NRL Round 4 teams analysis: SuperCoach chaos as top bargains axed

Round 4 teams day hasn’t been a kind one for SuperCoaches with a number of popular bargains dropped – on top of an already stacked casualty ward.

Teams are in for round 4 and SuperCoaches have mass casualties to deal with.

LOSERS FROM TEAMS

Casey McLean - The popular mid-ranger has been dropped to 18th man in a remodelled Penrith backline.

Jordan Samrani - Popular cheapie was predicted to rise by $50K but has been dropped by the Eels.

Campbell Graham - The South Sydney back is out with a “lower limb injury to his leg”.

Nathan Cleary - Misses this week through concussion and is the most sold SuperCoach player. But read on for why you should hold.

Connor Watson - Also out through concussion but don’t even think of selling.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Will miss at least a month with a hamstring injury. Sell.

Kalyn Ponga - On the bye and therefore the third most sold player. Ryan Papenhuyzen is calling.

Dylan Lucas - Also on the bye, plus ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Jahrome Hughes - Out for two weeks with a hand injury. Tyran Wishart now becomes a great Draft option.

Tom Duffy - Again misses out for the Cowboys as per last week’s change, but plenty of SuperCoaches are only just getting around to selling this week.

WINNERS FROM TEAMS

Gehamat Shibasaki - Massive boost for 66,106 SuperCoaches with the popular cheapie retaining his centre spot at the Broncos even with the return of Kotoni Staggs.

Matty Nicholson - Cheapie of the week after retaining his edge back row spot at the Raiders. Short-term job security is good with Zac Hosking not due back from a hand injury until round seven.

Tom Trbojevic - Considered a “certain starter” after being rested last week with hamstring tightness.

Jaylan De Groot – The young Titan may emerge as a cheapie option after being named to replace fullback Keano Kini, who is out indefinitely with a neck injury.

—Tom Sangster

Gehamat Shibasaki has retained a centre spot and is set for more big price rises. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

ROB SUTHERLAND’S SUPERCOACH MUSINGS AND Q&A

What the SuperCoach gods giveth they also taketh away, and after a good round two I took a bit of a beating last weekend with the Nathan Cleary/RTS/Connor Watson injuries setting me up and the Kalyn Ponga stinker against the Titans knocking me over.

But the beauty of the game is every new week provides fresh hope and fresh trades to play with and here’s how I plan to use mine.

Re-live Rob’s live blog via the comments section below…

OUT

Kobe Hetherington - The Haas/Carrigan combo in the middle is not leaving much in the way of middle opportunities for Hetherington so am happy to upgrade here.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Was coming along nicely but a hamstring injury will sideline him for a stint so I’m going to chase a POD in his place.

Kalyn Ponga - I’m not thrilled with this trade. Yeah the Knights were putrid against the Titans but Ponga kept trying and I’m sure he’ll finish among the top 10 averages in the game at the end of 2025. But he’s on a bye this week and I have two targets I really want to replace him - more on those below.

NRL Teams Round 4: SuperCoach Q&A.

IN

Payne Haas - I thought I was happy with a FRF of Tino/May/Horsburgh/Whyte but Haas truly is the king. I’m forced to pay $100K more than you savvy early adopters but that’s life.

Paul Alamoti - My POD is the Penrith centre/winger who is currently rocking an average of 83.7PPG. A bit of a gamble when the likes of Olkakau’atu (I have duals for either a 2RF or CTW here) or Kayal Iro/Ronnie Mulitalo would be safer, I love Alamoti’s short term draw of Rabbitohs/Cowboys/Dolphins and am tempted to double down on my gamble and make him vice-captain this week as I expect him to take on the goalkicking for Penrith (Nathan Cleary is out - more on that below) against Souths on Thursday night.

Ryan Papenhuyzen/Adam Reynolds: Having talked up Adam Reynolds as a good pre-season POD I did not start the season with him. Then I made him my POD of the week last week and he scored 120. With the Dolphins/Tigers/Roosters, all at home, to come over the next three weeks I expect there’s plenty more points coming for those that own Reynolds. Plus picking up Reynolds in the flex spot is a boon to me this week as it allows me to cover Nathan Cleary better.

But, despite all those reasons to pick Reynolds, I think I’m going to go with Storm flyer Ryan Papenhuyzen instead. Melbourne’s first choice goalkicker Nick Meaney suffered a jaw injury on the weekend and is looking at 4-6 weeks on the sideline which will see ‘Paps’ take over the kicking duties. Already a bargain at $616K the kicking should add at least 10PPG to Papenhuyzen’s average and with the Dragons, Sea Eagles Warriors, Dolphins and Rabbitohs as his next five opponents I expect Papenhuyzen will be taking plenty of shots.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is the third most popular purchase this week. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

ROB’S VERDICT ON POPULAR TRADES

Some brief thoughts on other popular trades:

Matty Nicholson - The most popular buy of the week and while I can see why many are jumping on I’m passing on the hard working Pommy. A tyro in defence, Nicholson made 42 tackles in 80 minutes last week and with a BE of -42 he’s sure to make money. The question is how much? Nicholson profiles very similarly to another Canberra import Morgan Smithies. Both get through mountains of defence while not being huge metre eaters with the ball.

Smithies started 2024 priced at $345K. Nicholson starts 2025 at $336K. Smithies averaged an excellent 54PPG (almost all base) over his opening six rounds in 2024 and that was enough to see his price jump to $465K or $120K. I think Nicholson would do well to achieve that average but let’s be generous and say he jumps $150K over 4-6 weeks. That’s a bit of a grind for me. I’ll pass (and no doubt he’ll score a double this week making me look foolish).

Nicho Hynes - Written off after scoring just 50 against the Panthers, Plenty are jumping back on the Nicho train after scores of 86 (Cowboys) and 115 (Souths). Those were two pretty soft opponents though and the next three weeks – Dogs/Raiders (in Canberra) and Manly – will be stiffer tests. Not against the buy, just don’t expect monster scores in the short term.

Clint Gutherson - The ‘King’ is rocking an average of 129.5PPG and has a BE of -48 so a big rise in value is assured. Or is it? The Dragons have Melbourne this week and while Gutho just needs to take to the field to rise in price, a sub-50 is definitely on the cards against the Storm and that will put a quick cap on any money. Much prefer Papenhuyzen, especially for $60K less.

Christian Tuipolotu - The money man is another Dragon who feasted on their weak early season opposition and comes into the match against the Storm with a BE of -54. As per above, a good price rise is assured this week, but I feel he’ll start to leak that cash back pretty quickly.

Hamish Stewart/Toby Couchman - The last Dragons I promise. Both cheapie Stewart and workhorse Couchman were impressive in the opening two rounds. My fear is how does the addition of David Klemmer impact both? The uncertainty has me avoiding.

Thomas Jenkins - Deputised for Dylan Edwards at the back for Penrith and had three try assists and 91 points against Melbourne. In Melbourne! That’s impressive and Penrith’s soft draw (see above) should ensure more good scores. But Dylan Edwards is only out for ‘2-4 weeks’ which means he could be back as early as round five and Jenkins won’t see a price rise unless he plays round five. Wait.

Ethan Bullemor - Has been going great guns for Manly and the injury to Paseka opens up big minutes in the middle. Awkwardly priced at $400K I do prefer either a cheapie or a gun but can see why some are going this way.

Nathan Cleary - My last player mentioned is currently the most sold player in the game in Nathan Cleary. I don’t understand this move. Yes Cleary scored just two points (or four if you’re Tom Sangster and captained him) and yes he misses this week due to concussion protocols. But Cleary is the king of SuperCoach and is only set to miss this week. When he returns he faces the Cowboys then Dolphins. An excellent captaincy choice both weeks. I’m off this sell big time.

Re-live Rob’s live blog via the comments section below…

Nathan Cleary will miss this week through concussion. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

INJURED TRIO NAMED FOR SHARKS

The Sharks will take the good with the bad with Toby Rudolf (shoulder), Tom Hazelton (back) and Siosifa Talakai (ankle) set to be named to face the Bulldogs at Sharks Stadium on Saturday night.

The trio’s availability is timely with hard-running prop Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) ruled out indefinitely.

Rudolf and Hazelton are aiming to play their first match of the season while Talakai trained on Tuesday after failing to finish last weekend’s win over South Sydney following an ankle injury.

Hamlin-Uele will meet with specialists in coming days to determine his recovery process, however Sharks officials are confident the injury isn’t season-ending.

—David Riccio

KINI SIDELINED WITH NECK INJURY

The Titans have been dealt a blow ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Roosters after rising fullback Keano Kini was ruled out.

SuperCoach sensation Kini suffered a neck injury in Gold Coast’s 26-6 win over Newcastle last Saturday.

The No. 1 was in hot touch against the Knights, running for 217m and setting up a try in humid conditions.

The Titans are yet to put a timeframe on Kini’s injury, with the Kiwis representative seeking a specialist’s opinion.

He will be replaced by one-game custodian Jaylan de Groot, who will face a showdown with Kangaroos and NSW Origin star James Tedesco.

Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe is also still sidelined with a calf complaint, along with winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who is out for six weeks with a hamstring tear.

—Travis Meyn

YOUNG GUN EARNS DRAGONS DEBUT

The Dragons will unveil another local junior with promising forward Dylan Egan named to make his NRL debut against the Storm at Jubilee Oval on Saturday.

Egan, 20, will achieve his dream after progressing through the club’s pathways system.

Capable of playing as an edge backrower or middle forward, Egan boasts a tremendous work rate and defensive technique.

The Gerringong Lions junior is a close mate of fellow Dragons rising star Hamish Stewart, who made his NRL debut three weeks ago.

—David Riccio

Siosifa Talakai will be named despite an ankle injury. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

ROUND FOUR TEAMS

RABBITOHS V PANTHERS

8pm Thursday March 27, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5.Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan

Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Fletcher Myers 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Talanoa Penitani 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata

Panthers

1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Trent Toelau 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Blaize Talagi 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner

Reserves: 18. Casel McLean 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20 Luron Patea 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Brad Schneider

ROOSTERS V TITANS

6pm Friday March 28, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Hugo Savala 15. Blake Steep 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Billy Smith 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Ethan King 21. Tyler Moriarty 22 Taylor Losalu

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Brock Gray

Reserves: 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Jacob Alick-Wienke 21. Tuki Simpkins 22. Ken Maumalo

DOLPHINS V BRONCOS

8pm Friday March 28, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert

Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Josh Kerr 21. Max Feagai 22. Junior Tupou

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters, 15. Corey Jensen, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Brendan Piakura

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden

DRAGONS V STORM

3pm Saturday March 29, Netsrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. David Klemmer 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan

Reserves: 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Tom Eisenhuth 22. Lyhkan King-Togia

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu

Reserves: 18. Kane Bradley 19. Marion Seve 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Angus Hinchey

COWBOYS V RAIDERS

5:30pm, Saturday March 29, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Danny Levi 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Albert Hopoate 22. Adam Cook

SHARKS V BULLDOGS

7:35pm, Saturday March 29, Sharks Stadium, Sydney

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Toby Rudolf 22. Billy Burns

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Kurtis Morrin

Reserves: 19. Joseph O’Neill 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jack Todd 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua

SEA EAGLES V EELS

4:05pm, Sunday March 30, 4Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 22. Dean Matterson

Eels

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Interchange: 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Dan Keir

Reserves: 18. Sam Tuivaiti 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Joash Papali’i 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Jordan Samrani

WESTS TIGERS V WARRIORS

6:15pm, Sunday March 30, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Latu Fainu 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima

Reserves: 18. Te Maire Martin 20. Jacob Laban 21. Samuel Healey 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Edward Kosi

Originally published as NRL Round 4 teams analysis: SuperCoach chaos as top bargains axed