Pam Whaley’s NRL SuperCoach team reveal: Cash in on Storm recruit Shawn Blore

News Corp reporter Pamela Whaley is backing Craig Bellamy to turn a fresh Storm recruit into one of the buys of the season in SuperCoach NRL.

We love a good bargain hunt.

But you don’t have to look too hard to find a cheapie in 2024.

There’s an exciting crop of rookies on the market, making it easier than ever to splash some cash on the big guns.

News Corp journalist Pamela Whaley shares her Supercoach team, where she’s spent money on the game’s best without scrimping in quality and balance across the playing field.

HOOKERS

Harry Grant HOK $750,000, Jayden Brailey HOK $330,000

Melbourne hooker Harry Grant is almost a must have if you want big points on a regular basis. He’s expensive, but worth it. Jayden Brailey is expected to slot back into dummy half for the Knights and is an 80 minute player, so he should be a consistent contributor as a set and forget bench option.

FRONT ROW

Payne Haas FRF $750,400, Reuben Cotter FRF/2RF $542,700, Ethan Roberts FRF/2RF $204,300, Jesse Colquhoun FRF/2RF $238,900

Payne Haas is another player you simply have to have. His work rate and consistency means that even with his fancy price tag, you’re getting the quality you need in this valuable position. Reuben Cotter’s versatility and work ethic make him capable of big scores but also a point of difference, while Ethan Roberts (Roosters) and Jesse Colquhoun (Sharks) are highly rated rookies with every chance of playing first grade this year.

SECOND ROW

Tino Fa’asumaleaui FRF/2RF $791,500, Shawn Blore 2RF $445,800, Jeremiah Nanai 2RF $583,500, Samuela Fainu 2RF, $263,000, Kai Pearce Paul 2RF $345,000, Myles Martin 2RF/FRF $204,300

The dual position on Tino allows you to squeeze both he and Haas – the two best forwards in the game – into the one team without overloading on cheapies in one category. Blore’s switch to Melbourne has all the hallmarks of a Craig Bellamy masterstroke, but his numbers were already solid at the Tigers last year. Nanai missed a lot of game time in 2023 but if he stays fit he can go big. For the cheapies, Samuela Fainu is a rising star sure to get game time, while Englishman Kai Pearce Paul will be important for the Knights when he returns from injury. Myles Martin is a young gun with plenty of potential, and he could sneak a few games in.

Shawn Blore could go to another level at the Storm. Picture: NRL Photos

HALFBACKS

Nathan Cleary HFB $912,500, Chanel Harris-Tavita HFB $238,900

After his grand final performance, Nathan Cleary should be the first picked player in any team. Real or fantasy. Chanel Harris-Tavita makes his comeback to the Warriors after a season on the sidelines, but if he can find his way into their best 17 he has ever chance of rediscovering his electric best.

FIVE-EIGHTHS

Luke Brooks 5/8/HFB $560,300, Kaeo Weekes 5/8/FLB $273,400

Daly Cherry-Evans is just the man to free up Luke Brooks to play his best football and we could see the best of him in 2024 at Manly. With money spent elsewhere on the game’s best players, Brooks is a midrange option with plenty of potential to make money through the season. Weekes, who is expected to slot into the halves in Canberra, is another value for money pick with a price rise or two in him.

CENTRE/WING

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck CTW $539,600, Tolutau Koula FLB $581,400, Taylan May CTW $458,800, Sua Faalogo FLB/CTW $339,000, Jesse McLean CTW $245,000, Josh Feledy $238,900, Ethan Strange CTW/5/8 $238,900

He won a Dally M Medal with the Warriors at fullback, but even if he’s shifted to the centres as expected there are plenty of points in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. He’s one of the most exciting players to ever lace up a boot and his mid-range price makes him a great option for big points in the CTW category. Tolutau Koula has a hefty price tag, but big things are expected of the young Manly star this year, while Taylan May (Panthers) and Sua Faalogo (Storm) are every chance of nailing starting spots and lighting up the competition.

FULLBACK

Kalyn Ponga FLB $892,800, Ryan Papenhuyzen FLB $645,600

If Nathan Cleary is first picked, Kalyn Ponga is second. The Newcastle fullback was the player of the season in 2023 and if he can replicate that form through the entire year this year, he’ll be worth every cent of his high price tag. There are question marks over Ryan Papenhuyzen this season, but he’s worth taking a chance on just in case he gets a change of luck and returns to his best.