Squad Breakdown: Analysing the Round 5 teams

• DRAFT BREAKDOWN: Round 5, waiver-wire targets
• WEEKLY WRAP: Round 4 stars, flops and injuries

Well Round 3 will certainly go down as a season defining one for many Supercoaches, as the second most captained player Ryan Papenhuyzen knocked out a scintillating 193 against the hapless Bulldogs and made life a living hell for non-owners.

Meanwhile, heavily traded in halves Nicho Hynes and Cameron Munster both scored significantly lower than what many new owners expected from them.

Paramatta cemented themselves as a serious premiership threat with Moses and Brown owners receiving a Sunday afternoon treat against the Dragons.  

Turbo Irvo managed to score 1,402 last week and move up to 2,552^nd overall thanks to a last-minute decision to follow the herd on C Papenhuyzen instead of new recruit Munster, a decision that netted me an extra 160pts.

This week looms as a crucial one with many coaches needing to generate cash while also looking to trade out injured and underperforming guns. I expect many to use a trade boost to bring in a handful of very high priority low breakeven players.

Let’s take a look at the round 5 Supercoach teams analysis, squads courtesy of ESPN.

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KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES

Thursday, 7.50pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann. 

Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Leo Thompson 17. Jirah Momoisea. 

Reserves:18. Simi Sasagi 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Tex Hoy 21. Edrick Lee 22. Jaron Purcell 23. Dylan Lucas 24. Brayden Musgrove

Analysis: The Knights have impressed me so far this season from a non-supercoach perspective and look to be competing in most of their games thanks to some strong attacking play from gun centres Bradman Best and Dane Gagai, who continues to live up to his price tag.

Chris Randall hit back strongly against his critics with a very solid 62pts all in base stats, which will please owners looking to milk a few more dollars out of him over the coming weeks.

Tyson Frizell has been named, meaning cheapie Jirah Momoisea remains on the bench in a blow to hopeful owners.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Christian Tuipulotu 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic. 

Interchange:14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka. 

Reserves:18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Toafofoa Sipley 20. Brad Parker 21. Jorge Taufua 22. Kurt De Luis 23. Kaeo Weekes 24. Jake Trbojevic

Analysis: Manly will be without Turbo Tom over the next month as he gets knee surgery on a torn MCL, so all eyes will be on young gun Tolutau Koula who impressed with a try-assist on debut at centre and will likely be one of the most traded in players this week.

The fact he’s been named is a huge boost to his buy credentials with a negative breakeven.

DCE continues to knock out solid Supercoach points and will have to really take control of Manly’s attack without Turbo, and should by extension score extremely well over the next month.

Haumole Olakau’atu has been quiet over recent weeks, but did manage a try last week to bolster his score and remains an ever-present threat outside of DCE close to the line.  

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WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Friday, 6pm, Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Edward Kosi 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran. 

Interchange:14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Eliesa Katoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie. 

Reserves:18. Taniela Otukolo 20. Addin Fonua-Blake 21. Rocco Berry 22. Pride Petterson-Robati 23. Junior Ratuva 24. Viliami Vailea 25. ‘Otukinekina-He-Tofonga Kepu

Analysis: The Warriors are yet to find any serious form to start the season, but you can be sure with SJ bringing some experience back into the halves and a move from the lively Josh Curran to his outside that they’ll cause some havoc to some left edge defences in no time.

While Curran has been named at lock with Jazz Tevaga suspended, I do expect him to spend some time on the edge.

Euan Aitken remains a solid hold in CTW with a consistent 50 base week in week out. without any risk of losing cash.

AFB hasn’t scored particularly well to start the season but looks to be running the ball very strongly, so a try or two mightn’t be too far away for faithful owners.

It’s a huge blow to see him named on the extended bench with a niggling injury, owners may be forced to trade if he doesn’t come into the game day team.

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Cowboys: 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. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo. 

Interchange:14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Griffin Neame. 

Reserves:18. Coen Hess 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Emry Pere 22. Ben Condon 23. Ben Hampton 24. Daejarn Asi

Analysis: Tom Dearden continues to be the star of the show for the Cowboys as his exceptionally consistent start to the year continued with a 60+ score in a 26-6 loss to the Roosters.

Games against the Warriors, Raiders and Titans over the next three weeks will have owners salivating for more.

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Jason Taumalolo and Reuben Cotter continue to pump out a 60 average in majority base stats, with Cotter a big downgrade option for the likes of David Fifita this week due to a 4 breakeven.

Cotter has been named on the bench, but should still get solid time and may even start come game day.

Jeremiah Nanai continues to prove he is rocks or diamonds for owners and needs to be played carefully on matchups. Still has a negative breakeven though with the tonne in his rolling average for another week.

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BRONCOS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Billy Walters 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington. 

Interchange: 14. Ryan James 15. Corey Jensen 16. TC Robati 17. Cory Paix. 

Reserves: 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. Brenko Lee 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Jordan Pereira 23. Ezra Mam 24. Logan Bayliss-Brow

Analysis: The Broncos returned to their shambolic worst in a scrappy game against the Warriors this week.

Pat Carrigan succumbed to a knee injury which ensured big minutes again for Payne Haas with the gargantuan racking up 83pts with 70 in raw base.

Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo continue to underperform expectations and have probably bottomed out in price, but are regardless tough sells due to games against the Roosters and Panthers over the next two weeks.

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley. 

Interchange:14. Drew Hutchison 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Angus Crichton 17. Lindsay Collins. 

Reserves:18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Renouf Atoni 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Sam Verrills 22. Adam Keighran 23. Joseph Suaalii 24. Fletcher Baker

Analysis: Joey Manu has certainly hit his straps over recent weeks and looks to be effortlessly dismantling defences every time he runs the ball.

Expect him and Tupou to continue scoring well over the coming weeks as the Roosters draw opens up and James Tedesco continues to work on his combinations with his halves pairing.

Sam Walker will be a very tough sell for owners who have been patient enough to hold him this long, it should be noted I won’t blame anyone for holding him as he may well come good soon enough.  

Joseph Suaalii remains a chance to come back into the starting team over the next week or two havig been named on the extended bench,

Billy Smith owners may have to part ways after he wasn’t named in the squad due to injury, with May and Koula available there’s plenty of downgrade options.

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RAIDERS v STORM

Saturday, 3pm, McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead. 

Interchange:14. Matt Frawley 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh. 

Reserves:18. Xavier Savage 19. Ryan Sutton 20. James Schiller 21. Harry Rushton 22. Jarrod Croker 23. Trey Mooney 24. Peter Hola

Analysis: After good scores in round 3 from Tom Starling and Brad Schneider the Supercoach relevant pairing came crashing back to reality against Manly this week with scores in the 30s.

Starling continues to come off the bench which is puzzling to me due to his great running game out of dummy half.

If Starling stays on only 55mins then he looms as a non-urgent trade out. He has been named to start as per previous weeks.

Schneider continues to show he has a good base for halfback and shouldn’t be a concern to play in your 17 most weeks, however against the Storm he is an easy sit.

Jack Wighton continues to produce, however I suspect his form may hit a brick wall this week.

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Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King.

Interchange:14. Brandon Smith 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa.

Reserves:18. Tyran Wishart 19. Chris Lewis 20. Marion Seve 21. Jayden Nikorima 22. Jordan Grant 23. William Warbrick 24. Sualauvi Faalogo

Analysis: Melbourne hit some serious form off the back of a stellar solo performance from Lil Paps as he popped up everywhere the Dogs didn’t want him to – terrorising the ruck alongside Harry Grant.

Grant impressed on return and remains priority number one for non-owners as he solidified his case as the best hooker in Supercoach by a significant margin.  

Cameron Munster took a backseat on the weekend which would’ve infuriated many new owners and captainers alike.

Look for Munster to hit back this week and end any doubts that the first few rounds were fluke scores.

Josh King and Xavier Coates continue to score well and make money for owners whilst being solid starting 17 options week to week.  

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RABBITOHS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney           

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray. 

Interchange:14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight. 

Reserves:18. Hame Sele 19. Isaiah Tass 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Richard Kennar 22. Dean Hawkins 23. Jaxson Paulo 24. Siliva Havili

Analysis: A tough few weeks for the Rabbitohs were had, however it hasn’t stopped the Supercoach juggernaut Cameron Murray from showing us why he is rated as the best lock in the game.

Murray looks to be an absolute must-have in 2RF this year if his minutes remain in the high 70s.

Whilst Murray is looking so threatening at the line, Damien Cook remains a fair hold and has been scoring fairly consistently to start the year.

With the draw opening up for the Bunnies, look for the likes of Cody Walker and Alex Johnston to reassert themselves as premiums in their respective positions.

Lachlan Ilias looks to be gaining confidence by the week and will be a playable option in 17s over the coming weeks. Jai Arrow’s scoring remains steady and shouldn’t be of concern to owners.

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Dragons: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Aaron Woods 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin. 

Interchange:14. Talatau Amone 15. Josh Kerr 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Jackson Ford. 

Reserves:18. Tautau Moga 19. George Burgess 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Daniel Alvaro 23. Poasa Faamausili 24. Jaiyden Hunt

Analysis: The Dragons got put to the sword by a red-hot Parramatta side last week, but somehow Zac Lomax still managed to push out another 50+ score despite lacking attacking ball.

He has cemented himself in my mind as a CTW keeper due to this amazing ability to score well in losing bloodbaths.

Jack Bird has lost much of his appeal with the move to 5/8 despite scoring decently as well.

Sloan and Amone owners will be disappointed as we really didn’t get to see the best of either player over the opening month, however it is time to cut ties with both players.

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TITANS v EELS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Corey Thompson 3. Phillip Sami 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Greg Marzhew 6. AJ Brimson 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. 

Interchange:14. Will Smith 15. Jarrod Wallace 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Kevin Proctor. 

Reserves:18. Paul Turner 19. Sam McIntyre 20. Sam Lisone 21. Herman Ese’ese 22. Sosefo Fifita 23. Tony Francis 24. Jacob Allick

Analysis: Despite coming away with the two points last weekend, the Titans were absolutely dreadful in attack against the Tigers – a game you expect your gun players like David Fifita to go huge in.

It’s frustrating as a Fifita owner watching him sit idle for 15mins at a time only to get served terrible service from Brimson and Sexton, allowing defences to catch him flat footed and prevent him from getting a fend or offload away.

His scoring hasn’t been abhorrent considering the lack of destruction we are used to seeing from him, averaging 60, and for this reason I remain adamant he’s a hold and may even ton up against a team like the Eels this week if he’s feeling saucy.

Beau Fermor remains a solid trade in due to his low breakeven and dual CTW/2RF status.

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Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Waqa Blake 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown. 

Interchange:14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Mitch Rein. 

Reserves:18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Hayze Perham 21. Samuel Loizou 22. Jakob Arthur 23. Marata Niukore 24. Solomone Naiduki

Analysis: What can I say about the Eels. Dylan Brown is in Dally M form and Moses isn’t that far behind him.

Brown looks to be on a one-man mission to break as many defensive ankles as possible this season thanks to a sleek running game at the line with a step reminiscent of prime years Benji Marshall.

I.Pap continues to score accordingly with his big price tag and thus will be high on the radar of many coaches looking to sure up the wasteland at FRF.

Will Penisini had a good bounce back game and looks to be a solid play on matchups.

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SHARKS v TIGERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Pointsbet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane. 

Interchange:14. Aiden Tolman 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braydon Trindall 17. Andrew Fifita. 

Reserves:18. Jack Williams 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Royce Hunt 22. Jonaiah Lualua 23. Kade Dykes 24. Franklin Pele

Analysis: Yet again the Talakai trap presents itself to Supercoaches after the Tongan Tank produced a herculean 107 consisting of 15 tackle busts in 21 hitups alongside a linebreak try.

Job security is the ever present issue for Talakai, however he will be a popular trade in this week due to a low breakeven and highly favourable matchup against the Tigers right edge.

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Teig Wilton continues to produce for owners, however job security is still an issue for him.

Nicho Hynes came back to earth this week with a score in the 40s thanks to some tough windy conditions.

This should be of zero concern to owners as he looks to be getting his hands on the ball enough to be a keeper in the halfback position and is going to be a tough death ride for me until I can afford him.

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Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jock Madden 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue. 

Interchange:14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Alex Twal 16. Luke Garner 17. Alex Seyfarth. 

Reserves:18. Starford To’a 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Austin Dias 22. Tukimihia Simpkins 23. Junior Tupou 24. Ruatapu Ngatikaura

Analysis: The Tigers are of zero Supercoach interest to me this season, however cheapie Kelma Tuilagi has showed signs of promise so far and was unlucky to not play the second half this week as he was on for 50+ in base. Definite hold, and a huge boost that he’s been named to play this week.

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BULLDOGS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 6.15pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Brent Naden 3. Braidon Burns 4. Jake Averillo 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Corey Waddell 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson. 

Interchange:14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Chris Patolo 16. Max King 17. Joe Stimson. 

Reserves:19. Bailey Biondi-Odo 20. Reece Hoffman 21. Aaron Schoupp 22. Jayden Okunbor 23. Ava Seumanufagai 24. Josh Cook 25. Jackson Topine

Analysis: TPJ looks to have been handed the unlimited offload license by Trent Barrett and as such he comes straight onto the priority trade in list over the coming weeks.

The Bulldogs were absolutely slapped up, yet TPJ still managed to crunch out 82pts thanks to 7 offloads and 4 tackle busts, at $569k he is very cheap for what he can offer you at FRF.

Max King remains a great cheapie and will make a phenomenal amount of cash over the next few weeks before he should peak out around $400k.

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Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo. 

Interchange:14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon. 

Reserves:18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Lindsay Smith 22. Soni Luke 23. Christian Crichton 24. Sean O’Sullivan

Analysis: Penrith continue to roll through oppositions the same way they did last season thanks to some seriously good CTW young guns in Izack Tago and Taylan May who are both absolute must haves to any who don’t both of them already.

They’ll continue to score well outside Luai and Kikau who are evidently in fantastic playmaking form.

Nathan Cleary returned with an uncharacteristic score in the 30s, but I suspect he was just making sure he got through the 80 without overexerting.

Cleary will be back to his untouchable best very quickly over the next few weeks, however at $950k he is just too expensive to warrant a trade-in (even against the Bulldogs).