Late Mail Round 1: Caution over cheapie Chan

Late mail man Adam Stiles brings you all the vital team news heading in the NRL Round 1 fixtures.

NRL

Between Vegas Round and TLT, it seems like SuperCoaches have already taken a season’s worth of cheapie hits.

Hopefully the late mail gives us a reprieve, but there are certainly a few doozies that we may have to navigate around as the round progresses.

Don’t forget to use the rolling lockout to your advantage by keeping an eye on all the updates across the round via @scplaybook1 on X/Twitter and Instagram, as well as myself @AStilesAuthor.

Adjust your teams and manage your money in the bank accordingly while you still have unlimited trades.

Be like water, keep your head on a swivel, play eyes up footy and any other cliche of choice you may live your SuperCoach life by.

Let’s get stuck into it and good luck for the round.

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KNIGHTS

The Knights have been named on TLT according to expectations so I’m not envisioning anything major changing.

Based on previous seasons, I would not be surprised to see Daniel Saifiti move into the starting side in place of his brother Jacob Saifiti, however it would not have major SuperCoach ramifications.

24 hour cuts: Pryce, Jones, Cant 

RAIDERS

The Raiders were similarly named as expected and much like the Knights, if I’m going off previous seasons, I could see Josh Papali’i shifting to the bench with one of the middle forwards coming into the starting prop role.

If this happens to Ata Mariota it would make him an interesting cheapie prospect.

24 hour cuts: Woolford, Schiller, Mooney

WARRIORS

The Warriors too largely named the side we expected. I could see some game day shuffles between the bench and the extended bench, however that’s just speculation on my part and a 1-17 would not surprise.

SHARKS

Nicho Hynes sent yet another pre-season scare through the SuperCoach community when it was revealed that he was dealing with a quad issue, but he will be playing and from the man’s own mouth if he’s playing, he’s kicking goals. Deploy with confidence. 

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STORM

Cameron Munster has been ruled out after a shower slip aggravated an ongoing groin issue. Jonah Pezet is the natural replacement. 

Alex MacDonald is on the bench but has also been named to start in reserve grade, making the extended bench – which includes players such as Shawn Blore and Kane Bradley, who have both been considered starters throughout the preseason – big watches in the lead up. 

Joe Chan owners in particular will be nervous if Blore materialises somewhere in the 17.

PANTHERS

Jarome Luai missed the World Club Challenge and Sunia Turuva picked up a leg issue in the very same match.

Luai is good to go, however Turuva was in doubt to be named this round so I expect he’ll be monitored throughout the week.

If he’s out, I could see Taylan May shifting to the wing with Tyrone Peachey playing centre and Soni Luke coming onto the interchange. 

However, at this stage I will assume Turuva is playing and they will be 1-17 until further notice.

EELS

The Eels have named a settled side – albeit not the one SuperCoaches were wanting to see – and nothing stands out on the extended bench, so I’m expecting 1-17 here as well.

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BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs could have named many combinations from the whole extended squad but given it’s game one I wouldn’t expect any major changes to the TLT side named. 

Josh Curran truthers will be hoping for a callup to the starting side an hour out but I’d plan for 1-17.

TITANS

AJ Brimson seemed to hurt himself during the final trial but I’m expecting him to play, so 1-17 wouldn’t surprise here either.

DRAGONS

Both Jacob Liddle and Blake Lawrie were both in doubt in the lead up to TLT, so I assume captain’s run is the key milestone here. But I haven’t seen anything so far that scares me about their availability.

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DOLPHINS

Herbie Farnworth copped a knee knock about a week ago but he has seemingly overcome that and should line up as named. 

Sean O’Sullivan and Ray Stone also missed some training due to a head knock and rehab respectively, however both seem good to go.

Jeremy Marshall-King missed training with a virus but will play.

COWBOYS

Nobody in doubt for the Cowboys, expecting 1-17 to close out the round.

Cheers, Adam

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