NRL SuperCoach: Tom Sangster’s best 17 buys for SuperCoach 2026
From star youngsters like Jonah Pezet, to cheap guns like Mitchell Moses, to those returning from injury-affected seasons like David Fifita. See the top targets for SuperCoach 2026.
Tom Sangster runs his rule over the top SuperCoach talent of 2026.
From star youngsters like Jonah Pezet and Ethan Sanders, to cheap guns like Mitchell Moses, to those returning from injury-affected seasons like David Fifita.
See full list below.
1 David Fifita
2025 average: 49.6
2025 minutes: 48
2026 predicted price: $481,000
Insane potential here after an injury-interrupted season under Des Hasler where he only averaged 48 minutes.
We know a fit and committed Fifita is not just an 80 minute NRL backrower, but a Test and Origin gamebreaker.
SuperCoach-wise, he’s averaged 77, 82, 66 and 85 over his previous four seasons, but will be priced based on last season’s average of 49.6.
Clearly, that is massive unders for a player who has topped the 2RF position in the past.
He’s also back under the coaching of Wayne Bennett, who has a proven record of turning around the careers of talented yet underperforming players.
Note, Fifita is still in modified training following ankle surgery so keep an eye on his fitness over the pre-season.
2 Jonah Pezet
2025 average: 19
2025 minutes: 36
2026 predicted price: $232,600
Arguably the hottest halves prospect in the NRL, Pezet has switched to the Eels and is expected to play five-eighth outside Mitchell Moses. With great job security and a near-basement price after averaging just 19 points in 36 minutes last season at the Storm, he’ll be the most popular player in the game.
3 Keano Kini
2025 average: 45
2025 minutes: 51
2026 predicted price: $436,000
The young superstar managed just six games last season due to a serious neck injury. That means his price will be calculated on an average of just 45 points from 51 minutes. That’s way down on his potential as a starting fullback – he averaged 72 points in 76 minutes in 2024. In other words, he’s around 27 points per game underpriced. Kini scored 88 SuperCoach points in base for the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships final, including 30 runs.
4 Ethan Sanders
2025 average: 36
2025 minutes: 80
2026 predicted price: $260,000
The halfback spot is open at the Raiders following Jamal Fogarty’s defection to Manly and young gun Sanders is the favourite. Job security doesn’t get much better for a cheapie and he starts just above bottom dollar after playing two 80 minute games last season for an average of 36. Sanders has a strong resume as a junior, winning SG Ball with Parramatta in 2023 and starring for NSW Under 19s. Now with 41 games under his belt in NSW Cup, this is Sanders’ time to shine.
5 Daniel Atkinson
2025 average: 21
2025 minutes: 27
2026 predicted price: $232,600
A key signing for the Dragons and every chance of jagging a starting spot for round one. In our predicted round one teams, we currently have him winning the five-eighth role alongside Kyle Flanagan at halfback, but incumbent Lyhkan King-Togia will offer stiff competition. Atkinson fell out of favour last season at the Sharks following news of his exit, starting just 1/16 games, averaging 21 points in 27 minutes and dropping $210,600. But his potential as a starter is much higher, averaging 43 in 73 minutes the season prior.
6 Keaon Koloamatangi
2025 average: 68.2
2025 minutes: 76
2026 predicted price: $662,000
A move to the front row mid-way through last season unlocked Koloamatangi’s potential in both NRL and SuperCoach. He averaged 77.5 at prop to end the season compared to 56.67 in the back row to start the season. With his price based on a season average of 68.2, he’s under priced by almost 10 points per game. Genuine all-season keeper.
7 Leka Halasima
2025 average: 51
2025 minutes: 56
2026 predicted price: $494,700
A breakout star of 2025, Halasima played half his matches off the bench and therefore averaged just 54 minutes. Coach Andrew Webster has indicated Halasima will become an 80 minute player in the not-too-distant future, and if so we have a potential keeper available for under $500,000.
8 Sua Fa’alogo
2025 average: 58
2025 minutes: 77
2026 predicted price: $570,000
Frontrunner to replace Ryan Papenhuyzen as Storm fullback. Fa’alogo oozes attacking upside and is a genuine chance of joining the SuperCoach elite from a very manageable price. What’s more, Fa’alogo has a dream draw – in the first two months the Storm only play one top four side, yet face five bottom eight sides. They also don’t have a bye until round 15, the latest of any side, meaning Fa’alogo could even be a long-term hold.
9 Reed Mahoney
2025 average: 43
2025 minutes: 61
2026 predicted price: $417,000
The feisty rake fell out of favour at the Bulldogs and only averaged 61 minutes and 43 points for the season, well down on 78 minutes for 58 points in 2024. Mahoney joins the Cowboys and with little competition should play 80 minutes or very close. While never a full-on SuperCoach keeper, he’s averaged as high as 68 in the past and appears at least $100,000 underpriced.
10 Ativalu Lisati
2025 average: 27.5
2025 minutes: 31
2026 predicted price: $237,500
There is massive game time to fill in the Storm pack with Eli Katoa (head injury) ruled out for the season, Tui Kamikamica unlikely to be at the club, Nelson Asofa-Solomona confirmed out and Trent Loiero suspended for the opening round. The most prized of those spots is the 80 minute edge role of Katoa, with Lisati just ahead of Joe Chan at this stage.
11 J’maine Hopgood
2025 average: 53
2025 minutes: 53
2026 predicted price: $514,000
The Parramatta workhorse wins dual 2RF/FRF positioning after starting eight games at prop to end the season (he previously played 15 games at lock and one off the bench). He finished the year with a five-game average of 70.6 at prop, compared to 53 for the rest of the season, so starts significantly underpriced.
12 Mitch Moses
2025 average: 55
2025 minutes: 80
2026 predicted price: $533,000
Plenty went wrong for Moses last season with a string of injuries limiting him to just 13 games. He only averaged 55 for the season – well down on his output from the previous three seasons of 64, 68 and 70. Despite a slow start under new coach Jason Ryles, the Eels eventually adjusted to his style and came home strongly. Moses led the way with a 5RA of 68 to finish the season. His draw to start the year isn’t ideal – he plays heavyweights the Storm, Broncos, Panthers and Bulldogs in the first seven weeks. But he should pick up the goalkicking duties from Zac Lomax (released) and therefore earn an extra 10-12 “free” points per game.
13 Kalyn Ponga
2025 average: 62
2025 minutes: 78
2026 predicted price: $601,000
The Newcastle superstar averaged only 62 last year as he battled injury, losing $230,000 in the process. With averages of 81 and 87 over his previous two seasons, plus a new coach in Justin Holbrook, Ponga is great value for those backing a resurgence.
14 Reece Robson
2025 average: 51
2025 minutes: 75
2026 predicted price: $495,000
The NSW rake lost $169,000 last season as the Cowboys struggled. While his game time is likely to stay steady at 75 minutes, Robson has plenty of scope for attacking improvement at the Roosters, who had the fourth best attack in the competition last year despite finishing eighth.
15 Reece Walsh
2025 average: 85
2025 minutes: 80
2026 predicted price: $824,000
Struggled at the start of the year, firstly due to a new left-side combo with Ben Hunt, then through an ongoing knee injury. But his final seven games will go down in the history books, averaging 135 including SuperCoach Finals. Yet, the poor start to the season means he is priced on a season average of 85. I’m torn here. Yes, he is probably underpriced, but I still subscribe to the theory of never picking a player after a career year.
16 Jonah Glover
2025 average: N/A
2025 minutes: N/A
2026 predicted price: $214,000
Veteran Cody Walker finished last season on the bench and Jamie Humphreys is suspended for the first two games, which means halves spots are open at the Rabbitohs. In the words of Glover himself: “I should hopefully get a crack sometime next year or round one.” Glover led St George Illawarra’s NSW Cup side to the grand final last season and stats show he has a game well suited to SuperCoach: 26 games, 22 try assists (equal second in comp), 226 points (second), 21 linebreak assists (third) and 51 tackle busts. But the number that stands out most from a SuperCoach perspective is the 371 runs (at 14.3 a game, ranking him third in the competition). They are crazy high run stats for a half.
17 Heamasi Makasini
2025 average: 67
2025 minutes: 80
2026 predicted price: $270,000
The round one bye isn’t ideal, but there’s plenty of chat this young gun will score a starting wing spot at the Tigers. Fingers crossed for a big pre-season, plus Benji Marshall certainly isn’t afraid of backing young guns. The Tigers fought off interest from rival clubs and codes to keep Makasini, who was on a development deal in 2025 but is in the top 30 in 2026. Debuted in the final round last year for an impressive 67 SuperCoach points including a try, linebreak and 19 runs.
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