NRL teams Round 3: SuperCoach analysis, How to handle concussion crisis

Three of the most popular players in KFC SuperCoach are out through concussion this week. And new laws introduced by the NRL are only going to make it tougher.

KFC SuperCoaches face a concussion crisis – and it’s only going to get worse.

Three of the most popular players in the game will miss this weekend due to head knocks in Kalyn Ponga, Jackson Ford and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

In Ponga’s case, he’s likely to miss more than one week with the club suggesting he could sit out as long as three months.

What’s more, head knocks will become an increasing issue from now on after the NRL revealed a new mandatory stand down period of 11 days for players who suffer category one concussions.

The NRL schedule is already tougher than ever for SuperCoaches following the introduction of the Dolphins, which created a lopsided draw and therefore a bye each week.

Now the new concussion laws will add another layer on complexity. The change in SuperCoach tactics is pretty simple. Use your 46 trades sparingly. But perhaps most importantly, be sure to keep a Trade Boost or two up your sleeve late in the season to deal with an inevitable flood of concussions.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is out this week with concussion. Picture: Getty

WINNERS FROM TEAMS

Brandon Smith - Somewhat of a shock inclusion despite a back injury. Many KFC SuperCoaches were already planning to sell Smith this week following news he would likely miss at least a week, plus a disappointing average of 24 points. So with Smith named, is he still a sell?

Yes.

The Roosters are struggling and Smith just hasn’t looked likely, especially since the hit from Felise Kaufusi that put his ribs into orbit. KFC SuperCoach Plus predicts his price to drop by $50,000 this week. Meanwhile, the most popular replacement Wayde Egan is predicted to rise by $104,800 and the second most popular replacement Reed Mahoney by $65,300. Then there’s Harry Grant, who is a must-have for those who don’t own. The thought of holding Smith is near near-impossible.

Scans on Brandon Smith’s ribs have cleared him of serious injury - will be monitored leading into Round 3. Mostly a pain management issue, but one of the most painful injuries + aggravation risk is there for weeks

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 14, 2023

Roosters hooker Brandon Smith is the most sold player. Picture: NRL Images

Jacob Preston - After plenty of speculation he would start in round 1, Preston finally got the edge back row spot for round 2 and boy did he make a statement. The young gun, who has been dubbed a Josh Jackson clone by head of football Phil Gould, played 76 minutes for 84 points including a try and linebreak. Take away those tries and he still scores above 50.

The impending return of Tevita Pangai Jnr (calf) in round 5 is somewhat of a worry, but TPJ is on the record saying he will play middle in 2023 and Preston’s minutes and job security are therefore very good for a bottom dollar player. Should be the most purchased player this week but somehow sits just seventh.

Josh Schuster - The most popular cheapie of the pre-season has been named to return from a calf injury. Let’s take a look first, but he looms as a key downgrade option in round 5. As with all Sea Eagles players, he will only benefit from Tom Trbojevic’s influence.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira - Big boost for the fourth most popular player in the game. While AKP has hardly set the SuperCoach world on fire with only 40 points including a try on the weekend, he retains his wing spot despite Brian Kelly’s return with Jojo Fifita the man to drop out.

Josh Schuster will play his first game for the Sea Eagles in 2023, after recovering from a calf injury. Picture: Getty Images.

LOSERS FROM TEAMS

Jackson Ford - Was looming as one of the better cheapies of the season after 59 in the opening round before going down with concussion in just the second minute last week. That head knock sees him miss the squad for the upcoming round and plenty are therefore selling. Meanwhile, Ford is replaced by two relatively accomplished NRL players with Mitch Barnett moving to Ford’s edge and Bayley Sironen returning on the bench. Will Ford be able to fight his way back into the squad when fit? It’s not a given. And I’m therefore leaning towards a sell.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - Speaking of Warriors players going down with concussion, CNK lasted longer than Ford but still only managed 52 minutes. While hardly on track for his brilliant 70 from the opening round, he still had 11 runs at this point and appears set to average somewhere close to the magical 20 run mark for 2023. Translation: CNK remains one of the better CTW money-makers this season despite last week’s bad luck and he certainly shouldn’t be the eighth most sold player.

Kalyn Ponga - The Knights superstar came into the week as one of the most purchased players but copped a sickening HIA. He is now set to miss an extended period given it was his fourth head knock in the past 10 months. Obvious sell with Adam Doueihi the obvious replacement.

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Nathan Cleary and the Panthers - Cleary and the Panthers have started the year relatively slowly compared to their complete dominance of the last two seasons and now have the bye this week. Cleary is therefore the second most sold player, although those stats are obviously skewed by his extreme popularity.

Cleary now sits with a BE of 149 and more than likely drops cash, even though history shows Cleary is more than capable of hitting that target. When you bought Cleary in round 1 you knew about the round 3 bye, so personally I see no point in selling, even with the slow-ish start. And with Cleary being Cleary, he’s still managed to average almost 50 despite his only big attacking stat being a try assist. He’s as safe as they come and as an owner I’m happy people are selling because it makes him more of a POD.

Braydon Trindall - Extremely popular purchase this week and on the surface it makes sense after averaging 61 in the first two games, kicking goals, and setting up a projected price rise of $80,000. But with Nicho Hynes expected back next week, the price rises could be short-lived and he is realistically only a quick cash grab for those with trade addictions, especially with the bye coming up in round 6.

Davvy Moale - The popular prop cheapie has been benched following the return of Hame Sele (calf). Retrospectively though, it looks like KFC SuperCoaches have chosen the wrong South Sydney cheapie. Moale has averaged 34 and is owned by 15 per cent, while the far less popular Shaq Mitchell has averaged 50 yet is owned by just two per cent.

Wayde Egan of the Warriors scores a try. Picture: Getty

BUY

Wayde Egan and Harry Grant - Both popular buys following the Brandon Smith injury. Egan is the most popular buy of the week after averaging 94 over the opening fortnight. He’s set up a projected price rise of $104,800 according to SuperCoach Plus, which is no doubt enticing. But there’s also a word of warning.

Egan has scored big attacking stats in both games - two tries, one try assist, three linebreaks and one linebreak assist. These huge numbers are impossible to sustain and his average minutes of around the 60 mark leave him well short of the top hookers. In other words, don’t think long-term, but he’s definitely a great quick cash-maker. Especially if you are building to Harry Grant, who let’s face it, everyone should own.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - Happy to eat our words here. The Dolphins will be poor, they (I) said. Hammer’s base is almost non-existent, they (I) said. Well both predictions have proven completely false with the Dolphins sitting top of the table and Hammer averaging a very healthy 16 runs per game. He now sits with a projected price rise of $92,800 and is rightfully the second most purchased player this week.

Jacob Kiraz - We knew Kiraz was a potential SuperCoach gun based on his incredible tackle bust stats from last year of 59 in just 15 games. But the Lebanese international took it to another level on the weekend with 148 points including two tries, a barely-believable 13 tackle busts, five offloads, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist and 24 runs. That’s insane stuff, particularly against the Storm. He’s therefore the third most purchased player this week and fair enough. He can’t keep it up every round but he definitely has a SuperCoach-friendly style.

J’Maine Hopgood - Seriously, it’s hard to think of a more exciting SuperCoach prospect since the great Corey “God” Parker (sans goalkicking). A 112.5 average with incredible base and attacking upside, Hopgood is a must-have for those who somehow missed all the hype. Could well end the season as the best cheapie of all time and is a safe captaincy option every week.

HOLD

James Tedesco - Not the best start from the Roosters and by extension their main man Teddy, but let’s get real. Teddy has averaged 74, 84, 95, 87 and 79 in the last half decade. He’s proven. He’s also put himself in the right position sooooo many times in the opening two rounds but had some seriously bad luck. And the less said about Suaalii going himself, the better.

SELL

Scott Drinkwater - Started the season as a genuine POD due to the Cowboys’ great run. But he’s been banned for three weeks and is therefore the eighth most sold player.

Tommy Talau - Let’s face it, buying Talau was a bad idea to start the season given the low base, awkward price and fears the Tigers would struggle. Well, the Tigers have indeed struggled and Talau has averaged just 15 points. He is out this week due to concussion and is therefore a definite sell.

Tommy Talau is out with concussion. Picture: Getty

SEA EAGLES v EELS

8pm Thursday at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai

Bench: 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley, 19. Cooper Johns , 20. Morgan Harper, 21.Karl Lawton, 22. Ben Condon

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves: 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Haze Dunster 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Isaac Lumelume

KNIGHTS v DOLPHINS

6pm Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson

Bench: 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Johns 17. Dylan Lucas

Reserves: 18. Enari Tuala 19. Greg Marzhew 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Ben Talty 22. Thomas Cant

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves: 18. Mason Teague 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

Brandon Smith has been named to play, despite dealing with a rib injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS

8pm Friday at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Corey Allan 22. Siua Wong

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell Mamouzelos

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter

TITANS v STORM

3pm Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Jo Vuna 17. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Reserves: 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Klese Haas 20. Toby Sexton 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Jordan Grant

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Bronson Garlick 22. Kane Bradley

Justin Olam has been named to return for the Storm, after suffering a broken arm. Picture: Michael Klein.

COWBOYS v WARRIORS

5:30pm Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: 1. Tomas Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou

Reserves: 18. Heilum Luki 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Riley Price 22. Mitchell Dunn

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale

Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Jazz Tevaga 23. Rocco Berry

BRONCOS v DRAGONS

7:35 Saturday at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau

Reserves: 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Delouise Hoeter

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

BULLDOGS v TIGERS

4pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Fa’amanu Brown

Reserves: 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Josh Reynolds 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Tanner

Wests Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Asu Kepaoa 12. Shawn Blore 13. Fonua Pole

Bench: 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Brandon Tumeth

Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. John Bateman 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Jahream Bula

RAIDERS v SHARKS

6pm Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

Reserves: 18. Zac Woolford 19. Matt Frawley 20. James Schiller 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jack Williams

Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Daniel Atkinson

BYE: Panthers