NRL SuperCoach 2024 is live: Why Australia’s favourite fantasy game is bigger and better

The NRL season kicked off in Las Vegas on Sunday but don’t fret - it’s not too late to join and compete for the $50k top prize. Here’s how to get in before the next game.

Welcome to the best year of NRL SuperCoach yet.

Australia’s biggest fantasy sports game is even better in 2024 with improvements and all the favourite features back for another huge season.

From our fresh Smart Search feature to a brand new FLEX player in Draft, get set for the best footy experience you can get without putting boots on.

The NRL season kicked off in Las Vegas with two epic games on Sunday - but because of the split round and rolling lockouts, it’s not too late to start a winning team and compete for the main prize of $50,000 plus weekly prizes.

There are still top flight teams - Penrith, the Storm, the Warriors and Parramatta included - to pick from.

And superstar players to lead your squad including the Sharks’ Nicho Hynes ($970,000), Storm’s Harry Grant ($750,000) and the Panthers’ Nathan Cleary ($912,500).

Simply pick a squad without players from the four opening day teams (you can always trade them in over coming weeks) to be all set for success.
Here’s how to join SuperCoach NRL.

ALL-NEW SITE FEATURES

• INTRODUCING SMART SEARCH: SuperCoach Plus subscribers get access to this brand new collection of tools to find your perfect trade. Filter by breakeven, projected score, projected price change and even the level of ownership. Want to find the perfect player who’ll score big points, get a huge price increase and isn’t already owned by the majority of coaches? Now you can with just a few clicks!

• IMPROVED PLAYER OWNERSHIP STATS: Ownership numbers get an all-new “Teams in my Leagues” option. Adding to the options to view live player ownership (and ownership change) data for the top 1, 5, 10% or the entire competition, you can now view player ownership information based on all teams in your head-to-head leagues. It’s the perfect tool to find that unique point-of-difference or cancel out your opponents.

You can still start a super SuperCoach NRL squad with these stars - Nathan Cleary, Nicho Hynes and Harry Grant.

MORE CASH TO SPLASH

The SuperCoach salary cap has increased to $11.65 million, in line with the actual cap and up from last year’s $11.45 million.

DRAFT REIMAGINED

• BRAND NEW FLEX PLAYER: By popular request, you can now activate an extra utility/Flex option on your team field, where you can add an extra starting player from ANY position. This adds an all-new dimension in how you approach and play SuperCoach Draft!

• WAIVER PERIOD OVERHAUL: We’ve updated the one-day waiver time period to process and release players who go on the waiver wire. For one-day waivers, they are now released immediately at the fixed time on the following morning (as opposed to following morning +24 hours). This is to ensure you get your players sooner and in time for the upcoming round – particularly useful in weeks where turnaround between rounds is tight.

• BIGGER BENCHES: You now have the option to run extremely deep benches for all line-ups – for those who are serious about keeper leagues.

BIG PRIZES

At the end of the NRL home-and-away season the top SuperCoach in the country takes home $50,000 in cash. Second place receives $5000 and those placed third to 10th win $1000 each.

There is also a $1000 weekly prize for the best score each round – doubled to $2000 if you’re a subscriber.

THE BASICS: HOW IT WORKS

• You’re a coach with a team to pick, a salary cap to work under and games to win.

• Select a squad of players from across the NRL and score points based on their real-life performances.

• During the year you’ll deal with form and injuries just like an NRL coach, but with the benefit of trades to replace sidelined or out-of-form players.

• Take on your mates in your own private league for ultimate bragging rights, and track your progress against all other SuperCoaches in the race for weekly and major prizes.

HOW TO PLAY

• Register for SuperCoach NRL.

• You have a $11.65 million salary cap and 25 players to pick.

• Select two hookers, four props, six back rowers, two halfbacks, two five-eighths, seven centre/wings and two fullbacks. Remember to save your team!

• You will need a mix of top-end stars, bottom-priced players who will rise in value and a few in between. Look for players who are underpriced due to injury or a change in role.

• Need help picking a side? Try the auto select feature which picks a team for you instantly using our smart technology.

• Change your team as much as you like until Round 1 starts.

• Before each round, choose a final 17 (13 starters and four reserves). Only the scores of these players count.

• Also choose a captain, he earns double points, and a vice-captain as back-up.

• You have 46 trades to maintain your side during the season. Each week you can make up to two trades, except for the bye rounds when you get three trades.

• Stay on top of your team with our free Apple and Android apps.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2024 is live: Why Australia’s favourite fantasy game is bigger and better