NRL SuperCoach 2024: Latecomers who missed Vegas games can still pick a winning side

Missed the Vegas season start? No worries. NRL SuperCoaches can still pick a formidable squad using players from the 13 teams yet to play in round one.

Missed the Vegas season start? No worries.

While the four US teams are locked out, SuperCoaches still have 13 more teams to choose from to create a round one squad.

And a very strong squad at that. See below.

HOOKER

Harry Grant HOK $750,000

The best hooker in SuperCoach by a massive 8.5 points per game.

Joey Lussick HOK $313,700

Starts cheap and set to start at hooker for the Eels.

FRONT ROW

Rueben Cotter FRF/2RF $542,700

The Wally Lewis Medal winner is cheap compared to previous output, has dual-positioning, a favourable draw and no byes through to Origin.

Samuel Hughes $238,900

Huge – in both stature and stats – during the first trial with 14 runs for 129 metres in 33 minutes. Picked up a concussion in the second trial.

Liam Henry FRF $238,900

NSW Cup workhorse takes Spencer Leniu’s bench prop spot at the Panthers.

Thomas Mikaele FRF $238,900

Huge in the final trial with two tries, three tackle busts, four offloads and a linebreak in seven runs. Set for the bench spot of Coen Hess (ACL).

Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

SECOND ROW

Heilum Luki 2RF $471,200

Luciano Leilua’s exit creates big minutes on the edge for Luki, who averaged just 47 minutes last year.

Morgan Smithies 2RF $345,000

Huge workrate in the English Super League and will start at lock for the Raiders in round one.

Beau Fermor 2RF $467,300

Fermor returns from an ACL injury cheap and will start on the edge for the Titans. Job security is great following news David Fifita will miss the opening rounds through injury, although Fermor was assured a spot before that.

Shaun Lane 2RF $446,200

Starts at a $250,000 discount after an injury-ruined season.

Josh Curran 2RF $421,700

Curran has threatened to become a SuperCoach gun on a number occasions, highlighted by an average of 67 in 70 minutes in 2021. Now at the Bulldogs, he should attract decent minutes.

Josh Curran during Indigenous All Stars camp. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Kane Bradley 2RF/CTW $238,900

Appears to have fought off Shawn Blore (off-season injuries) and Trent Loiero (now playing middle) for an edge back row spot at the Storm.

HALFBACK

Nathan Cleary HFB $912,500

Not the best draw to start the season but Cleary has been arguably the best player in SuperCoach since his debut in 2016.

Drew Hutchison HFB/CTW $354,900

The NRL journeyman is set to win the halfback spot at the Bulldogs and starts cheap after being used as a utility at the Roosters.

FIVE-EIGHTH

Dylan Brown 5/8 $780,800

Looking at durability and base stats, Brown is the most reliable five-eighth in SuperCoach and also has a dream draw to start the year.

Kyle Flanagan 5/8 $310,500

Flanagan has hardly set the world on fire in SuperCoach in the past but his job security sets him apart from other cheapies in the position.

CENTRE/WING

Greg Marzhew CTW $789,200

The top averaging CTW in SuperCoach last season. Brilliant workrate and occupies prime real estate outside Kalyn Ponga.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck CTW $539,600

Showed in the trials he is well-and-truly back after three years out of the game.

Taylan May CTW $458,800

Returned from an ACL injury with a bang in the World Club Challenge, scoring 63 SuperCoach points without a try (although he came very close to the matchwinner). Priced on a $200,000 discount after missing the entirety of last season.

Jack Bostock CTW $314,500

Scores a wing spot for the Dolphins and starts cheap after playing only five games last year.

Ethan Strange 5-8/CTW $238,900

The young gun was great in the final trial and is set to score the Canberra five-eighth spot of Jack Wighton.

Jaeman Salmon of the Bulldogs could play lock. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Jaeman Salmon 2RF/CTW $317,100

Salmon is a serious chance to earn the lock spot at the Bulldogs for round one and is a must-have if that eventuates.

Taine Tuaupiki FLB/CTW $277,700

Will play fullback for the first three rounds with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad injured. But job security is murky from there.

FULLBACK

Kalyn Ponga FLB $892,800

Dally M winner averaged over 100 at fullback last year and 118 at fullback and with the goalkicking.

Ryan Papenhuyzen FLB $645,600

Former SuperCoach gun starts $300,000 underpriced after an injury-ruined season.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2024: Latecomers who missed Vegas games can still pick a winning side