Team lists: Supercoach round 17 squad analysis

The second major bye round is history, with most Supercoaches getting away relatively unscathed.

Nicho Hynes sent a reminder to the masses of his Supercoach ability going big on Sunday afternoon, punching out a 129 point score that could easily have edged 200+ on another day.

Like the first major bye round, it’s actually appearing as though the following week may prove the more troubling for Supercoaches.

Round 17 sees the Tigers, Bulldogs and Sharks all on the bye, leaving Supercoaches relying on the Origin cauldron to ensure our players get through unharmed.

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Fortunately after Origin one plenty of players backed up, but we can’t guarantee the same fate this week.

Anyway, fingers crossed we’re all able to field a full 17 man squad this week.

As always, the key message is to stay fluid with trades across the course of the weekend as late outs inevitably occur.

The Cooma Stallions had an okay week last round scoring 974 points to move up a tick into 2,803^rd overall.

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It’s been a little slower going over the past month than I’d hoped, but we’re sitting respectably enough to hopefully make further charges in coming rounds.

I’ll refer to round 19 a fair bit below which is the third and final major bye round with half the competition sitting out.

Once again, this is more of a focus for overall players, so if you’re head-to-head focused please take into consideration that the round 19 bye is not as significant.

Let’s take a look at round 17, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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DRAGONS v WARRIORS

Friday, 8pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

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. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Michael Molo 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Moses Mbye 20. Max Feagai 21. Toby Couchman 22. Billy Burns

Analysis: The Dragons play the next major bye round in round 19, but have the bye the following week in a tricky period.

I can’t really make a case to invest in any of their Supercoach contingent at this stage.

Jack de Belin and Jack Bird return in the back-row.

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Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Brayden Wiliame 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Kalani Going 23. Zyon Maiu’u

Analysis: The Warriors become very relevant once again with no bye until round 22.

Their draw is decent, with upcoming games against the Dragons, Rabbitohs, Eels (minus Origin stars), Sharks and Raiders.

Their long-term draw around head-to-head finals is more enticing though, from round 23 they face the Titans, Tigers, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Dolphins.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is on a tear with a three game average of 94 points, lifting him to $672k.

He’s dual CTW-FLB positioning which is handy and is a genuine buy option.

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Shaun Johnson has back-to-back to scores of 127 and 119, seeing him sit at $705k with a breakeven of -15.

It’s hard to knock him too much as a buy, I will say though that Nathan Cleary may not be too far off, and he and Nicho Hynes will be the clear halfback options for the run home.

For this reason, I do see SJ as more of a short-term play through until Cleary returns so he may not benefit with that great late draw for your Supercoach team.

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DOLPHINS v EELS

Saturday, 3pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Brayden Mcgrady 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Max Plath 18. Harrison Graham 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Robert Jennings 22. Kurt Donoghoe

Analysis: The Dolphins play Round 19, but do have tricky fixtures against the Eels and Broncos in coming weeks.

The Round 19 match-up v the Titans without Fifita and Tino is decent, but they face Penrith the following week and then have the bye, so the draw isn’t great.

Valynce Te Whare starts at centre for the injured Brenko Lee.

In a huge blow for Connelly Lemuelu owners, he’s been benched with the return of Felise Kaufusi.

He was probably looming as a sell soon anyway, but not an ideal week for it to happen.

Jamayne Isaako is a season-long keeper barring a rapid drop off in form but is at top dollar for a CTW.

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Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Haze Dunster 19. Matt Doorey 20. Luca Moretti 21. Waqa Blake 22. Shaun Lane

Analysis: Parramatta have the bye next week so I’d be a little reluctant to invest this week, before turning attention to their stars again come Round 19.

King Gutho may be the exception having belted out back-to-back scores of 138 and 132 to sit at $787k with a breakeven of -14.

Another nice match-up with the Dolphins looms this week so this may be the last chance to jump on before he gets out of range $850k+.

J’maine Hopgood is a keeper, while Ryan Matterson will be a great pick up after the bye.

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PANTHERS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 5:30pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Garner 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Thomas Jenkins 23. Liam Henry 24. Jack Cole

Analysis: Penrith have the bye in round 19 which will be their last of the season.

It’s a slightly tricky fixture to analyse due to potential Origin outs.

With Nathan Cleary injured after the opening Origin, will Ivan decide to rest players after game two?

No idea, but it does change the complexion of this game entirely from an NRL and Supercoach standpoint if he does.

If players like Liam Martin or Isaah Yeo don’t back-up it’ll mean Zac Hosking is a hold for at least one more week.

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But if they do, he becomes a sell candidate having been named outside the 17.

Ditto Tyrone Peachey who is doing a brilliant job for owners, knocking out 74 last week almost all in base and power.

His stat line read: 20 runs, three offloads, one forced drop out, seven tacklebusts and 17 tackles.

With a great fixture against Newcastle he’d be a very handy player to own this week if he gets a starting spot, if not, he becomes a sell option.

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Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Enari Tuala 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Jack Johns 22. Adam Clune

Analysis: Newcastle have the bye in round 19, and a brutal match-up with Penrith away this week, meaning anyone not considered keepers are likely sells in coming rounds.

Greg Marzhew returns after being dropped last week for missing the team bus, a tough pill to swallow for owners in a pivotal round in the Supercoach season.

With a season average of 77, and a firing Kalyn Ponga, I think he’s a season long keeper.

Ponga is fit and firing, and rugby league is simply much better for it.

Supercoach wise it’s correlated well with a five round average of 85.

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He has a breakeven of 28, Penrith this week, Bulldogs, then the bye, so I’m not sure he’s a buy.

Owners will be ecstatic but it is an awkward period to jump on. If Penrith were to rest numerous Origin players it’d change my view on him as a buy this week, especially with a great Doggies match-up next round.

A big thank you to Phoenix Crossland who has been a valued member of the Cooma Stallions over the past six or so weeks, doing an invaluable job.

He made me around $170k since bringing him in during a difficult period at five-eighth for Supercoaches, and the two rounds I was required to play him in round 13 and 16 he scored 77 and 45.

He might not be a cheapie many will remember, but he’ll hold a place in my heart for some time, but the time has come to move him on either this week or next. Cheers mate.

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STORM v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tom Eisenhuth 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tariq Sims 16. Aaron Pene 17. Tyran Wishart 18. Kane Bradley 19. Chris Lewis 20. George Jennings 21. Alec MacDonald 22. Jonah Pezet 23. Sualauvi Faalogo

Analysis: Melbourne have the bye in Round 19, their last of the season.

Another hard fixture to analyse as it’s so dependent on a number of key Origin stars backing up on the short three day turnaround.

Cameron Munster is at a mouth watering price of $666k, coming off a 124 against the Sharks.

Averaging 75 for the season, and an obvious season-long keeper, I think he’s a great buy this week if he does in fact back-up. But there are some concerns.

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Do note though that Melbourne play Penrith next week which isn’t ideal, but it is at home which helps.

So if there isn’t room for him in your squad this week, it can wait until after Round 19, particularly if he happens to get rested after Origin three.

In that case, anyone running a Cody Walker and Cam Munster combo would be short in round 20 as South Sydney have the bye.

For all the same reasons I think I’d probably hold off on Harry Grant until after the Origin period.

While that pair backed up after Origin one, they did have an extra day to recover.

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Shout out to Jahrome Hughes (who I didn’t buy, sigh) who has delivered scores of 119 and 87 the past two weeks for those who jumped on.

I think the time has passed though as we set sights on a Cleary/Hynes combo for the run home along with round 19 coverage.

Another shout out the SC Playbook weekly wrap co-writer Nick Moon, one of the few blokes on the planet to still own Will Warbrick for his 136 last week!

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Sea Eagles: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Sean Keppie 14. Karl Lawton 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ben Condon 18. Samuela Fainu 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Morgan Harper 21. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 22. Tom Trbojevic

Analysis: Manly have the bye in round 19, their last of the season.

Plenty are jumping on Tom Trbojevic this week coming off scores of 165 and 126, sitting at $763k with a breakeven of -41.

Lock and load right? Not so much…

With his body, are the club really willing to risk him backing up on a three day turnaround from Origin?

I’m not a doctor, obviously, so my opinion on it probably counts for nothing, but surely not?

I suspect he may rest this week, and Round 20 on the three day turnaround from Origin three, meaning he’d play one of the next four games.

I could be entirely wrong of course, but I’m eyeing him for post Origin.

He’s been named in the 22 jersey for now.

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Reuben Garrick had a stinker at centre last weekend with just 20 points, don’t be too alarmed though, Manly were depleted and he hopefully gets Daly Cherry-Evans back this week who was key to his big tonne the week prior.

Any non-keepers for Manly should be on the chopping block this week, including Josh Schuster and potentially Samuela Fainu who unfortunately has been dropped to 18th man.

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BRONCOS v TITANS

Sunday, 2pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Deine Mariner 21. Xavier Willison 22. Jock Madden 23. Tristan Sailor 24. Cory Paix

Analysis: Brisbane have two byes remaining in round 19 and round 25.

Realistically despite absolutely flying this season, the Broncos aren’t too Supercoach relevant right now, at least for overall players.

Their main players are Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan who all have the Origin period to get through which clouds their Supercoach credentials.

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With games against the Dolphins and Titans over the next fortnight, and the Bulldogs after the bye, Reece Walsh is a sneaky option at fullback if he backs up from Origin.

He’s a genuine option this week with huge upside.

I’ll be waiting until the post Origin period to invest in Payne Haas.

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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. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Erin Clark 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Klese Haas 18. Chris Randall 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Jojo Fifita 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Jo Vuna 23. Keano Kini 24. Ken Maumalo

Analysis: The Titans play the third and final major bye round which gives them more significance.

I ended up going the attacking approach last week and selling David Fifita at $897k with a breakeven of 162.

He played just 33 minutes post Origin one which scared me off, so I went the aggressive route and traded in Ronaldo Mulitalo via duals.

It gave me a key extra number last round, so I think if you held through you stick strong this week.

Owners will just be praying he plays bigger minutes this week, with the extra day turnaround this time around helpful.

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Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is nearing a must-have post Origin.

AJ Brimson is an NRL freak, and a Supercoach super POD at next too 0% ownership among top ranked teams.

In his first game back from injury he produced an exceptional 94 points.

He’s averaging 68 points in five non-injury impacted games this season, and is priced at a very cheap rate of $525k.

The issue is that he’s 18^th man for the Maroons so he could sneak into the team for game three and that all-important third major bye round, and of course his injury history.

I suspect he will be available for the Titans in round 19, but it is a worry going this early on him with a tough game against the Broncos at Suncorp.

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RABBITOHS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jed Cartwright 13. Cameron Murray 14. Michael Chee Kam 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Peter Mamouzelos 20. Jacob Host 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Dean Hawkins

Analysis: South Sydney play round 19 and are loaded with gun Supercoach options for the run home.

Do note they have the bye in round 20, so any Origin players would miss two weeks consecutively, so I’d avoid buying any of them.

Cody Walker remains a terrific pick up, with plenty of scoring potential against the Cowboys, Warriors and Bulldogs in the next three weeks.

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At $690k with a 77 point average, Campbell Graham is also a red-hot option, I do worry that if NSW get knocked off that he might play game three potentially.

One to reassess after we find out the result on Wednesday night.

Ditto Keaon Koloamatangi who is every chance at game three if NSW get dusted.

No Latrell Mitchell which doesn’t come as a shock.

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Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Riley Price 20. Reece Robson 21. Jeremiah Nanai 22. Valentine Holmes 23. Reuben Cotter 24. Murray Taulagi

Analysis: With no Round 19 coverage I can’t go near any Cowboys players until we see week-on-week consistency in their game.

Shout out to Scotty Drinkwater though repping a three round average of 105 points and a five round average of 97.

If you’ve held Val Holmes having missed three of the past four games you can likely just hold for the season.

The Origin contingent have been named on the extended bench which I wouldn’t read into too much.

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ROOSTERS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Junior Pauga 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Angus Crichton 15. Nathan Brown 16. Nat Butcher 17. Naufahu Whyte 18. Terrell May 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Corey Allan 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Zach Dockar-Clay

Analysis: No round 19 coverage for the Roosters and some pretty underwhelming performances of late make them very hard to invest in.

If Joey Manu stayed at fullback for the season he’d near average 100, honestly…

His stats against the Knights read: 29 runs, nine tacklebreaks, six offloads, one try, one linebreak for 117 points.

He’ll always be a buy candidate no matter what position, but obviously fullback is his spot for Supercoach. I’d be willing to anti-POD named at centre.

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Billy Smith has burned Supercoaches two seasons on the trot, averaging 33 since he was the week’s most purchased player.

He had a breakeven of -56 after two games but has made us just $74k having lost $22k last week.

You can sell whenever, but we may need him as a number this week in a tough round, give us something Billy boy!

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They’re tough to invest in at the moment, but if you need to free up some cash, Daniel Tupou is at a pretty crazy price of $442k coming off 80 points against Newcastle which included 23 runs!

He’s a proven gun with big base, it’s just a shame his bye coverage isn’t great.

It’s hard to ignore seven of nine scores under 50 this season though.

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Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Nick Cotric 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Matt Frawley 19. Xavier Savage 20. Ata Mariota 21. Danny Levi 22. Peter Hola

Analysis: Canberra play round 19, but have the bye in the tricky round 20 week.

There’s very little to be said about the Green Machine Supercoach-wise at the moment.

Joe Tapine and Corey Horsburgh are indefinite holds, likely for the season, but I wouldn’t be rushing to buy.

Reassess again closer to round 19 if anyone comes into buy contention.

SuperCoach Team Scoring

Via SC Playbook reader, Dylan