for Super Trade Week.

Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders, Saturday 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Tevita Pangai jnr, 12 Jaydn Su’A, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14 Patrick Mago, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Tom Opacic, 17 Alex Glenn

Reserves: 18 Korbin Sims, 19 Troy Dargan, 20 Sam Tagataese, 21 David Fifita, 22 Kotoni Staggs, 23 Gehamat Shibasaki

Team news: Tom Opacic replaces Sam Tagataese on the bench in the only change. Tevita Pangai Jnr (ribs) has retained his starting back row spot after sitting out the rep round. Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima (New Zealand), James Roberts (NSW), Andrew McCullough and Josh McGuire (Queensland) have been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: Tevita Pangai Junior (ribs) sat out the rep round but has been named to start on the edge, where he was on his way to a monster score last match before being injured, and also where he has played 80 minutes in the past. He’s a hold for round 17, then re-assess, with the looming returns of Matt Gillett (broken neck) and Korbin Sims (broken jaw) to create uncertainty around forward minutes. Jamayne Isaako is still owned by 33 per cent and hardly the worst fifth CTW to end the year.

Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Michael Oldfield, 6 Blake Austin, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Iosia Soliola, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Shannon Boyd, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii

Interchange: 14 Siliva Havili, 15 Junior Paulo, 16 Dunamis Lui, 17 Liam Knight

Reserves: 18 Jack Burchie, 19 Charlie Gubb, 20 Craig Garvey, 21 Brad Abbey

Team news: Josh Hodgson starts at hooker with Siliva Havili moving to the bench. Sia Soliola starts at prop with Dunamis Lui on the interchange. Junior Paulo (foot) has been named to return on the bench for Luke Bateman (knee, round 20). Queensland’s Josh Papalii has been named to back up.

SuperCoach analysis: There’s plenty of action at the Raiders with Josh Hodgson (third), Joseph Tapine (fifth) and Jarrod Croker (sixth) all high on the most-purchased list. Quite frankly, the Hodgson trade doesn’t make sense as a Damien Cook and Cameron Smith combo is the only real option at hooker. Hodgson scored 84 points on his return but that included three try assists and he only played 46 minutes, which hardly augers well for future scores.

While Jarrod Croker is hardly a POD at 24 per cent ownership, the fifth most popular centre in the game, he has runs on the board as a SuperCoach player and offers that elusive mix consistency and upside in the most inconsistent position in the game. Croker is the most reliable centre in SuperCoach over the last half decade, never averaging below 53 with a peak average of 71. Moreover, he is durable, playing over 21 games in every season since 2010. Goalkicking provides a strong base and he’s surrounded by quality at the Raiders — he is now being fed the ball by Hodgson and has a jumbo jet outside him in Nick Cotric.

Jarrod Croker is a popular buy.

Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans, Sunday 2pm at Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers: 1 Moses Mbye, 2 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Josh Reynolds, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Josh Aloisi, 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18 Tyson Gamble, 19 Robbie Rochow, 20 Tim Grant, 21 Chris McQueen

Team news: Recruits Robbie Farah (hooker) and Moses Mbye (fullback) slot straight into the side. Kevin Naiqama shifts in to centre for Mahe Fonua (broken arm) with Corey Thompson moving from fullback to wing. Josh Reynolds (hamstring) returns at five-eighth for Tyson Gamble.

SuperCoach analysis: Mahe Fonua is the most traded player, selling at three times the rate of the next player Johnathan Thurston. Esan Marsters has been the revelation of the SuperCoach season, but does he lose the goalkicking to new recruit Moses Mbye?

Titans: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Dale Copley, 4 Brenko Lee, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Keegan Hipgrave, 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14 Mitch Rein, 15 Will Matthews, 16 Moeaki Fotuaika, 17 Jack Stockwell

Reserves: 18 Morgan Boyle, 19 Konrad Hurrell, 20 Kane Elgey, 21 Bryce Cartwright, 22 Leilaniu Latu

Team news: Queensland’s Jarrod Wallace (suspension) returns at prop, pushing Jack Stockwell to the bench and Morgan Boyle to reserves. Jai Arrow has been named to back up, while Dale Copley (ankle) is right to go despite an injury last round.

SuperCoach analysis: Jai Arrow is the 10th most purchased player — and it’s impossible to argue. Ryan James is the ninth most purchased. He has scored successive tons and his most recent Origin snub is a plus for SuperCoach, although he is one forward injury off a start for the Blues (which would see him miss round 17 — one of the main reasons for buying in the first place). That said, he’s a POD at eight per cent ownership, but those with heart problems should steer clear.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Queensland Cowboys, Sunday 4.10pm at Barlow Park, Cairns

Rabbitohs: 1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Greg Inglis (c), 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess

Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18 Billy Brittain, 19 Hymel Hunt, 20 Mark Nicholls, 21 Tyrell Fuimaono

Team news: Campbell Graham replaces Hymel Hunt on the wing in the only change. Sam Burgess, Thomas Burgess (England), Damien Cook, Angus Crichton, Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai (Origin) have been named to back up. George Burgess (quad) missed the Denver Test but has been named for the Rabbitohs.

SuperCoach analysis: Alex Johnston has snuck under the guard of most to produce the fourth highest average of any CTW (59.9). The lack of round 17 coverage is a clear drawback and he’s therefore mainly a head-to-head purchase. But his numbers make for tidy reading — BE -32, projected rise $69,700 and ownership of just five per cent. SuperCoach relevant rep players Sam Burgess and Damien Cook have long turnarounds and are expected to play.

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matt Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Corey Jensen, 21 Francis Molo

Reserves: 18 Justin O’Neill, 19 Ethan Lowe, 20 Mitchell Dunn, 21 Shane Wright, 22 Javid Bowen, 23 Gideon Gela-Mosby

Team news: Paul Green’s side are without Michael Morgan (torn bicep) and Sam Hoare (ACL). Lachlan Coote is a straight swap for Morgan at fullback. Matt Scott (neck) is a straight swap for Hoare at prop. Antonio Winterstein is recalled on the wing for Javid Bowen. Te Marie Martin (New Zealand), Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess (Queensland)

SuperCoach analysis: Johnathan Thurston’s sad decline has finally caught up with SuperCoaches. He is the second most sold player as SuperCoaches flock to Shaun Johnson and Gareth Widdop. Cheapies Enari Tuala (BE 14) and Te Marie Martin (BE -1) should be cashed in before next week, but with five trades this round and only two next round, there’s no harm in moving now.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach teams analysis round 16