NRL SuperCoach winners and losers: Rabbitohs v Cowboys, Sharks v Roosters, Titans v Knights
Latrell Mitchell had been written off by many – perhaps even himself – after a season interrupted by suspension and the Rabbitohs’ poor form. Until now.
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Tom Sangster and Patrick Woods wrap Saturday’s Magic Round triple header.
WINNERS
* Cody Walker (119pts) - Is this the start of a run of form for a SuperCoach great? With a try and two try assists, Walker is available for a discount of almost $200,000 on his starting price.
* Latrell Mitchell (106pts) - Also notched a try and two try assists. With Bradman Best (hamstring) injured earlier in the day, did Latrell just play his way into NSW’s left centre spot?
* Scott Drinkwater (73pts) - A popular replacement for the injured Tom Trbojevic and heavily-backed in the captaincy stakes with Drinky the most popular C amongst the top 10 per cent of SuperCoaches. Looked on track for a monster with two early try assists, but barely scored a point in the second half.
* Nicho Hynes (114pts) – Another great performance by the SuperCoach darling. After being cleared of a calf injury, Hynes had a hand in everything, pulling the strings with his excellent kicking game.
* David Armstrong (108pts) – Three tries and three digits for the popular Newcastle rookie. Armstrong has been a revelation for the Knights since stepping into the side to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga.
* Dom Young (95pts) – Young backed up his fantastic round 10 performance with another huge SuperCoach score. If you don’t have him yet it may be getting too late to squeeze out any value.
* David Fifita (91pts) – Great game from Fifita who scored well despite not crossing for a try. He is clearly one of the elite 2RF options in the game.
* Alofiana Khan-Pereira (102pts) – Khan-Pereira was only three points short of 100 at halftime but had a far quieter second stanza. The lightning-fast winger is electric and if he can consolidate his place in the starting team he could be worth a look for SuperCoaches.
* Jacob Saifiti (86pts) – Was awarded a penalty try and was heavily involved in the Newcastle victory. Saifiti had 12 runs for 156m as well as a linebreak and try assist.
* Jesse Ramien (84pts) – The Sharks centre had a great game and finished with a great score to match. Ramien was powerful in attack and put his incredible footwork on display in the first half to assist a try.
LOSERS
* Reuben Cotter (32pts) - Played decent game time (51 minutes) but a strangely quiet performance from the Origin ironman.
* Jacob Gagai (17pts) - The most popular cheapie of the round barely troubled the scorers. Just 10 runs and no big attacking stats.
* Valentine Holmes (42pts) - Worst score of the year despite a try contribution and four goals.
* Angus Crichton (54pts) – It’s hard to class 54 points as a loser, but many would have wanted more from the barnstorming backrower. Crichton has been in scintillating form of late and will most likely rebound quickly.
* Ronaldo Mulitalo (40pts) – Somehow the prolific SuperCoach scorer was sitting on a duck egg at halftime and it didn’t get much better for Mulitalo after the break. A late try salvaged the game but still a sub-par score.
* Bradman Best (29pts) – 29 in a half is fine, but unfortunately Best did not come back out of the sheds after halftime. The bulky centre succumbed to a hamstring injury and a whole state will be closely monitoring his situation.
* Jaimin Jolliffe (8pts) – Came off injured early with a pectoral injury. You hate to see any injury and his absence clearly hurt Gold Coast’s chances.
* Tyson Frizell (33pts) – Not the worst score from Frizell, but well below his projected 65. Frizell was also demoted to the bench which could affect his minutes going forward.
* Luke Keary (24pts) – Played well but struggled to make an impact in SuperCoach. The Roosters five-eighth left the field with three minutes to go after getting a cut just above his eye.
* Egan Butcher (4pts) – Four minutes off the bench isn’t enough to make any sort of impact and anyone who has Butcher in their team this week will be sorely regretting it.
FULL-TIME: DEARDEN THE DIFFERENCE
A late eight-point try to Tom Dearden proved the difference as the Cowboys snapped a five-game losing streak.
Dearden was hit high as he scored the decisive try with the Bunker awarding the Cowboys two shots at goal.
The Rabbitohs caused some nervous moments late with a try to Damien Cook off a Cody Walker inside ball, but the Cowboys hung on.
The Rabbitohs are still in this! 👊
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) May 18, 2024
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64TH MIN: WALKER BREAKS TRY-SCORING DROUGHT
Cody Walker has scored his first try in 11 games to get the Rabbitohs back into it.
The Rabbitohs have clawed back to 22-18 and we are set for a stunning finish.
Latrell Mitchell delivered the final pass for his second try assist of the night and he’s now cracked the SuperCoach ton.
43RD MIN – BURNS GOES FROM SEMI-RETIREMENT TO MAGIC ROUND DOUBLE
Braidon Burns was meant to be playing only part-time this season after taking an off-field role at the Rabbitohs.
Now he has a double on Magic Round while playing for a team 2,000km north of Redfern.
Burns simply had to walk over the line following some customary Jeremiah Nanai skill from a bomb.
The Cowboys lead 22-12.
HALF-TIME – LATRELL AND DRINKWATER LEAD THE WAY
Scott Drinkwater has two try assists as the most popular SuperCoach captain and Latrell Mitchell must know Origin is just around the corner.
Mitchell sits on 75 points including a try and try assist, although his availability for NSW still remains unclear (more below).
It’s now 16-12 to the Cowboys, who struck late in the half with a try to club debutant Braidon Burns, set up by a floating cut-out pass by Drinkwater.
SuperCoach stud Valentine Holmes sits on just 12 points at half-time despite a try contribution.
32RDMIN – LATRELL ON FIRE
Is Latrell Mitchell mounting a case for Origin?
The Souths star has been written off by many – perhaps even himself – after a season interrupted by suspension, off-field dramas and the Rabbitohs’ poor form.
There are suggestions he even attempted to withdraw his availability for the Blues.
But he displayed the raw talent coach Michael Maguire may require by barging over for the Rabbitohs’ first try.
Latrell then propelled Souths into the lead 12-10 with a try assist to put Alex Johnston over in the corner.
The injury earlier today to Bradman Best (hamstring) means Latrell could be a genuine chance for the Blues.
A little bit of magic from the Cowboys! 💫
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) May 18, 2024
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8TH MIN – DRINKWATER SETS UP EARLY TRY
The most popular captain of the round has struck early with Scott Drinkwater getting the try assist for the Cowboys’ opening try against the Rabbitohs.
Drinkwater was a popular replacement for the injured Tom Trbojevic and has shot to 24 points (48 as captain) by setting up talented centre Viliami Vailea.
Vailea himself has some SuperCoach claims after earning a centre spot at the Cowboys due to an injury crisis.
LATE MAIL – COWBOYS CONFIRM BACKLINE SWITCH
As we told you in Late Mail, Kyle Feldt has been ruled out, with Braidon Burns coming into the starting side for his Cowboys debut.
Murray Taulagi and Jordan McLean (both hamstring) are cleared to return. The Rabbitohs are 1-17 with Alex Johnston (hamstring) and Jacob Gagai (calf) both cleared.
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Dion Teaupa 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow
Bench: 13. Siliva Havili 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Taane Milne
Reserves: 19. Matthew French
Cut: 18. Gehamat Shibasaki 20. Adam Christensen 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Liam Le Blanc
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 21. Braidon Burns 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter
Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo
Reserves: 20. Harrison Edwards
Cut: 2. Kyle Feldt 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 22. Jaxon Purdue
FULL TIME – SHARKS 38-30
A late try to Tom Hazelton sealed the result for Cronulla following an epic Magic Round battle in Brisbane.
The game seesawed back and forth but it was the Sharks who took control when it mattered with halfback Nicho Hynes leading the way both in the game and in SuperCoach scoring.
Hynes was the only player to crack 100 points in a man of the match worthy performance.
Ronaldo Mulitalo seemed to pick up an injury in the final minute and many will keep close tabs on the outcome of that.
71ST MIN – SHARKS 32-30
This game ain’t over.
Dom Young has just crashed over in the right corner and a beautiful Sam Walker conversion has the Roosers back within two points.
Buckle in folks, the next 10 minutes is going to be wild.
67TH MIN – SHARKS 32-24
A dubious last pass can be forgotten becasue the try is confirmed and Ronaldo Mulitalo has put the Sharks beyond a converted try ahead.
Cronulla have taken charge with an eight-point lead but the Roosters are coming fast.
Can the Sharks hold on to consolidate top spot?
60TH MIN – SHARKS 26-24
This game has stepped up a notch with fatigue and mistakes entering the contest.
The intensity is through the roof, this game definitely has a finals feel about it.
The Sharks have edged in front with a Nicho Hynes penalty goal but the game is still firmly in the balance.
With 20 minutes to go, Jesse Ramien and Hynes lead the SuperCoach scoring with 75 each.
45TH MIN – 24-24
We’ve seen plenty of skill but that try was pure power.
Siosifa Talakai marched over the line, carrying fruitless defenders with him on his way to the line.
That is one that the Roosters probably should’ve stopped, but you can’t take anything away from Talakai’s strength.
HALFTIME – ROOSTERS 24-18
Are you kidding me?
William Kennedy drops the ball cold on play one and the Roosters pounced.
Terrell May sent a looping pass out to Daniel Tupou who wove inside as his centre Junior Pauga wove out, collecting an offload and diving over in the left corner as the buzzer sounded.
What a finish to an amazing half of NRL.
Game of the round? No. This is perhaps the game of the season so far.
36TH MIN – 18-18
Spencer Leniu has the hands of a halfback.
The Roosters hard-man used the softest of hands to put centre Junior Pauga through a hole to score.
This game has had it all, and once again we’re all locked up following a sweet strike from Sam Walker.
32ND MIN – SHARKS 18-12
A Nicho Hynes 40/20 put the Sharks deep in attack and then the deadly halfback put his backrower Teig Wilton through a gaping hole in the defence to score.
That untouched bomb has really come back to haunt the Roosters – what was James Tedesco thinking there?
It looked too simple, but Cronulla are back in front.
27TH MIN – TIE GAME
Another spectacular try, this game has been an absolute cracker!
This time a deft chip from Luke Keary is marked by Daniel Tupou, plucking it out from the air above Sione Katoa while all the Sharks winger could do was watch.
Sam Walker missed the difficult sideline conversion, keeping scores locked at 12-12.
20TH MIN – SHARKS 12-8
Sione Katoa put the icing on a fantastic play, somersaulting into the in-goal and planting the ball to score in the left corner.
Jesse Ramien set the try up with his sublime footwork and Nicho Hynes made no mistake with the difficult conversion.
Ramien is the first player to crack 50 SuperCoach points.
15TH MIN – ROOSTERS 8-6
Joseph Sua’ali’i has been shown ten fingers by referee Adam Gee after a professional foul tackling Ronaldo Mulitalo while he was offside.
The Sharks tried to turn the screws and sent plenty of traffic down the left targeting the hole left by Sua’ali’i, but Dom Young stood tall in defence and held them out.
The Roosters had earlier kicked ahead with a penalty goal.
6TH MIN – DOM YOUNG STRIKES BACK
It didn’t take the Roosters long to hit back through giant English winger Dom Young.
Young now has 50 tries in 59 games and he is looking more comfortable than ever in the tri-colours.
The try was scored following a great Angus Crichton charge but it was Joseph Sua’ali’i who iced the play with a beautiful late flick pass to his winger.
2ND MIN – SHARKS 6-0
Beautiful ball movement from Cronulla has seen the Sharks score with their first set in possession.
The Sharks were willing to risk a late shift down the left and a bungled catch by Roosters winger Dom Young gifted an easy try to fullback William Kennedy inside 60 seconds.
Let’s hope that’s a sign of the game we’re about to witness.
FULL TIME – KNIGHTS 28-24
What a terrific start to Magic Round’s SuperCoach Saturday.
Fans were treated to ten tries – five from each side – in a great seesawing rugby league spectacle.
If the next two games are as good as this one then settle in for an awesome evening.
Newcastle showed incredible resolve to turn around their shocking first half and secure their fourth victory on the trot.
INJURIES / ON REPORT
Titans FRF Jaimin Jolliffe left the game early with a pectoral injury and did not return
Bradman Best did not return after halftime after succumbing to a hamstring injury that kept him off the park.
Jack Hetherington was put on report for a high tackle but somehow avoided a sin bin. There’s a good chance he has something to answer for.
76TH MIN – KNIGHTS 28-24
A magical play from the Titans has seen them snatch back the game in the dying stages.
The Gold Coast threw everything they had at that set, offloading at will as they marched up the field to get within striking distance before a chaotic fifth-tackle kick ended up in Brian Kelly’s hands.
But wait, the Bunker has spotted a knock on in the process of scoring. One of the great moments of Magic Round has been made to disappear in a puff of smoke.
That must be deflating for the Gold Coast.
70TH MIN – KNIGHTS 28-24
Quite reminiscent to the Gold Coast’s crazy game against Manly a few weeks ago, after a flurry of early scoring both teams entered a bit of a second-half holding pattern.
But a penalty try out of the blue has Newcastle back in front for the first time since the 18th minute.
The Titans went back into their shells after halftime and it has cost them dearly, but there’s still 10 minutes for them to find a matchwinner.
52ND MIN – TITANS 24-22
An error at the back has opened the door for Newcastle to strike again, drawing within two points of the Titans.
Just like that it’s game on again in Brisbane.
Owners of Newcastle’s wingers would be starting to worry; Enari Tuala is still on just 3 points while Greg Marzhew is on 16.
45TH MIN – TITANS 24-16
David Armstrong has completed his hat-trick to finally stop the bleed for the Knights.
The rookie fullback has been outstanding today and is quickly approaching 100 SuperCoach points.
41ST MIN – BEST OUT
NSW Blues hopeful Bradman Best will not return after halftime. He has picked up a hamstring injury and it will be more than just Newcastle fans keeping a close eye out for more news about the severity of the injury.
HALFTIME – TITANS 24-10
After such a fast-paced start from Newcastle it’s hard to understand how they’ve allowed the game to slip so far away.
They went from 10-0 ahead to 14 points behind in the space of about 25 minutes, and coach Adam O’Brien has a huge challenge on his hands.
The Titans capitalised on a period of 12-on-12 football, scoring twice while Jackson Hastings and Adam Schoopp were in the sin bin.
Gold Coast flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira is just shy of 100 SuperCoach points at the break, sitting on a very healthy 97 after two tries.
37TH MIN – BANG, BANG, TITANS 24-10
Another Titans try, a second for Alofiana Khan-Pereira, ha the Gold Coast firmly in control of the contest.
That’s five back-to-back tries for the Titans and Newcastle don’t appear to have any answers for what’s happening.
Brian Kelly took over the goalkicking duties with Aaron Schoupp still in the sin bin, missing from out wide.
All the while, Jackson Hastings has been stewing by himself in the Knights changeroom and he does not look impressed.
35TH MIN – KINI THE KID LIGHTS UP LANG PARK
Keano Kini raced the full field to give the Gold Coast a great buffer just before the break.
Isaac Liu cscooped up a grubber and found his fullback early, to give the young gun all the space and time he needed to race away.
Whatever you want to say about this game, it’s certainly been entertaining.
31ST MIN – TITANS 14-10
Jackson Hastings has somehow been sin-binned while in possession of the ball. The Knights firebrand couldn’t help himself from giving Aaron Schoupp a jersey punch, which the Titan promptly replied to in kind.
The referee has had enough, telling them both to go cool off in the sheds and try again in the second half.
Frustratingly for the Knights, they were 10m from the line on first tackle but gave away possession with the first penalty going against Hastings.
25TH MIN – TITANS 14-10
Three consecutive tries has the Queenslanders back in front at Lang Park.
Jojo Fifita has been a perfect aerial target and this time he leapt over Greg Marzhew to score a spectacular try.
All the fire Newcastle began with has been extinguished by clean, tough footy from the titans. Aaron Schoupp was close with the difficult conversion but he couldn’t extent the lead.
Tyson Frizell has entered the game as a middle forward.
19TH MIN – TIE GAME
Just like that the Gold Coast is right back after conceding two tries in the first 10 minutes. It was a simple try too, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira finding himself on the end of a simple backline shift.
Aaron Schoupp didn’t take long to make up for his horrendous conversion attempt just minutes earlier, nailing this one from the sideline to draw his team level at 10-10.
Khan-Pereira is up to a team-leading 44 points while David Armstrong has dropped down to 57.
15TH MIN – KNIGHTS 10-4
The Titans are finally on the board and have some momentum behind them again. A deft grubber into the in-goal was forced by Klese Haas.
Aaron Schoupp somehow missed the conversion from just to the right of the posts.
10TH MIN – HE’S IN AGAIN
Rookie fullback David Armstrong is in again, charging through and attempted tackle and dashing to the line.
The popular SuperCoach player has already scored more than 50 points and is on track for a record-breaking 472 final SuperCoach score if things continue this way.
7TH MIN – JOLLIFFE OFF
Titans enforcer Jaimin Jolliffe has left the field with an upper body injury.
Club doctors aconfirmed Jolliffe has a pec injury and will not return to the game. The Gold Coast is down to 16 men.
5TH MIN – ARMSTRONG TOO STRONG
Newcastle’s middle forwards Leo Thompson and Jacob Saifiti combined for a great linebreak and the latter found SuperCoach cheapie sensation David Armstrong on the inside for a dash to the line.
Kayln who? Newcastle’s electric fullback is owned by 36.9% of players and that number is sure to surge after another strong showing.
2.30PM – TEAM NEWS
Popular rookie Knights forward Kai Pearce-Paul, owned by more than 30 per cent of SuperCoach players, will start for Newcastle with Tyson Frizell moving to the interchange.
The Titans have made a few changes to their match day team, with No.18 Tom Weaver starting at halfback alongside Chris Randall.
Sam Verrills moves into dummy half, shifting Erin Clark to the bench.
Tony Francis has been named as the Gold Coast’s reserve.
SuperCoach Saturday is upon us, Magic Round edition.
Lots of SuperCoach eyes will be on new favourite cheapie David Armstrong ($229,200) who has averaged 59 points per game from his first three NRL appearances. Owned by 36.3% of players, including your writer, we’d love to see a bit more of that.
On the flip side, Kai Pearce-Paul owners were disappointed to see the gun 2RF dropped to the bench and getting just 40 minutes on the park. This round will be telling to see if his minutes remain low.
The Titans are absolutely battered with injuries at the moment, the latest big-name loss being AJ Brimson ($727,500), who had been averaging 89 points per game from the last three.
One weapon they still have in their arsenal is David Fifita ($892,300), freshly committed to the Titans, who is averaging 102.7 in his last three matches and is a dominant premium 2RF option if you have the cash.
The second game of Saturday sees the Sharks take on the Roosters, with all eyes on late mail to see if Nicho Hynes ($1,052,500) is fit and ready for action.
Kayal Iro ($485,500) remains the most popular SuperCoach player in the game at 53.3% and is averaging a healthy 63.7.
For the Roosters, the Gus Bus is in rotation, with Angus Crichton ($835,700) averaging a whopping 123 points from his last three games. He’s nearly doubled in price this season and is now a premium 2RF option.
It’s bad news for another one of their most selected players however, with Joseph Manu ($824,000) ruled out and causing headaches for his 20% ownership.
The last game of Saturday sees a battle between two sides desperate for a win, with the Rabbitohs taking on the Cowboys.
For SuperCoach, this fixture is all Cowboys. Reuben Cotter ($636,900) and Valentine Holmes ($696,900) both performed below their averages in round 10, with their massive ownerships rallying for a bounce back this week.
Thomas Dearden ($593,000) was another who disappointed in round 10 with just 26 points, his second worst showing so far this year.
For the Rabbitohs, Jacob Gagai ($204,300) is back in the team this week and still owned by 21.6% of players. He’s played twice this year and hauled scores of 55 and 88, so is a genuine chance at some points again at a bottom of the barrel price.
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