NRL Round 11 Teams: Supercoach Squad Analysis

The NRL Supercoach major bye period is on the horizon, with just one more round of full fixtures to come until State of Origin impacts the competition.

Months of early bye-planning will be put to the test through a tough period for Supercoaches.

Fortunately the crew over at Supercoach HQ made life a little easier in recent years, tweaking the game so that in round 12, 15 and 18 (the major bye rounds) only the top 13 scoring players in your squad count towards your weekly total on those weeks where half the NRL are on the bye.

On those weeks you’re given a maximum of three trades to utilise rather than the regular two, note that this isn’t considered as one of your five trade boosts.

This has made the Origin period far easier to navigate for the casual Supercoacher, which in my eyes is a positive.

Do yourself a favour and do five minutes of planning through this period and it’ll benefit your Supercoach squad the world of good.

Simply jot down how many available numbers you have for each of those three rounds, which will help you to plan the weeks you’ll need to use max trades to get a squad on deck.

I didn’t adapt to this period too well last year, it was my major take from the season.

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Essentially, I carried what I considered ‘Supercoach plodders’ through that period.

Rather than focusing on getting the best team possible, I held onto certain players with great bye period coverage for extra numbers.

They’d deliver me a mixture of 30s and 40s on these key weeks, drop cash and ultimately cost me ranks in the back end of the season.

Aim for a minimum of 13 players each round, but squad strength is more important than carrying extra numbers that offer very little.

The Cooma Stallions had a nice round to notch 1,637 points to move into 579^th overall.

Let’s hope the lessons from last year can help propel that rank higher in the coming months.

With half the competition on the bye next week it takes the appeal away from them as Supercoach prospects this round, so I’ll devote far more of the analysis to the teams playing in round 12.

Let’s take a look at the NRL Supercoach round 11 analysis, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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KNIGHTS v EELS

Friday, 6pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Paul Bryan

Analysis: The Knights have an extremely attractive Origin period draw playing the first two major bye rounds and all three minis.

Dylan Lucas continues to show he’s a must-have, banging out a season average of 83 points per game.

I can see him potentially landing as 18^th man for NSW and missing next week, however, even if he does, he either wouldn’t play or would get very minimal minutes at best.

For that reason, I think he’s still worth buying this week as the Knights don’t have a bye until round 18.

Greg Marzhew is a sell due to injury and looks an easy move for owners that don’t have Lucas.

Fletcher Sharpe remains a great buy as he continues to score well in a poor side.

Another great match-up with Parramatta looms, so he’s every chance to replicate his scoring.

Thomas Cant owners won’t be happy to see his name on the bench, he now becomes a headache with probable cash drops incoming and is a sell.

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Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Matt Doorey 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Toni Mataele

Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Ryan Matterson 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Jake Tago 22. Brendan Hands

Analysis: Parramatta play the first major and mini bye round, but miss the final two major bye rounds.

Ryley Smith delivered against the Dolphins in another 80-minute performance, notching 60 points with 51 in base.

He sits at $340k with a breakeven of 2 and remains a decent buy for anyone looking to free up cash at hooker.

After this week, though, I think the ship will have sailed.

The left wing has for a long time been a gold mine for the Eels, particularly with Moses and Brown on deck, and Josh Addo-Carr is repeating the rewards.

In super POD territory, he’s averaging 68 for the season, including a three-round average of 94 points since Moses returned to the team.

He scored 82 on the weekend without a try and is one for those willing to take a gamble, but not for me.

Zac Lomax returns and will be a close watch on Origin selections next week.

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BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS

Friday, 8pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Luke Smith

Reserves: 19. Jack Underhill 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Drew Hutchison 23. Blake Taaffe

Analysis: The Bulldogs play all three major bye rounds and miss the first two mini bye rounds.

Viliame Kikau is a little polarising in Supercoach circles due to a reliance on attacking stats with a poor base of just 39 for an 80-minute 2RF.

The fact is he’s a damaging runner with ball playing ability, with plenty of the Dogs’ attack centred around him.

Sure, he’ll have a few scores of sub 50, but they’ll balance out with 90s to lob with a nice average around 65-75.

He’s a nice buy in my eyes, just don’t panic trade if he goes 40-40 because the scores will come.

I speak about Connor Tracey week in, week out, so to be short, he remains a great buy with a 69-point average, including a three-round average of 79.

He’s $617k with a breakeven of -2 and looms as a genuine bye-period differential.

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Egan Butcher 16. Blake Steep 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Salesi Foketi 20. Dominic Young 21. Chad Townsend 22. Benaiah Ioelu

Analysis: The Roosters have the best coverage incoming as they play all major and mini bye rounds.

Note they do have the bye in round 14 and 17, but they are the only side sitting out those weeks, making it manageable.

Provided he misses Origin selection next week, James Tedesco likely looms as a must-have with his season average of 91 and coverage of all bye weeks.

For those looking to move Ponga to him, I’d wait a week.

Tedesco has a breakeven of 34 and plays the Bulldogs’ tough defence, Ponga has a breakeven of 48 and plays the Eels.

When you add in potential Origin selection for Tedesco – which would make him a sell – it’s worth giving it a week.

Mark Nawaqanitawase is averaging 70 points per game, including scores of 91 and 69 since moving to the wing.

In those games on the sting, he’s averaged four tackle busts and 16 runs per game (note his offload count did drop to just one per game on the wing).

While I like the POD move, the upcoming games against the Bulldogs and Sharks (not likely impacted by Origin) aren’t ideal.

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DOLPHINS v WARRIORS 

Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Connelly Lemuelu

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Oryn Keeley 20. Max Feagai 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Junior Tupou

Analysis: The Dolphins play the first two major bye rounds, but miss the first mini in round 13 and the third major.

Herbie Farnworth just continues to get it done, at 36% ownership among top-ranked teams, people are starting to catch on, but there’s no reason why that shouldn’t rise in the coming weeks.

He’s averaging 74 points per game with a mammoth 39 in base per game.

Jamayne Isaako is a super POD option at CTW with great bye coverage, he’s averaging 58 points per game and has scored just four tries for the season.

His 27 in base is okay, but when you add in the goal-kicking duties and his upside there is a case to be made.

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The Dolphins started the season moving games away from home and missing players.

Since round 5, Isaako is averaging 63.5 points per game with just two tries.

He averaged 63 last season and 77 points the season prior.

The key is that Isaiya Katoa is producing weekly masterclasses on creating space for his outside backs, I don’t mind the play…

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Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Taine Tuaupiki 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Samuel Healey

Reserves: 18. Eddie Ieremia 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 23. Moala Graham-Taufa

Analysis: The Warriors play the first major bye round then miss the next two.

After his early-season rollercoaster ride, Luke Metcalf has scored 47+ in his last six games and looks better with every game that passes.

With a decent run to come against Dolphins, Raiders (Origin impacted) and Rabbitohs, he’s a hold likely until the round 15 bye and perhaps longer.

Erin Clark delivered in emphatic fashion for new owners last week with a ton against the Dragons, including 74 in base made up of 47 tackles and 16 runs (14 over 8m for 2 points).

At $668k with a breakeven of 52, he’s hard to knock as a buy.

Sam Healey on the bench isn’t ideal for Wayde Egan’s minutes, although there’s a decent chance RTS comes into the backline, causing a reshuffle that may see Healey drop out.

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COWBOYS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre

Bench: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kai O’Donnell

Reserves: 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kaiden Lahrs

Analysis: The Cowboys miss the first major bye round, but it is their only bye between now and round 27.

Due to that, I wouldn’t rush to any players this week, keeping in mind that in the major Origin weeks they’ll likely be missing Dearden, Cotter, Nanai, Taulagi and Robson at the least.

Scott Drinkwater is possibly the exception with a blistering three-round average of 125 points to sit at $906k and a breakeven of 54.

You could purchase now prior to the bye, but there’s also no knock on waiting until round 13.

Jake Clifford has been dropped, with Jaxon Purdue shifting to the halves.

If he wasn’t a keeper already, this could make him one.

It’ll be a huge watch on how he performs, but with his talent in a playmaking role, he looms as a potentially elite pick-up and a certain hold to see how he goes.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Caleb Navale 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Joey Walsh 22. Matthew Lodge

Analysis: Manly play all three major bye rounds and are therefore Supercoach relevant moving forward.

The more I look into Origin, the more I think Haumole Olakau’atu misses out on selection, which is a dream result for Supercoaches.

If he does miss selection, he’s a likely season keeper with a 70-point average.

At $635k with a breakeven of 48, he’s a decent price, but don’t buy until next week as he still very much remains in the frame for the Blues.

Provided Tom Trbojevic gets picked for the Blues, Lehi Hopoate will spend plenty of time at fullback across the Origin period as Turbo is very likely to be rested with his injury history.

I wouldn’t expect Turbo to play round 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 19 (byes added in), provided he does get picked for NSW.

In three games at fullback this season, Hopoate scored 78, 46 and 87, which makes him a very enticing pick up with a decent draw incoming.

Jazz Tevaga was a popular pick-up last week, however as feared his minutes were reduced from 70 to 49 with Jake Trbojevic back from injury.

Tevaga has been shifted to hooker with Jake Simpkin to the bench.

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SHARKS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, Sharks Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Teig Wilton 22. Chris Veaila

Analysis:

With coverage of the first two major bye rounds and likely no players lost to Origin, the Sharks are extremely Supercoach relevant.

Owned by next to nobody, Kayal Iro is a super POD with an 80-point average this season.

After attacking stats eluded him for the majority of last season, he’s managed to find the tryline in every game this season.

He’s averaging 80 points per game with 36 in base, including bases of 43 and 40 since returning from injury.

Gun.

Briton Nikora has knocked out back-to-back 70s and is a proven 2RF keeper with upside.

At the bargain price of $542k and a breakeven of 32, he looks like an excellent bye period pick up, as does Cam McInnes at HOK-2RF with a 62 point average and 56 in base.

Teig Wilton has been named on the extended bench and may come in and replace Billy Burns.

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Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan

Reserves: 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Harry Grant 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Analysis: The Storm have a poor Origin period schedule missing the first two major bye rounds.

This makes them unattractive prospects for the most part despite their blistering form.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is now $825k following his stunning 182 against the Tigers last weekend.

He’s simply a must-have, but with a tough match-up against Cronulla this week, into a bye, I’d probably look to cop a price rise this week and pick him up in round 13, however, no major knock on anyone moving this week.

Origin time is Jahrome Hughes‘ time… in Supercoach circles…

Hughes’ average jumps from 65 to 72.5 points when you take out the game he got injured and went off at half time. 

After the bye, the Storm take on the Titans away, into the Cowboys in Melbourne. 

A move from Nathan Cleary to him this week is enticing, however, with a 52 breakeven and the Sharks into a bye, it’s not ideal.

Harry Grant has been named on the extended bench.

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BRONCOS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 2pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Fletcher Baker

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter

Analysis: Brisbane miss the first two major bye rounds and are producing very mixed form, which makes them fairly unappealing.

Should he start, Brendan Piakura is about the only temptation following back-to-back 80-minute games for scores of 62 and 52 with 48 and 52 in base respectively, which is well above his regular output.

I can’t help but feel that work rate is an anomaly for a player who had a high of 42 in base last year, but after dropping out of the starting side this season, maybe he’s changed his attitude?

He’s $303k with a breakeven of -14.

He’s been named on the bench this week with Xavier Willison and Jordan Riki starting in the back-row, so you would only consider if he was moved to the starting side on game day, but there’s too much job security concern for me regardless.

Ben Hunt is out injured, with Ezra Mam returning to the NRL at five-eighth.

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Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie

Reserves: 18. Nathan Lawson 19. Hame Sele 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 22. Michael Molo

Analysis: The Dragons miss the first major bye round, but play the next two, making them better Supercoach prospects from round 13 onwards.

Dylan Egan played off the bench last week, getting just 50 minutes of game time, but fortunately scored a try for 83 points to see his breakeven sit at -13.

He also had a ridiculous 52 in base in that shorter time.

It’s great news for money-making purposes, but I wouldn’t rush to play him in my 17 unless starting, which is where he has been named for now.

Lyhkan King-Togia is the most purchased player this week at just $198k with a breakeven of -51.

Available at 5/8 only, he’s almost certain to be awarded dual HFB-5/8 positioning with updates next week, which may be too late for plenty of potential owners.

He’s a solid buy that’ll make cash, but the 83 from his opening game will drop out after this week.

He scored 33 with a try-assist last week and had just 19 in base.

If you have an underperforming 5/8 he’s a nice cash grab, but I wouldn’t be trading a decent 5/8 for him with poor job security and scoring potential.

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RAIDERS v TITANS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Noah Martin 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Analysis: The Raiders play the first and third major bye rounds.

Matty Nicholson is out for three months and has been replaced on the edge with the best sort in the NRL, Zac Hosking.

As a starting edge in the first two games, he produced scores of 57 in 66 minutes with 53 in base, and 64 in 70 minutes with 58 in base.

In two 80-minute games last season, he had scores of 92 and 109, with 47 and 48 in base, along with a ton of attacking stats.

I believe he’ll earn an 80-minute edge role, making him an excellent bye period purchase at $501k and is a potential keeper.

In his five games of 60+ minutes at the Raiders, he’s averaging 80.4 points, which did include three tries and two assists, along with 50.6 in base.

For anyone selling Cleary this week, Jamal Fogarty is a super POD option with a 71-point average this season.

He’s failed to score below 50 for the year and has a top of 125 points.

He’s had 11 try-assists and a try so far.

With a decent run incoming against the Titans, Warriors, Roosters and Rabbitohs, he can continue to score well, however the $719k price tag is a little off-putting.

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Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Kieran Foran 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Chris Randall 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. Arama Hau 20. Josh Patston 21. Harley Smith-Shields 22. Sean Mullany

Analysis: The Titans miss the first and third major bye rounds and don’t overly appeal to me as a result on their current form.

With the Raiders away this week into a bye and then Melbourne, I have no interest in their Supercoach contingent as buys for the moment.

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TIGERS v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 6:15pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Royce Hunt 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Brent Naden 15. Tony Sukkar 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 22. Tristan Hope

Analysis: The Tigers miss round 12 and 15, so I’m not keen on any players.

Cheapie headache, Royce Hunt has been named to start at prop.

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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner

Bench: 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc

Reserves: 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host

Analysis: The Rabbitohs miss the first major bye round and are depleted by injuries, so I have no interest in them for the time being.

Alex Johnston returns from injury on the wing.