NRL SuperCoach 2025: Mastermind’s final verdict on top round 14 buys

The NRL SuperCoach Mastermind gives his last word on tactics for round 14, the popular trades inviting trouble, captaincy picks + the full SuperCoach watchlist.

If ever there was a week for SuperCoaches to kick back and relax this is it.

Three trades are on the table next week on the major bye round and that’s plenty to attack with.

There will be Origin selection shake-ups on both sides of the border after Queensland’s woeful performance in the series opener and Mitch Barnett’s injury opening up a forward spot for NSW.

There will be huge ramifications for SuperCoaches within both squads and it’s worth waiting a week for more information in almost all instances.

Popular forwards Keaon Koloamatangi, Terrell May and Haumole Olakuatu are all a step closer to Origin selection with Barnett’s injury.

If Billy Slater makes a big call and drops Daly Cherry-Evans then the Manly halfback becomes a serious downgrade target at $470k. Nathan Cleary is likely to miss a stack of games from next week with his only locked in game against the stingy Bulldogs in round 17. DCE up against a depleted Titans in round 15 then Bunnies in round 18 screams huge POD points for the bye rounds.

Manly captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is a super POD if dropped from the Queensland team. Picture: NRL Images

Sticking with Manly players, if you haven’t taken the advice in the past two weeks to grab Lehi Hopoate then he’s one of the few players I’d make a move for this week. After back to back hundreds his price is moving up fast with enticing fixtures ahead likely to push it further. He’s been a VC candidate the past two weeks but it’s worth noting as bad as the Knights have been going they are the hardest team for fullbacks to score SuperCoach points against this season.

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary takes on a flimsy Tigers this weekend. Picture: Getty Images

Captain’s call

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has averaged 116.2PPG in his five home games this season. The Cowboys have leaked plenty of points in the past month and I can’t see them holding back the Storm attack. Paps is easily the pick of the early VC options.

Cleary has a five-round average of 92.6PPG with a single try and try assist in that run. He is ticking over points with ease at the moment and it would just be very SuperCoach for him to find those big attacking numbers and launch a massive score against the Tigers this week just before many plan to trade him out.

Payne Haas and Terrell May remain safe solid picks if you don’t have Papenhuyzen or Cleary.

Crystal ball

The trickiest mini-bye looms in round 16 with the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and Dragons out of action. CTWs Hopoate and Nathan Lawson are the two most popular trade ins this week while plenty are jumping on Jacob Kiraz but if you already have Reuben Garrick you’re walking into trouble with three guaranteed to miss round 16 in that position. Factor in Origin is in Perth and the extra travel will impact the chances of players backing up. The Panthers play the Warriors in New Zealand on a Saturday so don’t count on them. As always, look a few weeks ahead and count your numbers to avoid trouble.

SuperCoach watchlist explained

To help with your trade calls and to track players of note we’ve pulled together our SuperCoach watchlist with a quick form guide alongside their names so you can at a glance see what we like about each player.

The boxes players want to tick are...

Form: F (Strong recent performances)

Draw: D (Weak opposition to target in coming month)

Minutes: M (Consistent minutes and job security)

Base: B (Reliable scorer through workrate on tackles and hit-ups)

Value: $ (Value buy) $$$ (Buys of the week)