KFC SuperCoach NRL team: Joe Naddaf brings Tom Trbojevic in to his team

2020 KFC SuperCoach champion Joe Naddaf argues that any team without Tom Trbojevic will be playing catch-up, catch up in 2022 – here’s how he found the cash.

Shut up and take my Money!

At a massive 12.6% of this years salary cap, Tom Trbojevic comes into my side at the expense of James Tedesco.

I believe the Sea Eagles will resume normal transmission in 2022 and a Turboless side will fall behind in the Overall Rankings.

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If you don’t start with Trbojevic:

How long before you bring him in?

If you do, will it be too close to origin and customary restings?

If he maintains his break-even of 143 then where will you find the money to bring him in?

The answers to these questions could ultimately decide your season.

I know making money is imperative but remember KFC SuperCoach is about scoring points. Lock in the Dally M winner as captain every week.

In order to afford Trbojevic, I’ve obviously had to make serious downgrades elsewhere.

HOOKER

OUT Damien Cook $575,500 IN Billy Walters $296,300

Damien Cook’s Charity Shield performance left a lot to be desired, his running game that made him such an attacking threat was non-existent. It appears the Rabbitohs will run most of their attack off Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell when he returns from suspension in Round 2. I’ve brought in Billy Walters who appears to be a strong chance to play in the halves. I am happy to bank the $279,200 and settle for the 45-50 points that either Chad Randall or Walters will provide. Cory Paix ($205,100) and Jake Simpkin ($322,400) are also on my watchlist, keep an eye on Team List Tuesday.

Chris Randall $245,500

Who could forget his debut game in 2020? He came off the bench to amass 68 tackles … a herculean effort. With an unfortunate Achilles injury to popular 2021 pick Jayden Brailey the opportunity is there for Randall to secure the number 9 jersey for the Knights and more importantly be a safe top 17 player while making serious coin for KFC Supercoaches. A must

if starting.

Joe’s had to sacrifice Damien Cook at the altar of Tom Trbojevic. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

FRONT ROW

Payne Haas $595,800

Not much needs to be said about the Brisbane enforcer. He’s reasonably priced and ultra-consistent.

OUT Stefano Utoikamanu $457,200 IN Addin-Fonua Blake $505,000

I’ve always been a big fan of Addin Fonua-Blake’s KFC SuperCoach output with such a high PPM (Points Per Minute). I can see an improvement on his 57.6 PPG last year and expect him to lead the Warriors pack until new captain Tohu Harris returns from injury. Barring suspension or major injury I envisage Payne Haas and Fonua-Blake as season long keepers and that means saving trades in the front row position. Set and Forget.

Tepai Moeroa $205,100

We all know what the former Eel backrower is capable of. A full off-season under the Storm regime will only benefit Moeroa. If he’s in the 17 he’s an automatic selection and a true blessing if he can jag the number 13 jersey vacated by Dale Finucane. Also has dual position status which is invaluable.

Max King $188,700

With a lack of cheapies in the engine room. Max King is just a place holder at the moment. The Bulldogs have plenty of talented middle forwards, but all reports out of Belmore suggest that the former Titan and Storm forward has made a serious impression on the coaching staff.

David Fifita is a destructive force.

2ND ROW

David Fifita $745,200

David Fifita vs Nathan Cleary is my biggest conundrum. The lack of potential cheapies in the 2rf position has the Titans backrower ahead for mine. He was in real beast mode early in 2021 averaging 100 PPG over the first 9 rounds. Not starting with him last year made it hard to catch the pack in the overall race and it was punishing watching those 15-20 point hitups (hitup, tackle bust, tackle bust, tackle bust, tackle bust, offload).

However, the new and inexperienced halves pairing of Toby Sexton and Alexander Brimson is an unknown and if there is a hint of Fifita starting off the bench in favour of Beau Fermor then I will certainly be off him.

Angus Crichton $653,200

I’m predicting the Roosters to have a bumper 2022 KFC SuperCoach year. A fit Luke Keary will certainly benefit the side, especially with Big Angus running off his hip. Not many can isolate defenders like Keary. (And yes, Keary is in my team alongside two young Roosters backs that I have enormous wraps on.) Crichton’s judiciary record is of concern and he will play origin.

Jai Arrow $457,700/Liam Martin $428,500

I’ve paired these 2 VFM’s (Value For Money) back rowers together as I see plenty of similarities and if both secure a starting backrow spot, they will prove very fruitful.

I talk about opportunity quite a bit when drafting my KFC SuperCoach team, the departures of Jayden Su’a and Kurt Capewell opens an 80-minute edge spot for their respective clubs. What’s even more Finger Licking Good? The players inside them. Arrow found himself on South Sydney’s deadly left edge outside the elusive Cody Walker and Martin will be paired up alongside Nathan Cleary, not many better places to ply your trade in rugby league (Unless you play for the team that has Sir Tom T in it).

Kelma Tuilagi $253,900

As mentioned in Wilfred Zee’s 11 Left Field Cheapies, an ACL injury to Shawn Blore may open the door for young Tuilagi. The tackle busting backrower definitely passes the eye test. One to watch.

Brendan Piakura $188,700

The Broncos and the Bulldogs were in a bidding war for this young man’s signature, who agreed to a rich deal with Brisbane even before playing in first grade. He is a future star of the NRL. Don’t be scared off by his 1 game suspension.

There’s good reason the majority of SuperCoaches have cheapie Lachlan Ilias in their team. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

HALFBACK

Jackson Hastings $350,700

I certainly hope this young man can realise his potential in the NRL. His talent can never be questioned. After a successful stint in the UK Super League this may be his last chance in the NRL. A serious injury to Adam Doueihi means Hastings will kick goals which will add to his floor.

Lachlan Ilias $205,200

Currently the third most popular player at just under 50% ownership. Ilias had a dream debut in round 25 last year scoring a try with his first touch. The halfback has a very good passing game and will need to give Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell early quality ball. Follow the crowd on this one.

FIVE-EIGHTH

OUT Luke Keary $528,400 IN Kurt Mann $383,300

I’ve doubled down on selling the Sydney Roosters’ two main attackers in Luke Keary and James Tedesco despite previously predicting the Roosters as a KFC SuperCoach gold mine in 2022. Conjecture over Luke Keary’s availability for round 1 and of course the need to free up funds for Tom Trbojevic’s inclusion, means that I’ve made a significant downgrade at 5/8th. In his place I’ve brought in Kurt Mann. Also available in the CTW, Mann impressed playing lock in the Knights’ two trial games. His stocks will rise as the season nears.

Talatau Amone $284,500

As a rugby league fan, I want to see plenty of this talented 19 year old. Amone, Sloan and the Feagai brothers are the future of this St George Illawarra side. Amone has a SuperCoach friendly game and any half with a run-first mentality will consistently score well. Playing alongside the experienced Ben Hunt will allow young Amone to play his natural game.

Kotoni Staggs just needs some luck with injury. Picture: Annette Dew.

CENTRE/WING

Kotoni Staggs $433,100

Big, skilful and strong, let’s hope Kotini’s injury curse is over. His speed, balance and ability to break tackles at $433k make him a SuperCoach asset. I’m predicting a career-defining season for the Brisbane centre.

OUT Billy Smith $294,600 IN Beau Fermor $379,300

Billy Smith appears to be way down the pecking order at the Sydney Roosters with Adam Keighran favoured at left centre. Beau Fermor is another who’s ownership will soar if he secures the right edge spot off Kevin Proctor. With their last trial abandoned, we weren’t given a look at the Gold Coast Titans forward formation but all reports suggest that Fermor is the preferred option. He has a KFC SuperCoach friendly game and has a knack for scoring tries. Available in the CTW and under $380,000, could he be the Simon Mannering, Tohu Harris or Issah Ye’o of yesteryear?

Izack Tago $287,900

Brian To’o 2.0. Another off the Penrith conveyor belt. Tago is thirsty for work and tackle busts for fun. Add the departures of Matt Burton, Paul Momirovski and Brent Naden and Tago will have plenty of opportunity with the reigning premiers.

Will Penisini $255,700

While I’m naming 2.0’s, I liken Penisini to a young Michael Jennings. Great balance and electric footwork. He and coach Brad Arthur will be full of confidence after his outstanding finals series. Lock him in.

Jordan Pereira $266,500

The former Dragon flyer would make KFC Supercoaches very happy if he can recapture his 2020 form where he peaked at $468,100 and averaged 17 hitups per game. This base and a Broncos team on the up makes Pereira a possible play in top 17s.

Joseph Suaalii $259,500

A schoolboy prodigy, Suaalii is ready to stamp himself as First Grader in 2022. An undisrupted off-season will only benefit the right winger of whom I can envisage running onto Sam Walker’s Harbour Bridge passes for years to come. At 55% ownership the majority of KFC Supercoaches agree. Could he be the Charlie Staines of 2021? It’ll take a brave coach to leave him out.

Paul Alamoti $175,400

This kid can play and when he does, he will be a KFC SuperCoach stud. Nestled behind Braidon Burns, Brent Naden and Aaron Schoupp, Alamoti is more of a place holder at this stage.

James Tedesco of the Roosters. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

FULLBACK

OUT James Tedesco $760,100 IN Tom Trbojevic $1,256,100

See above.

Ryan Papenhuyzen $694,700

The 2020 Clive Churchill winner is my first pick for KFC SuperCoach. Last year in his seven 80-minute games he averaged 115.7 PPG yet is priced at an average of 79.2 PPG due to his late season benchings. In his absence and with the same personnel, Nicho Hynes tonned up on 5 occasions and we know the Melbourne Storm machine will continue to fire.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach NRL team: Joe Naddaf brings Tom Trbojevic in to his team