Squad Breakdown: Round 20 team insights

• DRAFT BREAKDOWN: Waiver-wire targets Round 20
• SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL: Question and answer

The teams have dropped for Round 20 ahead of NRL SuperCoach grand finals.

The Cooma Stallions produced a strong score of 1,156, leading to a rise into 2nd in the overall rankings.

Yep, the bottom of a schooner glass is going to be a familiar sight this weekend to help calm the nerves…

Be very mindful that every single SuperCoach is facing different circumstances regarding trades, depth, finals scenario, overall race etc.

So take an open minded approach to my assessments and apply it to your situation, hopefully it can help!

With most SuperCoaches either out of trades or limited in options, I’ll take a slightly different approach this week.

Rather than analyse the key trade options at each club, I’ll try and focus more on the guys you’d be looking at sitting, starting or eyeing off as skippers.

Here’s our breakdown of the Round 20 teams.

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BRONCOS v COWBOYS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Xavier Coates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Richard Kennar 6. Kotoni Staggs 7. Tom Dearden 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Issac Luke 10. Payne Haas 11. Jordan Riki 12. Alex Glenn 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Corey Paix 15. Ben Te’o 16. Corey Oates 17. Jamil Hopoate

Reserves: 18. Rhys Kennedy 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Brodie Croft

Analysis: Payne Haas returns in a very welcome relief for those who held. Owners can thank the Bulldogs for upsetting the Rabbitohs and putting the Broncos on the bottom of the ladder. 

Haas had last week off due to personal reasons and should be set for very big minutes as the club desperately seek a win to get off out of wooden spoon territory.

If you do have a trade up your sleeve and don’t own him it certainly wouldn’t be a waste to get him back into your side.

Kotoni Staggs scored 56 after being shifted to 5/8 very early on against the Eels. He showed his full calibre of skills with two repeat sets. 

He’ll remain at 5/8 which may not be great for his attacking output, although it will give him more touches, and he should be given more freedom to roam the field which is encouraging.

Furthermore, I expect him to be lining up on Scott Drinkwater which is very appealing.

The Cowboys are also extremely fragile on the edges, so I think he becomes a huge play this week and POD for anyone needing an edge in their grand finals.

David Fifita is a devastating out as he could have scored very well in this clash.

Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Murray Taulagi 4. Daejarn Asi 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh McGuire 9. Reuben Cotter 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. John Asiata 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Corey Jensen 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Emry Pere 19. Jake Granville 20. Ben Condon 21. Justin O’Neill

Analysis: Jason Taumalolo played just 40 minutes on return off the bench. Now starting, he’s obviously a tempting POD with huge upside, but I still can’t see him playing big minutes in a relatively nothing game for the Cowboys despite the intensity of the Queensland Derby.

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TITANS v KNIGHTS

Friday, 6pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Treymain Spry 6. Ash Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Mo Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sam Stone 13. Tyrone Peachey

Bench: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jai Arrow 17. Jai Whitbread

Reserves: 18. Darius Farmer 19. Corey Thompson 20. Phillip Sami 21. Nathan Peats

Analysis: AJ Brimson has shown his SuperCoach calibre this season and will be a popular option in 2021 with a few big name recruits at the club.

It didn’t take Justin Holbrook long to show his class as a coach by whipping these guys into a quality football team after a tough opening to the year.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett

Bench: 14. Chris Randall 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Josh King 19. Gehamat Shibasaki 20. Starford To’a 21. Jirah Momoisea

Analysis: Kalyn Ponga loomed as a huge captaincy option this week, but the Titans consistency of late makes it a tough decision.

With a 3RA of 90PPG, 5RA of 85PPG and three scores over 157 this year he’s an enormous play for anyone looking to make up ground.

Kurt Mann returns and is a strong play once again. He’s a huge chance at jagging some attacking stats to bump up his impressive base of around 50 since the shift to hooker.

Daniel Saifiti scored well with 76 points last week with a 1.8PPM. This was obviously boosted by a try and linebreak, but the output was strong regardless as he only played 43 minutes.

Needing to win this week to secure a home final he should see decent minutes.

David Klemmer would have been a prime rest candidate if the home semi was locked in, but with a bit on the line he should get good time.

The only risk would be if the Knights gained a strong early lead and he was given an early shower, but the Titans have shown enough to suggest they should present decent opposition.

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RABBITOHS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 7.55pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: 1. Corey Allan 2. Alex Johnston 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Liam Knight 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jed Cartwright 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Hame Sele 16. Patrick Mago 17. Keaon Koloamatangi

Reserves: 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Jack Johns 20. Troy Dargan 21. Cory Denniss

Analysis: If you own many Rabbitohs, like me, there’s a strong case to suggest sitting them this week. A luxury of course…

Particularly if the Knights beat the Titans in the game prior it would mean there’s nothing at stake for Wayne Bennett’s men, so guys like Cam Murray or Damien Cook and to a lesser degree Cody Walker (niggles), could be given early rests.

On top of that the Roosters are obviously a SuperCoach killer, so if you’re in a position to sit them with depth it’s a decent option despite how ruthless their attack has been of late.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Mitchell Aubusson 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. Angus Crichton

Bench: 14. Lachlan Lam 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Nat Butcher 17. Sonny Bill Williams

Reserves: 18. Matt Ikuvalu 19. Daniel Fifita 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ryan Hall

Analysis: Following a disrupted year with injuries, the Roosters are relatively close to full strength and will want to be in full swing coming into week one of finals.

James Tedesco returns from a rest and is strong captaincy option of course. He already has a century against the Rabbitohs this year with 103 in Round 3.

Angus Crichton played 59 minutes last week in the absence of Boyd Cordner. The POD temptation is always there, but minutes are a concern, especially having been named at lock.

However, he does appear to get through extra work when playing limited minutes, so with his attacking upside he’s still a pretty decent play, particularly with squads so decimated.

There’s a big chance he’s again around the 60 minute mark, especially with three agile forwards on the bench.

Owners of Brett Morris, Daniel Tupou, Luke Keary, and Kyle Flanagan will be hoping the Knights beat the Titans, then the Roosters get an early lead to tempt Bennett into resting his stars.

If he did throw the towel in with an eye to the finals it could open the floodgates for points.

I have no idea how the master coach will approach this game with a big chance of there being little riding on it.

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BULLDOGS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 3pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Reimis Smith 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Jake Averillo 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Luke Thompson 11. Chris Smith 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Sione Katoa 17. Sauaso Sue

Reserves: 19. Dean Britt 20. Jack Cogger 21. Tuipulotu Katoa 23. Kerrod Holland

Analysis: Next…

Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone May 4. Brent Naden 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Api Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Matt Burton 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Moses Leota 17. Zane Tetevano

Reserves: 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Dean Whare 20. Jack Hethrington 21. Billy Burns

Analysis: Anyone who took a gamble on Dylan Edwards will be dirty at his exclusion. Ditto Stephen Crichton who could have gone big in this one.

I am a seriously relieved Josh Mansour owner as I thought he was a shoe in for a rest.

However, anything could change come game day for him as well as Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.

Dean Whare is on the bench which places a question mark over Mansour, but the questions don’t stop there.

You get the idea that Cleary has been named to have a crack at the Dally M, and fair enough, so surely he plays the 80 or he wouldn’t be in the squad at all?

My guess would be Matt Burton spells Luai at some stage, but it’s purely speculative.

Isaah Yeo is a huge chance at an early shower in this one if the score line is as predicted.

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SHARKS v RAIDERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Wade Graham 7. Connor Tracey 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Scott Sorensen 15. Jack Williams 16. Andrew Fifita 17. Teig Wilton

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

Analysis: With the devastating injury to Shaun Johnson there’s not much at all happening of SuperCoach relevance happening at the Sharks.

The only major one of note is Siosifa Talakai who loses so much scoring potential with SJ out, but with a depleted Raiders side he looks a great play at CTW regardless and will be vital for depth.

Raiders: 1. Adam Cook 2. Semi Valemei 3. Matt Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Sam Williams 8. Dunamis Lui 9. Tom Starling 10. Sia Soliola 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Siliva Havili

Bench: 14. Kai O’Donnell 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Darby Medlyn 17. Jarrett Subloo

Reserves: 18. Ata Mariota 19. Joe Tapine 20. Jack Wighton 21. Elliott Whitehead

Analysis: An easy analysis here with Ricky Stuart opting to rest all his stars. It’s brutal for the masses who own John Bateman, while Jack Wighton, George Williams and Josh Papalii all have a handful of owners.

A shout out to Sammy Williams who captains the Raiders for the first time in his career, a well earned opportunity. He’s been a die hard supporter of the club from a very young age, I couldn’t be any more proud!

It’s been a tough year for fringe players with no reserve grade competition so it’s good to see plenty of them getting a run across the weekend.

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TIGERS v EELS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tommy Talau 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Asu Kepaoa 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Harry Grant 10. Thomas Mikaele 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Matt Eisenhuth 15. Elijah Taylor 16. Shawn Blore 17. Michael Chee-Kam

Reserves: 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Jacob Liddle 20. Josh Reynolds 21. Joey Leilua

Analysis: David Nofoaluma flopped against Melbourne against that tough defensive edge. The niggling injury didn’t help, nor did the fact that the Tigers had plenty of success on Asu Kepaoa’s edge that they went back to often as a result.

The positive is that the Tigers showed their attacking potential once again against the powerhouse Storm, and the Eels defence isn’t on the same level, so hopefully Nofa can bag some meat to finish what has been a remarkable year.

It’s not a bad option to sit Nofa this week against a pretty tough Eels defensive outfit, but on the counter I think he’s a fine play regardless.

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. Will Smith 15. Andrew Davey 16. Kane Evans 17. Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves: 18. Haze Dunster 19. Brad Takairangi 20. George Jennings 21. Daniel Alvaro

Analysis: If the Raiders edge the Sharks with a bit of a margin, Parramatta will need to win to secure a top four spot.

The Raiders are fielding a second string side, so it appears unlikely, but keep a strong eye on that result because if the Sharks get up it’ll make this a nothing game for the Eels result-wise.

It shouldn’t change things too significantly, but it very well may lead to an early shower for the likes of Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo and Nathan Brown regardless of the score line.

Clint Gutherson scored well last weekend and can definitely back it up against the flimsy Tigers defence, but they’re pretty well luxury trades under the circumstances.

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WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2pm, Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: 1. Peta Hiku 2. Adam Pompeye 3. Adam Keighran 4. Hayze Perham 5. Patrick Herbert 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Lachlan Burr 9. Karl Lawton 10. Isaiah Papali’i 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Adam Blair 16. Jack Murchie 17. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Reserves: 18. Josh Curran 20. Paul Turner 21. Gerard Beale 22. Tom Ale

Analysis: Jazz Tevaga failed his HIA against the Raiders and failed to finish the game, so he must surely be in some doubt following a few head knocks in recent weeks in a nothing game for the Warriors.

However, it’ll be an enormous relief for owners to see him named with an okay seven day turnaround. Particularly those running a Smith-Tevaga hooking combo.

Tohu Harris owners, and there’s plenty of you, will be hoping he doesn’t get a big rest during the game to give a few fringe players a run. Although there was nothing on the line last week and he played 73 minutes so that’s encouraging.]

AE nightmare Tom Ale drops out of the 17.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tevita Funa 2. Abbas Miski 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Corey Waddell 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Albert Hopoate 15. Morgan Boyle 16. Sean Keppie 17. Haumole Olakau’atu

Reserves: 18. Ben Trbojevic 19. Luke Metcalf 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Sione Fainu

Analysis: Condolensces to Tommy Turbo owners, big time… While it helped me out tremendously on a personal level, you can’t help but feel a bit for those who recruited him and gave him the C.

Don’t kick yourself for it, it was a great play that unfortunately didn’t pay off, it made sense but unfortunately SuperCoach can be a cruel beast.

If they awarded try-assists for drawing in defenders as a decoy runner he’d have had about 80.

Daly Cherry-Evans has a 3RA of 114 and no doubt would have almost single handedly gotten plenty of coaches through a tough month.

Reuben Garrick returns so hopefully he doesn’t regain the goal-kicking duties for this one.

The Warriors have shown incredible grit under adversity all season so they shouldn’t buckle this week, but regardless DCE looks a great play and is a serious trade in option still for anyone with one up their sleeve. 

Auto-emergency nightmare Ben Trbojevic, who is owned by the masses, must be a chance at sneaking on to the bench for a taste of the top grade.

Addin Fonua-Blake has played his last game for the club.

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DRAGONS v STORM

Sunday, 4.05pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Max Feagai 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Cody Ramsey 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Jacob Host 13. Jackson Ford 

Bench: 14. Tariq Sims 15. Kaide Ellis 16. Josh Kerr 17. Eddie Blacker

Reserves: 18. Brayden Wiliame 19. Corey Norman 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Tyrell Fuimaono

Analysis: Ben Hunt’s injury is great news for Cam McInnes owners in a tough week. In a nothing game for the Red V he’d have been a big chance at reduced minutes, but the move to hooker should see him play solid game time.

Zac Lomax has either been the saviour or devil for just about everyone this year. You’ve either played him all year for his 67PPG average, or you sold him early and missed out on the joy.

Then there’s the poor buggers out there who played him for his 10 against Canberra then benched him for his 126 against the Knights.

Initially thinking he’d be on the extremely solid edge of Justin Olam and Josh Addo-Carr, and with the belief the Dragons would send plenty of attack at the weaker right edge that the Tigers destroyed last week, I was going to advise Lomax as a potential sit.

But with the Storm resting all their stars it’s amazing news for Lomax owners who now has massive upside once again.

Melbourne concede the least amount of points to CTWs in SuperCoach, but that’s with their full strength side on deck.

A shout out to debutant Eddie Blacker who came through the grades at my old club Wests Devils in the Illawarra, nicely done son!

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sandor Earl 3. Ricky Leutele 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Isaac Lumelume 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Cooper Johns 8. Tui Kamikamika 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Chris Lewis 13. Max King

Bench: 14. Nicho Hynes 15. Darryn Schonig 16. Albert Vete 17. Aaron Pene

Reserves: 18. Aaron Booth 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Trent Loiero 21. Judda Turahui

Analysis: Absolute madness… The resting of key SuperCoach stars Cam Smith and Munster will leave plenty of owners very short of quality this week, potentially even short of players.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is a huge inclusion for anyone holding on to him. With a barely recognisable squad there’s nothing at all of note to add.

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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