Draft rankings: 2RF and hooker positional analysis

Across the NRL pre-season, we’ll be analysing every position to aid those playing NRL Supercoach Draft in prioritising the best pick-ups for their side.

To kick things off, we’ll take a look at the second-row forward and hooker positions.

For anyone new to the game, note that NRL Supercoach Classic (most popular) and NRL Supercoach Draft are different formats and therefore will have differing perspectives on each player.

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Second-row Forward Rankings

Did you know that over half of the top 50 scorers in SuperCoach were second-rowers last season? 

That’s why nailing these spots early in your draft is crucial to your chances of winning your league.

2RF combines a great mix of high base scoring with potential for upside. 

Guys like J’maine Hopgood can easily score 55 points in tackles and runs alone, and when you throw in offloads and potential for attacking stats off the back of them, it’s no wonder these positions are so coveted.

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Not all second-rowers are made equal, and typically there’s two kinds; 

1) Base beasts who are dependable for having high-tackle counts and a few runs (think Cam McInnes) and 

2) High upside guys who are utilised heavily in their teams attacking raids (think Jeremiah Nanai). Sometimes a player like David Fifita or Haumole Olakau’atu can do ‘both’ things, but these players are rare.

Depending on your league settings, you’ll typically have at least two spots for second-rowers in your league and strategically it can be good to have a mix of both types. 

Given their ability for scoring consistency, picking a second-rower from round 3 is advisable. Second-rowers are largely match-up proof as well.

Below are our rankings of the top 12 2RF in SuperCoach – these rankings typically take into account a Round 26 Grand Final in a ‘non-captains’ league.

	2RF
1	David Fifita
2	Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
3	J’maine Hopgood
4	Haumole Olakau’atu
5	Briton Nikora
6	Pat Carrigan
7	Isaah Yeo
8	Eli Katoa
9	Shaun Lane
10	Keaon Koloamatangi
11	Cam Murray
12	Ryan Matterson

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1. David Fifita 

Coming off an 82 average in 2023, there’s just no better man at the position than David Fifita. His low scores are great given his new-found impressive workrate, and his try scoring at 2RF always gives him a chance to score over 100, which he did 6 times last year. This man shouldn’t survive past round 2 in a serious draft league and will likely be a top 10 pick in most.

2. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

His teammate and club captain could be the highest averaging player at two positions this season – and his dual makes him valuable as well. Tino based 57 points in 2023 and has rare attacking ability for a lock/prop. There’s a chance that his role may change and minutes get managed under a new head coach, but Tino is so good he can still score at an elite level in limited minutes. Should be picked inside the top 20 in most leagues.

3. J’maine Hopgood 

Last year’s rookie revelation is this year’s certified gun. J’maine combines awesome workrate and base with impressive offloading ability. He should only continue to get better moving into his second year of playing full-time NRL. Again, there’s a lot of middles at Parra and we do not know his minutes, but Hopgood has the potential to be the highest scorer at the position. An easy top 30 pick.

4. Haumole Olakau’atu

Big Ola has graduated to the superstar class and should be a top 30 pick. His combination on the right-edge with DCE, Saab and Koula is electric and makes him a constant try-scoring threat. Ola doesn’t possess elite base numbers, but his potential and Manly’s great draw for the 23-26 Finals system means he should be targeted inside the top 30 picks.

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5. Briton Nikora 

Nikora showed last season that he deserves to be spoken about as an elite in the position. He averaged 70 for the season and based a respectable 47. He’s a major attacking weapon for a potent side and sits alongside a consensus Top 2 pick in Hynes. If you nab Hynes, try and nab Nikora with your third pick of the draft and enjoy the Sharks stack.

6. Pat Carrigan

On potential, Carrigan could be as high as third on this list. But given the Broncos possess aspirations of winning a title, you cannot always count on the Broncos big man to play big minutes. When he’s offloading through the middle he can easily average 70+. The potential for him to miss games through Origin is the reason for this ranking. A great pick around 30-40th.

7. Isaah Yeo

Mr. Consistency. Yeo based 54 and averaged 69 for the season. Rarely scores poorly and always seems to peak around finals, which is great for your hopes of winning your draft league.

8. Eli Katoa

A surprise packet from last season. E-Kat has never been a huge base-scoring guy and averaged just 40 last season, but his combination with Jahrome Hughes was immense by the end of 2023. With another pre-season under his belt, Katoa could easily surpass his 64 average from 2023 and possesses enormous attacking upside. Finished the season with scores of 95, 127 and 82. Not the greatest draw for finals is the only concern.

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9. Shaun Lane

Like E-Kat, Lane has the potential to be slept on in the draft. After a breakout 2022, injury cruelled his season last year but at his pomp, Lane can easily crack the 70 point average. Sees a lot of traffic on his edge outside of Dylan Brown.

10. Keaon Koloamatangi

A little inconsistent at times, Keaon has been threatening to make the jump to elite at the second-row position for a couple of seasons now. A rock-solid pick who – off the back of an expected improved showing from the Rabbits this season – could return close to the 67 average he achieved in 2022.

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11. Cam Murray

Feels weird not having this man’s name closer to the top of the list, but Murray is typically one of the first Rabbits pulled off the field once the result of the match is decided. Furthermore, his minutes are heavily managed during the Origin period. Murray combines great base scoring with attacking potential and should go close to a 70-average if he can string it together.

12. Ryan Matterson

At times, an enigma, and a weird role to understand, but Matterson is undeniably a SuperCoach gun. Averaged 62 but his number of offloads was way down on previous seasons. If he frees the arm, he’s capable of adding 4-8 more points to his average this season.

Sleepers:

• Kikau will be low on draft boards after a poor season but should improve his average in a Bulldogs outfit with more attacking weapons this season
• Billy Burns finished the season at the Dragons on fire but was curiously moved on to the Sharks. Not many people know his name but good judges are saying he’s in contention for the starting left-edge slot at the Sharks. 
• Jaydn Su’A is always slept on but could be a 60-point averaging guy in the right circumstances.

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Hooker Rankings for 2024

If fullbacks are the Ferraris of NRL SC Draft, Hooker is the ‘Great Wall’ ute. They’re not sexy, kind of reliable, but mostly you just ignore what it looks like and just pray that it continues to get the job done.

Similar to Classic, the loss of the 80-minute hooker job has had a big impact on this position in Draft comps. Hookers used to be a premium position, but these days it’s fashionable to ignore it until as late as possible. 

Strategically, if you don’t land with Harry Grant in your lap in round 1 or 2, you can wait until round 5 to hopefully nab a JMK or Cook. If that doesn’t come off, it’s ok to wait until after picks 70 to see who’s still available. 

Because remember that if your league is panicking and drafting these players any earlier, you’re every chance of finding value in other positions which they’ve missed out on.

Having said that, getting a top player at this position could give you a weekly 20-point advantage over your opponents at the position. It all comes down to value and team structure.

Outside of the top three on this list, there’s not a lot to split options 4-8. So if you have an affinity with anyone in particular then change the order to your liking.

	HOK
1	Harry Grant
2	Jeremy Marshall-King
3	Damien Cook
4	Reece Robson
5	Blayke Brailey
6	Wayde Egan
7	Api Koroisau
8	Reed Mahoney
9	Lachlan Croker
10	Brandon Smith
11	Sam Verrills
12	Brendan Hands

1. Harry Grant

The undisputed best in the position. Will miss the odd game due to Origin commitments but should be the only man at the position to average 70 once again. A top 12 pick overall and could easily be higher.

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2. Jeremy Marshall-King

Averaged 63 last season which included a bunch of injury affected games. JMK could easily better that if you believe the Dolphins will improve on last year’s performance. He is somewhat reliant on attacking points and could potentially slip down in the rankings.

3. Damien Cook

Dropped his average by 10 points last season but still punched out a 65. Do we expect any regression from him this season? Maybe due to his age. But he’s a solid pick and if available in the 40-50th pick range, Cook could present some value.

4. Reece Robson

After a strong 2022 season averaging 64, Robson regressed back to 55 points last season which was forecasted given his high-try total the previous year. He’s a solid and reliable option who may miss some games due to Origin.

5. Blayke Brailey

A rare 80-minute hooker and a player with great durability. Brailey can be an inconsistent scorer at times but is reasonably reliable.

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6. Wayde Egan

Averaged a career high 56 points last season, but also missed a heap of games with injuries. Egan seems to be a man who has a close relationship with the physio, but can find attacking points thanks to a great combination with SJ and his forward pack. A riskier pick given the injury risks, but a solid option if available in the 80-90s (or even later). 

7. Api Koroisau

The Tigers captain doesn’t always play 80, but can find attacking stats. Api averaged 56 last season which included a few games at halfback and some goal-kicking thrown in. He has an unfortunate bye in the round 26 grand final, as well as a round 1 bye too. A bit of a lottery pick, but if he nabs goal-kicking fulltime he could average close to 60.

8. Reed Mahoney

A very busy player but does have low scores due to a high volume of missed tackles and penalties conceded. Mahoney can be quite inconsistent as well but he does play big minutes. A good late pick, and best to avoid watching his games if you can.

9. Lachlan Croker

Averaged 52 points last season but may lose minutes this year to Gordon Chan Kum Tong if the Manly-side opt to split minutes off the bench at hooker.

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10. Brandon Smith

57, 90, 48, the last three scores for Cheese in 2023. Overall it was a poor first year for the Tri-colours, but if he can figure out how he can impact the Chooks team consistently, he should outperform his 46 average from last year.

11. Sam Verrills

Told you hooker was a weird position. Verrills is here purely because he’s likely to get good minutes at the Titans. Verrills could average 45+ which is serviceable.

12. Brendan Hands

This spot could easily be Joey Lussick’s if he is the one who lands the 80 minute role at Parra. Again, he’s a warm body who could average 45+ and that would be all you need.

Sleepers:

• Tough to find in a thin pool, but Jacob Liddle has a friendly SuperCoach game if he gets good minutes. We just don’t know how the Dragons will lineup this season.
• If Jayden Brailey isn’t up to first grade on return from lengthy injury lay-offs, Phoenix Crossland’s stocks would rise. With an expected job share however these two aren’t worth looking too closely at.