Team lists: Supercoach round 21 squad analysis

Bye period, gone, thankfully!

A truly stressfully period of the calendar year is behind us once again, and we officially set ourselves for the run home.

Seven rounds remain until a new Supercoach champion is crowned.

We now hit the point of the season where those who saved trades, built squad value, and remained patient, should in theory, be rewarded.

The goal now turns to getting all of the Supercoach elite back into your squad, along with perhaps a sneaky POD or two to give your side an edge on rivals.

For head-to-head players, assess your position on the table, and trade accordingly.

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If you’re well positioned in the top four than saving a few trades for finals time is the likely move.

If you’re on the edge of the top eight, go for broke!

After two weeks abroad, it’s good to be back on Aussie soil fresh and ready to fire for the home stretch.

An old Supercoach lesson was reinforced over the past two weeks, don’t Europe and Supercoach.

The now not so mighty Cooma Stallions hit a wall while away, dropping across three rounds from the 2000s to 7,200^th overall.

I’m genuinely gutted.

Last week was the killer, scoring just 1,050 points for a monumental fall.

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The dagger was not owning Kalyn Ponga, and in turn captaining Mitch Moses for 41 points…

It’s really disappointing, but I did manage to get Fifita and Munster back into my squad, with some big plays set in the next two weeks, so the squad is shaping up fine.

A huge shoutout to Dezzy Creek for looking after this article while I was on break, and the rest of the SC Playbook team who all chipped in to make sure everything ran smoothly.

As for the Stallions, we need results, immediately, so let’s turn our attention to NRL Supercoach Round 21, with squads courtesy of Fox Sports.

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DRAGONS v TIGERS

Thursday, 7:50pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin 14. Moses Mbye 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Jack Bird 18. Zane Musgrove 19. Sione Finau 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Max Feagai 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Analysis: With a very difficult run home after this week, I have no interest in any Dragons players as it stands.

Jacob Liddle owners can look to flip him to Harry Grant, he’s only averaged 56 minutes across his past three games.

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Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Shawn Blore 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Fonua Pole 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Alex Twal 18. Aitasi James 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Will Smith 21. Asu Kepaoa 22. Justin Matamua

Analysis: Jahream Bula was the shining light against the Knights with 79 points, but he’s not a season-long keeper in this team.

He’s a sell anytime, but if you have other priorities the match-up with the Dragons looks solid enough to justify holding for one more week now that his breakeven has flattened out at 50.

I think Isaiah Papali’i and John Bateman are fine to hold for the rest of the season, but if they’re your ticket back to David Fifita than make it happen.

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WARRIORS v RAIDERS

Friday, 6pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

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. Mitchell Barnett 16. Tom Ale 17. Freddy Lussick 18. Bayley Sironen 20. Josh Curran 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Viliami Vailea

Analysis: Is SJ a season-long keeper?

Look, not for me. I still believe a Cleary-Hynes combination is the key, but geez his numbers are stacking up.

He has four tonnes in his past six games, with a 20 point stinker wedged in between in the wet against the Rabbitohs which can be ignored.

Most importantly, the Warriors have a dream draw to run home.

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They face Canberra this week, followed by the bye.

Then, they take on the Titans, Tigers, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Dolphins.

It arguably doesn’t get any better than that.

I wouldn’t look to sell any of their players, and they’ll have a stack of POD attacking options post bye including Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Addin Fonua-Blake looks like a great replacement for those selling Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, however I still prefer Payne Haas.

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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. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. Matt Frawley 19. Nick Cotric 20. Trey Mooney 21. Hohepa Puru 22. Ethan Strange

Analysis: Despite having all byes completed, there’s very little Supercoach interest at the in-form Raiders for me.

Joe Tapine is already highly owned, but remains a great buy for anyone offloading Tino Fa’asuamaleaui this week.

Corey Horsburgh is the alternative option.

I prefer Tapine, but if you need the dual 2RF-FRF of Horsburgh I think that’s enough to get him over the line.

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RABBITOHS v BRONCOS

Friday, 8pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jacob Host 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Tallis Duncan 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Davvy Moale 22. Dean Hawkins

Analysis: Fresh from the bye, with a glorious run home, South Sydney look a team to target.

Do consider though that with a Round 26 bye to come you won’t want to overinvest in their players.

Their draw to come home reads: Broncos, Tigers, Sharks, Dragons, Knights, bye, Roosters.

Brilliant!

Tyrone Munro is bottom dollar at $200k, with a breakeven of -89. The only issue, a minor one, he hasn’t been named! We’ll wait to find out more as he may still be a buy to free up cash if it’s a minor injury concern.

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Latrell Mitchell makes his long-awaited return from injury and may be one to finish in style.

He’s $813k with a breakeven of 139.

He’s fine to pick up this week, but with a tough match-up in his first game back, with a big breakeven, I’ll be waiting until next week to see how he gets through.

No major knock on anyone going early though as we know he’s essentially fixture proof.

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Cody Walker is in career-best form and is also a great buy, but with a 128 breakeven he can also probably wait a week.

With many running out of trades and already boasting a fairly stacked CTW, Campbell Graham is a huge POD play and a great buy in my opinion.

Oh yeah, also Cameron Murray is $482k!!!

That’s an obscenely cheap rate for one of the best 2RFs in Supercoach, averaging 68+ in the past four years.

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

Analysis: Initially I was very drawn to Reece Walsh at a cheap rate of $631k, but it won’t be easy going for the star fullback on the run home.

Brisbane face a tougher draw with games against the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Cowboys, Eels, bye, Raiders and Storm.

That being said, he’s talented enough and playing in a gun side so he can overcome the draw, but I think I’ll lean to Latrell despite the higher price tag.

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Payne Haas returns and is affordable at $695k, boasting a season average of 75 points, despite having just one try and one try-assist.

He’s a prop, attacking stats aren’t expected, but the point is that there’s likely more upside in him.

An excellent option for the run home, but again it can wait a week if needed to see how he comes back from injury.

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TITANS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Erin Clark 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Ken Maumalo 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Thomas Mikaele

Analysis: David Fifita, must-have, don’t overthink it.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s three week suspension is brutal for owners. Especially with plenty owning Tohu Harris or AFB who have the bye next week.

If you can cover him at FRF he’s fine to hold, but if you can’t you might have to bite the bullet and sell.

At least at $808k you’re getting top value for him.

AJ Brimson returns after being rested post Origin.

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Victor Radley 12. Nat Butcher 13. Nathan Brown 14. Brandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Siua Wong 17. Terrell May 18. Corey Allan 19. Dylan Napa 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Fletcher Baker

Analysis: It’s very hard to invest in any Roosters in their current form.

They do have a nice run home, so owners of Joey Manu and James Tedesco can hold, but I wouldn’t be buying.

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KNIGHTS v STORM

Saturday, 5:30pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

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. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Adam Clune

Analysis: Despite a tough week this week, Newcastle have a nice run home.

They face the Storm, Raiders, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Sharks and Dragons.

Kalyn Ponga is now $852k with a breakeven of -33, so it’s truly now or never before he sees a monster price rise that likely takes him beyond $900k.

He’s worth the money, however at almost $200k cheaper I’d prefer Cameron Munster.

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Greg Marzhew has fulfilled his long-hyped Supercoach destiny this season, and as someone who had him in my Round 1 team before he was ruled out with injury, only to never buy him, it’s not been a joy to watch…

He’s averaging 80 points per game!!!

At $714k, he’s still at a reasonably affordable rate and looks a great pick-up.

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

Analysis: The Storm have a mixed run home with games against the Knights, Eels, Panthers, Raiders, Dragons, Titans and Broncos.

Averaging 72 this season, Cameron Munster is ripe for picking at $661k.

He hasn’t averaged below 70 in his past four seasons, and with Melbourne fighting for a top four spot he looks primed for a big finish.

Harry Grant, just get him in…

With a 5RA of 78 since plenty bought Jahrome Hughes, he’s delivered tremendously, and can now be moved onto Nathan Cleary having made $100k since Round 15.

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COWBOYS v EELS

Saturday, 7:35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

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

Analysis: Welcome to the million dollar club, Scott Drinkwater.

The first player to do so in 2023, and I believe the fourth of all-time.

The beauty for owners is that anyone else would be mad to pay up for him at the price, so you’ve got him all to yourself at fairly low ownership.

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At $865k Valentine Holmes is probably not worth paying up for, he’s very expensive for a centre, but he continues to deliver, averaging 113 across his past four games.

With a reasonable run home there’s no reason why he can’t continue the form.

With a three round average of 86, at tiny ownership, Jeremiah Nanai is a super POD for the run home.

But with a base of just 38, and a bye in Round 24, I can’t go near him.

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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. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Andrew Davey 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Haze Dunster 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Waqa Blake 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie

Analysis: Parramatta have a highly owned Supercoach contingent, but their run home is pretty tricky.

They face the Cowboys, Storm, Dragons, Broncos, Roosters, Panthers, then the Round 27 bye where restings may occur.

I reluctantly say this, but with the draw it probably makes Clint Gutherson a sell at top dollar of $905 with a breakeven of 122.

If you’re running a bit low on trades he’s absolutely fine to hold for the rest of the season, but it’s hard to see him maintaining anything near that value with the draw ahead.

It could also wait a week, with a trade to Latrell Mitchell potentially netting over $100k next week.

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Mitchell Moses has done a great job for owners, until last week, and can be flipped to Cleary.

The tough draw shouldn’t impact forwards too negatively, in fact it may keep games tighter with more ball in play.

Shaun Lane is back to fitness and 80 minutes, priced at just $494k after averaging 69 last season. Super POD!

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PANTHERS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 2pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 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. Luke Garner 18. Jack Cogger 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Tyrone Peachey

Analysis: Penrith have a pretty decent run home against the Bulldogs, Sharks, Storm, Sea Eagles, Titans, Eels and Cowboys.

Izack Tago is in stunning form and as a result is one of the more traded in players.

He’s $723k, with a breakeven of 15, averaging an outstanding 70 points this season.

He’s knocking out 36 in base which is elite for a CTW, let alone one playing in the best team in the NRL. Hard to argue with the buy.

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Penrith have been cautious with Cleary’s return to play so I have no doubt he’ll be firing this week.

With a breakeven of 129 some may be tempted to wait, I think he could have that by halftime.

Not a lot of note elsewhere, with Soni Luke playing very limited minutes on the weekend which may see him prove an auto-emergency nightmare on the run home.

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Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 11. Jackson Topine 12. Jacob Preston 13. Corey Waddell 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Jayden Okunbor 19. Samuel Hughes 20. Hayze Perham 21. Chris Patolo 22. Josh Addo-Carr 23. Viliame Kikau

Analysis: Jacob Preston has been one of the great cheapies, averaging 61 points, making $348k, and providing very reliable scoring throughout the bye period.

He has done his job though and can be moved on at a time that suits your squad.

Viliame Kikau has been named on the extended bench! Josh Addo-Carr has also been named on the extended bench.

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SHARKS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4:05pm, PointsBet Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Jesse Colquhoun 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Jack Williams 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Kayal Iro 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Royce Hunt 21. Daniel Atkinson 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Analysis: Cronulla become a very tricky prospect for the run home, with a very tough draw against the Sea Eagles, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Titans, Cowboys, Knights and Raiders.

With their horrid form against top eight sides it makes it hard to hold any of their backline players.

Ronaldo Mulitalo is owned by the masses, producing back-to-back scores of 19 and 9, unfathomable.

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Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, and Sione Katoa are all looking a little scary to play at the moment and you wouldn’t argue with selling any if you have trades up the sleeve to do so.

Sifa Talakai has been benched and becomes a sell. Jesse Colquhoun starts on the edge, is $216k, and dual position. However he looms as an AE nightmare if benched.

While some are tinkering with the idea of the anti-POD play on Nicho Hynes, it’s not for me.

He’s a Supercoach great across the past two seasons and I think it’d take a very bold player to sell him.

Briton Nikora has a 3RA of 95 and is a hold for the rest of the season.

Matt Moylan is out, dropped, injured, I suspect the former.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dean Matterson 15. Aaron Woods 16. Sean Keppie 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Analysis: Very little doing here outside of Reuben Garrick who I believe is a hold for the remainder of the season.

He copped an early HIA in the loss to the Cowboys and never really came back the same, yet still scored a respectable 50.

With some very soft games on the run home there’s no reason why he can’t average say 75+ from fullback, keeping in mind he scored 169 at centre!

SuperCoach Team Scoring

Via SC Playbook reader, Dylan