NRL Round 21 teams: SuperCoach analysis, sell Jayden Campbell at your peril

SuperCoaches need to find a way to get Nathan Cleary into their side but avoid this common mistake. Full SuperCoach analysis of the round 21 NRL teams.

Forty minutes is not long when measured against the lifespan of a Galapagos tortoise, but it’s an age in SuperCoach.

At halftime of the Manly-Titans game my decision to prioritise adding Nathan Cleary over Tom Trbojevic looked a solid one.

Cleary had scored 104 points in his return to footy (with updates to come) and Tom Turbo was on about 30 thanks to a scrambling Gold Coast defence.

As you probably know, things fell apart after that with Trbojevic adding a lazy 140+ to his halftime score to finish on 174.

Which leaves me in a bit of pickle.

Manly play the Roosters this week and then have a bye. My plan was to grab Trbojevic after that bye, but that monster score means Tom has a BE of -30 and so is forecast to increase in price by around $90K.

And so, once more, I swallow my pride and blow up my trade plans.

Welcome to the Beasts, Tom.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ROUND 21 TEAMS, PLUS CHECK THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW TO CHAT SUPERCOACH AND/OR TORTOISES.

Tom Trbojevic is in for the Belalie Beasts. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Nathan Cleary: Barely missed a beat on his return to rugby league after a 10 week absence and is available for under $750K. With the Dragons then Knights and Eels on the immediate horizon Cleary is both a buy and captaincy option.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: The Hammer had a field day against Penrith’s patchwork right edge last week scoring two tries and setting up another. Available in the centres but playing at fullback and priced at $639K he’s a good buy and great play this week against the Titans.

Casey McLean: Penrith centre Paul Alamoti suffered a fractured arm on the weekend which could see McLean retain his spot in the team even once the Origin stars return. As discussed above, Penrith have a great draw to close out the season and McLean is not only cheap but a legit play for some of those games.

Angus Crichton: Far from being eased back after Origin III Crichton played the full 80 minutes against Melbourne last week. He smashed out 48 in base and 24 in offloads to finish with 74 points highlighting his reliability and upside. The round 23 bye is annoying but would not talk anyone out of buying the mighty Angus.

Addin Fonua-Blake/Payne Haas: Fonua-Blake scored yet another try last week and thus hit triple figures for the fourth time this season (three of those scores were exactly 103 points – go figure!). However, given a choice of props I prefer Haas as a buy as the big Bronco is a more reliable scoring than AFB.

Sam Walker/Dylan Brown/Tyran Wishart/Jahrome Hughes: If you are buying Cleary then you are selling a half and I can get around selling any of these players to make that happen.

Jayden Campbell: I could have thrown Campbell into the general ‘halves sell’ pile above but I would say that his X-factor and upside has me considering him a potential hold. The Titans don’t have a ‘soft’ draw but they do play the Dolphins (Rd 21), Dragons (Rd 24), Knights (Rd 26) and then Panthers (Rd 27 by which time Penrith likely have a top-two spot locked up and may rest big parts of their squad) and I like Campbell as a top-17 play in all those games.

COBBO BOOST FOR BRONCOS

Maroons star Selwyn Cobbo will put the Billy Slater “rift” saga behind him and return on the wing when he makes his comeback for the Broncos.

Cobbo has been named out wide by coach Kevin Walters for Saturday afternoon’s clash with the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.

While he returns from injury, rising backrower Brendan Piakura will sit out the game after sustaining a quad problem in last week’s drought-breaking win against Newcastle.

Piakura’s injury is not believed to be serious and he is expected to return in the coming weeks.

Selwyn Cobbo will return for the Broncos. Picture: Liam Kidston

Now well-rested, Cobbo will return to Brisbane’s starting side for the showdown with the dogged Bulldogs, who suffered a two-point loss to the Cowboys last Sunday.

However Cobbo has been named on the wing, with Walters opting to retain Deine Mariner in the centres along with regular three-quarter Kotoni Staggs.

Cobbo has played the majority of the 2024 season at left centre following an off-season move to replace Dolphins recruit Herbie Farnworth.

Perhaps seeking stability in his backline, and in an attempt to ease Cobbo back into the team, Walters has named the Queensland weapon on the wing.

Cobbo’s return sees veteran winger Corey Oates relegated to 18th man.

SHARKS TURN TO ROOKIE FULLBACK

The Sharks are set to unearth teenager Liam Ison to replace the suspended Will Kennedy at fullback.

Ison joined the Sharks last season on a development deal having been stuck behind NSW fullback Dylan Edwards at Penrith.

He was part of Penrith’s 2022 Jersey Flegg winning team. Ison has scored nine tries from 10 NSW Cup games including a treble against the Bulldogs in round 19.

Liam Ison from the Sharks. Credit: NRL Images.

BRADMAN BEST’S SEASON COULD BE OVER

Newcastle’s chances of a top eight finish have been rocked with fears NSW star Bradman Best may not play again this season.

Best limped from the field during Newcastle’s loss to Brisbane last Saturday with the centre again plagued by a hamstring complaint.

The injury will sideline him for at least a month but given his ongoing problems the Knights are expected to take a conservative approach with the 22-year-old. If the Knights fall out of finals contention by the time Best is fit, they may not risk him even taking to the field this year.

Bradman Best’s season could be over, with a hamstring injury to sideline him for at least a month. Picture: Getty Images

ROUND 21 TEAMS

WARRIORS v TIGERS

Friday, 6pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Jackson Ford 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Demitric Sifakula 22. Setu Tu 23. Ben Farr

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Alex Twal

Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 19. Justin Matamua 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomon Alaimalo 22. Tony Sukkar

EELS v STORM

Friday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium Sydney

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Blaize Talagi 4. Viliami Penisini 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson

Bench: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Luca Moretti 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Ethan Sanders 19. Matthew Arthur 20. Matt Doorey 21. Morgan Harper 22. Dan Keir

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Lazarus Vaalepu

Reserves: 18. Dean Ieremia 19. Tepai Moeroa 20. Cameron Munster 21. Chris Lewis 22. Reimis Smith

BRONCOS v BULLDOGS

Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kobe Hetherington 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Tyson Smoothy 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Corey Oates 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Vaa Semu 22. Brendan Piakura

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harry Hayes

Reserves: 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Liam Knight 21. Hayze Perham 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Drew Hutchison

COWBOYS v SHARKS

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Jake Clifford

Sharks

1. Liam Ison 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Samuel Stonestreet 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Jack Williams

ROOSTERS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 7:35pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson

Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Siua Wong 20. Ethan King 21. Salesi Foketi 22. Zach Dockar-Clay

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Ben Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Corey Waddell 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Jamie Humphreys 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Ben Condon 22. Dean Matterson

DRAGONS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 2pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Hame Sele 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Reserves: 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Blake Lawrie 20. Jack Bird 21. Fa’amanu Brown 22. Mikaele Ravalawa

Panthers

1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Jack Cole 20. Brad Schneider 21. Isaiah Iongi 23. Luke Sommerton

DOLPHINS v TITANS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Trai Fuller

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Tesi Niu 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague 22. Oryn Keeley

Titans

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall

Bench: 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. Joe Stimson 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 22. Jaylan De Groot

RAIDERS v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 6:15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Ata Mariota 17. Zac Hosking

Reserves: 18. Adam Cook 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Zac Woolford 22. Emre Guler

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Keaon Koloamatangi

Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Le Blanc

Reserves: 18. Dion Teaupa 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Brock Gray