NRL Supercoach 2023 Round 2: Team Analysis
Team List Tuesday is done and dusted with attention now turning to round two in the NRL. There is plenty of movement in the offing for Supercoach players, but who should you be buying and selling?
Cameron Munster is being shipped out following his gruesome finger injury, while Jamayne Isaako is the most purchased player after the Dolphins stunned the rugby league world with a big win over the Roosters.
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Penrith notes:
Popular mid-range pick Luke Garner was only afforded 50 minutes on an edge for Penrith last week and failed to impress with just 36 points.
MORE: Penrith Panthers players defend heated Jarome Luai-Jaeman Salmon post-game altercation
Sunia Turuva also scored in the 30-point range during the Panthers loss to Brisbane, but he showed plenty of upside, registering 26 points through hit-ups alone, while having no real attacking stats to speak of.
Meanwhile, Soni Luke proved he could well be a great cheap option at HOK this season with just shy of 60 points in 20-odd minutes of game time.
Yet it’s worth bearing in mind that the Panthers will have the bye next week, so it’s worth holding off on him for the time being.
Panthers team:
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Jack Cogger 22. Thomas Jenkins
South Sydney notes:
Latrell Mitchell has been named despite suffering a PCL issue against the Sharks in the opening round – he’ll be a nervous monitor up until gameday for the 17% who own him in Supercoach.
Heading into round one, Davvy Moale proved to be the more popular cheapie option over Shaq Mitchell at FRF.
Both men are available for $234,800 but it was Mitchell who had the better game with a score of 49 at 1.1PPM. Will he be able to keep this up with his time on the field likely to be cut this week, as Souths will have their full quota on the bench to call upon?
Rabbitohs team:
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jed Cartwright 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell 18. Tallis Duncan 19. Terrell Kalo Kalo 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos
Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks
Parramatta notes:
J’maine Hopgood lived up to the hype as a must-have cheapie in round one with a three-figure score. He accumulated this through 57 tackles while also registering 30 points for hit-ups and 16 for offloads. A base stat monster.
On the edges, Matt Doorey and Bryce Cartwright got the nod to start the season from Brad Arthur and have been named to start again in round two. Cartwright clocked just shy of 60 points opposed to Doorey’s 34 and looks the better option given his attacking upside.
Eels team:
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Haze Dunster
Cronulla notes:
Still no Nicho Hynes for Cronulla which had an adverse impact on their backline – only Sione Katoa and William Kennedy scored over 50 last weekend.
Although Teig Wilton was impressive on the left edge, playing for the full 80 minutes. He shapes as one of the best mid-range 2RF options if this remains the case.
Sharks team:
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Connor Tracey 18. Thomas Hazelton 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Max Bradbury 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
Brisbane notes:
Herbie Farnworth went under the radar in terms of ownership and produced 84 points against the reigning premiers. This was mostly made up of his two tries along with 24 points for hit-ups over eight metres.
Selwyn Cobbo didn’t have quite as an enjoyable night, registering just 24 points from fullback. It will be interesting to see how he performs on the wing now that Reece Walsh has returned.
Patrick Carrigan is the definition of a set and forget following his 74-point outing. If he stays fit and avoids suspension, expect similar scores each and every week.
Broncos team:
1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Deine Mariner
North Queensland notes:
Reuben Cotter proved why over 25% of people playing Supercoach were willing to fork out the cash for the FRF option. His 63 points were accumulated from 33 tackles and 30 points for hit-ups.
If he can add some attacking stats to his scores in 2023, expect him to regularly surge past his highest score of 89 from last season.
Jeremiah Nanai registered just 27 points in a quiet game that reinforced how much the young back-rower relies on tries.
It was his lowest score ever in Supercoach and he does have a low floor considering he recorded seven games in the 30s last year.
Cowboys team:
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Tomas Chester 21. Gehamat Shibasaki 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors
Sydney notes:
Brandon Smith under-performed after coming off second best in his running battle with former teammate Felise Kaufusi.
He scored just 38 points from his 58 minutes out in the middle but is worth persevering with for now. The same goes without saying for James Tedesco.
Matt Lodge is out for a month with a facial fracture, Victor Radley spent more time off the field than on it and Joseph Suaalii scored 43 out in the centres even though he got a try.
But in welcome news for the Roosters, Joey Manu is set to make his first appearance of the season.
Roosters team:
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Naufahu Whyte 17. Terrell May 18. Corey Allan 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Elie El Zakhem
New Zealand notes:
Jackson Ford proved his promising pre-season form was a sign of things to come with a great display against the Knights.
The 2RF cheapie played the whole game and looked dangerous on the left edge on his way to 59 points.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a dream return for the Warriors clocking 70 points in an all-action display. He is a great CTW option available at a low price after his disappointing final year at Canberra.
Tohu Harris is as reliable as they come and looks set to play big minutes through the middle as captain, following his 88-point performance last weekend. At $640k, he may prove to be reasonably underpriced.
Warriors team:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bayley Sironen
Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders
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Dolphins notes:
Isaako had a day out against the Roosters, notching a three-figure score to start the season. He is one of the most purchased players in the game this week, alongside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Although a word of caution, since debuting in 2017, Isaako has scored 100 points or more on just four occasions.
In his 12 games last season, he scored over 50 points just twice, while sitting in the 20–30-point range for the majority of his 18 matches in 2021.
MORE: Is Isaiya Katoa one of the best cheapies available in Supercoach to start the season?
Dolphins team:
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. JJ Collins 20. Kodi Nikorima 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings
Canberra notes:
Emre Guler is a touch over cheapie price levels but showcased his ability to potentially kick on this campaign with a try during the opening round.
His work-rate guarantees him around the 40-point mark each week but with attacking upside he could be one to keep an eye on in the thinly stocked FRF position.
Pasami Saulo again starts up front in the absence of Josh Papali’i but his job security remains a worry once the Queensland representative returns.
Raiders team:
1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler 18. James Schiller 19. Matt Frawley 20. Zac Woolford 21. Trey Mooney 22. Peter Hola
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Melbourne notes:
Munster is set to be on the sidelines for up to a month after suffering a gruesome finger injury against the Eels. Plenty are moving on from the gun in the form of Adam Doueihi – who was brilliant in the Tigers’ loss – or Kalyn Ponga at 5/8.
But one player that he shouldn’t be traded for is Matt Burton with the Bulldogs player looking poor against Manly. The risks that come with Burton and his limitations were covered in detail here.
Storm team:
1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jordan Grant 18. Grant Anderson 19. Chris Lewis 20. Joe Chan 21. Kane Bradley 22. Jonah Pezet
Canterbury notes:
Reed Mahoney surged in popularity following his strong display for the Dogs, whereas it was mixed news for popular cheapie options Franklin Pele and Paul Alamoti.
The big forward was given just eight minutes of game time for his eight points, while Alamoti showed enough in his 22-point game that he will be able to generate cash.
Jacob Kiraz is one to keep an eye on after he cracked half a century despite featuring for a struggling team and leaving the field for a HIA. His score was made up of 28 points for hit-ups and 16 for offloads.
Bulldogs team:
1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Fa’amanu Brown 14. Jayden Tanner 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jacob Preston 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Okunbor
Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights
Wests Tigers notes:
Stefano Utoikamanu proved why he was in most people’s teams to start the year with a decent display at FRF for 38 points- the majority coming from his 23 tackles. If he increases the volume of his carries, he is certain to make money.
Api Koroisau started on the bench for Tim Sheens but won’t be doing so again this week. The No.9 claimed just 22 points from his 24 tackles and pretty much nothing else. At a $666k starting price, he could shed cash fast.
Isaiah Papali’i had no such problem gelling with his new team, pumping out 67 points that included 26 in offloads and tackle busts.
Tigers team:
1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Tommy Talau 5. Charlie Staines 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Asu Kepaoa 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Alex Twal 18. Starford To’a 19. Junior Tupou 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brandon Tumeth
Newcastle notes:
Ponga laid on two tries before being taken off for a HIA late in the piece against the Warriors last weekend. His popularity is sure to steadily rise if he can keep producing those attacking stats.
Lachlan Miller posted a respectable 52 points during his first outing at fullback which was encouraging considering he had no real attacking stats other than 16 points for tackle busts.
Knights team:
1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jack Johns 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Leo Thompson 18. Brodie Jones 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Enari Tuala 21. Greg Marzhew 22. Dylan Lucas
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans
St George notes:
The Dragons are coming off the opening round bye with Anthony Griffin keeping faith with Tyrell Sloan at fullback following his poor showing in the Charity Shield last month.
The CTW/FLB option is available at a cheap price but presents a major risk given the wild swings in his scoring. Last season he registered 78, 26, 26, 40, 3, 10, 17 and 27.
Jack Bird has been named at lock and has handy dual CTW/2RF status, while Ben Murdoch-Masila is at a basement price despite starting on an edge.
Dragons team:
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Michael Molo 18. Josh Kerr 19. Billy Burns 20. Max Feagai 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods
Gold Coast notes:
David Fifita was at his rampaging best against the Tigers, getting 12 points for an assist along with 20 for hit-ups over eight metres.
However, Kieran Foran looks set to be out of action for a few weeks with a knee injury which could impact upon Gold Coast’s ability in to produce in attack.
MORE: How long is Kieran Foran out for? Latest injury update on Gold Coast Titans’ playmaker
Alofiana Khan-Pereira is in over 50% of sides but registered just five points last weekend. Not exactly known for his work rate – he made one tackle and 14 points for his carries – a try or two is needed over the next fortnight.
Titans team:
1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Erin Clark 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Chris Randall 19. Treymain Spry 20. Klese Haas 21. Keano Kini 22. Toby Sexton