HOOKER
Damien Cook ($621,000) / Jacob Liddle ($247,200)
Cook burned me bad in Rounds 1 and 2 last year, but following the COVID-19 break and the introduction of the new rules, he went on to average 73.3 points per game for the rest of the season. With the expected retirement of Cam Smith, and despite the emergence of Harry Grant and Cam McInnes, I expect Cook to finish 2021 as the top-scoring hooker so I will gladly lock that in from Round 1.
Speaking of Harry Grant, he was fantastic at the Tigers last year but he’s gone back to the Storm. Liddle is the next man up, and honestly his body has been the only thing holding him back the past few years. When fit and able to play some footy, Liddle has looked capable and also has what appears to be a SuperCoach-friendly playstyle (likes to run the ball), so he is the perfect back-up hooker to start the season.
Payne Haas ($668,600) / Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ($504,900)
Plenty of KFC SuperCoaches are running scared from Haas due to the expected drop in minutes mooted by Haas himself, as well as the Broncos coaching staff, however I feel that it will only increase his impact and potential for attacking stats. After all, Haas averaged 78.3 points per game in 2019 while playing 63.5 minutes per game; a higher mark than his 75.5 points per game in 2020 while playing 71.9 minutes per game. The only question mark is obviously his off-field drama, which should hopefully become clear in the next few weeks.
I’ve paired Haas with one of the Titans’ marquee signings, who looks set to receive more game time than the 46.4 minutes per game in 2020. Tino averaged 57 points per game last year, mostly off the back of some decent attacking stats, but what was interesting was that when his game time towards the second half of the season increased, we saw Tino’s scores increase without any noticeably large drop in his work rate. Tino averaged 65.6 points per game from 54.3 minutes per game from Rounds 7 to 19 (13 game sample size), which means he could easily be undervalued if he gets around 55 to 60 minutes per game at the Titans this year.
Front Row
Stefano Utoikamanu ($186,800) / Spencer Leniu ($218,500)
It feels weird that I also had Stefano in my first draft team last year, but this time he’s in Tigers colours. We didn’t really get to see the hype that surrounded Stefano last year, so it remains to be seen if he can deliver on the promise. However, if he’s named on the bench to start the season, it will be hard to ignore him given his price tag.
Leniu is interesting due to the departure of James Tamou from the Panthers; there is a starting prop position on offer, and even if Moses Leota ends up taking it, minutes are on offer for one of the bench props. Leniu, being younger and fresher, could end up being the smarter option for the Panthers so if he’s named for Round 1, the job security should be there for him as well.
SECOND ROW
Angus Crichton ($670,500) / Jai Arrow ($474,900) / Ryan Matterson ($666,000)
I’ve been an unabashed fan of Angus Crichton for multiple years now and the guy keeps finding a way into my KFC SuperCoach team. He costs a lot but with Boyd Cordner likely missing the start of the season, Angus looks set to nail down a proper 80 minute role on an edge, and as one of the more senior forwards in the team plus with the additional narrative of having to play for a new contract this year, Angus seems a strong contender to finish as at least a top three, if not as the top, second row forward this season.
I actually feel very uncomfortable with Jai Arrow in here, and if a few more cheap options show up I’ll be eager to upgrade him to Jason Taumalolo instead. His current price tag makes him suitable for my team for now; however, on paper the opportunity is there at a new team, where he *should* get better minutes and he can’t really score any worse than he did last year if given the game time. My concern is that Cam Murray is a better lock than Arrow is, so the uncertainty on his position gives me pause. Arrow’s in the team for now, but don’t be surprised if he’s not there come Round 1.
For my third starting 2RF I’ve gone with the reliable shoulders and biceps of Ryan Matterson, one of the hardest working edge forwards in the game. For what he lacks in passing game, he makes up for in willingness to truck the ball forward again, often finding an offload out the back as well. His price is not skyhigh, mostly due to an injury-affected score of 8, and on paper the Eels have a friendly draw to start the season; a perfect opportunity for Matto get off to a flying start!
Jordan Riki ($277,500) / Shawn Blore ($210,500) / Ben Trbojevic ($173,700)
There are two guys who are well in the mix for a starting edge backrower spot at their respective clubs – Jordan Riki at the Broncos and Shawn Blore at the Tigers. Both are young, promising and flashed moments of brilliance in 2020. At their price tags, both would be close to ‘must-haves’ if named to start in Round 1, and could serve not only as cash cows but if the minutes are there and their performances warrant it, they could become genuine reserve options on a weekly basis.
My final 2RF spot is currently being place held by the next Trbojevic brother yet to debut, Ben. I just wanted to get another Turbo in my team, that’s all (for now)!
HALFBACK
Daly Cherry-Evans ($570,500) / Mitchell Moses ($481,000)
Let me start off by saying that my preference would be to have Nathan Cleary paired with a cheapie here (Sam Walker please); alas, this is my first draft team and I’ve had to go with what appear to be more realistic options. DCE finished last year in barnstorming fashion and part of that was due to him having the goalkicking while Reuben Garrick was out of the team. Garrick is not guaranteed to start in the 17 this year, which leaves DCE in the box seat to start the year with the goalkicking tee. In his three games kicking goals, DCE saw a very nice average of 13.3 point bump to his scores, so it’s safe to say that he would be undervalued to start the season.
Now the reserve halfback position – this is a tough one. Like I said, the preference would be a cheapie; however, it is slim pickings at the cheapie price range! Then you get into the mid-range options from the $350,000 to $450,000 price bracket… and that’s where I look just a little bit higher and see Mitch Moses sitting only a smidge over $30,000 more. We know what Moses can do, and with the aforementioned ‘friendly’ draw to start the year for the Eels, he’s certainly not the worst option as a starting half, let alone as the back-up!
FIVE-EIGHTH
Cameron Munster ($620,100) / Anthony Milford ($304,600)
The big question mark for Munster is whether or not Cam Smith goes around for the Storm again (seems unlikely at this stage, but who knows!) and if not, whether Munster gets the kicking tee. Sure, he’s no sharpshooter but with an offence that you almost guarantee will click at some stage this year, even at 60% to 70% accuracy, Munster could see an 8+ point bump to his average – which would firmly entrench him as the number one five-eighth option come end of season. Even if he doesn’t get the kicking, Munster has one of the highest floors of all five-eighth options and we know the ceiling is certainly there too …
Yes, this is purely a ‘brand’ pick – Anthony Milford is one of “my guys” so he gets a start here. Real talk though, if Connor Watson starts at lock, or Josh Schuster manages to start the season at five-eighth, then Milford will be downgraded for one of those guys, no questions asked. But until then, Milford continues to have a home in the Champs, even if purely for sentimental reasons at this point in time. Now, I could list some reasons why Milford can end up a high risk, high reward pick (one you leave out of your 17 until you see performance on the stats sheet), but I don’t think I’ll bother – none of you will believe me anyway!
