Squad Breakdown: Round 11 team insights

• WEEKLY WRAP: Round 11 highs, lows and shocks
• SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL: Question and answer

The teams have dropped for Round 11, and there’s a stack of great buys with a few extremely enticing match ups to target.

With a strong week of 1,383, the Cooma Stallions rose a few spots into 51^st place overall.

Unfortunately I played Jarome Luai over Luciano Leilua at the last minute due to weather, which cost me a mountain of points.

But at the end of the day you won’t get every decision right in a season, so there’s no use worrying!

Here’s our breakdown of the Round 11 teams.

*Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a key on all SuperCoach relevant abbreviations.

Help support the future of the site by signing up to SC Playbook for detailed SuperCoach analysis from hundreds of additional articles throughout the 2020 NRL season.

Embed from Getty Images

EELS v TIGERS

Thursday, 6pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 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. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Andrew Davey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Brad Takairangi

Reserves: 18. David Gower 19. George Jennings 20. Daniel Alvaro 21. Jai Field

Analysis: Parramatta have a fairly nice fortnight ahead with the Tigers and Bulldogs. Ryan Matterson and Mitch Moses are both huge inclusions.

Another late try-assist pushed Clint Gutherson along to 79 points to continue his strong run. However, the return of Moses will likely see Gutho lose the goal-kicking duties. 

Despite the Eels draw, Kalyn Ponga remains a far better buy in my opinion. In fact, if I owned I’d cash in and trade Gutho to Ponga. 

You can make a $257k profit on that making it a no-brainer for me. 

Following his four try effort a few weeks ago, Maika Sivo has back-to-back scores of 39 and 25. 

He’ll be very cheap in a few week’s time and looms as a buy for the Round 12 clash with the Dogs. 

Dylan Brown is proving a base stat beast for a halfback, making 28 tackles and running 14 times in the loss to Manly for 79 points. 

Moses’ return will hurt his output but not substantially. Junior Paulo allayed fears regarding his back spasms scoring 69 points in 61 minutes. 

He’ll be very cheap next week following last week’s injury.

Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Chris Lawrence 4. Moses Mbye 5. Tommy Talau 6. Billy Walters 7. Benji Marshall 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Russell Packer 11. Michael Chee-Kam 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Matt Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Luke Brooks 17. Chris McQueen

Reserves: 18. Oliver Clark 19. Elijah Taylor 20. Shawn Blore 21. Alex Seyfarth

Analysis: Don’t read into last week’s scoring against the abysmal Broncos. Despite some decent outings, I’m not even close to convinced about the Tigers. 

They’re looking good in attack, but they’ve had a dream draw so far and haven’t shown much against elite competition just yet. This week will be the real test of where they’re at. Still no sign of Alex Twal.

David Nofoaluma should be under $600k next week where the Tigers face the Warriors, I’ll be jumping on then. 

Luciano Leilua went huge with 135 points for a $64k price rise. Congrats to those who held (and played), but he’s still not in the elite 2RF options this year. 

He had two tries and linebreaks from some of the grimmest defensive efforts you’ll ever see. You could potentially use him as a stepping stone to a gun if interested, but again, Brisbane…

Embed from Getty Images

COWBOYS v SEA EAGLES

Friday, 6pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Connelly Lemuelu 4. Esan Marsters 5. Justin O’Neill 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh McGuire 9. Reece Robson 10. Francis Molo 11. Shane Wright 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Mitchell Dunn 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Gavin Cooper 17. Reuben Cotter

Reserves: 18. Murray Taulagi 19. Ben Hampton 20. Jordan McLean 21. Emry Pere

Analysis: The Hammer hit his straps in a gutsy Cowboys outfit for 72 points. 

That’s music to the ears of owners who can hold for a few valuable price rises, he’d otherwise have been a sell this week. 

Jason Taumalolo has a 3RA of just 66PPG and is an anti-POD (going against the pack) play at 51% ownership. 

But I’ll still be holding until the end of season barring a mass reduction in minutes. I wouldn’t recommend going early on Daejarn Asi.

Josh McGuire is a decent option, but Jordan McLean’s possible return would hurt his minutes.

Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cade Cust 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Jack Gosiewski 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Corey Waddell 19. Tevita Funa 20. Abbas Miski 21. Haumole Olakau’atu 

Analysis: Despite a strong upset win over the Eels, Manly players remain fairly irrelevant with Tom Trbojevic still sidelined. 

Marty Taupau delivered with 90 points for those who jumped on at his barely believable $400k price a few weeks back. 

However, he still just played 48 minutes and was boosted massively by a try and linebreak. 

He made just 22 tackles and had 16 runs, so his base isn’t exactly elite. The ship has likely sailed on his price tag at $480k as I don’t believe he’s a keeper. 

As expected, Daly Cherry-Evans has significantly upped his attacking output with Turbo out of action. He scored 86 points and is looking great and warrants consideration with Tommy T out for longer than expected.

AFB is a serious option on return from suspension.

Embed from Getty Images

BRONCOS v STORM

Friday, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Anthony Milford 2. Herbie Farnworth 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Darius Boyd 5. Xavier Coates 6. Brodie Croft 7. Tom Dearden 8. Tom Flegler 9. Corey Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Joe Ofahengaue 12. Tevita Pangai Jnr 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Jamil Hopoate 17. Ben Te’o

Reserves: 18. Richard Kennar 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Pride Petterson-Robati 21. Kobe Hetherington

Analysis: Tesi Niu is a sell after a 19 point stinker having netted an underwhelming $104k in price rises. 

Pat Carrigan is fast evolving into a FRF keeper having scored 72 points in 73 minutes all in base with 47 tackles and 16 runs. 

TPJ upped his game time to a far more enticing 62 minutes and had 22 tackles, 16 runs and six offloads, very nice! The minutes may have been inflated due to Oates’ injury though. He moves to the edge which should see an increase in game time.

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Paul Momirovski 3. Justin Olam 4. Brenko Lee 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Brandon Smith 9. Cameron Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 

Bench: 14. Marion Seve 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Albert Vete 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Chris Lewis 19. Suliasi Vunivalu 20. Ryley Jacks 21. Darryn Schonig

Analysis: Ryan Papenhuyzen owners have a tough decision here whether to hold for the enticing match up with the depleted Broncos or trade to a basement price Kalyn Ponga. 

If not this week, it’s a definite trade next week. There’s a clear link emerging between Papy’s high scoring coinciding with Cam Munster’s absence. 

Munster went big on return with 91 points in a typically classy performance. He’s a must have this week, although there’s seemingly a few of those appearing this round. 

Cam Smith showed what he’s capable of with 136 points consisting of three try-assists, three linebreak assists, 36 tackles and seven goals. 

He could go massive again if Melbourne put a score on the Broncos. The hooking conundrum is becoming tough with Grant firing, Api slightly regressing and Damien Cook finding form. 

The good news there is that it gives everyone a chance to make up ground on rivals.

Embed from Getty Images

WARRIORS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 3pm, Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Adam Pompeye 4. Peta Hiku 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jack Hethrington 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Adam Blair 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Lachlan Burr

Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 19. Josh Curran 20. Adam Keighran 21. Patrick Herbert

Analysis: Not a lot of note doing here. Eliesa Katoa returned last week but unfortunately played off the bench. He’s a sell before he starts leaking cash for anyone that still owns. 

RTS can become Teddy/Ponga for anyone that jumped on a few weeks back. Tohu Harris finally had a down week with 52 points after an enormous run. 

It appears Jazz Tevaga’s return at lock impacted Harris’ base output on the edge significantly. He’s certainly not a sell yet, but I wouldn’t be buying.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Matt Ikuvala 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. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Lachlan Lam 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Ryan Hall 20. Daniel Fifita 21. Drew Hutchinson

Analysis: The Roosters face the Warriors, Titans and Dragons over the next three weeks, holey moley.. 

Do absolutely everything in your power to get James Tedesco this week. He could fair dinkum hit 250 in a day game against the Warriors, and if you don’t own your season could end before your eyes. 

As a Ryan Hall owner I’m praying Brett Morris gets a rest after a few knocks in recent weeks, but that’s purely wishful thinking. 

Matt Ikuvalu remains a decent buy. Luke Keary is a serious POD for the next three weeks, as is Kyle Flanagan and basically the entire backline. 

Angus Crichton’s injury is a huge blow for owners, he’s a sell unless we get word the injury is only very short-term. But it’s believed to be 3-6 weeks on the sideline.

I feel a little ill saying this, but if Crichton is 3+ weeks than Mitch Aubusson is an option at $226k as potentially an 80-minute edge player. I’m seriously considering him as a dual CTW/2RF to be played at centre.

SST remains a good option having played 65 minutes in the loss to Canberra. My worry with Roosters forwards is that they’ll see significant rests with blow out score lines, plus far less ball in play, so they may need an attacking stat to hit keeper numbers.

I don’t like Nat Butcher as a buy with his minutes.

Embed from Getty Images

SHARKS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey 15. Jack Williams 16. Teig Wilton 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias 19. Bryson Goodwin 20. Daniel Vasquez 21. Braydon Trindall

Analysis: Cronulla face the Dragons, Broncos, Eels and Titans over the next month. 

While the Dragons are on a hot streak, I still really like this match up from a SuperCoach point of view for Cronulla’s attacking contingent. 

Shaun Johnson cranked out his first ton of the season and scored his first try of the season against the Warriors. 

He now has a 5RA of 82.4PPG and is in sublime form. Huge news for Sione Katoa with the star winger remaining on the right edge outside SJ despite Ronaldo Mulitalo’s return. 

Blayke Brailey has peaked with a breakeven of 75 having made owners a monster $248k after a slow start. He played just 53 minutes with Connor Tracey on the bench. Toby Rudolf played a huge 62 minutes off the bench for 59 points. 

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jason Saab 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Ben Hunt 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Trent Merrin 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jacob Host 17. Jackson Ford

Reserves: 18. Eddie Blacker 19. Tristan Sailor 20. Billy Brittain 21. Korbin Sims

Analysis: Zac Lomax continues to find attacking stats and now has a 5RA of 78.8PPG and remains an indefinite hold. 

Ben Hunt again played 80 minutes at hooker for 58 points, including 46 tackles. At $425k he remains an excellent POD HFB option going forward. 

Cam McInnes failed to fire with 61 points, however he did play 79 minutes which is very encouraging. It looks as though last week’s reduced minutes were due to the blow out score line. 

He’s a hold for owners, while non-owners can hold off for another week or two to fully gauge his output in his new role at lock.

The four man bench named is a serious concern for McInnes if it remains that way come kick-off.

Embed from Getty Images

RAIDERS v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 7.35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Jordan Rapana 5. Semi Valemi 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Siliva Havili 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Kai O’Donnell

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Ryan Sutton 17. Harley Smith-Shields

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Darby Medlyn 20. Matt Frawley 21. John Bateman

Analysis: George Williams and Joe Tapine are still going along okay but both should well and truly have been upgraded to guns by now. 

I’ve backed Josh Papalii as the man to partner Payne Haas in the front-row for a few weeks now. He continues to deliver and has played over 60 minutes in three of the last four weeks. With no middles available this should continue. 

As tipped, Siliva Havili played just 48 minutes with the impressive Tom Starling getting decent time off the bench.

John Bateman is a huge inclusion on the extended bench and is obviously one to monitor for the run home.

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Hame Sele 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jack Johns

Reserves: 18. Kurt Dillon 19. Keaon Koloamatangi 20. Troy Dargan 21. Steven Marsters

Analysis: Basement priced rookie Jaxson Paulo scored 46 on debut with a try-assist to his name. 

The lengthy injury to James Roberts is significant for his job security. He looks a decent buy, but wait until next week if you can. 

Damien Cook has fired back to life recently with a season high 138 points and a 5RA of 96.4PPG. 

The star rake is running freely again and is carving out some serious stats in the process. 

He’s now $700k but looks a huge pick up at just 13% ownership. Following this week, the Rabbitohs face the Dragons, Broncos and Cowboys. 

Cam Murray is ticking along solidly without really hitting his straps. He played 65 minutes on the weekend for 73 points with just a sole line-assist his only major attacking stat. 

I wouldn’t be rushing to buy, but he may well find more attacking numbers with the friendly draw coming up.

Embed from Getty Images

KNIGHTS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Tautau Moga 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Herman Ese’ese

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Sione Mata’utia

Reserves: 18. Tex Hoy 19. Josh King 20. Phoenix Crossland 21. Gehamat Shibaski

Analysis: At $517k Kalyn Ponga is arguably the buy of the week. He’s scrapped that frustrating habit of sticking to the right edge and is looking somewhat back to his best. 

He could go very large against the Dogs in a day game this week. His return to left edge play did wonders for Bradman Best as we all expected, scoring 95 points with a try, try-assist and 18 runs, much better Besty. 

Kurt Mann has scored in four of his last five games and hasn’t scored below 60 since Round 4. 

David Klemmer played just 54 minutes, which isn’t too different to his season average, but owners would have hoped to see him up his game time with Daniel Saifiti out. 

He scored 52 points and remains a solid option, but as I’ve said for a while he doesn’t have the ceiling to lift you above opposing SuperCoach teams. 

I much prefer the likes of Papalii and AFB who can ton up on any given week.

Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Jake Averillo 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson

Bench: 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Sione Katoa 16. Renouf To’omaga 17. Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves: 19. Dean Britt 20. Reimis Smith 21. Chris Smith 22. Jack Cogger

Analysis: Raymond Faitala-Mariner scored 79 with a try and linebreak. He’s now $532k so the ship has sailed on him as a value buy. Owners can upgrade anytime over the next few weeks. Nothing more to report here. 

Embed from Getty Images

TITANS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Dale Copley 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ash Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow 

Bench: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Tyrone Peachey 17. Jarrod Wallace

Reserves: 18. Sam Stone 19. Nathan Peats 20. Treymain Spry 21. Jai Whitbread

Analysis: Beau Fermor scored just 30 for an initial $63k price rise and now has a breakeven of 15. However, he’s been dropped from the squad entirely with Kevin Proctor returning from injury in the back-row.

Those who called ‘trap’ will be laughing. At least he won’t be an auto-emergency on a week that looks like a reasonable opportunity to use the VC loophole.

Panthers: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Josh Mansour 3. Brent Naden 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Moses Leota 17. Billy Burns

Reserves: 18. Matt Burton 19. Daine Laurie 20. Lindsay Smith 21. Pat Hollis

Analysis: Stephen Crichton scored 82 and now has a 3RA of 90.7PPG. 

He’s now at $518k yet still has a negative breakeven. He’s the real deal and is a decent buy, particularly with the Titans match up, however last week was obviously the week to get on. He’ll be too expensive next week. 

Crichton is also a monster ball hog which is savage news for Josh Mansour owners.

Thankfully Mansour goes looking for the ball, he still had 20 runs which led to a crazy 10 tackle breaks, beast! 

Jarome Luai is a decent play again this week. He’ll likely max out in price next week and will become a sell barring a big score this round. 

The junk time king Nathan Cleary blew open head-to-head match ups with a try on the final play of the round. 

Those who skippered saw their score rise by 70 in the process with the conversion included. 

Get him in this week or risk being left behind. Penrith were below par against the Cowboys, I expect a huge rev up from Ivan Cleary to kick them back into gear for this clash. 

Api Koroisau is out injured, but you’d have to think it may be also giving him a rest. It’s saved owners an awkward decision whether to hold or trade with the mouth watering Titans clash. He can become Smith or Cook immediately.

James Fisher-Harris saw a nice rise in minutes to 67 for 88 points. It was vintage JFH, making 47 tackles and running 20 times. 

I’m still concerned at his minutes, especially with any blow out scores, but he’s a solid option at an affordable $567k. 

Dean Whare and Dylan Edwards were injured, so there’s a fair chance his minutes were inflated.

Help support the future of the site by signing up to SC Playbook for detailed SuperCoach analysis from hundreds of additional articles throughout the 2020 NRL season.

SUPERCOACH TERMINOLOGY KEY

MPG = Minutes per game

PPG = Points per game

PPM= Points per minute

BPG = Base per game (point accrued in tackles + runs + missed tackles)

POD = Point of difference

3RA = Three round average

5RA = Five round average

BREAKEVEN (B/E) = The score a player must record to earn a price rise.

*Please note all our stats are taken from the geniuses at nrlsupercoachstats.com