Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 5 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

After a tricky trading round last week, this round is looking a little easier, with Tom Jenkins a standout option to free up cash for upgrades. 

Boosting still looks to be the play with plenty of good trade-ins available. That being said, if you can save a boost or two in the coming rounds, it’s a good idea to cover for any unexpected outcomes later in the season.

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Fullbacks

Papenhuyzen is the player I’d target if looking for a fullback this week. He could pick up the goalkicking this round, but if not, likely next week when Hughes returns. After the Sea Eagles away game this week, he then goes on a very handy run of Warriors H, Dolphins A, Bunnies H, Raiders H, Tigers H. In addition to seeing plenty of attacking opportunities, his base + power average is up from 30 last season to 39 this season.

Ponga has a tough matchup vs the Dogs this week, so can wait until the following round, when he plays the Tigers at home. 

The prices of Teddy, Drinky and Walsh continue to drop. Walsh seems to be attracting the most interest of these three before playing the Tigers at home this week. He’s ridiculously cheap at $600k, but I’d want to see more before investing.

No rush on Latrell given that he’s been named at Centre. 

Targets:

Ryan Papenhuyzen (moved from job watch)

Removed: Tom Trbojevic

Form watch:


James Tedesco 

Kalyn Ponga

Clint Gutherson (moved from targets)


Scott Drinkwater 


Reece Walsh 


Isaiah Iongi 

Removed: Keano Kini 

Job watch:

Latrell Mitchell (added)

Note: Fullbacks with dual are listed elsewhere, as they’re generally best selected in their other position

CTW

We have another CTW cheapie to fit in with Jenkins. He’ll also be an easy play in 17s judging by his 71 points in base + power last round. 

Fletcher Sharpe and Beau Fermor are two potential guns in the position. Although both can wait a week given their BEs (Sharpe 65, Fermor 56). 

Despite a down game in round three, Marzhew is still looking likely as one of the top CTWs to own this season, with an average base + power of 59. He’s also still very affordable at $550k.

Herbie Farnworth has likely bottomed out in price at $705k (BE 63) and is averaging an incredible 65 points in base + power this season. Can he find attacking stats in a struggling Dolphins’ outfit though? 

Similar can be said for Lomax ($740k BE 89) – he has an attractive next three (Dragons H, Raiders in Darwin, Tigers H) but will probably continue to see limited attacking opportunities until Moses returns. 

Targets:

Fletcher Sharpe (CTW/FLB) 

Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) 

Greg Marzhew

Gehamat Shibasaki

Thomas Jenkins (moved from job watch)

Removed: Kayal Iro, Christian Tuipolotu, Robert Toia

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Form watch:

Valentine Holmes 

Zac Lomax 

Herbie Farnworth 

Reuben Garrick 

Lehi Hopoate (CTW/FLB) 

Connor Tracey (CTW/FLB)

Selwyn Cobbo 

Jeral Skelton

Mark Nawaqanitawase 

Jack Howarth

Removed: Isaiah Tass, Adam Douehi, Starford Toa, Jaxon Purdue 

Job watch:

Robert Derby 

Jaylan De Groot

5/8

It’s a battle of three at the 5/8 spot at the minute. 

If you don’t own Munster, he looks the most solid option given his pedigree. 

Next, I like Campbell, who’s shown he has tremendous upside with a high score of 170 last season. His base + power (27) is a little bit down on last season, but the attacking stats are still very much on offer, as he looks to be the more ball dominant of the Titans’ halves. The Titans have a fantastic run coming up of Dolphins H, Dragons A, Raiders H, Cowboys A, Dogs H, Knights A, Raiders A.

Whilst Galvin’s draw is slightly less appealing (Broncos A, Knights A, Eels H, Sharks H, Dragons H, Storm A, Bunnies H), he is approximately $70k cheaper and roaming to all parts of the field. 

Campbell is worth the extra investment in my opinion, but Galvin is the next man up.

Targets:

Jayden Campbell (FLB-5/8)

Cameron Munster 

Lachlan Galvin (moved from form watch)

Form watch:

Dylan Brown (HFB-5/8)

Cody Walker (HFB-5/8)

Luke Metcalf (HFB-5/8)

Adam Douehi (CTW-5/8)

Halfbacks

It seemed likely we’d end up with Cleary and Hynes as the main targets at halfback, it’s just a question of how quickly we need to get there. Cleary has a BE of 142 but could easily reach it at home to the Cowboys. Depending on other priorities in your team, I think he’s a fine trade-in.

Nicho has a BE of 64. I’d be inclined to bring him in as soon as you can if you don’t already own. He’s getting through his work and looks as dangerous in attack as ever, meaning a monster score could come any week. 

Targets:

Nathan Cleary 

Nicho Hynes 

Form watch: 

Dylan Brown (HFB/5-8) 

Cody Walker (HFB/5-8)

Luke Metcalf (HFB/5-8)

Removed: Sandon Smith

2RF

Plenty of targets to be eyeing off for this and coming rounds at 2RF. 

Crichton has bottomed out with a BE of 77. The attacking upside might not be as high as when he had Keary inside him, but he looks solid as ever for a 70+ average. 

Eli Katoa got through last round with a reported knee niggle and still busted out 77 points in 80 minutes in the wet. He’s a near certainty to be in the top echelon of 2RFs this season and as a Kiwi, won’t be affected in the origin period. 

Jacob Preston offers the most value of these three, coming into this round at $630k with a BE of 21. Unfortunately, it’s an awkward trade in with the Dogs having the bye next round. It was encouraging to see him register the attacking stats we know he’s capable of, albeit after moving from the right to the left side of the field. 

Corey Horsburgh has been immense to start the season but is a minutes watch when Zac Hosking returns (potentially in the middle of the field). It seems likely that either he or Matty Nicholson will be affected.

Thomas Cant looks like a must have next week if he holds his spot. Dylan Egan looked great for the Red V last week and could be another cheapie option next round. Kautoga played 80 minutes for the Eels last week, but this isn’t a certainty week-to-week. 

Targets:

Angus Crichton (moved from form watch)

Eliesa Katoa (moved from form watch)

Jacob Preston (moved from form watch)

Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) 

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (FRF/2RF)

Lachlan Hubner 

Job watch 

David Fifita 

Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF)

Patrick Carrigan (FRF/2RF) 

Max Plath (HK/2RF) 

Connor Watson (HK/2RF) 

Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) (moved from targets)

Thomas Cant (added)

Matty Nicholson (moved from targets)

Kitione Kautoga (added)

Dylan Egan (added)

Removed: Jack Williams, Siua Wong 

Form watch 

Priced 650k+

Isaah Yeo

Haumole Olakau’atu 

Hudson Young 

Briton Nikora 

J’maine Hopgood 

Keaon Koloamatangi  

Looping options:

Myles Martin (FRF/2RF) 

Ethan Roberts (FRF/2RF) 

Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF)

FRF 

Lindsay Smith has flown under the radar but can no longer be ignored. It’s clear that he has a pivotal role to play in this Penrith team, averaging 67 points (56 minutes) in the first four games of the season. At $571k (BE 29), that has him around $100k undervalued. He’s a fine trade-in this week.

Haas and May are both captaincy options week-to-week. I like the idea of targeting high upside VCs and utilising the gun front rowers as safe captains. 

Otherwise, it seems there’s not going to be much to consider at FRF this season, at least until Origin time. 

Targets:

Payne Haas

Terrell May 

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (FRF/2RF)

Lindsay Smith (Added)

Removed: Hamish Stewart 

Form watch:

Addin Fonua-Blake 

Job Watch:

Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF)

Patrick Carrigan (FRF/2RF) 

James Fisher-Harris 

Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) (moved from targets)

Toby Couchman (FRF/2RF) 

Erin Clark (FRF/2RF)

Looping options 

Myles Martin – Raiders (FRF/2RF)

Ethan Roberts – Roosters (FRF/2RF)

Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF)

Hooker

Harry Grant registered his highest score of the season last week (70). With a BE of 103 he could be a target from next week. 

Connor Watson has looked like the best gun hooker to start the season. However, with Dockar-Clay still on the bench, I’d wait a week or two to see that Connor continues to get 80 minutes. Watson has been playing a hybrid hooker/lock role, but the Roosters rotations have been affected in the opening rounds by injury.

Max Plath moved to the middle of the field and scored a try last round but only played 50 minutes. I’d be surprised if this continues, as the Dolphins desperately need him on the field. 

Peter Mamouzelos has been a revelation this season. If he continues to get 80 minutes, he could be a season keeper. 

Targets:

NA

Job watch:

Connor Watson (HK/2RF) 

Damien Cook

Max Plath (HK/2RF) 

Ryley Smith 

Form watch

Harry Grant 

Peter Mamouzelos (added)

Removed: Sandon Smith

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