KFC SuperCoach Cheapie Bible Round 8: Josh Curran v Jake Simpkin conundrum solved

KFC SuperCoaches are blessed with two of the best cheapies this year in the same week. But it’s unlikely you can fit in both.

Sam Walker, you absolute FREAK.

Single handedly turning the ANZAC Day game on it’s head, the superstar in the making notched a huge 125 points, netting a further $100,000 in the process.

In pre-season it was the same old “but, there’s no good cheapies this year!” … Enter names like Walker, Connor Watson, Josh Schuster, Daine Laurie et. al. and we’re looking at some of the best money-makers KFC SuperCoaches have seen in recent years.

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It gets better, too, with Josh Curran having his charge at the judiciary downgraded we now have two blue-chip cheapies on the bubble this week.

By definition a “cheapie” will be referenced when under $300,000 and actually relevant for KFC SuperCoach purposes. Key word being relevant. Once players eclipse the $300k mark they will be given a final verdict in the ‘Bon Voyage’ section.

Buckle up, here we go!

Josh Curran and Jake Simpkin are popular cheapies.

Sam Walker HFB (Roosters) $367,000 - 125 points

I’m leaving Walker front and centre here as he deserves every bit of the limelight. The ‘rainbow’ passes to both wingers over the past few weeks are things of beauty, then to drive this game on ANZAC Day in the Roosters’ favour — with no Tedesco — is incredible. With the game in the balance and ball in hand, Walker stepped off his left, stepped again and scored an amazing solo try. Throw in the goal kicking duties with no Taukeiaho in the lineup and numerous try assists and you’re looking at a player likely to eclipse $500k inside his first six NRL matches. Matchups against the Knights, Eels, Cowboys, Broncos and Raiders loom before the round 13 bye, so Walker is an indefinite hold and play in your 17.

VERDICT: BUY/HOLD. Very much still a buy if you missed Walker. How good.

Josh Curran 2RF (Warriors) $203,100 - 55 points

Curran was unluckily sin-binned before half-time against the Storm, but thankfully for KFC SuperCoaches had his charge at the judiciary downgraded and is free to play this weekend against the Cowboys. 77 points in 80 minutes all in base stats in game one, 55 points (including a total of -14 points in deductions) in 70 minutes with a try-assist is a fantastic return for a player I’ve been raving about for years — he just needed a chance. So, we’re looking at an 80-minute edge forward with a huge work rate and attacking upside, with a -58 BE heading into a great matchup. What’s not to like?

VERDICT: BUY. The only danger is Eliesa Katoa returning at some point, but it seems Curran has this spot on merit, and if I’m choosing between Curran and Simpkin this week… It’s Curran for me.

Jake Simpkin HOK (Wests Tigers) $173,700 - 45 points

Yet again, the Tigers were under so much pressure that Simpkin had no opportunity to even sniff attacking stats, but the 43 tackles in 70 minutes of game time is a nice base to work with. The positives here are the round 13 coverage, the matchups against the Dragons, Titans, Knights, Warriors and Dragons again before round 13, along with a -38 BE and playable in your 17 most weeks. Jacob Liddle and Billy Walters are looming which is a concern, as is Moses Mbye on the bench, but Simpkin seems to be a safe purchase. All we need now is for Madge to stick with him for 70-ish minutes for six more weeks in a team getting thumped every game… I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

VERDICT: BUY. Should make us some great money all going to plan. The attacking stats are in him, fingers crossed they come against the Dragons this week.

Brayden Musgrove CTW (Knights) $173,700 - 21 points

For those desperate for a CTW cheapie, Musgrove could be your only option for a few weeks. Named to start on the wing once again for the Knights after scores of 35 and 21 points respectively the past two rounds, to the old eyeball test Musgrove has looked a good prospect capable of more KFC SuperCoach wise. But, that’s where the positives end for me. A matchup with the Roosters looms this week, whilst Edrick Lee and Hymel Hunt could return as soon as next week.

VERDICT: AVOID. I urge you to look elsewhere.

Nicho Hynes CTW | FLB (Storm) $296,200 - 98 points

Hynes is another in the Storm’s ridiculously long production line at fullback, delivering 98 points in the full 80 minutes deputising for Ryan Papenhuyzen. The enticing element here, despite Hynes likely only having this role for two to three weeks, is the cheapie price with a -5 BE, in the disgusting (yes, it’s that bad!) position of CTW this year. For example, if he’s in your starting 17, trading Charlie Staines to Nicho Hynes for a three week play nets you $50,000 on the initial trade, gives you a player who can go large EVERY week and will make between $75,000-$150,000 the next three rounds against the Sharks, Rabbitohs and Dragons. Food for thought, but the thing you must factor in is the moment Ryan Papenhuyzen returns, Hynes will drop cash FAST.

VERDICT: POD-BUY. I love the Staines to Hynes move as a stepping stone to a To’o or Lomax for round 13.

Ryan James FRF | 2RF (Raiders) $302,000 - 33 points

Ugh. Many (me included) have been relying on Ryan James to fill the void left by Taukeiaho or big Tino, and boy was it a let-down. 33 points in just 34 minutes, and to the naked eye he looked a shadow of the player we saw in the opening two rounds. It may be lingering effects of the concussion and just easing back in, but despite the manageable BE of 36 this may be the end of the money making cycles. Much like Stefano Utoikamanu, if at any point you can upgrade to a gun like Payne Haas you do it in a heartbeat.

VERDICT: HOLD. Not a priority sell, and the dual position flexibility is handy, but he’s got to go at some point in the coming weeks.

Haumole Olakau’atu 2RF (Sea Eagles) $245,600 - 64 points

Holy Moly … That’s what we know he’s capable of! A try assist, 22 points in H8s, 12 points in tackle busts and a line break — all in just 49 minutes of game time. He really is made for KFC SuperCoach much like his dreamboat teammate Josh Schuster. Named to start once again on the edge, Curtis Sironen’s return (round 9-10) is the only obstacle to Olakau’atu making some very nice cash. If you don’t have anything pressing this week, a trade of Simonsson or Fusitua via duals to the big Holy Moly could be in play!

VERDICT: POD BUY. Not for me given the other more enticing options this week, but could be a nice money maker.

Reece Walsh FLB (Warriors) $173,700 - 56 points

Reece Walsh is on the watchlist (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

This is one of those moments that happens every year in my selfish KFC SuperCoach mind, where the ONLY thing the Warriors, and Walsh are doing right now is ruining his relevance for next year — when he could have been an absolute LOCK for the best cheapie to start 2022. With fullback only as his position and the round 13 bye, we are likely going to have to watch on from the sidelines here despite the kid looking freakishly talented. 56 points against the Storm on debut included two try assists, 12 points in tackle busts and plenty of offensive involvement after pushing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the wing to start the match. This week, Walsh has been named to start at five-eighth against the Cowboys. Man, will we have a decision to make next week if he goes berserk!

VERDICT: WATCHLIST. Likely an avoid at the position.

Brodie Jones 2RF (Knights) $287,900 - 9 points

Here’s why you delve deeper into big scores. With an early injury in the Knights side last week, Jones scored 78 points in 74 minutes and looked an absolute star in the making. We flagged the likelihood of a return to the bench against the Panthers, and no surprises the score of 9 points in 15 minutes was the result. Hopefully you avoided!

VERDICT: AVOID.

BON VOYAGE

Ben Condon 2RF (Cowboys) $328,400 - 56 points

Another try! Go you good thing. That’s three tries in three consecutive games for Condon, which has also coincided with the Cowboys playing MUCH better footy. The minutes are hovering between 50-70, but I do fear Jason Taumalolo’s return this week may keep that on the lower end. Worst case scenario in 50 minutes we are looking at a 30-40 point score with no attacking stats. There are some fantastic matchups coming over the next few weeks prior to the round 13 bye, with the Warriors twice, Broncos, understrength Roosters and Knights — so we should be looking at Condon hitting around $400k over the next four or five weeks.

VERDICT: HOLD. Plan to sell in round 12 or 13 to a bye coverage gun.

Matt Lodge FRF (Broncos) $367,800 - 50 points

Lodge, along with Sitili Tupouniua were my under the radar purchases last week at a tick over $300k, and Lodge delivered another 50 points in 47 minutes with a fully healthy pack this time around. If the minutes stay at 45+, then Lodge will be a fantastic hold through round 13 bye coverage as a valuable number. A BE of 22, with matchups against the Titans, Cowboys and Sea Eagles the next three weeks means Lodge should reach $400k+ and be playable every week.

VERDICT: HOLD. Sell in round 14.

WATCHLIST:

Joseph Suaalii CTW | FLB (Roosters)

Shawn Blore 2RF (Tigers)

Ofahiki Ogden FRF (Bulldogs)

John Asiata FRF | 2RF (Broncos)

Sebastian Kris CTW (Raiders)

Zach Saddler 2RF | FRF (Sea Eagles)

Christian Tuipulotu CTW (Sea Eagles)

Dean Ieremia CTW | FLB (Storm)

Ben Trbojevic CTW | 2RF (Sea Eagles)

Greg Marzhew (formerly Leleisiuao) CTW (Titans)

Joe Stimson 2RF (Bulldogs)

Jock Madden HFB (Wests Tigers)

Jayden Sullivan HFB (Dragons)

Haze Dunster CTW (Eels)

Max Feagai CTW (Dragons)

Mat Feagai CTW (Dragons)

Brayden Wiliame CTW (Dragons)

Matt Timoko CTW (Raiders)

Semi Valemei CTW (Raiders)

Paul Turner HFB (Warriors)

Tom Ale FRF (Warriors)

Isaac Lumelume CTW (Storm)

Franklin Pele FRF (Sharks)

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Cheapie Bible Round 8: Josh Curran v Jake Simpkin conundrum solved