Discussion NRL SuperCoach Discussion

Connoisseur

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MELBOURNE STORM
Storm could welcome back Christian Welch after he played 40 minutes in round one of the Queensland Cup on his comeback from an ACL injury and if fit he could replace Max King on the bench. Wests Tigers loanee Paul Momoirovski is in the running to replace Marion Seve at right centre with Brandon Smith also set to return after missing opening round due to a facial injury.

Expected team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Marion Seve/Paul Momoirovski 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Max King/Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Tino Faasuamaleaui

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
The Knights will be without Kalyn Ponga when the season resumes due to a two match suspension picked up in round two with Tex Hoy expected to make NRL debut at fullback. Mitch Barrett has had back surgery and his loss will be o***et by the return of Sione Mata’utia.New recruit Jayden Brailey’s season looks to be over after he suffered an ACL injury in round two with Connor Watson set to take up hooking role, which may see Mason Lino promoted to the 17 to play bench utility. Bradman Best could replace Enari Tuala at left centre after recovering for foot surgery. Herman Ese’ese (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (ribs) will be right to go after picking up injuries in Round 2. Phoenix Crossland is slowly returning to full fitness after surgery due to osteitis pubis injury.

Expected team: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Bradman Best/Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Connor Watson 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Sione Mata’utia 13. Herman Ese’ese Interchange: 14. Mason Lino 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Tim Glasby 17. Aidan Guerra


NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
The Warrior’s team will all depend on what players fly back to Australia for restart of competition but they should welcome return of both Agnatius Passi and Jazz Tevaga from ankle injuries. Peta Hiku and Patrick Herbert should return after missing Round 2 game after flying back to New Zealand early. David Fusitu’a failed to travel with squad to Tamworth and will miss opening game with Gerard Beale a chance to replace him at centre after recovering from broken leg. Josh Curran is expected to replace rookie Eliesa Katoa at starting left 2RF with Adam Pompey, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Adam Keighran and King Vuniyayawa other players to drop of 17 which played in Round 2. Nathaniel Roache has arrived in Australia after not travelling originally with team due to illness but is closing in on returning from ACL injury and is expected to be available to play in a few weeks. Taane Milne, Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei are all out for the season after suffering ACL injury in opening rounds.

Expected team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Patrick Herbert 3. Gerard Beale 4. Peta Hiku 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Blake Green 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Wayde Egan 10. Agnatius Passi 11. Josh Curran 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Adam Blair 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Lachlan Burr

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
The Cowboys only have once concern and that is skipper Michael Morgan who had shoulder surgery while the code was on hold, however, the surgery only minor and Morgan will only miss a few games when season resumes allowing Jake Clifford to come into halves to partner Scott Drinkwater.

Expected team: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Esan Marsters 5. Ben Hampton 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Michael Morgan 8. Josh McGuire 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14. Reece Robson 15. John Asiata 16. Mitchell Dunn 17. Francis Molo

PARRAMATTA EELS
The Eels will be without both Nathan Brown (suspension) and Reed Mahoney (ankle) in round three. Peni Terepo should replace Brown at lock with coach Brad Arthurs having options of either Ray Stone, Will Smith or Rhys Davies to replace Mahoney at hooker.

Expected team:
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Ray Stone 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Shaun Lane 13. Peni Terepo Interchange: 14. Brad Takairangi 15. Marata Niukore 16. Kane Evans 17. Will Smith


PENRITH PANTHERS
Panthers will welcome back Dylan Edwards after he suffered syndesmosis injury in pre-season and he will replace Caleb Aekins at fullback. Kurt Capewell should be fit to make his club debut after missing the opening rounds due to quad injury, he would come onto bench replacing Billy Burns. Nathan Cleary has been handed a 2 game suspension due to failing to comply with Covid-19 restrictions, with Matt Burton set to partner Jarome Luai in halves. Jack Hetherington remains suspended until Round 4. Dean Blore (shoulder), Shawn Blore (ACL), Brayden McGrady (ACL) and Spencer Leinu (knee) are all working back from injuries and would probably need some match fitness to come into consideration for first grade.

Expected team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Brent Naden 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Matt Burton 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Zane Tetevano 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris Interchange: 14. Stephen Crichton 15. Kurt Capewell 16. Moses Leota 17. Liam Martin

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Rabbitohs expect to be without James Roberts when the season resumes after it was confirmed he has entered a rehab facility, this will allow Wayne Bennett to bite bullet and move Latrell Mitchell to centre allowing Alex Johnston to start at fullback with Bryson Goodwin the player I expect to come onto bench. Patrick Mago is the only player on injury list as he recover from pectoral injury suffered in Charity Shield and should be fit in coming weeks after completion resumes.

Expected team: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Dane Gagai 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Braidon Burns 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Cameron Murray 13. Liam Knight Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Ethan Lowe 16. Hame Sele 17. Bryson Goodwin

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Dragons will welcome back Tariq Sims (suspension), Cameron McInnes (knee) and Korbin Sims (broken arm) with Billy Brittian, Jacob Host and Josh Kerr to make way. The other major decision Coach Paul McGregor will have to make is whether he continues with Matt Dufty at fullback or he moves Zac Lomax back there with Mikaele Ravalawa returning from a quad injury on wing. Jack de Belin is only player unavailable due to being stood down. Rookie Cody Ramsey is unavailable after having shoulder surgery before lockdown after picking up injury at Perth 9’s.

Expected team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Tim Lafai 5. Zac Lomax 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Blake Lawrie Interchange: 14. Trent Merrin 15. Korbin Sims 16. Issac Luke 17. Tyrell Fuimaono

SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Roosters will welcome back Boyd Cordner after he was rested from opening rounds of competition. Cordner would start on left edge with Angus Crichton dropping back to bench. Josh Morris will make his club debut at left centre with Brett Morris moving to right wing and Matt Ikuvalu dropping out of the 17. Nat Butcher missed round two after picking up a minor injury at training leading into game and should be right to return from bench with Lindsay Collins the player to make way. Billy Smith (ACL) and Sitili Topouniua (knee) are only players on injury list.

Expected team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley Interchange: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton

WESTS TIGERS
The Tigers will welcome the return of both Moses Mbye (knee) and Luke Brooks (calf) when the season returns. Brooks will replace Josh Reynolds in the halves with Mbye set to play left centre which will allow Adam Doueihi to move to his preferred position at fullback with Corey Thompson moving to left wing and Robert Jennings dropping out. Thomas Mikaele suffered a knee injury in round two but should be fit to play in round three with new loanee Harry grant set to make club debut at hooker with Billy Walters dropping to the bench. Jacob Liddle (ACL) and Russell Packer (foot) remain on long tern injury list.

Expected team: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Corey Thompson 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Elijah Taylor Interchange: 14. Thomas Mikaele 16. Zane Musgrove 16. Billy Walters 17. Michael Chee-Kam/Chris Lawrence
 

Connoisseur

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@Connoisseur Thanks so much for your help in trying to keep this feed active. Do you think you could tell me what this article behind the paywall says?

It’s been a lonely, miserable time without footy and most importantly, without KFC SuperCoach.
However, there’s light on the horizon and hopefully in three weeks we’ll be under way for the rest of the year.
With plenty of trades to play with in the upcoming round (KFC SuperCoaches have five trades, full rule changes here), it’s more essential than ever to look at what we’ve learned from the opening rounds to make our last trades before price rises kick in. Let’s look at the season thus far.

• Kalyn Ponga has reached the next level
He has always been electric with ball in hand and incredibly comfortable playing on the left side of the field. However, he’s been guilty of fading out of games and not putting the work in.
Well, we’ve seen from Rounds 1 and 2 is that it’s clear he is working on improving his game. He also made 19 and 18 runs in the first two weeks – both higher than his season high run total last year; this is a massive positive indicator that his floor is going to be higher than previous years. In fact, in his scores of 81 and 82, a massive 54 points and 50 points came from his pure base, base attack and his goalkicking – numbers you don’t usually associate with Kalyn Ponga.
If he keeps that work rate up, he could end up averaging higher than Teddy and Turbo (albeit only due to his added goalkicking duties). Owners have a decision to make though with his one game suspension hanging over their heads!


• David Nofoaluma and Esan Marsters look like a legitimate CTW keepers
The former centre/wing pairing from the Tigers both kicked on for their respective clubs in 2020 so far. Sure, he isn’t kicking goals but Marsters has come out on fire. His scores of 77 and 47 in the first two weeks have come entirely in pure base and base attack stats – tackles (less missed tackles), hit-ups (over and under eight metres) for pure base, and then tackle busts and offloads (effective and ineffective) for base attack stats. Not a single attacking stat in those two scores, which is just ridiculous for a CTW option. And with that much ball, he’s going to get some attacking stats soon.
In fact, his scores would look a lot like Nofo’s scores of 109 and 59, given Nofo notched up 67 and 37 points in base and base attack across the two rounds so far, but added three tries and one line break as well. I’m all about that base though!

• Api Koroisau is firing on all cylinders
Api followed up his mammoth Round 1 effort of 97 points with 76 in Round 2, but more importantly his scores resembled something more in line with his usual scoring. After 83 of his points came from base and base attack scores in Round 1 (largely due to 56 tackles), that dropped down to 49 in Round 2 which is much more in line with his past history when playing 80 minutes.
The jury is still out on the injury history but if there’s one player that has benefited from getting a bit of a break with the season being paused, Api certainly fits that bill given the extra rest his body has been able to enjoy.

• Dylan Brown and Benji Marshall could be the top options at five eighth this year
Currently they sit first and third for total points scored at five eighth, albeit off big scores of 123 in Round 2 and 93 in Round 1 respectively. Still, both players have looked great on the field and they are getting it done on the stats sheet too. Brown is currently averaging 51 points per game in base and base attack points alone (comfortably ahead of the likes of Milford, Munster and Watson at five eighth) and has only two tries, two line breaks and a try contribution as his attacking stats so far. If he continues to get through so much work he’ll be a genuine force to be reckoned with.
Benji’s resurrection as a goalkicker has helped his scores become more consistent, adding an average of 15 points per game to his score totals which has basically doubled his low floor. His involvement in steering around the Tigers’ attack cannot be ignored as well, with one try, three try assists, one line break, one line break assist and three forced drop outs contributing to his scores so far this season. With ownership levels of 5% and 3% respectively, both these guys could be serious PODs to chase down the leaders!

• Tommy Flegler and Corey Horsburgh are heating up…?
Well, for those of us old enough to remember the old NBA Jam classic, both these guys need one more big game to be “on fire” but massive question marks hang over both players due to the potential return of key teammates in Matt Lodge and John Bateman respectively. Both players have been immense in the opening rounds, with eye-catching performances on the field and again, on the stat sheet too.
Minutes will be the key indicator for both players and both have put compelling arguments for ongoing game time, but non-owners of both will probably be smarter to look elsewhere while current owners will be hoping to milk the solid scores and incoming price rises for as long as possible before upgrading soon after.

• Eliesa Katoa might be the most promising bottom-dollar rookie we have this year
Scores of 51 and 50 while playing on the edge, from 51 minutes off the bench and 65 minutes as the starter (less 15 minutes due to leaving the field to pass his HIA), show that the kid doesn’t just look great on the field (and he does, having been one of the standouts with the Warriors in both games this year), he is also easy on the stats sheet.
A great work rate and most importantly for forwards, the ability to find an offload, it bodes well for his KFC SuperCoach prospects. There may be some job security issues moving forward but as long as he keeps up this form, he’s a legitimate option that we should all have in our 2RF position.

• James Tedesco and Tommy Turbo are just ridiculous
Look, this is hardly a new lesson but every now and then, both these guys have games that just absolutely blow the mind. It’s not the 150+ scores really – it’s their ability to still score 70, 80 or more KFC SuperCoach points when their teams only score one try. Teddy doesn’t even need to have big attacking stats, notching 85 points just through his ridiculous involvement. 39 points in just hitups (21 runs in total, with 18 of them being over eight metres), six tackle busts, three effective offloads, a line break and a line break assist… but perhaps most impressive of all, he managed to register the elusive ‘kick and regather break’ stat for his chip and chase late in the game. What a player!
Tommy Turbo, well, you’d back him to be involved any time the Sea Eagles score one try – and he was indeed the try scorer (with the accompanying line break) in his most recent game. With no Origin, and no byes to navigate this season, how soon until one or both of these KFC SuperCoach studs line up for your team at fullback?
 

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It’s been a lonely, miserable time without footy and most importantly, without KFC SuperCoach.
However, there’s light on the horizon and hopefully in three weeks we’ll be under way for the rest of the year.
With plenty of trades to play with in the upcoming round (KFC SuperCoaches have five trades, full rule changes here), it’s more essential than ever to look at what we’ve learned from the opening rounds to make our last trades before price rises kick in. Let’s look at the season thus far?

• Kotoni Staggs is on another level right now
The current top points scorer of all players is in fact, a CTW only player – and that’s from only 132 minutes of game time so far after leaving Round 1’s game with cramps! The right centre for the Broncos showed that he might be the most dangerous player, ball in hand, when 10 metres away from the opposition try line.

Staggs has been unstoppable when in tryscoring range, with four tries, three line breaks, one line break assist and a try contribution as well. He has got it done himself or reliably finished off the hard work of his teammates. With the Broncos looking imposing with ball in hand so far, there’s no reason Staggs won’t continue to have plenty of tryscoring opportunity all year, and in this form, he could set a tryscoring record for a centre in the NRL this season.

• “Haas and Taumalolo” could be the “Parker and Gallen” for years to come

Corey Parker and Paul Gallen dominated KFC SuperCoach for years on end, constantly churning out ridiculous averages year in year out. No other players have come close to matching their status as “KFC SuperCoach Immortals”. Payne Haas and Jason Taumalolo are both young forwards that are still maturing physically and approaching their prime as footballers.

They’re already dominant on the field and for the most part, it is translating to KFC SuperCoach as well. It feels like the best is yet to come for both these players, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that all starts happening in 2020 onwards – get these guys into your teams ASAP if you don’t have them!

• It might be the ‘Yeary of Cleary’ for KFC SuperCoach
Currently just one point behind Kotoni Staggs for most points scored in 2020 (tied with Koroisau), Cleary has shown exactly why he is such a KFC SuperCoach force already this year in his scores of 73 and 100. It’s not the one try, two try assists, one line break, two line break assists and two try contributions (although that obviously helps!) – it’s his floor of 44 and 43 points across the opening two rounds, boosted as always by his 100% goalkicking success rate from 12 attempts.

No other playmaker is likely to be able to match his workrate and goalkicking floor across the season and that’s what makes him such a great KFC SuperCoach option at halfback. If he can improve his attacking stats across the year, then Cleary is primed for a massive 2020 on the field and on the KFC SuperCoach score sheet. Now, if only he could stay focused off the field…

Bring on the rest of the 2020 season

I’m sure we’re all counting down the days to 28 May while crossing our fingers, toes and everything else we can to ensure that the players stay sensible, and most importantly that Australia as a whole continues to effectively handle COVID-19. We’re almost there!
 

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Interesting. How many trades did NRL Supercoach usually get? Was it usually 2 per week? What are the squad sizes as well?

Probably a good indicator that AFL SC probably gets 5 too.
NRL SC:
Selected players per entry: 25
Playing: 17
Non playing: 8
Trades: 37
Trades per week: 2 (3 for byes)

NRL Squad sizes:
Per Game: 17 (13 on-field and 4 interchange)
Roster: 30 + development players


NRL SC 2020:
RD3: Super trade week - 5 trades
Then reverts to 2 again for the remainder of the season with the byes now scrapped due to the State of Origin occurring after the NRL Grand Final.
 
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NRL SC:
Selected players per entry: 25
Playing: 17
Non playing: 8
Trades: 37
Trades per week: 2 (3 for byes)

NRL Squad sizes:
Per Game: 17 (13 on-field and 4 interchange)
Roster: 30 + development players


NRL SC 2020:
RD3: Super trade week - 5 trades
Then reverts to 2 again for the remainder of the season with the byes now scrapped due to the State of Origin occurring after the NRL Grand Final.
There wasn't 3 trades at the byes. There was a supertrade round with 5 around the byes which has just been moved forward.
 

Connoisseur

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Damien Cook ($705,500) to Api Koroisau ($338,800)
This pains me already since I am such a big fan of Damien Cook, but the Rabbitohs pack showed that while they can be competitive against the more middle-of-the-road forward packs (e.g. Round 1 vs the Sharks), they can’t handle the bigger packs in the competition (e.g. Round 2 vs the Broncos). Throw in concerns about the expected slower speed of the play-the-ball with the controversial switch to one referee, and we’re not looking good. So Cook goes out before he drops massive cash, and in comes Api Koroisau who is on fire and is set to make a LOT of coin in a short time. There’s also the potential that he steps up while Nathan Cleary is out. Api’s significant injury history record still concerns me but when the break-evens align so well, I can’t turn this one down!

Nathan Cleary ($631,500) to Dylan Brown ($428,900)
Good one, Nathan. You came out and killed it, just like I expected, and then a little bit of self-isolation and you go out and make silly decisions. Well, in a shortened season, I can’t afford to have you sitting around for two weeks doing nothing, so goodbye Cleary, although you can be sure that he’ll be joining my team as soon as he’s ready for selection. That’s one trade pencilled in for Round 5! And I’m punting him for the best Eels playmaker, Dylan Brown. Yes, not Mitch Moses, owned by almost 40% of KFC SuperCoaches, but his sub-5% ownership halves’ partner. These are the types of risks you’ve got to take if you’re running behind in the ranks!

David Fifita ($501,900) to Jason Taumalolo ($723,400)
It always pains me to sell a Bronco but despite a positive start to the year, the news that David Fifita will miss at least Round 3, and probably two more weeks after that, means that he’s out the door. Again, I need points and I can’t afford that much coin sitting around on the sidelines. And it gives me an easy way to get in Taumalolo. I don’t really need to explain much about him, of course! I took the chance of starting without him, given it’s worked out well for me in three out of the past four years, but I think it’s safe to say that 2020 is one of the years where to not have him is too risky. I’m just going to lock him in before he does any more damage to my team!

Bailey Simonsson ($356,800) to Kotoni Staggs ($447,700)
This one hurts a bit more than I expected, surprisingly. Why? Because Simonsson, while not setting the world on fire, was getting through plenty of work (his run numbers were impressive, even if he didn’t always tick over the eight metre mark to get more points). He also plays for one of the best attacking teams in the competition. Alas, Jordan Rapana returns, and on the assumption that he walks back into the starting side, and Simonsson shifts to the bench (much like their set-up when the Raiders had their backline fit last year), it means Simonsson is a SimonssNO. Kotoni however, well, was there a more dangerous centre before the competition stopped? I would say no, such was his tryscoring prowess from around 10 metres out. With the Broncos looking sharp, I think he can continue that form; and at the very least, if not, he’ll make some nice coin and then can be moved out to a genuine CTW keeper.

Kallum *** Watkins ($271,800) to Esan Marsters ($482,900)
Yes all the *** included. Jokes aside, we wish he and his family all the best; there’s no mucking around with health of loved ones and you can’t blame the guy for wanting to be with family in a tough time. Kallum***’s departure from the NRL, and therefore KFC SuperCoach, makes him an easy enough trade-out option, and I’ve opted to go to someone who may genuinely be a top five CTW option this year in Esan Marsters. Esan has looked really good in the first two rounds, with a high workrate and also while looking healthy and untroubled by his foot and ankle related issues of 2019. If Esan maintains his high level of base and base attack stats, his inevitable attacking stats could see him put up some major numbers later in the season.
 

Connoisseur

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That's ok. Does that mean you're a daily telegraph subscriber since you can get those articles?
Not a subscriber to SC Playbook or Daily Telegraph. With the Daily Telegraph/Herald Sun articles, you can potentially access the article via the link provided in the tweet, typing the headline in Google potentially allowing access or via another site, incognito mode (Google Chrome) or https://www.outline.com/.
 
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