SuperCoach Plus article Round 15: Almost every buy this week is a trap, where to now?

It’s not just the enormous casualty ward making this week so tough for SuperCoaches, it’s also the question marks hanging over top replacements.

SuperCoaches are faced with an enormous casualty ward this week including Nathan Cleary, Dylan Brown, David Fifita, Cameron Murray and Jack De Belin.

But it’s not just the injuries and suspensions making this round so hard. It’s also that just about every viable replacement has some sort of cloud hanging over them.

At risk of sounding like a negative nancy, we run through the most popular players this week and the reasons NOT to buy them.

1 Mitchell Moses - A lot makes sense here. The bye schedule, the dream run of games and a season average only bettered in the position by the man he likely replaces in your team, Nathan Cleary. But ... while no-one really knows what Freddy Fittler will wake up and decide on Origin selection day, Moses is a serious chance.

Plenty in the office in the know say he’s the favourite. If Moses makes Origin, he becomes a horrible buy given he misses three of the next four weeks.

Mitchell Moses is very popular this week despite his Origin claims.

2 Shaun Johnson - Again, a lot makes sense. SJ has turned back the clock and scored the 10th most points of any player this season. He also hasn’t missed a single game, which is rare, and herein lies the biggest problem. Johnson has burned many of us in the past, averaging just 16 games a season over the last six years.

3 John Bateman - I actually like this trade. Good base, good bye schedule and attacking upside. But I’m also one of those silly souls who sold J’Maine Hopgood and I desperately want him back ahead of Bateman. Unfortunately though, Hopgood also makes an appearance later on this no-go list.

4 Cody Walker - Most total points of any player this season and without doubt the best replacement for Dylan Brown (or Cleary via duals). But he failed to finish training this week due to a quad injury and has the bye next week. Plus, he another in serious Origin contention.

5 Nicho Hynes - The best player in SuperCaoch this season by a looong way - 15.8 points per game to be exact. You’ll want him at some stage but even if he doesn’t win the NSW 6 or 7 jersey he’ll still get the 14. That means he’s guaranteed to miss three of the next four weeks.

6 Keaon Koloamatangi - Cracked a ton on return from injury last week. But he has the bye next week and is also a series NSW prospect.

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7 Briton Nikora - A serious prospect. Great mix of base, attacking stats, no Origin eligibility and strong bye schedule. But Nikora is expensive at $702K and law of averages says he can’t keep it up. He’s in the midst of his best ever season by a massive 10 points per game. Is that level of performance sustainable?

8 Jahream Bula - $570K is a massive price for a bloke who started at $200K.

9 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - Popular replacement for Titans teammate David Fifita (concussion), who is guaranteed to miss three of the next five weeks including this week. But while Tino has been great this year (second most points of any FRF), he misses two of the next four due to Origin and also has two Origin back-up games.

10 J’Maine Hopgood - For those silly enough to sell like myself, he’s a definite buy-back option. Hopgood has produced a huge breakout season with the second most points of any forward and also has arguably the best bye schedule in the competition … but only if he misses Origin. If he makes the Queensland side, as mooted by the coach himself this week, he then has arguably the worst bye schedule in the competition. Best to wait until Origin teams are announced on Monday.

Originally published as SuperCoach Plus article Round 15: Almost every buy this week is a trap, where to now?