NRL Round 12 Teams: Supercoach Squad Analysis

We’ve arrived at the most daunting stage of the NRL Supercoach season, the major bye period…

Fortunately, it’s a little easier to manage these days with the recent rule change that only your top 13 scoring players count towards your overall total for the round.

As I mentioned last week, take five minutes to jot down how many available players you’ll have in the three major bye rounds in round 12, 15 and 18, which will help you to plan your trades through this period.

You may find you’re flush for numbers this week and can save trades to be put towards a round where you’re looking short of numbers.

Keeping in mind the minor bye rounds with three teams on the bye in rounds 13, 16 and 19 can often prove tricky, especially as Origin players often won’t back up.

My advice for your team moving through this period is not to rip it apart to get maximal numbers on deck, ensure that players you’re getting in are potential keepers or are set to generate cash for your squad.

While it’s not to say you can’t get a decent number with decent coverage, a guaranteed trade in and out isn’t always worthwhile long-term, especially if they aren’t likely to be a starting number in your 18-man squad on the full weeks.

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After a string of strong weeks on the trot, the Stallions came crashing back to earth with a measly 1,078 points in round 11 to drop 900 spots to 1,462^nd overall.

It was a bludger of a week headlined by captain Drinky for a grand total of 28 points…

I’m still very happy with the position heading into the bye period, but it was an unfortunate setback nonetheless.

Anyway, it was a timely reality check for the boys, and it’ll hopefully knock any complacency out of the squad and their coach.

Let’s take a look at the NRL Supercoach analysis for round 12, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

BULLDOGS v DOLPHINS

Thursday, 7:50pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Blake Taaffe 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Lipoi Hopoi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Harry Hayes 13. Bailey Hayward

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Luke Smith

Reserves: 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jonathan Sua 21. Jack Underhill 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Mitchell Woods

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

Jacob Kiraz is out for an extended period and is a sell, the silver lining in Supercoach terms is that he’s priced at his peak at almost $800k so we can cash in for great value.

With a season average of 71, Viliame Kikau remains a decent buy in my eyes.

He scored 70 points against the Roosters, which included a try, but as I wrote last week, he’s an attack-reliant Supercoach prospect, but he finds that attack fairly often.

Owners, just be prepared for the odd 40 mixed in with the 90s.

Reed Mahoney is a sneaky bye coverage value hooking option for anyone needing a nine.

He’s an 80 minute hooker with a three round average of 59 points.

He is a potential back-up to Harry Grant, which is worth noting.

For what it’s worth, I think Cam McIness is a better buy in the position, but if you’re scrapping for cash, he’s worth a look.

Dolphins: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 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. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Oryn Keeley

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Junior Tupou 22. Tevita Naufahu

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

I mentioned last week that Dylan Brown was fast overtaking Nathan Cleary as the king of junk time points, Herbie Farnworth is also pushing his case for the crown.

He’s scored tries in five games on the trot, in four of those games he crossed the stripe after the 65-minute mark.

Clearly, he’s an elite CTW buy, but with plenty of good options on the market, is he simply a must, or can we avoid?

The tries you’d imagine have to somewhat dry up eventually, he’s at top dollar at $738k and has the bye next round.

With 39 in base (tackles and runs) per game this season and excellent power stats (tackle breaks and offloads) my gut says just buy, but it’s not exactly black and white.

Unfortunately, it’s still hard to make a case for any other Dolphins players, unless you want to take a little flyer on Isaiya Katoa.

Katoa is averaging a very healthy 66 points per game this season and has scored under 50 just once, with a low of 42 points back in round 4.

He’s been ultra consistent, I just don’t see the upside in comparison to the likes of Nicho Hynes, Jahrome Hughes and Nathan Cleary in the position.

EELS v SEA EAGLES

Friday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Matt Doorey

Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou

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

With Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax out this week and the poor bye coverage, it makes the Eels fairly unappealing, while they face tricky games against the Panthers and Bulldogs post Origin.

Ryley Smith has done a nice job for early owners as a very slow burn having now made $168k, but it’s become very obvious that his role in this side is to work his butt off and give early ball to his star halves rather than create himself.

He has one solitary attacking stat to his name this season, a linebreak back in round 4.

You could also count a 4 point try contribution in round 7.

He looms as a likely sell at some stage after this week, but the question remains to who?

Dylan Brown’s relative down year has resulted in a healthy 65-point average, he may not be pushing the mid-70 average of recent years, but he’s still extremely reliable in an unreliable position.

He has a three-round average of 75 points and looks a decent bye if you’re not overly concerned about the extra number in rounds 15 and 18.

Isaiah Iongi has peaked at $535k and is a sell next week for anyone who held.

Jordan Samrani starts at centre and is set to make cash.

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

Bench: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Tommy Talau 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Caleb Navale

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

To Turbo or not to Turbo?

I really didn’t think I’d be asking that question again till post-Origin at the earliest.

He’s remarkably cheap at $552k with a breakeven of 119.

He plays all three major bye weeks and, when even near full fitness, is arguably the best player in Supercoach.

However, he missed Origin selection and he scored 18 points in Townsville because he’s not near full fitness.

You could pick him up and he could produce a three-round average of 150, it’s Turbo, but there have not exactly been many signs to suggest he’s anything near his best.

Further, if he does come into sudden form, it’s every chance to result in Origin selection later in the series.

I don’t think I can bring myself to do it, but I can see why Ponga owners are considering it.

Had Turbo been picked for Origin, I’d have been interested in Lehi Hopoate, but on the wing he’s less appealing.

PANTHERS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Carrington Park, Bathurst

Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Preston Riki 12. Liam Henry 13. Lindsay Smith

Bench: 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Austin Dias 16. Luron Patea 17. Jack Cole

Reserves: 18. Trent Toelau 20. Jesse McLean 21. Harrison Hassett 22. Billy Phillips

Analysis: The Panthers bye coverage isn’t ideal, playing this round then missing the final two major bye rounds.

Further, without a host of Origin stars and questionable form it makes them harder to entertain.

All that being said, there are players who have caught the eye.

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Blaize Talagi lit up that game with 112 points, which included four try-assists and a try.

He’s now averaging 70 points per game and hasn’t scored under 58 this season. 

Note though, five of his six scores have been between 58 and 65.

The draw incoming against the Knights, Eels and Tigers is fairly soft, so he’s tempting, but at $605k, without Origin stars and playing second fiddle to Cleary, there are a few red flags.

I’m also concerned he’s only a couple of poor defensive games away from being dropped, granted he’s certainly safe for the short-term future.

With Origin players unavailable, Tom Jenkins returns to the starting side on the wing and will get one more major price rise with a -3 breakeven.

With the Eels and Tigers clashes incoming, I wouldn’t be selling Nathan Cleary this week.

Luke Garner is an early scratching from the team that dropped at 4pm, with Preston Riki named to take his place in the 2nd row. The omission seems to be injury-related.

Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

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

Reserves: 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Paul Bryan 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Jackson Hastings

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

Dylan Lucas has been named in a relief for owners and at this stage looks cleared to play after sustaining a late shoulder injury against the Eels.

He’s been named to start in the back-row, which is decent for Supercoach purposes, but there’s a chance he switches back to centre.

Lucas moved to centre with the injury to Bradman Best, putting some concern over his Supercoach output.

Last week, he scored 46 points with 35 in base.

Lucas started five games at centre in the 2024 regular season plus week one of finals. 

His base at centre is still exceptional so while it’s not ideal, I wouldn’t panic too much. 

• Round 4: 56 (50 base)
• Round 14: 106 (50 base, 2x tries)
• Round 19: 59 (49 base)
• Round 22: 45 (45 base)
• Round 25: 76 (39 base, 1x try)

= 68.4 points per game

Elimination final: One try, 18 runs, 22 tackles

With Kalyn Ponga on Origin duties, Fletcher Sharpe shifts to fullback, where he averaged 61.25 points for the Knights in four games last season.

Note also that these were his first games at NRL level.

While the base may drop a little due to his above-average tackle count in the halves, he’ll run more, the power stats will rise, and he becomes a sneaky vice-captaincy play against a depleted Panthers outfit.

Thomas Cant was the Supercoach winner last week out of the devastating injury to Best, however he’s found himself back to the bench this week where he’ll stay unless Lucas shifts to centre.

ROOSTERS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Makahesi Makatoa 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Blake Steep 17. Nat Butcher

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Xavier Va’a 20. Ethan Roberts 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Tom Rodwell

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

Is James Tedesco a must? Probably…

But at $919k, in a depleted Roosters outfit, against a full-strength Sharks can it wait? Maybe…

Most signs point to buy, but the cash could potentially be spent better elsewhere in the short-term.

As a nervous non-owner, I’m tempted to hold off ahead of games against the Sharks and Raiders into a bye, then pick up hopefully discounted in round 15.

But then again, it’s Teddy, so it’s probably not worth overthinking, tough one.

Mark Nawaqanitawase has a three-round average of 86 points since moving to the wing, however the shock Origin call-up of Robert Toia sees him shift back to centre this week.

He’s still a great buy as he’ll shift back to the wing next week, but it does make him a tad less appealing.

Sandon Smith continues to score well with 65 against the Bulldogs, he’s looking like a hold throughout the Origin period.

Naufahu Whyte is out in a blow for owners.

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 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.

They face an Origin-hit Roosters in Gosford this week, then following the bye they have games at Shark Park against the Warriors and Dragons followed by the Broncos without Payne Haas or Pat Carrigan.

While he might not be producing the big scores of season’s past, Nicho Hynes is a must in my eyes and is probably the number one captaincy option this week.

Addin Fonua-Blake has snuck under the radar due to the rise of so many other premium FRF options this season.

He’s gone about his business with an excellent 73-point average, including a five-round average of 79 points per game.

He did play inflated minutes against the Storm due to injuries.

His minutes have dropped this season from 60 per game at the Warriors to 53.

He’s also played six games of 50 minutes or less.

Despite this, his base has actually risen from 50 to 53 per game.

At $699k, KL Iro has scored in every game this season, including a round 2 double, to produce a season average of 79 points.

It was a joy to see that deft touch of Siosifa Talakai at centre again last week.

If he had a longer run at centre at any stage he’d be a near must at near bottom dollar at $240k.

In his four games at centre last season, he averaged 69 points per game.

Mawene Hiroti returns from injury in place of the injured Sam Stonestreet, slotting straight into the backline, meaning Sifa will have to bide his time on the bench.

Mr. Consistent Cam McIness remains a rock-solid buy to plug that tricky hooking spot with his dual HOK-2RF positioning.

WARRIORS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Taine Tuaupiki

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

Copy and paste on Erin Clark, who just continues to deliver consistency with 71 points against the Dolphins.

Leka Halasima hasn’t found the attacking stats of late, but his base as an 80-minute edge man has been superb.

Since taking up the 80-minute role on the edge, he’s had a base of 53 per game, including 58 against the Dolphins.

The attack is coming, and when it does I feel there’ll be tons, so at $463k I can still make a case to buy.

It’s a shame the Warriors’ long-term bye period coverage isn’t great.

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. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota

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

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

As a Canberra fan, I’m thrilled Corey Horsburgh missed Origin, as a Supercoach seller, I’m livid.

I believed for all money that Big Red would be a Maroon once again, which I thought would have been confirmed with the Tom Gilbert injury, but Billy Slater had other ideas.

I moved him to Zac Hosking on Sunday afternoon, but I feel he’s probably a hold throughout this period as a result, at least this week.

He’ll also be out to prove to Billy that he made a mistake.

Hosking was outstanding against the Titans with a try and two try contributions that weren’t far off being full-blown try-assists.

He played 69 minutes, producing 50 in base in that time.

At $528k with a breakeven of 15, he’s a buy and a borderline keeper.

Joe Tapine is in brilliant form with a 79-point average in just 54 minutes per game.

My one and only knock for a bloke priced at a premium rate of $729k, is that he’s had a lot of attacking stats in 2025.

In nine games, he’s had two tries, two try assists, five line break assists and two line breaks, not bad for a prop!

For context, in his 24 games last season, he didn’t score a try, had four try assists, eight line break assists and two line breaks.

He’s in supreme form, so perhaps it continues, but I do feel his scoring has been somewhat inflated as a result.

Regardless, he’s of course a strong buy.