1 Kotoni Staggs, Broncos, CTW, $447,700
The boom Bronco has surged to the top of the 2020 KFC SuperCoach rankings following a stunning opening fortnight that included a career-high 121 against the Rabbitohs in round two. Four tries and three linebreaks certainly helped, but more impressive for KFC SuperCoach were the nine tackle busts. Staggs is currently the most popular buy for Round 3, attracting double the interest of the next player, although relinquishing the goalkicking duties to Jamyane Isaako is definitely a blow.
2 Apisai Koroisau, Panthers, HOK, $338,800
The Penrith recruit started the season on fire, scoring the third most points of any player in any position. But perhaps most crucially, he is by far the best player at hooker, 33 points clear of Cameron Smith and 91 points clear of the popular Damien Cook. The maths makes sense here. Koroisau is almost $400,000 cheaper than Cook and predicted to rise by almost $200,000 over the next few rounds. That’s $600,000 in the kitty. At the same time, Cook is set to drop by $160,000, so the total saving is $760,000.
3 Isaah Yeo, Panthers, CTW/2RF, $404,800
Playing 80 minutes in the back row but available at centre/wing, the reliable Panther shows every sign of being a John Bateman, Tohu Harris, Simon Mannering-style keeper, pumping out enormous base stats in a position known for inconsistency. Currently the third most purchased player for Round 3 and for good reason, although it would take a brave person to predict Yeo to play 80 minutes for the entire year. Opening round score was inflated by two linebreaks, but he has still averaged 54 in pure base.
4 Eliesa Katoa, Warriors, 2RF, $171,900
The injuries keep coming at the Warriors and star rookie Katoa is the beneficiary. With Josh Curran, Agnatius Paasi and Jazz Tevaga out over the opening two rounds, Katoa stunned most by averaging 59 minutes and being arguably the Warriors’ best forward. However, his KFC SuperCoach stocks dipped considerably when Paasi, Tevaga and Curran all made the plane over to Oz, seemingly relegating Katoa to a bench spot. Or so we thought. Barely a week into training and Tevaga and Leeson Ahn Mau both went down long term, all but assuring Katoa decent minutes and probably a starting spot. By far the most popular cheapie for the restart round.
5 Jamayne Isaako, Broncos, CTW/FLB, $420,000
Isaako started the pre-season in plenty of KFC SuperCoach sides but soon dropped out of calculations when he lost the fullback spot to Jack Bird. Then in a twist fate, Bird went down with an ACL injury and was ruled out for the season, delivering Isaako an unexpected berth. The New Zealand and Samoa international made the most of the opportunity with scores of 83 and 63 in the first two rounds and certainly passed the eye test. Kicks goals.
6 Jason Taumalolo, Cowboys, 2RF, $723,400
News David Fifita will miss 2-4 upcoming rounds means KFC SuperCoaches are on the hunt for a replacement. What’s more, KFC SuperCoaches likely have plenty of cash from Koroisau/Katoa trades and can afford to splurge on the best of the best. Not much more needs to be written about this bloke except to restate his averages over the last half decade – 65, 75, 70, 78 and 85. If you didn’t start him, now is the time to jump on. Captaincy material.
7 Tyrrel Fuimaono, Dragons, 2RF/CTW, $201,000
A speculative trade but there’s plenty to like about Fuimaono. He has averaged 72 minutes for 51 points, his 2RF/CTW dual position works perfectly with Yeo and he emphatically passed the eye test in Round 2. However, Tariq Sims is due back from suspension in Round 3 and looms as Fuimaono’s direct replacement, while Cameron McInnes also returns and is mooted to play some back row. Realistically, Fui is only a buy if named to start.
8 Luciano Leilua, Tigers, 2RF, $434,300
Mid-range forwards were all the rage during the off-season with Patrick Carrigan (37 per cent), Liam Knight (25 per cent), Thomas Flegler (22 per cent) and Coen Hess (15 per cent) all sitting high on the ownership list. However, “Lucy” is the one who got away after outscoring all rivals at the POD-a-licious ownership of 11 per cent. Over the opening two rounds, Leilua averaged 80 minutes (up from 41 last year) and 72 points (up from 47 last year).
9 David Klemmer, Knights, FRF, $617,400
David Fifita’s injury means forward guns are the order of the day and Klemmer is right up there with Taumalolo as the best replacement after pumping out 69 and 72 in the opening weeks. These scores came mostly in pure base stats, although he also developed an offload over the off-season. With State of Origin to take place after the season proper and therefore have no impact on the regular season, the KFC SuperCoach value of Origin players is at an all-time high.
10 Jake Trbojevic, Sea Eagles, 2RF, $583,900
As per Klemmer above, State of Origin has moved to November and won’t disrupt the NRL season. Clearly this is a huge advantage to KFC SuperCoach guns like Jurbo, Klemmer, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Murray (after a price drop), Damien Cook (also after a price drop), David Fifita (when back from injury), Kalyn Ponga (after his one match ban) and most of the usual suspects. Jurbo is all but guaranteed 80 minutes every week and has had extra time to rehab his off-season shoulder injury.
11 Dylan Brown, Eels, 5/8, $428,900
Approximately 14 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches are hunting a replacement for Nathan Cleary, whose TikToK suspension ticked off plenty. While guns like Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster and Shaun Johnson are well within reach given Cleary’s high price, Parramatta young gun Brown is a great cash grab. Following a career best 123 against the Titans in Round 2, KFC SuperCoach Stats predicts his price to rise by almost $140,000 in the fortnight Cleary is out.