KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 21 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind analyses every NRL Round 21 game and lines up the perfect trade targets as suspension and injury strike again.

The KFC SuperCoach NRL season continues to throw curve balls with Round 21 having the equal lowest number of centuries of the season as two more popular picks in Angus Crichton (33.4% owned) suspended until the final round and Reed Mahoney (19.2%) injured and out for the season.

Josh Mansour, 171, top scored for the week with two tries and six linebreaks on the Rabbitohs left edge but he’s in just 1% of teams. Only two players owned by more than 25% of teams went large with Matt Burton, 134, and Reuben Garrick, 110 delivering the goods.

Garrick amazingly is now the leading pointscorer of the season with 1668 points.

Cameron Murray returned from suspension to press his claims as the form forward of the competition with 92 points for the week and a five-round average of 94.6PPG. Josh Curran, 111, and Luciano Leilua, 105, both scored centuries this week and are cheaper options worth a look.

For those looking to move on Reed Mahoney, Melbourne’s Harry Grant has to be your man after punching out 61 points in 57 minutes in his second game back from injury in a tough game against Manly. Grant is cheaper than Damien Cook and the Storm have a nice draw to end the season. If your budget doesn’t stretch to Grant, Victor Radley or Mahoney’s likely replacement, Joey Lussick could do the trick.

ROUND 22 LATEST: EARLY MAIL

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

KNIGHTS 28-20 BRONCOS

Highs: Tesi Niu, 84, has found form at fullback for the Broncos with a five-game average of 71PPG. Niu was a popular cheapie at the start of the season in the centres but most offloaded him long ago. He had a try, linebreak, try assist, six tackle busts and four linebreak assists. Mitchell Pearce returned to the Knights line-up to play just his seventh game of the season and had a try, linebreak and try assist. He’s averaged 65PPG in his game’s unaffected by injury. Mitch Barnett, 78, had his first try and best score since Round 6 even though he only played 58 minutes. The first stint was in the middle and the second on the edge replacing the injured Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 67. Herbie Farnworth, 77, scored just his second try of the season and first linebreak since Round 10. Kalyn Ponga, 71, was the third most popular trade of last week and had two try assists, four linebreak assists and four tackle busts.

Lows: Hymel Hunt, 4, failed a HIA after 18 minutes. Bradman Best, 27, was last week’s most popular trade and was a major disappointment with little attacking ball and just 7 hit-ups for the game. Keenan Palasia, 42 is facing a two game ban. Brodie Croft, 11, played 60 minutes before being replaced by Albert Kelly, 33.

Watchlist: Jake Clifford, 71, scored a try and kicked 4/5 goals. Goalkicking with a good run of fixtures and dual positioning if you need a cheap half. Tyson Frizell, 62, had a linebreak and four tackle busts, you could find worse replacements for Angus Crichton.

RAIDERS 20-12 DRAGONS

Highs: Jack de Belin, 75, had 63 in base stats, two linebreak assists and a try contribution in 76 minutes. Tariq Sims, 72, scored a try and had 56 in base stats. Joseph Tapine, 69, had three offloads and a stack of base stats. Since starting in the front row for the past three weeks he’s averaged 71PPG. Jordan Rapana, 63, scored a try and had eight tackle busts and has a three game average of 80.3PPG at fullback.

Lows: Cody Ramsey, 0, lasted just a minute after a nasty headclash with Andrew McCullough. Corey Harawira-Naera, 28, had started every game since Round 7 but only had 23 minutes of game time from the bench last week. If you have the luxury of trades he could be one to cut loose.

Watchlist: Jack Bird, 61, played at fullback and had 10 tackle busts and 37 in base stats proving a success wherever he plays. What position will he be next year? CTW/2RF/FLB/5/8? Zac Lomax, 50, played his first game since Round 8 and had a linebreak, two linebreak assists, three tackle busts and 2/3 goals. Lomax started the season at $605k but can be picked up now for $381k if you need a cheap option though the Dragons do have a tough run home. Josh Papalii, 51, has bottomed out in price at $421k and played 56 minutes, his most game time since Round 6.

EELS 12-40 RABBITOHS

Highs: Josh Mansour, 171, had two tries, six linebreaks, nine tackle busts, three offloads and 41 in base stats. Has averaged 110PPG since replacing Alex Johnston on the left wing. Cameron Murray, 92, had 54 in base stats, five tackle busts, a try and a linebreak. He’s the premium option to replace Angus Crichton with a five round average of 94PPG the best of any forward. Cody Walker, 90, tormented the Eels defence with 12 linebreak assists and two try assists. Jaxon Paulo, 86, scored two tries on the Rabbitohs’ right wing.

Lows: Oregon Kaufusi, 1, failed a HIA after playing just a minute. Hayze Dunster, 15, was under the pump from Walker and Mansour for the whole game. Clint Gutherson, 32, as we tipped a few weeks ago had to be sold before this run of tough fixtures for the Eels. Reed Mahoney, 36, is out for the season after re-injuring his shoulder. Something to think about when Nathan Cleary returns from a similar injury.

Watchlist: Nathan Brown, 80, had a try assist and 60 in base stats and now has a five-round average of 72PPG. Dane Gagai has the sixth best average in the CTW position but he’s only in 9% of teams. Adam Reynolds, 74, continues his good run of form with a five-round average of 80PPG. Joey Lussick should come straight in for Mahoney at hooker where he’s averaged 59PPG, when playing big minutes.

WARRIORS 18-16 SHARKS

Highs: Josh Curran, 111, posted his first KFC SuperCoach century with a try assist, four offloads, four linebreak assists and six tackle busts on top of 64 in base stats. His ownership peaked at 33% in Round 10 when he was injured and only 9% have held onto him. If you’re willing to go back he’s now playing 80 minutes with a good run of fixtures and priced at just $460k. Will Kennedy, 104, had a try, try assist, 10 tackle busts and two linebreaks in his third century of the season. He’s ranked fifteenth for total points this season. Reece Walsh, 101, picked up his third century of the season with a try, three linebreaks, three goals, and four tackle busts. Euan Aitken 89, playing his second game in the backrow had 45 in base stats, a try and two linebreaks.

Lows: Kane Evans, 0, was sin-binned twice, made two errors, conceded four penalties and missed three tackles for a whopping -31 negative points. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 20, was also sin-binned. Kodi Nikorima, 28, made 28 tackles in his 48 minutes at hooker and didn’t make a single run.

Watchlist: Peta Hiku, 65, had 39 in base stats and eight missed tackles for the second week in a row since returning from injury. If you want a cheap in to the Warriors soft draw he’s bottomed out at $324k. Siosifa Talakai, 47, has played near the full game for three weeks in a row and is another cheap option with dual 2RF/CTW at $355k.

ROOSTERS 14-20 PANTHERS

Highs: Matt Burton, 134, scored his fourth century of the season with an incredible, two tries, three linebreaks, 4/5 goals, eight tackle busts, two line break assists and two forced drop outs. Joey Manu, 97, was switched to the wing before kick-off, which is right where we want him for KFC SuperCoach. He had a try, two line breaks, five tackle busts, two offloads and 45 in base stats. Victor Radley, 95, had a try, two linebreaks and 52 in base stats. He’s averaged 69.6PPG since missing five games through suspension. Viliame Kikau, 93, showed his ball-playing skills with a try assist, four linebreak assists and three offloads. James Tedesco, 92, had his most runs of the season with 31 points from 21 hit-ups which naturally helped deliver more points with 11 tackle busts and three offloads. A busy Teddy spells big trouble for his next opponent, the Broncos.

Lows: Sam Walker, 33, missed nine tackles, Kurt Capewell, missed seven tackles and is suspended for a week. Jarome Luai, 30, maintains his lacklustre form. Sitili Tupouniua, 17, was switched to the centres before kick-off. Jared Warea-Hargreaves, 5, was sin binned.

Watchlist: Angus Crichton, 80, is suspended for three weeks so Nat Butcher, 59, who just played 80 minutes on the edge comes into the discussion. At $371k and a nice draw for the Roosters he could be worth a look. Panthers youngsters Izack Tago, 51, and Taylan May, 48, both did pretty good Brian To’o impressions. Tago has a linebreak and seven tackle busts while May had eight tackle busts and a linebreak.

SEA EAGLES 18-28 STORM

Highs: Reuben Garrick, 110, scored two tries and had four linebreaks and has climbed to top overall pointscorer with 1668 points. Tom Trbojevic, 87, had two try assists, eight linebreak assists and five tackle busts and did more than enough for the 33% who stuck with him as captain last week. Cameron Munster, 84, scored a try to make it four in his past five games. He also had a try assist and 18 points from forced dropouts. Justin Olam, 79, scored two tries and had five tackle busts. Jahrome Hughes, 65, has taken over Nathan Cleary as top scoring halfback and even seemingly under an injury cloud last week still produced a linebreak and try assist.

Lows: Josh Addo-Carr, 16, missed out on the attacking points yet again. Taniela Paseka, 21, went off injured. Martin Taupau, 35, was shutdown by the Storm, but his form has been a worry for a while with a five round average of 49.6PPG.

Watchlist: Ryan Papenhuyzen, 32, and Nicho Hynes, 41, continue to share the minutes at fullback. Hynes lost $100k in value and could do the same again with a similar score. If you’re low on trades you probably have to hold Hynes but others should consider moving him on like 3% of teams did last week. Harry Grant, 61, knocked over his second game back from injury and should be the priority trade for Reed Mahoney owners.

BULLDOGS 16-28 TIGERS

Highs: Luciano Leilua, 105, has been quietly having a very good season and has the third most points of any second rower but is only in 6.9% of teams. He actually hasn’t missed a game in his two seasons with the Tigers. He had a try, linebreak, nine tackle busts and four offloads on top of 48 in base stats. Nick Meaney, 91, had 10 tackle busts and a try. Adam Doueihi, 86, didn’t really get going but still posted a big score with ease – 40 in base stats, 6/6 goals, four offloads and just one try assist. Ken Maumalo, 76, scored a double and now has a three-round average of 69PPG as the Tigers look to the left more in attack.

Lows: Zac Cini, 10, was a popular cheapie who disappeared from the Tigers team before he could make any money. He’s finally returned but off the bench for just 24 minutes to become an AE worry for 5.8% of teams still holding him. David Nofoaluma, 29, made just 11 runs well below his usual workrate.

Watchlist: Josh Jackson, 59, has a five-round average of 70PPG and just keeps getting through a mountain of work, with Dylan Napa and Jack Hetherington joining Luke Thompson out suspended that won’t ease up anytime soon. Shawn Blore, 53, seemingly has the left edge role at the Tigers to the end of the season and after back to back 80 minute games scoring in the 50s you can’t find many better or cheaper options than him at $215k.

TITANS 36-14 COWBOYS

Highs: Speaking of cheap options … Beau Fermor, 96, just piled on the attacking points with a try, two try assists, two offloads, two linebreak assists and 38 in base stats. At $333k, playing 80 minutes for the past three weeks and dual position CTW/2RF he looks interesting, though he did only score 34 and 38 points in 80 minutes against the Bulldogs and Dragons the week before. Kyle Feldt, 88, had a try, try assist and six tackle busts. David Fifita, 87, had a try, linebreak and nine tackle busts in his 55 minutes on the field. He’s averaged 85.8PPG in the five games coming off the bench. He was averaging 93.2PPG prior to that. Valentine Holmes, 87, returned from a shoulder injury at the heart of all things good in the Cowboys attack. He had a try, try assist, five tackle busts and six linebreak assists. He’s price shouldn’t move much further south so a trade in this week against the Tigers will be tempting. Alex Brimson, 86, scored a try and had a try assist as he continued his good form with a five-round average of 75PPG. Brian Kelly, 75, scored two tries for the second week in a row and would have gone close to a century if not for being sin binned.

Lows: Murray Taulagi, 1, went off early with a HIA. Ben Condon, 7, another early season cheapie returning to cause dramas. Jason Taumalolo, 39, played 80 minutes on the edge.

Watchlist: Toby Sexton, 66, continued to impress with a try assist, 40/20 and four forced drop outs. His price shot up $109k, a shame he wasn’t given a run earlier in the season with only 2% of teams reaping the rewards. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 66, had four tackle busts and a the rest was base stats. The Titans wingers are banging out the base stats with runs and tackle busts galore. Corey Thompson, 53, had seven tackle busts and a try assist but hasn’t scored a try in the five games since returning from injury. Greg Marzhew, 45, posted his lowest score of the season with five tackle busts and 33 points from hit-ups.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 21 best players and trade targets