NRL SuperCoach Round 13: Rolling coverage of weekend action

KEEP up to date with the weekend’s SuperCoach action in our weekend rolling coverage.

KEEP up to date with the weekend’s SuperCoach action in our weekend rolling coverage.

Highlights, lowlights, injuries, judiciary dramas and talking points — it’s all here.

Bookmark this page and keep coming back throughout the weekend so you never miss a big SuperCoach moment.

BULLDOGS V SHARKS

Injuries/reports:

* Canterbury’s Michael Lichaa (hamstring tightness) went off and failed to return.

* Cronulla’s Sosaia Feki (groin) also failed to return.

Talking points:

* The most popular bye purchase in the game, James Graham (77), took Perfect Eight honours with another brilliant base stat performance that included 36 tackles and 38 points in hit-ups.

* Jack Bird (65) pulled off one of the best try assist you’ll ever see and showed he will be a SuperCoach must for round 16 onwards if out of favour for Origin.

* Popular cheapie Kerrod Holland (46) pretty much hit his break even and won’t leak any cash, but is a sell before round 15.

Highlights:

* Andrew Fifita (74) was a handful all night with six tackle busts and three offloads on top of his usual base stats.

* Canterbury fullback Ben Barba (67) scored a try and produced the matchwinning try assist in an electric display.

Lowlights:

* James Maloney (26) kicked the winning goal but struggled for penetration backing up from Origin.

* The Moses Mbye (38) rollercoaster passed through another dip, despite a try assist.

RABBITOHS V TITANS

Injuries/reports:

* David Shillington (shoulder) was ruled out pre-game

Talking points:

* Ryan James (157) produced one of the greatest fantasy performances of all time. He notched two tries and three line breaks on top of great base stats of 44 tackles and 18 runs. He is a massive POD at under five per cent ownership and average of almost 70.

* Sam Burgess (105) produced big time as the most popular captain of the week at 22.8 per cent. Burgess’s huge score was comprised entirely of base stats, including 20 hit-ups over eight metres and 50 tackles.

* Popular SuperCoach target Konrad Hurrell made the trip to Perth but was left out as he works on his fitness.

Highlights:

* Early season cheapie Cody Walker (100) has been a revelation since switching to fullback. He produced a try, four linebreaks and 10 tackle busts.

* Nathan Peats (66) has averaged 80 since moving to the Titans, playing a mixture of lock and hooker.

* Early-season cheapie Ashley Taylor (53) is the gift that keeps giving, notching a try and try assist to accompany his matchwinning field goal.

Lowlights:

* Cheapie Nathan Davis (33) missed six tackles, many of them crucial, and could make way for Hurrell next week.

Ryan James had a day out for the Titans.

Final teams:

Rabbitohs: 1 Cody Walker 2 Alex Johnston 3 Kirisome Auva’a 4 Bryson Goodwin 5 Dane Nielsen 6 Greg Inglis 7 Adam Reynolds 8 Tom Burgess 9 Cameron McInnes 10 Nathan Brown 11 Paul Carter 12 Kyle Turner 13 Sam Burgess. Interchange: 14 Luke Keary 15 Jason Clark 17 David Tyrell

Jack Gosiewski is replaced on the bench by debutant Siosifa Talakai.

Titans: 1 William Zillman 2 Anthony Don 3 Josh Hoffman 4 Nathan Davis 5 Nene McDonald 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ashely Taylor 17 Luke Douglas 9 Nathan Friend 10 Ryan James 11 Zeb Taia 12 Chris McQueen 13 Greg Bird Interchange: 14 Nathan Peats 15 Leivaha Pulu 16 Agnatius Paasi 19 Eddy Pettybourne

David Shillington (shoulder) is out. He is replaced by Luke Douglas in the starting side, with Eddy Pettybourne coming onto the bench. Popular SuperCoach target Konrad Hurrell misses out.

ROOSTERS V TIGERS

Injuries/reports:

* The second most popular player in SuperCoach, Latrell Mitchell (ankle), went down injured. Roosters officials said he may have returned if not for the risks associated with the monsoonal conditions.

* Isaac Liu (ankle) also failed to return for the Roosters.

* Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was on the war path all afternoon and was placed in report for a late high shot.

* Tim Simona (concussion) copped some heavy contact late in the game and didn’t return.

* Boyd Cordner (foot, round 17) was ruled out pre-game due to an injury sustained in Origin one.

* Mitchell Pearce (calf) picked up an injury at training and was ruled out pre-game.

Talking points:

* James Tedesco (81) returned from injury with a bang, scoring a late try (with line break) and setting up a try. However, he still couldn’t hit his massive 114 break even and will drop by approximately $15,000 to a very juicy $360,000.

* Jackson Hastings (54) is still the 16th most popular player in SuperCoach and made a timely return for many in the absence of the injured Pearce. Notched a try assist and forced two drop outs.

* Sio Siua Taukeiaho (54) was the third most purchased player this week and certainly produced with the boot. He slotted some absolute corkers in notching 20 points from kicks at goal. However, his base stats were way down, making just 21 tackles and scoring 13 points in runs despite huge game time.

Highlights:

* Jake Friend (84) was the best player on the field, notching two try assists. He also had the magic touch with the boot, kicking beautifully all game and forcing two drop outs.

* The most popular buy of the week, Ryan Matterson (59), was hardly the most dominant player on the field, but his undoubted talent makes him a serious stats magnet for SuperCoach. He will rise by another $30,000 after producing a classy try assist.

Lowlights:

* Elijah Taylor (48) started at hooker but played plenty of back row. The attacking stats of the last few weeks weren’t there in the wet and the bulk of his points were made up by his 44 tackles.

* Star cheapie Josh Addo-Carr (30) showed his inexperience. He struggled in the wet and was pushed back in goal for some crucial line drop outs. That said, he still notched another $45,000 in rises.

* Josh Aloiai (21) is still owned by 20 per cent of SuperCoaches, but again failed to produce any meaningful stats despite being called into the starting side.

Roosters: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michell Aubusson 4. Dale Copley 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Ryan Matterson 21. Jackson Hastings 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend (capt.) 10. Dylan Napa 13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 12. Aidan Guerra 14. Isaac Liu Interchange: 15. Sam Moa 16. Kane Evans 17. Connor Watson 18. Eloni Vunakece

Boyd Cordner (foot, round 17) is replaced by Sio Siua Taukeiaho on the left edge, with Isaac Liu promoted to the starting side at lock and Eloni Vunakece coming onto the bench. Mitchell Pearce (calf) is replaced at halfback by Jackson Hastings in a straight swap.

Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tim Simona 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods (capt.) 13. Elijah Taylor 10. Ava Seumanufagai 18. Kyle Lovett 12. Chris Lawrence 11. Josh Aloiai. Interchange: 14. Sauaso Sue 17. Dene Halatau 19. JJ Felise 22. Michael Chee Kam

Robbie Farah (rested), Matt Ballin (knee) and Tim Grant (rib) are all out. Elijah Taylor will play hooker, with Josh Aloiai moving to lock forward and Kyle Lovett in to the back row. JJ Felise and Michael Chee Kam come on to the bench. Aaron Woods will back up from Origin.

Mitchell Pearce has a calf injury.

STORM V PANTHERS

Injuries/reports:

* Waqa Blake went off for a concussion test after a tackle on Tohu Harris but returned to the field.

* Marika Koroibete left the field for a concussion test midway through the second half and didn’t return.

Talking points:

* SuperCoaches breathed a sigh of relief when Storm captain Cameron Smith (55) was named in the final team, despite conjecture early in the week that he may not back up after Origin. Cooper Cronk also backed up for the Storm and Tohu Harris started in the second row.

* Penrith young gun Nathan Cleary (29), the son of former Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, didn’t get many opportunities in his first match against the staunch Melbourne defence.

Cooper Cronk dives to score a try against Penrith. Picture: AAP

Highlights:

* Jesse Bromwich (80) cemented his place as a SuperCoach must-have this season. The international prop, who has a base stats average of 50, notched his second try of the year and over 30 points from hit-ups. Interestingly he only made 19 tackles. If you’re not on, get on.

* Penrith nemesis Cooper Cronk (and his ankle) backed up from Origin with his second biggest SuperCoach score of the year. After a rough start to the season the Storm halfback now has a five-round average of over 70. His 83-point haul included a try, three try assists, a forced line drop-out and 16 points from line break assists. He is currently owned by only three per cent of SuperCoaches.

* Storm dual position player Tohu Harris (64) entered the match against Penrith as one of the most traded in players of the round. And he didn’t let his new owners down. Although he didn’t quite reach his lofty BE of 86, his 24 tackles and 34 points from hit-ups were certainly enough to warrant CTW keeper status.

* Panthers winger Josh Mansour (69) rewarded those 15,000 coaches who kept the faith after a slow season with an impressive post-Origin match. He scored an early try, 33 points from hit-ups and eight from tackle busts and is set for a decent price rise after easily accounting for his BE of 31.

Lowlight:

* Is it time to cash in on Suliasi Vunivalu (12)? The Storm flyer has been the perfect cash cow this season but failed to notch any attacking stats this week and as a consequence didn’t reach his BE of 18. You’ll still be able to sell him for around $270,000.

Final teams:

Storm 1 Cameron Munster 2 Suliasi Vunivalu 3 Cheyse Blair 4 Ryan Morgan 5 Marika Koroibete 6 Blake Green 23 Cooper Cronk 8 Jesse Bromwich 20 Cameron Smith (c) 10 Jordan McLean 11 Kevin Proctor 7 Tohu Harris 13 Dale Finucane Interchange 9 Kenny Bromwich 12 Tim Glasby 14 Nelson Asofa-Solomona 15 Felise Kaufusi

Big sigh of SuperCoach relief. Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk start for the Storm, while Tohu Harris moves to the second row. Kenny Bromwich and Tim Glasby go back to the bench, with Christian Welch and Young Tonumaipea dropping out of the team.

Panthers 1 Matt Moylan (c) 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 6 Tyrone Peachey 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 18 Nathan Cleary 7 Jamie Soward 8 Sam McKendry 9 Peter Wallace 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Bryce Cartwright 12 Trent Merrin 4 Isaah Yeo Interchange 13 Leilani Latu 14 Suaia Matagi 15 Jeremy Latimore 16 Chris Grevsmuhl.

Penrith young gun Nathan Cleary, the son of former Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, will make his NRL debut in the halves for the Panthers, with Isaah Yeo moving into the forwards and Tyrone Peachey to the centres. Leilani Latu will start from the bench, with Sitaleki Akauola out of the 17.

COWBOYS V KNIGHTS

Injuries/reports:

* Knights centre Nathan Ross left the field with a calf injury and did not return.

* Danny Levi left the field twice for concussion tests and didn’t return after the second.

Talking points:

* Despite a torrid Origin encounter, Johnathan Thurston took his spot at the head of the Cowboys juggernaut, while Ray Thompson replaced Michael Morgan (concussion). Popular cheapie Javid Bowen couldn’t force his way into the team.

* North Queensland fans were treated to the anticipated try frenzy against Newcastle and Cowboy players took out the top 11 spots on the SuperCoach scoreboard.

Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston takes a break during the match against the Knights. Picture: Evan Morgan

Highlights

* Those 4000 SuperCoaches who have ridden the Kyle Feldt (88) rollercoaster this season will be happy to get on for another go. Feldt has been inconsistent, averaging just 22 base points per game, but when he is on song he generally goes large. Against the Knights he scored two tries, eight points from tackle busts and 30 from line breaks.

* Althouh he didn’t reach the heights of last week, those who jumped on Knights forward Pauli Pauli (46) can expect a handy $50,000 cash injection to boost their coffers before the Round 15 bye carnage. Pauli again played 80 minutes, making 32 tackles and 18 points from hit-ups.

* Those SuperCoaches who threw the dart and came up with Gavin Cooper (71) as forward bye coverage will be happy with his marked improvement on last round’s 36. He pipped other Cowboys options Ethan Lowe (54) and Jason Taumalolo (59), with a try, 26 tackles and a line break.

* Not really SuperCoach relevant but 100-gamer Ray Thompson had a strong milestone match, notching 98 points from two tries and linebreaks, 20 tackles, eight points from tackle busts and six from a forced line dropout.

Lowlight

* Although he did back up from Origin, Cowboys gun Johnathan Thurston was given an early shower and only managed 43 points for his 54,000 owners, well below his five-round average of 74. He’ll drop to below $400,000 next week.

Final teams:

Cowboys 1 Lachlan Coote 2 Kyle Feldt 3 Justin O’Neill 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 19 Ray Thompson 7 Johnathan Thurston (c) 8 Matt Scott (c) 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo Interchange 14 Rory Kostjasyn 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant 18 John Asiata

As expected, Ray Thompson replaces Michael Morgan in the halves, while John Asiata comes into the final 17 at the expense of Patrick Kaufusi.

Knights 1 Dane Gagai 2 Cory Denniss 3 Sione Mata’utia 4 Nathan Ross 5 Jake Mamo 21 Jack Cogger 7 Trent Hodkinson (c) 8 Sam Mataora 9 Danny Levi 10 Daniel Saifiti 11 Tariq Sims (c) 12 Pauli Pauli 13 Jeremy Smith (c) Interchange 14 Tyler Randell 15 Lachlan Fitzgibbon 16 Josh King 17 Mickey Paea

With Jaelen Feeney out of the side, Jack Cogger starts at five-eighth. Pat Mata’utia and David Bhana drop off the final bench.

WARRIORS V BRONCOS

Injuries/reports:

* Warriors No.6 Thomas Leuluai injured his knee in a tackle late in the match and left the field.

Talking points:

* An unusually enthusiastic Warriors outfit came out with all guns blazing and an equally unusual SuperCoach friendly style of play, spreading the ball wide, offloading at will and continually testing the Broncos Origin-depleted defence.

* Wayne Bennett sprung a selection surprise by pushing Josh McGuire (45) to starting hooker to cover the injured Travis Waddell. Broncos fans and Kodi Nikorima owners were left shaking their heads. Nikorima did end up playing for 49 minutes but only scored 21 SC points.

* Where has Milf gone? The highest scoring SuperCoach player Anthony Milford (37) has now had three forgettable weeks. The Bronco five-eighth’s effort against the Warriors included a line-break and a line-break assist and he was unlucky not to score a few more attacking stats. Don’t write him off just yet.

Shaun Johnson celebrates teammate Jacob Lillyman's try. Picture: Getty Images

Highlights:

* Shaun Johnson (101) was mercurial and his kicking game, well, much better than usual. His haul included a try, two try assists, 16 points for line-break assists and 10 from line-breaks, as he carved his way through the Broncos defence. The Warriors playmaker has been surprisingly consistent this year, he only misses one more game during the byes and is getting close to a must-have in final teams.

* Tuimoala Lolohea’s 3,750 owners were doing cartwheels. He was in everything, notching a try assist, a last touch assist, 12 points from tackle busts, 20 points from line breaks, and six from a forced dropout. It’s a rollercoaster ride but if he can reproduce this type of match he might be good option through the rest of the bye period.

* Is Solomone Kata (78) back? After a try-scoring run early in the season, the Warriors CTW hit a quiet patch. But he has now scored a try in his last two matches, has a five-round average of over 50 points and can go big. He is also worth considering through the rest of the bye period, especially with Konrad Hurrell leaving the club.

Lowlights:

* James Roberts’ 18,000 coaches were hoping he’d build on his 69 points last week but he didn’t get a look in on the right side of the Broncos attack — again — and could only manage 22 measly points.

* Those who offloaded SuperCoach God and Brisbane lock Corey Parker (44) before Origin were pouring themselves a drink. Although he backed up and returned to the kicking duties he certainly didn’t hit any SuperCoach highs, notching just 16 tackles, one offload and 14 points from hit-ups in his 49 minutes.

* Former SuperCoach must-have Simon Mannering scored a solid 56 points, which will improve after the recounts. However, he is yet to convince coaches he should be in their teams at the end of the season. Starting at lock and with an extra week’s break to recover from his facial injury he made some nice offloads to go with his 35 tackles but just isn’t pumping out enough points.

Final teams:

Warriors 1 Tuimoala Lolohea 2 David Fusitu’a 3 Blake Ayshford 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Thomas Leuluai 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Jacob Lillyman 9 Issac Luke 16 Albert Vete 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman (c) 13 Simon Mannering

Interchange 10 Ben Matulino 14 Nathaniel Roache 15 Sam Lisone 17 Charlie Gubb

Albert Vete starts at prop for the Warriors with Ben Matulino on the bench.

Broncos 1 Darius Boyd 2 Lachlan Maranta 3 Jack Reed 4 James Roberts 5 Jordan Kahu 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 16 Joseph Ofahengaue 8 Josh McGuire 10 Adam Blair 11 Alex Glenn 12 Sam Thaiday 13 Corey Parker Interchange 14 Jarrod Wallace 15 Tevita Pangai 17 Kodi Nikorima 18 Herman Ese’Ese

All Origin representatives named on Tuesday will play for the Broncos. Travis Waddell is out, with Josh McGuire starting at hooker and Kodi Nikorima staying on the bench. Joe Ofahengaue comes into the front row to take McGuire’s spot, while Herman Ese’ese comes on to the bench in place of Ofahengaue.

RAIDERS V SEA EAGLES

Injuries/reports:

* Daly Cherry-Evans damaged his ankle in a Josh Papalii tackle in the first half and did not return for the second stanza.

* Brenton Lawrence also failed to return for the second half after hurting his pec.

* Lewis Brown battled a hamstring injury but remained on the field.

* Jamie Lyon limped from the field with a hamstring injury midway through the second half.

* Jamie Buhrer was taken from the field in a daze after being destroyed by Junior Paulo on a kick off return but managed to return.

Talking points:

* Will the Joey Leilua Express ever stop? The big unit cranked out 68 points despite seeing little ball in the attacking quarter. His offloads and tackle busts make him perhaps the best CTW option in SuperCoach.

* Junior Paulo was strong on debut for the Raiders but that wasn’t reflected in his SuperCoach numbers. The former Eel scored just 34 and his inclusion raises questions regarding the Raiders future forward rotation. With Shaun Fensom and Paul Vaughan both rested and expected to return to the team in some format it seems impossible to predict just what Ricky Stuart will do with his pack.

Matt Parcell produced his best score of the year.

* Just as Matt Parcell owners were beginning to lose some faith the dynamic hooker scored a try to bolster his score to a healthy 80, his highest score of the year. The injury to Daly Cherry-Evans and the expected shift of Apisai Koroisau should mean Parcell continues to play 80 minutes but his high break-even and awkward price make him an unfavourable option.

Highlights:

* Josh Papalii was one of Queensland’s best in Origin I, drove back to Canberra the night after the game and played 60 great minutes, scoring a try and churning through a heap of work for his 88.

Papalii was terrific for the Raiders.

* If you are one of the 777 brave psychopaths who held onto Jack Wighton during his recent struggles you were richly rewarded. Wighton scored a try and set up two more in his best game of the season.

* Josh Hodgson was a shrewd POD choice earlier in the season and he produced his second try of the season to boost his score to a healthy 68.

* In a side that looked well off the pace for much of the match, Jake Trbojevic was superb. He cranked out 68 points, almost all through base stats.

Lowlights:

* Blake Austin’s poor SuperCoach season continued with a measly 26. Unless the Dally M five-eighth of the year scores a try he is close to unplayable and should be avoided.

* Dylan Walker was an intriguing POD prospect following his move back to the centres and his 45 was somewhat encouraging but with Cherry-Evans injured it remains to be seen if he doesn’t move back into the halves.

* Elliott Whitehead scored 60, but that was bumped up by a try. The English backrower was an attractive option over the Origin period but he just doesn’t see enough ball to justify his price.

Final teams:

Raiders

1. Jack Wighton 2. Brenko Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Josh Hodgson 19. Junior Paulo 15. Sia Soliola 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Luke Bateman 14. Kurt Baptiste 11. Josh Papalii 10. Joseph Tapine 16. Clay Priest

SEA EAGLES

1. Brett Stewart 2. Brayden Williame 3. Dylan Walker 5. Tom Trbojevic 20. Matthew Wright 6. Jamie Lyon 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Matt Parcell 10 Nate Myles 11. Lewis Brown 12. jamie Buhrer 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Api Koroisau 15. Josh Starling 16. Brenton Lawrence 17. Siosia Vave

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Round 13: Rolling coverage of weekend action