NRL SuperCoach Stat Attack: The 10 stats to define round two

ROOKIE SuperCoach guru Trent Copeland’s Stat Attack column is a vital resource as SuperCoaches finalise their teams ahead of round two.

WELCOME back to Stat Attack, version two.

This week we have some actual stats, form and relevant indicators, from which we can start to form opinions. Ultimately we want to know who the best 17 players in the game are (and own them), as quickly as possible and these 17 players or your “ideal scenario” team needs to be in the thoughts every time you pull the trigger on that trade button. It is these type of statistics that will give you the edge in selecting the right ones!

If there are any particular statistics or players people would like to know about, feel free to hit me up on twitter @copes9 or the @supercoachNRL handle and we will endeavour to get you the answers on the Live Countdown Show each week, or in the following week’s edition of Stat Attack.

Here’s some of the round one stats that will be of interest to all SuperCoach players …

* 80 to 50

I’m not talking cricket here and how many times I’ve raised the bat. What I’m talking about is players we normally lock in for 80 minutes and hence pay the big bucks for, getting minutes in the 50s or low 60s in round one.

How many minutes for Sam Burgess? 53

Shaun Fensom? 52

Greg Bird? 62

Bodene Thompson? 50

Corey Parker? 63

Iosia Soliola? 57

Is this permanent? Or building into the season? Either way it’s definitely something to monitor, and you can do this by clicking the ‘players’ tab and sort by ‘Mins Played’.

Sam Burgess played 53 minutes for the Rabbitohs in round one. Picture: Brett Costello

* Corey Oates — 26.95 and 36.73

These stats are Oates’ season averages for 2014 and 2015 respectively. Yes, he played at times off the bench for 15 minutes in the back row, but the most traded in player this week on the back of a huge performance against the Eels has hardly the greatest pedigree so I wouldn’t be jumping on thinking he is this season’s Semi Radradra.

After a huge first half, Oates managed a paltry 12 points in the second term. Personally, if he does it all again this weekend then he will have a high enough break even that he will make cash regardless and make sense as a trade in. For those jumping the gun this week, just don’t be shocked if he scores a 25 this week, and this is your warning!

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* Roger Tuivasa-Sheck — 192

While that number sounds like a score of his from last season, it’s actually his current break-even.

After his round one score of 20, and this weekend’s game against the Broncos sure to be a tough one, SuperCoach GOLD predicts RTS is looking at a seriously large price reduction from round four onwards.

Music to SuperCoach players’ ears, put him on your watch-list.

* Semi Radradra — 177

Semi and his tough fixtures to start to the year were a focal point of last week’s Stat Attack, and with good reason.

Following on from RTS’ stat above, Semi’s 33 in the opening round leaves him with a BE of 177 and the highest priced player in the game with the best bye coverage of any player in the competition will soon be affordable.

He will be one of my first trade targets (if my team doesn’t keep falling over injured!).

Semi Radradra looms as a trade target. Picture: Jenny Evans

* Craig Garvey — 80

That golden number in SuperCoach 80 — as in 80 minutes. We know Des Hasler likes to play his hooker for the full game while carrying four big men on the bench. This week is a watch-list bonanza with the surprise packet round one scorers either getting back in their box or solidifying those roles. This one could make some cash. Lichaa is out for four weeks, and as we saw last season even if Garvey wasn’t involved heavily in attack Lichaa managed to get past the $300k mark in tackles alone. Go you good thing.

* Greg Inglis — 9.62 per cent

With 71 points last week, and the highest projected score of any player this week at 91, this stat reflects a strange truth about this SuperCoach season: ownership percentage. This season more than any other in recent memory SuperCoaches have forgotten about some of the game’s great players — this one in particular due to the hype around James Tedesco and many of the rookies who were available in the position. I suggest this ownership may change in a hurry after another big game this weekend against Newcastle.

* Cameron Munster — 141

Who has the highest average against this weekend’s opponent, at the venue they are playing at among all players? Cameron Munster at 141, which he scored against the Titans last season. This one will be a regular stat as player’s form at a particular venue or up against particular defenders (i.e. the left sided Maloney stat last week) is extremely relevant for SuperCoach.

* James Graham — 29

How do you earn SuperCoach points? In many ways is the answer, but the easiest is what we call “base stats” — runs and tackles. The most runs of ANY player in the NRL last week you ask? James Graham with 29. His 71 minutes were inflated due to the injuries to Lichaa, Stanley and Elliot but it is a great sign for his owners after being in some doubt for round one.

James Graham had the most runs of any play in the NRL also week. Picture: Mark Evans

* Manu Ma’u — 5

Ma’u is a legend in SuperCoach circles for his rapid rise from bottom dollar cheapie to almost keeper status in his debut season in 2014. He has never averaged below 50 and when you take into account the fact that he plays all three of the big bye rounds, he will be essential at some point for all teams this season. The number five is relevant here when referring to his FIVE, yes five, offloads in round one. 80 minutes, 72 points and we know he has the attacking stats in him, I like what I see.

* Tyler Randell — 52

The last stat of the week is all about tackles. The young Knights hooker made 52 of them last week against the Titans. Wow. With Daniel Levi named on an extended bench this week we don’t know if the 80 minutes will continue but man, if they do — you can expect some decent price rises and a POD hooker in Randell.

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach Stat Attack: The 10 stats to define round two