Team lists: Supercoach round 3 squad analysis

With the first player price changes incoming, round 3 is typically one of the most significant trade weeks of the season.

This season is no different, and perhaps one of the more important in recent years.

There are 35 players sitting with negative breakevens this week, 22 of which are -11 or below.

For any newcomers, a player’s breakeven is the score they need to hit this week to either make or lose cash.

For example, James Tedesco has a breakeven of 135, so he essentially needs to have a blinder against the Rabbitohs to not lose any money.

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On the flip side, cheapie J’maine Hopgood has a breakeven of -139, so even if he played one minute and then got benched, he’d make a tonne of cash.

Almost all-season trades should be based around the breakeven of players, especially early in the year as we’re trying to maximise squad value.

We’ll be talking in-depth about the key players with high and low breakevens on the SC Playbook podcast on Tuesday night, and again on Beers and Breakevens on Wednesday.

Round 2 produced numerous injuries to major Supercoach players such as Kalyn Ponga, Brandon Smith, Jackson Ford and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, so it seems a wise time to use your first trade boost.

The Cooma Stallions bounced back with a nice score of 1,047 points last week, moving into 15,579^th overall, a position I’m very content to be in this early on with a squad I’m very happy with thus far.

Below I’ll focus more on the money risers or fallers rather than the regular chat about guns as I think this is the talking point people are after this week.

Let’s take a look at the Round 3 teams, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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Sea Eagles v Eels

Thursday, 8pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Cooper Johns 20. Morgan Harper 21. Karl Lawton 22. Ben Condon

Squad analysis: With Manly having only played one game, they won’t see price changes until round 4.

For this reason, with so many other pressing trades to make, I wouldn’t be worried about trading in any of their contingent at the moment.

Josh Schuster has been named to return, no rush on going early on him though.

Anyone keen on the likes of Tommy Turbo, DCE or Reuben Garrick will get another free look in what will likely be a tough match up against a desperate winless Eels.

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Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Matt Doorey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Jirah Momoisea 15. Jack Murchie 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Haze Dunster 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Isaac Lumelume

Squad analysis: Starting the season without a win, it doesn’t get much easier for Parra with games against the Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters to come.

Bryce Cartwright is $234k with a breakeven -49 and looks a solid buy this week, but with three trades max to play with I’m not convinced he’s the best pick.

He’ll make good cash and on any other given week you wouldn’t think twice, but there’s a lot of good options.

Ryan Matterson returns next week, and I think he’ll play edge when he comes back, so Carty could be straight back to the bench, or play lesser minutes.

Add in Shaun Lane’s return in a few weeks and there’s a few question marks.

Ditto Matt Doorey at $234k with a breakeven of -8 with the same issues around him.

Incredibly just 68% of Supercoaches own J’maine Hopgood who’s averaging 112.5 points at just $298k, with an incredible breakeven of -139.

He’s a genuine skipper option every single week at this rate.

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Knights v Dolphins

Friday, 6pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Johns 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Enari Tuala 19. Greg Marzhew 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Ben Talty 22. Thomas Cant

Squad analysis: It was devastating to see Kalyn Ponga suffer an early concussion against the Tigers, he’s now a sell.

If Greg Marzhew returns to the side(named on extended bench), it also puts a line through him for me as KP on the left edge was the major appeal in my eyes.

I struggle to make a case for anyone in this side at the moment despite a truly courageous win at Leichhardt Oval last weekend.

Cheapies Jack Hetherington, Leo Thompson and Brodie Jones have all been named to start and will be a watch this week.

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Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Mason Teague 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

Squad analysis: The Dolphins have come out of the blocks firing, led by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who is priced at $330k, averaging 77.5 with a breakeven of -60.

Most impressively from a Supercoach perspective though is the fact he’s had 32 runs in the first two rounds, significantly lifting his floor.

He looks a strong buy this week as a focal point of the Dolphins attack, coming up against a weakened Knights outfit.

Jamayne Isaako has cash incoming at $383k with a breakeven of -46, I’m still not that keen though.

Again, if it were any other week, he’d be a pretty straight forward buy, but there are so many quality options and we can’t have them all.

He scored 48 on the weekend, and his 108 from round 1 will drop out of his three round rolling average (what the breakeven is based on) after this week.

So, if he knocks out a score of 40 odd which I think is very possible, that breakeven will soar.

He’s slightly awkwardly priced and I wouldn’t be comfortable playing him in my 17.

This doesn’t mean he’s a bad pick up this week by any means, just not for me.

Another on the cheapie front at the Phins, Isaiya Katoa is $216k with a breakeven of -25, he’s scored solidly in two tough match ups and has cemented his spot in the process.

Available as dual 5/8-HFB, he looks a great pick up and he has some higher scores in him.

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Roosters v Rabbitohs

Friday, 8pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Corey Allan 22. Siua Wong

Squad analysis: Unfortunately, Brandon Smith was injured very early in the win over the Warriors and didn’t return to the field.

With uncertainty around his fitness and the bye next week, along with great hooking options, he’s a reluctant sell for me this week as he’s too much to hold onto at $478k despite being named.

Move him on to a money-making hooker, and we can always buy back once he returns to full fitness and starts firing.

Sammy Walker impressed against the Warriors with 92 points, taking his average to 77.

He’s an okay buy, but those were meant to be two easier games for the Roosters who now have a forward injury crisis on their hands, then face the Rabbitohs, bye, Eels, Storm and Sharks, so I’d hold off.

James Tedesco is the fourth most sold player, I understand it purely because of the bye next week and tough draw, along with the breakeven of 135.

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He was so, so close to scoring 80-100 points, and he’s fairly fixture proof too.

I’m just very loyal to Teddy, but with South Sydney this week with an understrength pack, into the bye, and cash to be made elsewhere, it’s a tempting sell.

Their next five rounds are Bunnies, bye, Eels, Storm, Sharks.

Egan Butcher is an interesting one, he’s not had the two prettiest weeks averaging just 40, but I do think there’s a good Supercoach player in him.

The problem is there’s a lot of quality 2RF options available, so it makes him a hard hold.

He had -16 points in round 1 for his 36 points and spent 10 minutes in the bin.

His only attacking stats in the first two rounds have been three tacklebreaks for six points, so this has to improve.

The issue is his runs, where he’s trucked it up 17 times in two games, not awful, but 10 of those runs were under 8m for just one point.

I’m on the fence but may be forced to prematurely part ways.

Victor Radley and Jared Waerea-Hargeaves return for the Roosters.

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Rabbitohs: 1.. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Squad analysis: The Bunnies were valiant against the Panthers despite being short on troops.

Unfortunately, their draw doesn’t get any easier, with games against the Roosters, Sea Eagles and Storm to come.

As such, I’ll avoid their guns such as Latrell Mitchell and Cam Murray until then, but they’ll hopefully be ripe for picking by that point.

I also wouldn’t sell if I owned either.

I’m a little torn on cheapies Davvy Moale ($235k, breakeven 0) and Shaq Mitchell ($235k, breakeven -33).

I’ll be holding Moale who had an injury niggle which limited his minutes in round 2, but I certainly wouldn’t be buying this week.

Shaq looks good and has played big minutes in recent weeks, but on-field injuries have increased his game time.

With a stack of forwards due back soon, how much time will he get?

Hame Sele and Tevita Tatola are back in the middle rotation.

I get the Pele-Mitchell trade, I just don’t feel completely right about it just yet.

I’ll be sticking by Izaac Thompson who I think will do some special things in Supercoach once South Sydney’s draw softens up.

I haven’t been playing him in my 17 due to tough opposition but I like him going forward.

One of last week’s most traded in players Lachlan Ilias backed up his week one heroics with 19 points against Penrith, don’t say you weren’t warned.

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Titans v Storm

Saturday, 3pm, Cbus Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Jo Vuna 17. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Klese Haas 20. Toby Sexton 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry

Squad analysis: Big Dave Fifita knocked out a solid 69 points in a disappointing Titans side against the Dragons.

Most impressive was the fact he did it without a try, assist, or linebreak. Although he did jag a forced drop out!

Khan-Pereira crossed for a try on his way to 40 points, be patient, he’s a double away from some decent cash rises at bottom dollar, and his 5 points from round 1 drops out of his rolling average this week so baring another disaster his breakeven should drop plenty.

Tanah Boyd is one of the more traded out players this week following a disappointing start to the season.

I’m torn as I think Cheese and potentially even Cleary are also sells in his Supercoach position.

While the Storm match-up on the Gold Coast isn’t great, I don’t think it’s as bad as it seems with stacks of players missing.

He’s fine to sell, but I’m tempted to give him one more week.

Brian Kelly returns at centre, with Jojo Fifita dropping out of the side in a great sign for Khan-Periera.

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Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Jordan Grant 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Bronson Garlick 22. Kane Bradley

Squad analysis: The injury crisis to the Storm middles puts question marks over their entire Supercoach contingent.

Harry Grant has been strong to start with an 82.5 average, he’ll continue to enhance his role in attack with players out, but he also is unlikely to feast off quick play-the-balls with Nelson Asofa-Solomona out.

Remarkably Will Warbrick hasn’t recorded a single attacking stat this season outside of a few tacklebreaks.

The fact he’s done that and still averages 33 is very encouraging, largely thanks to his work rate of 31 runs in two games.

I was extremely close to trading in Eli Katoa last week, but with uncertainty around the 2RF position, namely Jackson Ford, I needed to hold off a week.

Round 1 he bashed out 54 points without a single attacking stat, round 2 he scored 92 with three linebreaks, three offloads, six tacklebreaks, a try contribution and he had a disallowed try!

His combination with Hughes was outstanding, and at $411k with a breakeven of -28 I’m very keen on him this week.

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With NAS out, it should see Tariq Sims locked in as a middle forward on return which is great for Eli’s job security.

Christian Welch regressed this week to 51 points in an impressive 62 minutes, but I do think his game time has been increased due to injuries. That 51 included three offloads.

Owners would be happy enough, but I wouldn’t rush to buy.

Ditto Josh King who played 63 minutes for 55 points which will be closer to his season average.

His 96 in round 1 in 80 minutes will drop out after this week and the breakeven will even out.

He’s $459k with a breakeven of -19. Like Welch, you’d be happy enough to own but I won’t be scrambling for him.

Just Olam, Xavier Coates, Tui Kamikamica and Tariq Sims all return for the Storm, while rookie half Jonah Pezet has been named at 14.

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Cowboys v Warriors

Saturday, 5.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Tomas Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou 18. Heilum Luki 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Taniela Sadrugu 21. Riley Price 22. Mitchell Dunn

Squad analysis: Valentine Holmes has been named at centre, with Tom Chester to play fullback.

Commiserations to Scotty Drinkwater owners who saw their man pump out 1 point then get suspended, Supercoach can be a brutal beast at times.

Anyone carrying the Drinky-KP double, stay strong…

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Jeremiah Nanai needed two tries and a linebreak to get to 74 points. He’s had eight runs in two games this season, not good.

Not a lot else happening at the Cowboys Supercoach-wise this week, with Robson and Cotter chugging along okay without setting the world alight.

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Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Jazz Tevaga 23. Rocco Berry

Squad analysis: Jackson Ford went down early with a HIA for the Warriors, a cruel blow to owners and even more to those who played him. He wasn’t named this week.

Realistically he’s probably worth holding as he may slot straight back into an 80-minute role again when cleared to play, but it’s good news for non-owners who can hold off for a while to see his job security with Jazz Tevaga looming.

Tevaga was named on the extended bench.

Likewise, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who also had his day ended early by a HIA.

Rookie Taine Tuaupiki is a surprise replacement to debut at fullback.

Tohu Harris has played 80 minutes in consecutive weeks, averaging 80 points in the process, animal!

For anyone thinking it won’t last, we need to remember he was coming back from an ACL injury last season, so maybe he can maintain the scoring?

The Warriors don’t have a bye until round 12 and he’ll be available through Origin.

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Tevaga’s return may see him drop a few minutes, but even at say 65-70 he’d be a FRF keeper.

With more pressing trades this week I’ll likely give it one more week as there has been injuries that may have inflated time, plus Tevaga’s return.

Wayde Egan is extremely popular this week, priced at $489k, averaging 93.5 points, with a breakeven of -44.

He’s played 66 and 59 minutes the past two weeks which isn’t great.

In the past two games he’s scored two tries, had a try-assist, three linebreaks and a line-assist.

I think his scores are very inflated, but at a mid-range price with big money incoming for a player you can confidently play in your 17 he’s hard to argue with.

He can find an injury though which is one thing to consider.

Patient Marata Nuikore owners would have been thrilled to see him bang out 82 points in 67 minutes.

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Broncos v Dragons

Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Delouise Hoeter

Squad analysis: Reece Walsh was incredible in the win over the Cowboys and is now one of the most traded in players.

With only one game under his belt, we get another free look at him as he missed round 1, but plenty have obviously seen enough and are flipping Tedesco to him.

I’m interested but not sure I can squeeze him in, if Reynolds went down and he started kicking goals he’d be elite, to be fair he could be anyway!

Ezra Mam is one of the most traded in players this week which surprised me despite his hot start.

He’s priced at $583k, with a 71.5 average and a breakeven of 25.

One issue is that he’s only available at 5/8. Not for me, but again, hard to argue with form and numbers, along with Brisbane’s great upcoming run of games against the Dragons, Dolphins, Tigers, Raiders and Titans.

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Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Talatau Amone 22. Aaron Woods

Squad analysis: Like Manly, I won’t be looking into Dragons players too much this week as they’ve played one game and we get another look at them before price movement.

Tyrell Sloan started in style with 78 points with a host of attacking stats to his name, running only 10 times. Big watch this week at $298k!

Ben Murdoch-Masila looked decent but managed just 37 points in 72 minutes, with Jack de Belin due back that’s not overly promising.

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Bulldogs v Tigers

Sunday, 4.05pm, Belmore Oval, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Fa’amanu Brown 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Josh Reynolds 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Tanner

Squad analysis: Jacob Preston, you little ripper! Bottom dollar, starting, and 80 points to his name.

Thanks to Adz Driussi for tipping the SC Playbook faithful into that one. He’s a must-have this week and with his workrate and attacking upside is very playable in 17s.

Jacob Kiraz, my word! $567k, -36 breakeven, 99.5-point average. His numbers v Melbourne:

Two tries, 13 tacklebreaks, five offloads, two linebreaks, one line-assist, 24 runs = 148 Supercoach points!!!

That’s a stat line to bring a tear to the eye…

Hard to knock him as a buy, especially with upcoming games against the Tigers and Warriors, before a tough month of games.

Despite the great victory, Matty Burton scored just 30 points. He now sits with a 123 breakeven.

It’s hard because you know he’ll be relevant at some stage, possibly soon, but he’s difficult to hold onto based purely on belief at this stage.

Reed Mahoney has started on fire, having a greater say in attacking positions than at the Eels when dishing early service to Moses and Brown was the objective.

He’s $575k based on a 54.6 average last season. He’s averaging 82.5 in two games this season, with a breakeven of 0. I prefer him to Wayde Egan.

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Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Asu Kepaoa 12. Shawn Blore 13. Fonua Pole 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Brandon Tumeth 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. John Bateman 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Jahream Bula

Squad analysis: While the Dogs became very Supercoach relevant, the Tigers lost most of their credibility against a depleted Knights on Sunday.

Aside from Adam Doueihi who continues to score well in a poor side, and Stefano Utoikamanu at $319k with a -24 breakeven, the Tigers look very hard to invest in at the moment until we see some improved performances.

Stefano played 57 minutes on the weekend!

John Bateman has been named on the extended bench, Charlie Staines replaces the injured Daine Laurie at fullback, with Junior Tupou on the wing.

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Raiders v Sharks

Sunday, 6.15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera 14. Tom Starling 15. Trey Mooney 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler 18. Zac Woolford 19. Matt Frawley 20. James Schiller 21. Semi Valemei 22. Peter Hola

Squad analysis: Very little Supercoach relevance at the winless Raiders at the moment.

Joe Tapine played just 47 minutes against the Dolphins yet still scored 64 points. He’s going big soon, and I’m just hoping he holds off long enough till I can invest.

He’ll be a key target for non-owners in the next month or so as his game time increases.

Still no Josh Papali’i to be seen, which is good news for anyone who jumped on Pasami Saulo.

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Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jack Williams 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Daniel Atkinson

Squad analysis: The mystery around Nicho Hynes’ concerning calf injury has seen Braydon Trindall slip under the radar early in 2023.

He’s just $234k, and is kicking goals for a quality Sharks outfit, looking superb himself in the process.

He’s averaging 61 this season to sit with a breakeven of -54.

I was extremely keen on him until today’s Daily Tele article quoting him saying he’s expecting to play in round 4, so it makes it hard to have Trindall who could also shift to 14 next week and destroy his cash flow.

With underwhelming starts for Brandon Smith (duals), Tanah Boyd and Nathan Cleary (plus the bye), we should have an easy avenue to him.

With Cleary on the bye, he’s also a decent play in 17s at halfback this week, although I do think the Raiders will be up for it in their first home game of the year.

Outside of Teig Wilton who played 80 again on the weekend there’s not a lot to speak of at the Sharks.

They have two nice matchups against the Dragons and Warriors after this week, then the bye.