KFC SuperCoach NRL 2022: Winners and losers from player prices revealed
KFC SuperCoach prices are in and the biggest story of the off-season is whether to run with Tom Trbojevic after the best statistical season of all time.
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Prices are in the KFC SuperCoach 2022 and there are some seriously huge price tags.
The salary cap is $10m, up from last year’s $9.9m, which is in line with the actual NRL pre-Covid salary cap.
Tom Trbojevic will bust the bank after arguably the greatest individual season in history, certainly statistically.
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But there are also some serious bargains on offer mainly due to injuries and positional switches.
Here goes.
WINNERS
Ryan Papehuyzen (Storm) FLB $694,700
The Storm superstar experienced a stop-start season due to injury. His price is therefore based on a season average of just 60 minutes and 79.2 points as coach Craig Bellamy eased him through the season. But he should be back to full-game duties in 2022 and Papenhuyzen averaged an astronomical 116 in 80 minute games last year. Based on these numbers, he’s underpriced by 37 points a game, which equates to somewhere around $250,000. He’s the 10th most expensive player despite playing just 60 minutes, which shows just how good he can be. Add those extra 20 minutes and he’s the second best player in KFC SuperCoach behind only Turbo.
Xavier Savage (Raiders) FLB $286,400
The Canberra young gun burst to NRL prominence with 114 in round 18 last season, but did his shoulder in that game and didn’t play again for the rest of the year. He notched a try, try assist and 10 tackle busts in a memorable display. But far less memorable were his scores of 25 (80 minutes) and one (12 minutes) in his two matches prior. These down games bring his season average to 46.7. And with a further discount applied for playing just three games, Savage is priced on an average in the early 30s.
Jordan Pereria (Broncos) CTW $266,500
Prior to last season, the former Dragon averaged 42, 50 and 43 in his last three seasons. But last year was a shocker, falling out of favour with coach Anthony Griffin and therefore playing just four games. He has had a discount applied for playing limited matches and his price is therefore based on an average of around 30. Even at the struggling Broncos he’s a great chance to improve on that, provided he can break into the side of course.
Kotoni Staggs (Broncos) CTW $433,100
Staggs has shown huge promise as a KFC SuperCoach keeper but never quite delivered due to injury. He missed the start of last season due to an ACL injury, then played just four games before succumbing to an MCL injury. He showed immense talent in those games in averaging 62. However, a discount has been applied due limited game time and Staggs’ price is therefore based on an average of around 10 points less, which translates to a saving of around $100,000.
Cameron McInness (Sharks) HOK/2RF $535,400
The last time McInness played NRL, he averaged 76. The year before that 68. Yet after a season out with an ACL injury he’s been discounted and is now priced on an average of around 60. That equates to a monetary saving of around $125,000 on his output from 2020. Of course there are issues surrounding his return from serious injury and role at new club the Sharks. But it’s certainly a discount worth noting, especially with dual position flexibility.
Euan Aitken (Warriors) CTW/2RF $486,000
NOTE: The following has been taken from our positions reveal story. After playing almost every one of his 135 games at centre, Aitken has scored dual status after being switched to the back row for his final six games of 2021. Aitken starred in the position, averaging 80.8 (leaving out an injury-affected final round where he played just 13 minutes). However, his KFC SuperCoach price will be based on a 55.4 season average, which is down due to eight games at centre earlier in the year.
LOSERS
Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) FLB $1,256,100
Well first of all, calling Tommy Turbo a “loser” is a complete overreaction and we sincerely apologise. But it also gives us a sensational headline and an excuse to talk about him. No doubt, the top KFC SuperCoach storyline of 2022 pre-season will be whether to tear your team apart to accommodate Turbo, or bank on a regression and stack your team elsewhere. Here are the facts. He costs $1,256,100. That’s one eighth of your $10m salary cap. He is the most expensive player in KFC SuperCoach history to start a season. His price is almost exactly the same as his finishing price last season of $1,263,000. He is approximately $663,000 more than his starting price from last season. Despite all this, he’ll be popular, and rightly so after the greatest individual season of all time statistically. But law of averages is a cruel master and can bring even the best back to the pack, particularly the injury-prone.
Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles) CTW $767,500
If Tommy Turbo is overpriced (debatable), his teammates are too. Especially the bloke who kicked all the goals and benefited from so many Turbo try assists. Here are some facts. Garrick’s price is based on a season average of 88. That’s more than double his average from the previous year of 41. He started last year at $363,200. He is now worth $767,500. He is the third most expensive player in the game behind only Turbo and Nathan Cleary, more expensive than KFC SuperCoach guns James Tedesco and Cody Walker. He is also a reigning Dally M Team of the Year member who deserves every cent of the price tag. But the salary cap has to give somewhere.
Tyrell Sloan (Dragons) CTW/FLB $447,500
Plenty of pundits, including myself, had Sloan earmarked as a 2022 cheapie at stages of last season. Alas, he went TOO WELL and now starts at a bankbusting $447,500, even with a discount applied for playing just five games. He’s also only on a development contract.
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Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL 2022: Winners and losers from player prices revealed
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