Round 25 NRL Supercoach Wrap: 8 Things We Learnt

It rained tonnes across NRL Supercoach round 25, with an extremely intriguing storyline emerging for the run home.

Firstly though, I’ve taken over from Nick Moon this week as the big fella had a best mate’s bucks party stretching across numerous days, so send your thoughts his way as he crawls into work this morning.

While we’re here, a shout out to Mooney for delivering this article each and every week, he’s as consistent at providing the goods each week as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves‘ judiciary record.

We’ll get Mooney up from Cooma and in studio for a podcast one day soon, as soon as he waivers his demand that SC Playbook foots the bill for his hair stylist leading into the show.

All jokes aside, the man’s done a brilliant job for a few years to lighten up everyone’s Monday morning.

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1. Battle of the No.1s

Tom Trbojevic v James Tedesco v Kalyn Ponga has become such a fascinating battle to end the season, and they’ve all delivered.

This week, Turbo took the three votes in a losing team, scoring a hat trick, assisting another, and busting out of 12 tackles for 158 points.

With tougher games to end the season against the Sharks and Bulldogs, it’ll give Ponga (97) and Tedesco (130) a chance to bridge the gap against far inferior opposition.

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2. Tapine masterclass

Joe Tapine owners would rightly have felt concern at his scoring potential up against the fierce Panthers pack who were coming off a rare loss at home.

Taps allayed said fears with a dominant display notching a try-assist, 32 tackles, five tacklebreaks, two offloads, two linebreak assists and 13 runs.

Superb!

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3. Dane Gagai – The Super POD

It’s remarkable how many times I’ve written the words ‘Gagai super POD’ without genuinely considering getting him into my team.

It pains me even more that Guru acted on the temptation and bought him for his 137 points! Well played big fella, too good.

What was once suspicion, is now fact, the Knights have become a right edge dominant team.

For whatever reason, they’ve gone away from that left edge dominance of last season (much to the dismay of Greg Marzhew owners).

The benefactor is Gagai who already has some of the best base stats at CTW in the competition, now he’s flourishing with the attacking upside.

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4. Roosters left side, strong side

Speaking of edges and the rapid demise of the Stallions, the Roosters’ match-up with the Titans looked mouthwatering.

Particularly for the right edge who were coming up against one of the weakest defensive edges in the competition of Jayden Campbell, Brian Kelly and Alofiano Khan-Periera.

It had a Joey Manu (40) and Dom Young (35) field day written all over it, especially when Joseph Suaalii went off injured early on.

It wasn’t to be, with the Roosters sending all their attack down the left edge, and when they knocked out 48 points it’s hard to argue!

Daniel Tupou was the big winner with 124 points, the veteran flyer is a genuine POD play for the run home if you don’t already own half of the Roosters outfit.

Angus Crichton also benefitted with a hat-trick of tries for 132 points.

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5. Storm trio stand tall

The spine of Ryan Papenhuyzen (108), Harry Grant (129) and Jahrome Hughes (132) destroyed the Dolphins in Melbourne.

To hopefully brighten up your day, guess which spine player the Stallions owned?

If you said Cameron Munster would get 47 points, give yourself a pat on the back… The Mad Dog was also given an early shower by Bellyache for his big night out.

The purple trio were brilliant for owners who now wait eagerly to see if the club mass rest as speculated in round 26.

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6. Mixed bag for Cleary replacements

The big question last week was who to replace Nathan Cleary with?

For the most part, they all struggled.

Daly Cherry-Evans mustered just 41 against the Tigers, Sam Walker 68 against the Titans and Jarome Luai 24 against the Raiders.

Instead, it was the super POD option of Adam Reynolds (122) who delivered the goods.

Remarkably, I guess, Reynolds was purchased by just 1 single Supercoach player among the top 10% of overall ranked teams.

Congratulations Sir/Madam.

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7. Sharks running hot

The Sharks have thrived with a softer draw of late, putting a number of teams to the sword.

Yesterday it was the in-form Dragons, with backline stars lining up to score points.

Centre pairing of Jesse Ramien (92) and Kayal Iro (91) got in on the action, while Briton Nikora (98) scored an exceptional solo try to continue his form.

With games against the Warriors and Sea Eagles to come they could continue to finish the season on a high, with Ramien in particular looming as a point of difference play.

If Nicho Hynes returns, that should only bolster his attacking ball on the right edge.

Speaking of Nicho, anyone tempted if named?

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8. Carnage begins

The final two rounds is where Supercoaches begin to get very nervous around injuries and restings as most run out of trades.

As mentioned above, highly popular Supercoach team Melbourne may rest a host of stars with the minor premiership sewn up.

Kai Pearce-Paul suffered a nasty leg laceration and is likely to spend multiple weeks on the sideline, while the front-row slot could get tricky this week.

Josh Curran remains in doubt to return from a shoulder injury, while Samuela Fainu and the Tigers are on the bye this week.

That also puts a line through Api Koroisau and Lachy Galvin.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed that coaches don’t look to rest players in the final weeks.