NRL SuperCoach wrap round 23: Under-performers including Ben Trbojevic face axe
As we welcome the second week of head-to-head finals, SuperCoaches are reaching for the trade button on a number of popular players.
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A host of under-performers are causing serious issues for SuperCoaches.
As we welcome the second week of head-to-head finals, SuperCoaches are reaching for the trade button on a number of popular players.
Among them are Valentine Holmes (28 per cent ownership), Ben Trbojevic (19 per cent) and Jayden Campbell (14 per cent).
POPULAR PLAYERS FACE SUPERCOACH CHOP
* Keaon Koloamatangi (35) – Talked up as a POD over the last few months and therefore in 11 per cent of teams. The Rabbitohs’ lock matched his lowest score of 2024 with a quiet performance by his standards. He appeared to pick up a painful injury early in the game and only played 55 minutes with a short stint at the end. The return of Cameron Murray also seems to be cutting into Koloa’s game time.
* Jeremiah Nanai (10) – Ten per cent of teams are looking for a replacement after Nanai was taken out of the game with some friendly fire by teammate Scott Drinkwater. Will miss next week through concussion and has the bye the week after.
* Ben Trbojevic (13) - Still a popular player and has been a solid contributor when playing 80 minutes in the back row. But with the Manly pack nearing full-strength, Burbo only managed 17 minutes against the Raiders.
* Valentine Holmes (45) - Coming off two tons but underwhelming against the Broncos. Decent match-up against the Raiders in Townsville this week but has the bye the next.
* Jayden Campbell (36) – After a string of big scores, Campbell has averaged 40 over the last two weeks. Has tough games against the Roosters and Panthers in the run home so it might be time to offload him.
* Reed Mahoney (17) - The Bulldogs hooker wasn’t at his best from 57 minutes game time and may have been below 100 per cent fitness. He went down the race with what was reported as a shoulder injury in the second half.
ROUND 23 WINNERS
* Kalyn Ponga (130) - Purchased by over 10,000 SuperCoaches and captained by a quarter of the top 10 per cent. Ponga outscored his main rivals in the captaincy stakes Tom Trbojevic (121) and Nathan Cleary (86).
* Fletcher Sharpe (117) - Playing out of position on the wing but the Knights simply had to get him in the 17 somewhere. Ryan Papenhuyzen-like a stages, Sharpe notched four tries and is still floating around in over 5,000 SuperCoach sides.
* Lachlan Galvin (87) - By far the best player in a well-beaten team. Two try assists, a linebreak and a constant threat.
* Herbie Farnworth (128) - There were 66 points all up in the Dolphins v Warriors clash and Farnworth was the best of the lot with two tries and a massive 13 tackle busts.
* Te Maire Martin (111) - Who is Shaun Johnson? TMM had a hand in five tries, setting four up and scoring one himself.
* Max Plath (98) - Incredible work rate with 63 tackles. And always Johnny on the Spot for attacking opportunities including a try assist.
* Jake Averillo (97) - Like Farnworth above, both centres ran riot for the Dolphins. Averillo jagged a try assist and try, both of them long-range stunners.
* Mitch Barnett (80) - Billed as POD of the week and he got the job done, helped by a late penalty try.
* Kotoni Staggs (142) – Simply superb in the second half. He was breaking tackles, busting the line and finished with two tries in a man of the match performance.
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* Tom Trbojevic (126) - Many put their faith in Turbo to deliver, and he came up with the goods. Had 70 at the half and a second try saw him crack the century.
* Luke Brooks (102) – Really took over the running of the team and he looked superb on the left side, linking well with his outside men and scoring a try of his own.
* Corey Jensen (96) – Broke a seven-year tryscoring drought and put up a monster SuperCoach score. Both will please the Broncos enforcer.
* Joseph Tapine (85) – To post a score above 80 while playing just 46 minutes and spending time in the sin bin shows what a beast Tapine is.
* Daly Cherry-Evans (83) – Even though he seemingly took a back seat to Brooks, DCE still scored a try, set one up and had a few line break assists for another strong score.
* Reece Walsh (90) – Looked to be hurt in the first half but played on and came up with some incredible efforts.
* Zac Lomax (85) - Lomax was a shining light in defeat for the ‘Red V’. He ran for over 200 metres and positioned himself brilliantly to get on the end of a Ben Hunt grubber on a night where tries were at a premium for his side.
* Matt Burton (79) - His performance was highlighted by his brilliant length of the field intercept try in the opening minutes, and he was a deadeye kicker when it came to conversions. Won’t lose any value in SuperCoach - but won’t gain any either - as he struck level with his breakeven.
* Daine Laurie (127) – Couldn’t have had a worse start to the game after dropping his first bomb, but recovered beautifully to turn in an incredible showing for the Panthers.
* Clint Gutherson (107) – The King keeps delivering. Backed up his 120 from last week with another ton. He has now scored 80 or more points in four of his last five games.
* Brian To’o (106) – Speaking of players in hot form, To’o picked up a double as he continues to get the job done. Fourth century of the year for one of the best wingers in the game.
* Briton Nikora (92) – Looked like he had spiders on him at times. Scored a try, set one up and was a genuine threat with every possession.
* Kayal Iro (92) – One of the SuperCoach buys of the year and he continues to pump out good scores. Has hit 84 or more for three-straight weeks.
* Cameron Murray (90) – The South Sydney workhorse made 42 tackles and scored a late try to claim the highest score of Thursday night’s game.
* Fletcher Myers (76) – The rookie Rabbitoh scored 12 points with two tries and two goals in his second game in the NRL. Myers is lightning fast and has good size – at 21 he looks like a great prospect.
ROUND 23 LOSERS
* Nathan Cleary (86) - It’s rude throwing Cleary in the loser’s list but he did score well below his main captaincy rivals.
* Greg Marzhew (35) - Produced his usual great work rate with 17 runs but only busted two tackles (well down on his season average) and all the attack went right to Sharpe.
* Jack Bostock (33) - Plenty were low on numbers and forced to play the early-season cheapie this week. Unfortunately the big attacking stats went to the centres not wingers.
* Jordan Rapana (14) – Went off early and failed his HIA, meaning he will miss next week’s game as well against North Queensland.
* Scott Drinkwater (37) - For the second time this season he has found the boot of Adam Reynolds too much to handle. Came up with a few crucial errors.
* Reuben Garrick (50) – A bit stiff to make the list with a 50, but with the points flowing for the Sea Eagles it would’ve been nice to see the star outside back get in on the action.
* Scott Sorensen (10) – Went off early in the piece with an injury, hopefully it’s not too severe for the Panthers back rower who is enjoying a good year.
* Casey McLean (22) – Was pretty well held by the Eels defenders and wasn’t able to play with as much freedom as he would’ve liked. Limited opportunities.
* AJ Brimson (28) – Made his return but had an unhappy night, particularly with a few interesting decisions in defence. Is centre his best position?
* Cameron Munster (44) – Munster is still taking some time to settle back into the side and his attack is proving to be clunky at times. No doubt he’ll hit his stride just in time for finals, but anyone who snatched him up as soon as he returned may be regretting the decision.
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