Squad Breakdown: Round 17 team insights

• DRAFT BREAKDOWN: Tactics to utilise in finals
• SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL: Question and answer

The teams have dropped for Round 17, which is the all-important week one of head-to-head finals.

The Cooma Stallions produced a big round of 1,419, leading to a rise into 10th in the overall rankings.

A try on the final play of the game to POD pick Josh Mansour highlighted an exciting round of action.

Here’s our breakdown of the Round 17 teams.

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

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BRONCOS v PANTHERS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Richard Kennar 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Tom Dearden 8. Payne Haas 9. Issac Luke 10. Rhys Kennedy 11. David Fifita 12. Ben Te’o 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Corey Paix 15. Jordan Riki 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Jamil Hopoate

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Pride Petterson-Robati 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Brodie Croft

Analysis: David Fifita is proving fairly fixture proof, and if it weren’t for Brisbane’s tough draw he’d be a must-have. 

After this tough match up, the Broncos face the Titans, Eels and Cowboys, so the attacking stats may flow in the final few weeks. 

In his four games since returning from injury he’s averaging 77.2PPG. 

With a breakeven of 63 the trade can wait a week for the nice run if you need. 

His base isn’t close to the best 2RF options, but with a try, linebreak, 17 runs, two offloads and 7 tacklebreaks in a 58-12 rout against the defending premiers his ceiling speaks for itself. 

It was interesting to see him shift to the left edge against the Chooks, but clearly it didn’t hinder his scoring too much. 

Payne Haas returns and immediately becomes a must-have. After his freshen up he’ll likely be set for big minutes and could easily average 80+ on the run home without an attacking stat. 

I wouldn’t be getting tricky and trying to anti-POD him, I’d just get him back in my side as comfortably the premier FRF option. 

Kotoni Staggs is a backline version of Fifita. His base is only okay, but his ceiling is monstrous. I won’t be recruiting this week against the ladder leaders, but from next week he’ll be a massive option at around $500k.

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Brent Naden 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Moses Leota 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. James Fisher-Harris

Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Kurt Capewell 17. Zane Tetevano

Reserves: 18. Api Koroisau 19. Billy Burns 20. Matt Burton 21. Pat Hollis

Analysis: I need to drop two no dose and four cans of Red Bull in prep for the Penrith breakdown each week, their SuperCoach relevance is ridiculous. 

Nathan Cleary is a huge captaincy option this week, don’t let the Thursday night game turn you off him, he could go 150+. 

Teams with a relatively free shot at the VC loophole will be cheering with a narrow advantage over plenty of opposition, especially in head-to-head finals. 

Josh Mansour’s last minute try would’ve just about brought a tear to the eye of owners against the Tigers. He now sits with a 3RA of 90PPG. 

With his base and attacking potential in this outfit he remains a tremendous buy and is still fairly affordable at $578k. 

I was very concerned he’d be a huge chance at a late season rest, which he may, however it was reassuring to hear Ivan Cleary say he’d prefer manage player workload with reduced training rather than hindering momentum by resting in games. Massive! 

Brian To’o returned with a bang, scoring 97 points with 22 runs and 10 tackle breaks. 

He’s had 49 tackle breaks in his 7 games since the competition resumed. At $483k with games against the Broncos, Eels, Cowboys and Dogs to finish the season he’s tremendous value. 

Stephen Crichton scored yet managed just 41 points in a show of his reliance on attacking stats. However, I’d still be unconcerned as an owner with the run to come. Jarome Luai has rescued the season of Shaun Johnson owners who couldn’t replace the Sharks halfback in the past two weeks with late outs.

Owners have a very tough decision whether or not to play him in 17s this week against the Broncos which would likely be at the expense of a genuine gun. 

Holding or selling Isaah Yeo while he’s out will come down to how well your CTW is set up and the amount of trades you have remaining. 

Api Koroisau returns for a dream match up and could go big for anyone who held.

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KNIGHTS v SHARKS

Friday, 6pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To’a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Texy Hoy 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Tautau Moga 21. Chris Randall

Analysis: Kalyn Ponga is really getting his rollercoaster ride on this season, flopping in the defeat to the Warriors with a rubbish 31 points. 

Thankfully he retained the goal-kicking duties which is huge for the run home against the Sharks, Roosters, Dragons and Titans. 

Some may be tempted to sell to Papy or RTS, I’m not one of those people. 

Following last weekend’s wake up call, I can see Adam O’Brien completely overhauling the way Ponga is utilised in attack to get his hands on the ball far more frequently in the opposition red zone. 

David Klemmer owners were dealt a savage blow by his late sin-binning, however they’d have been very pleased to see him notch 68 minutes prior to that, enormous! 

Kurt Mann remains as solid as ever, but he’s a pretty decent anti-POD play in coming weeks for anyone already boasting a strong CTW. 

Mitch Barnett was popular last week, and owners new his injury history was always a risk. 

He succumbed to injury early in the game, but the tough bugger returned to finish and play 54 minutes, salvaging 43 points in the process.

Thankfully, he’s been named to play this week.

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

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Jack Williams 19. Bryson Goodwin 20. Teig Wilton 21. Andrew Fifita

Analysis: Not a lot of note here, with the Sharks friendly draw finally coming to an end. They now face the Knights, Warriors, Roosters and Raiders to finish the year. It’s tough going, although the Knights are a bit of a mystery after what they threw up last weekend.

Still no SJ in a huge blow for those who held, while Siosifa Talakai has again been named to play off the bench.

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RABBITOHS v STORM

Friday, 7.55pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Corey Allan 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Jaxson Paulo 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. Liam Knight 16. Patrick Mago 17.  Keaon Koloamatangi

Reserves: 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Steven Marsters 20. Troy Dargan 21. Ky Rodwell

Analysis: All of a sudden the Rabbitohs have scored 94 points in two weeks to become both NRL and SuperCoach relevant. 

Commiserations to Latrell Mitchell owners who persisted through tough times only to see him injured as he was hitting his straps. 

Cody Walker put on a masterclass alongside Adam Reynolds, with scores of 102 and 123 respectively. 

Walker is a massive POD with a huge ceiling for the run home, although it can wait until next week if money isn’t going to be an issue. 

Melbourne will be up for this with their spine to take plenty from their first game back last week. 

I’ve never been overly keen on Reynolds as a SuperCoach player regardless of his impressive form and rediscovered running game. 

After this week they face the Tigers, Bulldogs and Roosters. Cam Murray and Damien Cook are both only going okay. Murray looks a notch below the best 2RFs this year, with his versatility in shifting to edge/centre when injuries strike really killing his base stats.

Cook is a target for next week, but he’s a long way from being a must-have.

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Isaac Lumelume 3. Brenko Lee 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Chris Lewis 13. Tino Faasuamaleaui 

Bench: 14. Nicho Hynes 15. Ryley Jacks 16. Albert Vete 17. Darryn Schonig

Reserves: 18. Sandor Earl 19. Max King 20. Aaron Pene 21. Kenny Bromwich

Analysis: The Storm have a lovely run home after this week with games against the Cowboys, Tigers and Dragons. 

Despite lowish scores on return, this basically makes Cam Smith and Munster must-haves from next week onwards, while Ryan Papenhuyzen becomes a huge POD following the ton against Manly. 

I don’t need to add details on the Cam’s, just make a plan to have them in by next week. 

Papy has four tons this year, and they were all fairly large with scores of 124, 122, 106 and 126. 

He looks the man to replace KP for anyone inclined to sell the Knights No.1. Papy does have four scores under 40, but I can’t see that happening in the final three weeks. 

Josh Addo-Carr went ballistic with 137 against Manly. He’s the definition of a high risk, high reward POD. 

I much prefer PODs with a base, such as To’o or Mansour, but if you’re daring enough he could finish with a bang. 

If the bench stays as is with Hynes and Jacks named, Faasuamaleaui could play big minutes and is minimum one week option. But there’s a huge chance the bench will see some new faces come game day.

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BULLDOGS v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

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

Bench: 14. Jake Averillo 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Matt Doorey 17. Luke Thompson

Reserves: 19. Sauaso Sue 20. Jack Cogger 21. Reimis Smith 22. Tim Lafai

Analysis: Will Hopoate is the only interesting player here and he went seriously low with 24 against the Raiders. 

For a player with a great base it was very surprising, but Canberra are very good at shutting SuperCoach scoring down. 

With games against the Titans, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs and Panthers to finish the year he remains a decent POD.

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Corey Thompson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ash Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Sam Stone 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tyrone Peachey

Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Mo Fotuaika 16. Keegan Hipgrave 17. Sam Lisone

Reserves: 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Jai Arrow 20. Anthony Don 21. Jai Whitbread

Analysis: Disregarding his injury effected 18, AJ Brimson is averaging 89.5PPG in his four full games in 2020. 

He continues to spark the Titans attack and was a superb pick up for those who jumped on earlier and is an indefinite hold. 

I wouldn’t be buying at $540k though due to a personal preference of avoiding attackers in struggling sides, ditto for Hopoate as we saw what he produced last week. 

Brian Kelly bounced back from a poor score with 78 against the Dragons and remains a POD for those showing a bit more faith in the Titans than me.

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SEA EAGLES v TIGERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Lottoland, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Tevita Funa 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Abbas Miski 6. Cade Cust 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Morgan Harper 20. Morgan Boyle 21. Haumole Olakau’atu

Analysis: Not heaps happening here, although Manly do have the best run of all sides throughout H2H finals with games against the Tigers, Dogs, Titans and Warriors. 

If Tommy Trbojevic returns he will be the Super POD to end all Super PODs. 

Addin Fonua-Blake showed what he’s capable of with a try and 93 points against Melbourne, including a solid 52 in base. 

Note for future reference, Jake Trbojevic’s running game has dipped significantly with both AFB and Marty Taupau back on deck. 

I’ll be very hesitant to buy in the future unless at least one is out long term. I wouldn’t rush to sell if I owned as he’s hardly a concern and may jag some attacking stats in the next month, but I wouldn’t be buying. 

With Reuben Garrick out, DCE will likely take up goal-kicking duties and becomes a huge POD for the run home.

Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joey Leilua 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Asu Kepaoa 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Thomas Mikaele 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Luke Garner 13. Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Matt Eisenhuth 15. Elijah Taylor 16. Jacob Liddle 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Chris Lawrence 19. Tommy Talau 20. Josh Reynolds 21. Russell Packer

Analysis: David Nofoaluma showed just why he’s so valuable with 32 in base against Penrith which was bumped up by his try. 

It’s certainly not elite, but it does provide so much confidence going into games against competition heavyweights. 

If you’re considering the anti-POD play, I’d wait till at least the final two weeks against the Eels and Storm. 

Harry Grant played just 56 minutes against the Panthers with Jacob Liddle on the bench and isn’t an option.

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RAIDERS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Siliva Havili 10. Ryan Sutton 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joe Tapine

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Hudson Young 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Matt Timoko 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Semi Valemei

Analysis: Jack Wighton has consecutive scores of 109 and 95 over the past fortnight. 

Prior to that though, he had a 5RA of just 46PPG. He now faces the Roosters in what will be an absolute slog in the battle for the top four, before finishing with a friendly run against the Dragons, Warriors and Sharks. 

I’m not interested which I’ve said time and time again due to his lack of ceiling. 

Plus, if the Raiders get done here there’s a huge chance he gets a rest in a week or two which would be savage if your team runs out of trades and you don’t have a back up. 

Thankfully as a new owner of Josh Papalii the Bulldogs dug in and gave the Raiders a fight. 

Papa would have played 35-40 minutes if the Green Machine got out to a strong early lead. 

Instead he played 53 minutes and in that time he had a try-assist, 24 tackles and 19 runs (18 over 8m). 

I expect him to play 65+ minutes this week, but for the same reason above with Wighton and a potential late season rest I’d be hesitant to buy. 

John Bateman remains a strong buy, but it can wait until next week.

Roosters: 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. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Nat Butcher 17. Sonny Bill Williams

Reserves: 18. Angus Crichton 19. Mitchell Aubusson 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Drew Hutchinson

Analysis: Nothing much to add on Teddy who bounced back from a lean spell in typical Teddy fashion with an enormous ton. 

I’d be very hesitant to skipper this week as it will be a seriously high quality game with everything on the line, so he won’t be afforded any freebies in attack. 

Basically, Daniel Tupou, Brett Morris and Kyle Flanagan are all good options from next week, but I’d be avoiding this round. 

Siosiua Taukeiaho played just 28 minutes against the Broncos and earned a very early shower. Savage stuff for those who jumped on, but you can guarantee he plays big minutes in this clash so hopefully he makes up for it somewhat.

Sonny Bill Williams has been named on the bench, Luke Keary returns at five-eighth and Angus Crichton has been named on the extended bench… fair dinkum.

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WARRIORS v EELS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Adam Pompeye 3. Hayze Perham 4. Peta Hiku 5. Gerard Beale 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Adam Blair 16. Josh Curran 17. Isaiah Papali’i

Reserves: 18. Paul Turner 20. Tom Ale 21. Adam Keighran

Analysis: The Warriors have a mixed run home with games against the Eels, Sharks, Raiders and Sea Eagles. 

RTS went big against the Knights with 123 points in a vintage performance, that’s not to suggest he’s lost his touch by any means. 

He’ll tempt plenty, I won’t be going near though. While there’s certainly appeal there, it was his first three figure score since Round 17 last season. 

Including last week, he has just five centuries in the past five seasons. Teddy, Turbo, Ponga and even Papy are knocking them out for fun. 

Jazz Tevaga is scoring at a rate of 1.45PPM this season which is simply mindblowing. He played 52 minutes this week and 62 last week. 

I’ve been hesitant to suggest as a buy due to game time, but with his work ethic and offloading ability I’m convinced the minutes aren’t really a concern. 

He’s a superb buy for the run home, imagine if he played 80 minutes! 

Tohu Harris has hit a bit of a wall which has coincided with Tevaga’s rise, playing just 62 and 63 minutes in the past fortnight. 

He’s not a pressing trade by any means, but if you’re in a position to do so I’d be looking to trade to the likes of Fifita/Bateman/Matterson.

With the Eels not allowing Alvaro and Jennings to play, the Warriors can’t name a full squad, tough times!

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jai Field 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Ray Stone 15. Marata Niukore 16. Kane Evans 17. Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves: 18. Haze Dunster 19. Andrew Davey 20. Brad Takairangi 21. Stefano Utoikamanu

Analysis: The Eels face the Warriors, Panthers, Broncos and Tigers in a very nice last month, despite last week’s capitulation. 

I was eyeing off Maika Sivo as a potential fifth or sixth CTW for the run home at just $367k, mainly the final two weeks as a play, but Dylan Brown’s injury has scared me off. 

I expect Mitch Moses will see a stack more ball on the right edge which will benefit both he and Ryan Matterson tremendously. It’ll also give Fergy Ferg ample opportunity to break his season try-scoring duck. 

Moses all of a sudden becomes a sneaky POD, although with Cleary and Munster in the halves I don’t really see where he’d sneak into an elite 17.

Matterson is a great captaincy option this week, especially for those putting the VC on Cleary.

Junior Paulo is averaging just 48MPG in the past three rounds and hasn’t scored above 47 in that period. 

He could bounce back at any point, but it’s a big risk, so I’d be looking to move onto Payne Haas for anyone who sold a few weeks back.

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COWBOYS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 6.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Esan Marsters 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Francis Molo 9. Reuben Cotter 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Josh McGuire

Bench: 14. Daejarn Asi 15. John Asiata 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Corey Jensen

Reserves: 18. Shane Wright 19. Jake Granville 20. Peter Hola 21. Ben Hampton

Analysis: Josh McGuire played 80 minutes with Jason Taumalolo out but could only manage 48 points. Next.

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Billy Brittain 15. Jackson Ford 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Kaide Ellis

Reserves: 18. Eddie Blacker 19. Tristan Sailor 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Max Feagai

Analysis: If you own any Dragons attacking players you’ll be hoping to get one more big game out of them this season against a depleted Cowboys. 

From next week, they face the Raiders, Knights and Storm to finish the year. 

I’d be tempted to anti-POD Zac Lomax at his huge ownership, but he’s obviously fine to hold. He could go enormous this week after a frustrating couple of rounds.

Cam McInnes remains a hold through that tough period.

DISCOUNT! Prices have dropped to just $10 for our NRL SuperCoach subscription package. Help support the future of the site by signing up to SC Playbook for extra weekly content and access to our subscriber special podcast.

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