KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 7 best players and trade targets

The Mastermind breaks down every KFC SuperCoach NRL Round 7 game and looks at what to do with James Tedesco.

James Tedesco started the season with monstrous scores and looking like the first $1m dollar KFC SuperCoach man. Now he’s heading towards half that and his lowest price in three years following an ANZAC DAY head injury and score of 17.

What KFC SuperCoaches decide to do with Teddy next is going to dramatically change the fortunes of the 40% of teams with the Roosters fullback.

There is a straight swap on offer to Tom Trbojevic or a downgrade to Warriors cheapie Reece Walsh and firming up a problem position like FRF or CTW.

KFC SuperCoaches could just hold Tedesco and wait for the inevitable bounce back with the Broncos and Cowboys looming on his fixture list.

While Tedesco hits new lows, David Fifita hits new heights with three first half tries on his way to 153 points. If you think his run of nine tries in seven games won’t continue, take another look at the games ahead... Broncos, Tigers and Bulldogs in the next month.

ROUND 7 LATEST: CASUALTY WARD

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

PANTHERS 24-6 KNIGHTS

Highs: Nathan Cleary, 96, had a try assist, linebreak, five tackle busts, 4/5 goals, two linebreak assists and 39 in base stats. He’s averaging just below 100 and doing it with ease. Brian To’o 89, had an amazing 50 points just from hit-ups and scored his fourth try of the season.

Lows: Charlie Staines, 25, scored low again to kill off any further price rises for the 46% of teams with him. At $350k he’s an easy upgrade to any number of more reliable options. Spencer Leniu, 27, averaged 40ppg in the first five rounds, but back to back 20s have killed off his price rises for now.

Watchlist: Stephen Crichton, 60, switched to right centre with Edwards’ return and scored his first try of the season. Bradman Best, 65, had 45 in base stats, a line break and two offloads.

TITANS 30-40 RABBITOHS

Highs: David Fifita, 153, had three tries and three linebreaks in the first half. This year’s leading pointscorer had eleven tackle busts and 46 in base points. Keaon Koloamatangi, 114, returned from suspension with two try assists, two linebreaks, and 54 base points to set up some massive price rises. Corey Thompson, 110, had a try assist, three linebreaks and a massive 15 tackle busts. He’s in career-best form and is now the third best CTW averaging 75+ but is in just 4% of teams. It might be because he’s never averaged more than 50PPG. Benji Marshall, 105, orchestrated the Rabbitohs victory with two tries, a try assist, a linebreak, six linebreak assists.

Lows: Junior Tatola, 3, went off injured early after coming off second best in a tackle attempt on Fifita. His price will drop dramatically with that low score sitting in his rolling average.

Watchlist: Cameron Murray 86, is coming into form after only one score above 50 in the first five rounds. Sam McIntyre, 62, had 48 in base points and a linebreak in his Titans debut.

EELS 46-6 BRONCOS

Highs: Maika Sivo, 157, had three tries, five linebreaks and 14 tackle busts in a powerhouse performance. Clint Gutherson, 124, did most of the work setting him up with three try assists, six line break assists and a try of his own. Bryce Cartwright, 120, wound back the clock with his best score since 2015. He had a try, try assist and two linebreaks. Tevita Pangai, 100, had 47 in base points, the usual swag of offloads, a try and linebreak.

Lows: Xavier Coates, 14, so surprises that the man facing up to Sivo had 5 missed tackles. The Broncos halves Brodie Croft and Tom Dearden both finished on 17.

Watchlist: Isaiah Papali’i, 83, scored his fifth try in the past four weeks as he played just 52 minutes. Ryan Matterson came back from injury in NSW Cup so expect Papali’i to make way and see a return to cores in the 50s playing in the middle. It’s amazing to think Papali’i is more expensive than the top prop of the past few seasons, Payne Haas. The Broncos prop scored 78 including 8 tackle busts and a linebreak.

SHARKS 12-18 BULLDOGS

Highs: Mawene Hiroti, 99, had one try, four linebreaks and eight tackle busts. The right winger outside Shaun Johnson usually scores a stack of tries and Hiroti probably should have had more than one. Will Hopoate, 80, had 41 in base stats, a try and a linebreak as he showed glimpses of what made him a reliable CTW option in the past. Jesse Ramien, 70, had 40 in base stats and 10 tackle busts.

Lows: Shaun Johnson, 30, wasn’t great on his return from injury. A few more quiet games will bring his price down to a tempting level as a back-up five-eighth. Siosifa Talakai, 28, sin binned and facing a suspension. Adam Elliott, 27, missed 8 tackles as the Bulldogs best player this season put up his worst score.

Watchlist: Luke Thompson, 65, was all base points. The dual position FRF/2RF looks like he might be the only Bulldogs player of note this season.

COWBOYS 26-24 RAIDERS

Highs: Jordan Rapana, 106, had two tries, two linebreaks and nine tackle busts. He’s now had six tries in seven games to average just under 70ppg. Valentine Holmes, 97, continued his top form at fullback for the Cowboys with a try assist, linebreak, 5/5 goals and seven tackle busts. Emre Guler, 84, had a try and 60 in base points as he scored a starting role in Ricky Stuart’s forward pack shuffle.

Lows: Ryan James, 33, was elevated to the starting role but didn’t have the desired impact for the 48% of teams holding onto him. Jarrod Croker, 33, kicked 4/4 goals leaving him with a lowly 17 to show for the rest of his game including three errors. Hudson Young, 31, had just 19 minutes off the bench.

Watchlist: Tom Starling, 90, reminded us of what he can do with Josh Hodgson out injured. He had a try assist, linebreak and 52 in base stats. Caleb Aekins, 55, had 38 points from hit-ups. He’s below $300k and a CTW and should make some money while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstadd is out of action. Corey Harawira-Naera, 45, played the full 80 minutes in his first game of the season.

TIGERS 6-40 SEA EAGLES

Highs: Tom Trbojevic, 118, had a try, three try assists, five tackle busts, two linebreaks and two linebreak assists. That was only in 63 minutes with Des Hasler resting him again with the game won. Daly Cherry-Evans, 110, joined in the fun after missing out last week with two tries, two try assists, four linebreak assists and a 40/20. Reuben Garrick, 105, is loving Turbo’s return more than most and picked up a try, linebreak and kicked 6/8 goals.

Lows: Jake Trbojevic, 36, had his lowest score since 2015. Stefano Utoikamanu, 27, is ready to be cashed out for the 42% of teams with him. Daine Laurie, 33, produced his lowest score of the season and is an upgrade option. James Roberts, 18, posted his third score in the teens and is leaking cash for the 20% of teams still waiting for him to fire.

Watchlist: Haumole Olakau’atu, 64, came off the bench and played 50 minutes delivering a linebreak, try assist and six tackle busts. He’ll see some nice price rises if the minutes continue. Jake Simpkin, 45, had five missed tackles and just two runs in his 69 minutes but still looks like a must buy given his price.

ROOSTERS 34-10 DRAGONS

Highs: Sam Walker, 125, delivered the goods on the big occasion with a try, two try assists, 4/6 goals, four tackle busts, a linebreak and six linebreak assists. Tariq Sims, 89, had a try, linebreak, five tackle busts and 50 in base stats. Sitili Tupouniua, 84, had two linebreaks and a try and comes at a very juicy price after a couple injury-hit scores. He’s averaged 68 across his five 80-minute games.

Lows: James Tedesco, 17, was hit high by Jordan Pereira and failed a HIA. Zac Lomax, 25, bounced back from both his sub 30 scores in 2020 with a century. Jordan Pereira, 5, was sin binned for the tackle on Tedesco and also had three errors.

Watchlist: Joey Manu, 81, filled in for Tedesco at fullback and looked very good with a try, linebreak and nine tackle busts. If Tedesco spends an extended period out as the Roosters have done with other headknocks he’s worth a look. Lindsay Collins, 73, had a try as he continued a strong start to the season and has averaged 62ppg. Josh McGuire, 73, had 54 in base stats, along with three offloads and four tackle busts. He played 60 minutes off the bench and his dual position status FRF/2RF would come in handy. Will Burns, 40, had 60 minutes in his Dragons debut. Could be a cheapie option if the minutes continue.

STORM 42-20 WARRIORS

Highs: Jahrome Hughes, 141, had four try assists, three linebreaks, four linebreak assists and six tackle busts as he scored a century for the second week in a row. Reimis Smith, 109, scored two tries and had nine tackle busts as he finally delivered a big score to get his price moving in the right direction. Josh Addo-Carr, 107, had two tries, four linebreaks and eleven tackle busts. Ken Maumalo, 91, scored three tries but didn’t get through the usual mountain of hit-ups.

Lows: George Jennings, 19, scored the opening try then went off after a dangerous tackle by Josh Curran in the 12th minute. Harry Grant, 33, couldn’t get in on the attacking points.

Watchlist: Nicho Hynes, 98, had a try, line break, two try assists and six linebreak assists. as he filled in for the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen. If he ever gets a consistent run in this team he’s a must buy, especially given he’s a dual CTW/FLB. Reece Walsh, 58, had two try assists, six tackle busts and two offloads on his debut. Walsh looks like a great cheapie option but at fullback only he may be tough to squeeze in. Josh Curran, 55, was sin binned but also had a try assist. He’s a must buy this week if he escapes sanction for his hit on Jennings. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 41, switched to the wing to accommodate Walsh. RTS isn’t good value for money on the wing. Bring Walsh in and spend the money elsewhere.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL: Round 7 best players and trade targets