KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 19 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind analyses every NRL Round 19 game and reveals the popular player who has to go as three of the best finally fire up.

Three of KFC SuperCoach’s best ever players all produced the top scores of Round 19 after being rightfully overlooked all season. Daly Cherry-Evans, 178, averaged 47.8 in the first six games and has averaged 91PPG since including three centuries in his past four games. Damien Cook has underwhelmed most of the season with eight scores under 50 before smashing out 148 against the Warriors. James Tedesco, 146, was the undisputed king of SuperCoach in seasons past but has fallen well behind the likes of Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic. He’s got six rounds to try reclaim it and he’ll have to perform like this every week to be a chance.

The Titans gave every David Fifita owner a scare naming him on the bench but 134 points in just 56 minutes suggests Justin Holbrook might have worked out the best way to use him.

ROUND 20 LATEST: EARLY MAIL

Let’s take a look at the highs and lows from each game and the players to add to your watchlist.

EELS 10-12 RAIDERS

Highs: Jordan Rapana, 97, moved to fullback and had a massive game with a try, two linebreaks, 13 tackle busts and 38 in base stats. He’ll have that position until at least Round 23 when Bailey Simonsson returns. Corey Harawira-Naera, 88, had a try and linebreak as he continues his strong form. He’s got a five-round average of 79PPG. Joseph Tapine, 82, had 73 in base stats and a couple offloads in 56 minutes, his most minutes in a game this season. Isaiah Papali’i, 79, had 68 in base stats, a couple offloads and tackle busts as he continues an amazing season. averaging 83PPG when his previous best was 50PPG in 2019.

Lows: Josh Papalii, 13, failed a HIA and will see his price fall below $400k in coming weeks which could be a handy option for the final weeks.

Watchlist: Clint Gutherson, 56, and the Eels play the five other top six teams in the six remaining games. His average against those teams this season is 51.4PPG. It might be time to cut him loose if you’ve got trades to spare.

ROOSTERS 28-8 KNIGHTS

Highs: James Tedesco, 146, was at his busy best posting his fifth century of the season for the Roosters and even took on the goalkicking duties, though not too successfully. He had three try assists, seven tackle busts, two linebreaks and 10 linebreak assists. Sitili Tupouniua, 125, had his first century of the season with two tries and three linebreaks and is only trailing David Fifita for tries and linebreaks in the second row. Joseph Manu, 97, shuffled out to the wing after injuries and had a try, two linebreaks, seven tackle busts and 45 in base stats.

Lows: More injuries for the Roosters with Billy Smith, 9, and Matt Ikuvalu, 23, both off before halftime.

Watchlist: Connor Watson, 73, played 60 minutes in the middle, switching to the halves for the last 20 minutes. Big minutes for Watson and the upcoming draw for the Knights and you could be tempted to bring him back in for the run home at hooker.

COWBOYS 16-20 STORM

Highs: Josh Addo-Carr, 95, delivered as we suggested last week, as one of the best ways into Storm points, with two tries, a try assist and three linebreaks. Jahrome Hughes, 94, is still the best halfback option while Nathan Cleary is out and had a try assist, two linebreaks and five tackle busts. Christian Welch, 85, had five offloads and 58 in base stats.

Lows: Ryan Papenhuyzen, 10, played 33 minutes in his first game since Magic Round. Expect his price to drop close to $500k in coming weeks while the Storm ease him back into the team. Jason Taumalolo, 41, after a couple decent scores back to underwhelming even with 60 minutes on the field.

Watchlist: Nicho Hynes, 60, had his lowest score since scoring a starting role in Round 7. He moved into hooker for a bit while Brandon Smith was off for a HIA, then shuffled into the halves. Playing three positions in one game isn’t ideal and we’re still no clearer how the Storm fit all these players in the mix with Cameron Munster and Harry Grant missing this game.

RABBITOHS 60-22 WARRIORS

Highs: Damien Cook, 148, did damage with his passing game with four try assists and eight linebreak assists. But most interesting for KFC SuperCoaches was seeing him have eight runs, his most of the season so far, and have five tackle busts and two linebreaks. Cameron Murray, 117, continued his incredible run of form with a try, try assist, two linebreaks and four linebreak assists. But unfortunately he now faces a week suspension. Jaydn SuA, 124, Thomas Burgess, 101, and Josh Mansour, 89 all scored two tries.

Lows: Taane Milne, 24, missed out on all the attacking points and could be sold after rising in value by $300k. Jack Murchie, 9, failed a HIA after 19 minutes. Eliesa Katoa, 5, replaced Murchie then failed a HIA after just 10 minutes. Addin Fonua-Blake, 37, went off injured.

Watchlist: Josh Curran, 67, played 80 minutes and seems to have picked up Tohu Harris, work. The Warriors draw really opens up now and Reece Walsh, 34, is worth a look.

SEA EAGLES 44-24 TIGERS

Highs: Daly Cherry-Evans, 172, scored his third century in the past four games. He produced two tries, three try assists, eight tackle busts, two linebreaks and four linebreak assists. Morgan Harper, 141, benefited most from DCE’s work with three tries and linebreaks, eight tackle busts and 43 in base stats. Tom Trbojevic, 95, was the week’s most popular captain and came up with a try, two linebreaks and seven tackle busts. Jacob Liddle, 86, had a try and two linebreaks. Luke Brooks, 83, had two try assists and six linebreak assists. Adam Doueihi, 80, scored a try and kicked 4/4 goals.

Lows: The Tigers had two players off injured in Alex Seyfarth, 4, and Luke Garner, 11. Reuben Garrick, 41, kicked 6/8 goals and will start leaking cash after three games without a try. You might be tempted to cash him out but you’ll want him for the easy fixtures in head-to-head finals come Round 24 and 25.

Watchlist: David Nofoaluma, 68, had five tackle busts and four offloads and posted a nice score without a try. The Tigers have a nice draw now so picking him up a player of his pedigree for $429k is a steal.

PANTHERS 18-12 BRONCOS

Highs: Payne Haas, 106, had a whopping 14 tackle busts, a linebreak and 67 in base stats in 72 minutes. He now has a three-round average of 95PPG and has proven the point we made a couple weeks ago about waiting for the best in position rather than going for bye round coverage option like Addin Fonua-Blake. Brian To’o, 87, had a try, two linebreaks and seven tackle busts. Stephen Crichton, 83, had only his fifth score over 60 this season with a try, try assist and five tackle busts. Viliame Kikau, 73, finding form again with a three-round average of 78.3PPG. James Fisher-Harris, 72, mostly base stats, but now he’ll miss the next few weeks while his wife gives birth.

Lows: Isaah Yeo, 10, failed a HIA. Matt Burton, 26, Jarome Luai, 33, couldn’t even revive his form against the Broncos. Has a five-round average of 33.

Watchlist: Tevita Pangai has made a mid-season switch from the Broncos to the Panthers. He’s played the bulk of the season on the edge for the Broncos but he’ll be in the middle for the Panthers and should slot straight into the hole left by Fisher-Harris when available.

DRAGONS 10-32 TITANS

Highs: David Fifita, 134, started on the bench and played just 56 minutes. Titans coach Justin Holbrook said there was no need for Fifita to play the full 80 minutes and given this performance expect that to continue. Fifita had a try, try assist, two linebreaks, 11 tackle busts, five offloads, two linebreak assists and 15 hit-ups. Max Feagai, 89, playing just his second game had four linebreaks and 11 tackle busts. Toby Sexton, 83, had an impressive debut with a try, try assist, linebreak and 6/6 goals.

Lows: Ashley Taylor, 3, played the full 80 minutes but had seen missed tackles and kicked dead twice. You can see why the Titans are letting Taylor go and promoting Sexton next year. Brian Kelly, 20, went off injured after 58 minutes.

Watchlist: Greg Marzhew, 68, scored his fourth try in four games and had 36 points just from hit-ups. He’s still cheap at $324k and the Titans have the Bulldogs and Cowboys up next.

BULLDOGS 24-44 SHARKS

Highs: Sione Katoa, 122, scored two tries, had four linebreaks and eight tackle busts. Luke Thompson, 116, had a massive game with a try, try assists, two linebreaks, eight tackle busts and 60 in base stats. He was also sin-binned and will be suspended. Briton Nikora, 107, returned to the starting team in style after a couple of lean weeks off the bench. He had five offloads, three tackle busts and 62 in base stats. Siosifa Talakai, 88, had a try, linebreak, nine tackle busts and 45 in base stats in his first 80 minute game of the season. Connor Tracey, 81,

Lows: Bulldgos winger Jayden Okunbor, 14, had six missed tackles and two errors.

Watchlist: Shaun Johnson, 61, was tearing the dogs apart put injured his hamstring just before halftime. Brayden Trindall, 75, has averaged 64.5PPG since taking the goalkicking duties and playing 80 minutes. If you need a cheaper option at halfback to replace Johnson you could stick with him at the Sharks.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 19 best players and trade targets