Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 9 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

As the bye period gets closer, there’s a few things worth considering from a strategy point-of-view for overall players. The minor bye rounds, with Origin player’s backing up and 17 players required, can present as much, or even more of a challenge, than the major bye rounds. Be careful of leaving yourself short for those rounds. 

Now could also be the optimal time to save a trade or two, as we reach a full-strength team or close to it. Waiting for the added certainty of a player being named for a specific bye round you want them to cover could be worth paying a bit of extra cash. 

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Fullbacks

Gutho vs Drinky is a big dilemma for many Supercoaches, including me. 

Gutho’s role at the Dragons has diminished in recent weeks, as they’ve utilised him as a major decoy. A new, young halfback on deck probably sees him take on a more prominent role once more. 

Drinky has an upcoming run of four QLD games, three of which are in Townsville. The Cowboys are clicking and he’s at the heart of it. 

Drinky has a BE of 30 with a 132 in his rolling average, while Gutho (BE 129) looks set to lose more cash. Both have the round 12 bye.

It’s also worth considering plans for Teddy in round 12, if you don’t already own. The round 12 matchup against the Sharks isn’t ideal but he still looks like the best captain option that round. 

An alternative, which I’m currently leaning towards, is trading Gutho for a gun CTW via the flex. This opens several options for trading Teddy in come round 12.

Meanwhile, Kayln Ponga has dropped to $538k with games against the Bunnies (Suncorp), Titans (in Newy) and Eels (in Newy) upcoming. He seems likely for Origin after that though. This may be the cheapest he can ever be purchased for, so I could understand a trade in, especially if it frees up cash for other moves.

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Targets:

Scott Drinkwater 

Ryan Papenhuyzen (moved from job watch – has the kicking)

Kalyn Ponga 

Form watch:

James Tedesco 

Tom Trbojevic 

Latrell Mitchell 

Clint Gutherson 
Isaiah Iongi 

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

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CTW

Plenty of options here, particularly from the Knights, who have a golden upcoming run as mentioned with Ponga. 

Marzhew and Lucas are the premium options due to their exceptional base + power. However, Sharpe is no slouch on this front, averaging 50 base + power to go with immense attacking upside. He’s also likely to move to fullback over the bye rounds to cover Ponga. Bringing in Sharpe would be based on a hope that the Knights can turn their attacking form around. If there’s ever a time for it, the next three round’s fixtures will be it.

Of the others, Kiraz looks the priority this week for the Titans matchup, although it’s worth keeping an eye on Sunday’s forecast. 

A Herbie trade-in could be ideal next week, for the matchup against the Eels.

Robert Derby (BE -46) will make quick cash if he that’s what you’re looking for. Although there is a possibility of Braidon Burns returning at some stage and challenging for his spot.

Targets:

Greg Marzhew 

Dylan Lucas 

Herbie Farnworth 

Jacob Kiraz 

Reuben Garrick (target post round 9 bye)

Fletcher Sharpe (CTW/FLB) (moved from form watch)

Robert Derby (moved from job watch)

Removed: Billy Smith 

Form watch:

KL Iro (added – watch on return from hamstring injury, possible round 12 trade in)

Valentine Holmes (moved from targets – too close to Origin)

Jaxon Purdue (moved from targets – more highly priced)

Mark Nawaqanitawase 

Jamayne Isaako 

Connor Tracey (CTW/FLB)

Adam Douehi (CTW/5-8)

Blaize Talagi (CTW/5-8)

Selwyn Cobbo 

Jaylan De Groot 

Job watch:

Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) (Origin candidate – would only consider for H2H)

Kane Bradley (2RF/CTW)

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5/8

The main point of interest here is the emergence of King-Togia at bottom dollar. With many coaches still holding Jayden Campbell, there’s an opportunity to free up a stack of cash for other positions. I can understand some coaches going early to make these moves immediately. I’d definitely prefer to wait and watch though. 

Targets:

Cameron Munster 

Form watch:

Dylan Brown (HFB-5/8)

Jarome Luai (HFB-5/8) 

Cody Walker (HFB-5/8)

Luke Metcalf (HFB-5/8)

Blaize Talagi (5/8 CTW)

Adam Douehi (5/8-CTW)

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Job watch:

Matt Burton 

Lachlan Galvin 

Tyran Wishart 

Jayden Sullivan (HFB-5/8) 

Lyhkan King-Togia (added)

Halfbacks

Nothing of note here. Smith and Savala are better options in their other positions.

Targets:

Nathan Cleary 

Nicho Hynes 

Sandon Smith (HK/Half) (Added)

Hugo Savala (HFB/2RF) (moved from form watch, but prefer to select at 2RF)

Form watch: 

Jahrome Hughes 

Jarome Luai (HFB-5/8) 

Dylan Brown (HFB/5-8) 

Cody Walker (HFB/5-8)

Luke Metcalf (HFB/5-8)

Job watch:

Jayden Sullivan (HFB-5/8)

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2RF

Dylan Lucas is a fine target at either 2RF or CTW. With all the options at CTW, it might make sense to pick him up at 2RF.

Another dual option, Erin Clark, has come on in leaps and bounds. Since Dylan Walker’s departure, Clark has averaged 75 points across 4 games. This includes one try assist and two line break assists. Take these out and he’s still averaging 68 points per game. With Haas, May, Tino and Horsburgh all likely affected by Origin, Clark could provide excellent cover at FRF and 2RF over this period. 

Savala is a fine downgrade option, just manage any expectations you have about cash growth. He has low scores in him, as evidence by his first two games starting at halfback (scores of 20 and 21). He does have a -11 BE and a 65 in his rolling average, so should make some case by the time Sam Walker returns around round 15. 

Targets:

Dylan Lucas (2RF/CTW)

Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) (moved from job watch)

Hugo Savala (HFB/2RF) (moved from form watch)

Removed: Connor Watson (HK/2RF) (too close to round 10 bye and origin)

Job watch 

Haumole Olakau’atu (moved from form watch – Origin candidate)

Hudson Young (moved from form watch – Origin candidate)

Jacob Preston (moved from form watch – Origin candidate)

Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) (Origin candidate – would only consider for H2H)

David Fifita 

Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF)

Max Plath (HK/2RF) (pending return from injury)

Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) 

Removed: Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (too close to Origin)

Form watch 

Priced 650k+

Eliesa Katoa 

Isaah Yeo (moved from targets – form down coinciding with Panthers form?)

Briton Nikora 

Siua Wong 

Toby Couchman (FRF/2RF) (moved from targets – too expensive now to offer value)

Matty Nicholson (moved from job watch – looks locked in for 80 minutes – could still offer value at $550k and averaging 67 this season)

J’maine Hopgood 

Keaon Koloamatangi 

Removed: Dylan Egan 

Looping options:

Myles Martin (FRF/2RF) 

Ethan Roberts (FRF/2RF) 

Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF)

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FRF 

Having bottomed out at $662k, Addin Fonua Blake is another option to cover Origin bound forwards. Keep an eye on your round 13 minor bye round numbers before bringing him in, as he’ll miss that one.

Targets:

Payne Haas

Terrell May 

Joseph Tapine

Addin Fonua-Blake (moved from job watch)

Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) (moved from job watch)

Form watch:

Daniel Saifiti 

Lindsay Smith

Toby Couchman (FRF/2RF) (moved from targets – too expensive now to offer value)

Job Watch:

Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF)

Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) 

Xavier Willison (added – can he keep 80 minute role on edge?)

Removed: Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (too close to Origin)

Looping options 

Myles Martin – Raiders (FRF/2RF)

Ethan Roberts – Roosters (FRF/2RF)

Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF)

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Hooker 

A solid bounce back from Wayde Egan last round, with 86 points including a try. As it stands, he looks the best hooker option over the bye period, it’s just a question as to whether you want to spend trades there. 

Targets:

Wayde Egan (moved from job watch)

Sandon Smith (HK/HFB) (Added)

Ryley Smith 

Removed: Connor Watson (HK/2RF) (too close to round 10 bye and origin)

Job watch:

Max Plath (HK/2RF) (pending return from injury)

Removed: Peter Mamouzelos

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