Draft Breakdown: Rd 15 waiver-wire, trade targets

• SQUAD BREAKDOWN: Round 15 team insights
• SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL: Question and answer

A few good performances from the waiver-wire last week with Siosifa Talakai, Taniela Paseka and AJ Brimson all pumping out big scores.

Don’t worry about Ronaldo Mulitalo, he will score more often than he won’t outside SJ.

This week we see some more decent waiver options as a result of more injuries and suspension.

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

DISCOUNT! Prices have dropped for our subscription packages. 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

WAIVER-WIRE TARGETS

Drew Hutchinson (HFB/5-8)

Hutcho comes in for the injured Luke Keary, with a mediocre 38PPG average from last year.

He has okay base for a half, averaging 25BPG in the four games he played last year.

The huge upside for Hutcho is that the Roosters play the Tigers and the Broncos in the next two weeks.

The Tigers have given up 72 points since the return of BJ to the right centre spot for the Tigers, including 28 points to the Bulldogs, which must be one of their highest scores in the last three years.

Hutcho will be lining up on the left-hand side against the Benji, BJ and Nofo combo and the following week he will be up against the Broncos infamous right edge defence.

Whilst he isn’t the silkiest half, he has a big body and isn’t afraid to run it.

Christian Welch (FRF)

Welch has a 3RA of 57 points with a big bump in his minutes recently.

With Jesse Bromwich being suspended and Finucane out injured I expect Welch to see big minutes and 55-65 SuperCoach points this week.

Brian To’o (HFB/5-8)

To’o has been named on the extended bench for the Panthers and is averaging 50PPG with only two tries this season.

That average will go up with the Panthers soft draw coming up and the fact they are using the right side a lot more in attack since he got injured.

Hopefully he gets promoted into the side this week, but if not he’ll still be worth storing for when he does return.

Embed from Getty Images

Tim Lafai (CTW)

I mentioned Lafai a few weeks ago but just in case some leagues have slept on him, he is an even better prospect with Foran switching to his side of the field.

He is averaging 49PPG for the Bulldogs, has good base and can rack up some serious offload points.

Joe Ofahengauge (FRF/2RF)

In 2018, I thought Ofa was going to go on to be an absolute gun in NRL and SuperCoach.

There is huge egg on my face, as I barely notice him on the field anymore.

Having said that, the Broncos have huge holes in their middle forwards and surely need him to play big minutes, at least for the next two weeks without Haas.

Pick him up in the hopes he can convert some of those minutes to some decent points.

Sandor Earl (CTW)

Earl gets first crack at the right wing for the Storm, with Vuni out for the season.

He is a good pickup for the Storm’s relatively easy run home, playing Manly (who are leaking like a sieve recently), Souths, Cowboys, Tigers and Dragons in the final five games of the season.

His runs aren’t as damaging as Vuni, but he does have better base averaging 24BPG last year in his five appearances.

I like any winger outside Brenko and Hughes, especially without Munster in the side.

Embed from Getty Images

Anthony Don (CTW)

Don is the epitome of rocks or diamonds.

I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but with the way the Titans are playing recently he may have found some consistency.

He comes up against Canberra, Dragons, Bulldogs, Broncos, Manly and Knights for the final rounds of the season.

He may even have some luck this weekend up against Rapana, who has been shooting in on the centre.

Isaiah Papali’i (2RF)

If you are struggling for 2RFs, Papali’i could be a good plug and play option this week, filling in for the suspended Eliesa Katoa.

Embed from Getty Images

TRADE IN TARGETS

Michael Jennings (CTW)

After two poor games against relatively easy opposition on paper, now is the time to target a trade.

The 32-year-old is averaging 28BPG and after this week against the Storm, they have a good run home.

I expect he will finish the season with a 5RA of 60+.

Tino Faasuamaleaui (2RF)

Finucane is out for the SuperCoach season with a torn calf, which leaves a huge number of minutes up for grabs.

When Cameron Smith returns, Brandon and Tino will likely share Finucane’s extra minutes.

He has shown how damaging he can be if given some decent minutes.

Josh Mansour (CTW)

Stephen Cricthon has been lauded as the death of Mansour this season.

It was good to see Crichton put Mansour away into open space a number of times against the Warriors.

Crichton obviously thinks run first, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pass more and more as teams have recognised the threat Crichton is and will try to put bodies on him to shut him down early.

Mansour is a good prospect benefiting from the Panthers’ easy run home.

Embed from Getty Images

TRADE OUT TARGETS

SJ (HFB/5-8)

SJ is in great form averaging 70PPG this year.

The fact he came off early last week, even if it was precautionary, is a big red flag.

SJ has unfortunately suffered from injuries his whole career and hasn’t played more than 18 games for a season since 2016.

I would look to trade, just for peace of mind.

David Nofoaluma (CTW)

I am sure if you are reading this you’ve heard about the horror draw the Tigers have for the run home.

I agree that you should look to trade him if you can and that is why he is in this list, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything less than genuine gun options.

He has amazing base, will see a lot of ball with Benji in the team and only needs one try to push out 80 points.

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