Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 12 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

Another reminder on the weekend of the absolute carnage that can happen in Supercoach. 

With players going down with injuries left, right and centre, it’s worth remembering the importance of conserving trades for the backend of the season.

For overall players, I still think it’s worth targeting 13 or 14 players this round, or as close to it as you can get.

However, I’d be looking to bring in genuine season-long holds wherever possible, to conserve trades for the backend of the season.

Note: This article was written pre team lists. Check out Tim’s weekly teams’ article for post team lists analysis.

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Fullbacks

Despite Drinkwater’s crazy low score on the weekend, I still think he’s a top three fullback to own, along with Tedesco and Papenhuyzen.

Although Teddy is the only one of these three playing this round, with a game against the Sharks, followed by the Raiders and a bye, he could wait until round 15.

Targets:

• James Tedesco 
• Scott Drinkwater
• Ryan Papenhuyzen (Moved from form watch – will be a must have for Titans match round 13)

Form watch:

• Clint Gutherson (Back in form, but think he’s not quite in the top tier of SC fullbacks)
• Kalyn Ponga 
• Tom Trbojevic 
• Latrell Mitchell 

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

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CTW

Plenty of great options at CTW this week.

The two I’d be prioritising are Iro and Garrick.

Iro gets a matchup against a replacement centre for the Roosters (Toia being out for Origin).

Garrick can go big at any moment, as he proved against the Raiders in round 3. I’d be scared not to own him vs the Eels.

Targets:

• KL Iro (Moved from form watch)
• Herbie Farnworth 
• Reuben Garrick 
• Mark Nawaqanitawase (Could wait – tough matchup vs Sharks)
• Xavier Coates (Added as a possible round 13 target for Titans’ matchup, provide he backs up from Origin)
• Fletcher Sharpe (CTW/FLB) (Still think he’s a fine target, especially if playing fullback. Slightly more reluctant if not, given the Knights’ current woes)

Removed: Robert Toia (ship has sailed), Jacob Kiraz (injured)

Form watch:

• Jesse Ramien (Added – will be available at a big discount in a few rounds)
• Campbell Graham 
• Paul Alamoti 
• Izack Tago 
• Josh Addo-Carr 
• Valentine Holmes (Origin – would only consider for H2H)
• Jaxon Purdue (Could take some time to adjust to 5/8 – if he gets his running game going though, still capable of going on a tear)
• Connor Tracey (CTW/FLB)
• Blaize Talagi (CTW/5-8)

Removed: Selwyn Cobbo (injured), Jaylan De Groot (dropped), 

Job watch:

• AJ Brimson (Added – move to fullback could be gold. Wait until after Storm round 13 game) (CTW/5-8)
• Euan Aitken (Now CTW dual. Floor is great when he starts in the backrow and he could have decent upside as Souths get troops back. Would like to see him have an extended period in the forwards before buying)
• Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF) (Moved from targets: injured/playing centre)
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) (Origin candidate – would only consider for H2H)
• Tom Jenkins 
• Kane Bradley(2RF/CTW)

Removed: Stephen Crichton (lost goalkicking)

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5/8

A new POD has emerged at 5/8, with Matt Burton reclaiming the goalkicking.

Priced at just $530k, he has Dolphins (H – rd 12), Eels (H – rd 14) and Rabbitohs (A – rd 15) upcoming.

You’d need to check your numbers for round 13 and 16 though given he has the bye those rounds.

While Burton looks a great POD, I think it’s even more important to plan to get Jayden Campbell before round 15. I can see Foran freeing up JC’s attacking game, which could boost his average even higher than 72 season-to-date.

Targets:

• Matt Burton (added)
• Jayden Campbell (5/8-FLB) (Moved from form watch)

Removed: Lyhkan King-Togia (ship has sailed)

Form watch:

• Dylan Brown (HFB-5/8) (Moved from targets – prefer Burton as Eels have Sea Eagles, Panthers, Bulldogs next three)
• AJ Brimson (Added – move to fullback could be gold. Wait until after Storm round 13 game) (CTW/5-8)
• Ezra Mam (Added – electric on his return and could be a bye period option in a week 5/8 position. Has Sea Eagles (A) then Titans (H) in rounds 13 and 14. So makes sense to watch in 13, then possibly target in 14)
• Cameron Munster (Origin impacted)
• Cody Walker (HFB-5/8) (pending return from injury)
• Luke Metcalf (HFB-5/8) 
• Blaize Talagi (5/8-CTW)
• Kaeo Weekes (5/8-FLB) (Hit his second tonne of the season last round. Wouldn’t be rushing him in with games upcoming against Warriors, Roosters and Souths. However, following that he has a more appealing run of Tigers, Knights, Dragons, bye, Eels, Knights (again), Dragons (again))

Job watch:

• Lachlan Galvin 
• Tyran Wishart 

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Halfbacks

Hynes is essential and a captaincy option this week. 

Next week could be the time to pounce on Jahrome Hughes, depending on your situation at halfback and whether Cleary backs up.

Hughes has the Titans next week in a day game on the Gold Coast.

Targets:

• Nicho Hynes 
• Jahrome Hughes (round 13)

Form watch: 

• Nathan Cleary (Wait until post Origin)
• Dylan Brown (HFB-5/8)
• Cody Walker (HFB/5-8) (pending return from injury)
• Luke Metcalf (HFB/5-8) 
• Sandon Smith (HK/Half) 

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2RF

Olakau’atu is the player I’d be prioritising here.

His ceiling is high enough to make it risky going without in a bye round.

He could be a decent VC play as well.

Halasima ($463k) and Hosking ($528k) both present solid value options.

Either is fine, depending on your bye numbers and cash available.

That aside though, I’d prefer Hosking, given his SC pedigree having averaged 70 for periods when given opportunities to play 80 in the backrow. 

Targets:

• Haumole Olakau’atu (Moved from job watch after missing Origin 17 – genuine gun available for the 3 big bye rounds, note he does miss 2 of the minor bye rounds though)
• Viliame Kikau (Added – red hot on left as part of Bulldogs attack. Still priced at around $600k. Has plenty of attacking upside)
• Leka Halasima (Moved from job watch – looks a regular 80-minute player now)
• Zac Hosking 
• Briton Nikora (Still like him but if you have the cash, AFB may be a better option with the same bye schedule)
• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) 

Removed: Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF) (injured/playing centre)

Job watch 

• Thomas Cant (Added – could be a great option if confirmed to have the goalkicking)
• Isaiah Papalii (Coming off his best performance as a Panther so far. Watch to see if he can hold the spot when Sorensen returns in round 12)
• Euan Aitken (Now CTW dual. Floor is great when he starts in the backrow and he could have decent upside as Souths get troops back. Would like to see him have an extended period in the forwards before buying)
• Keaon Koloamatangi (Killing it in the middle, as expected. Will feel more confident that he won’t get picked for Origin if Blues win game one)

Removed: Dylan Egan (peaked/injured), Brendan Piakura (didn’t start), Tallis Duncan (base insn’t there, even though he’s been starting)

Form watch 

Priced 650k+

• Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) (moved from job watch – will be interesting to see how he responds to missing QLD selection)
• Eliesa Katoa 
• Isaah Yeo 
• Siua Wong (bye coverage options, but would like to see more first)
• J’maine Hopgood (Now priced at $430k, could he turn it around at some stage?)
• Kai Pearce Paul 
• Hudson Young (Origin – would only consider for H2H)
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) (Origin – would only consider for H2H)
• Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF) (Origin – would only consider for H2H)

Looping options:

• Myles Martin (FRF/2RF) 
• Ethan Roberts (FRF/2RF) 
• Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF) 

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FRF 

Front row stocks are looking much better for the bye period following the Origin non-selections of Horsburgh and May.

Given this, the likes of AFB and Tapine are less important, whilst still being decent options in their own right.

Targets:

• Terrell May 
• Joseph Tapine
• Addin Fonua-Blake (Looks the cheapest we’ll get him for a long time. Proving again in to be in the top echelon of SC players and looks relatively matchup proof having gone big against the Storm)
• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) 

Removed: Jacob Saifiti (injured and in contention for Origin)

Form watch:

• Lindsay Smith
• Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF) (Origin impacted)
• Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) (moved from job watch – will be interesting to see how he responds to missing QLD selection)
• Payne Haas (moved from targets – Origin affected)

Job Watch:

• Luron Patea 

Looping options 

• Myles Martin – Raiders (FRF/2RF)
• Ethan Roberts – Roosters (FRF/2RF)
• Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF)

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Hooker

Tom Starling is probably the most exciting option at this point in what’s still a very weak position.

If he can secure an 80-minute role, as he has in the last two games, he’s capable of nudging a 70-point average.

Worst case, with a BE of 9, he’ll continue to make money in the short term. 

Targets:

• Tom Starling (Added)
• Api Koroisau (Added – cash grab option round 13)

Removed: Ryley Smith (injured/ship has sailed)

Job watch

• Damien Cook (Added – played 80 minutes in a hybrid hooker/lock role, which worked well for the Dragons. Will be interesting to see if this continues)
• Wayde Egan (Playing around 70 minutes. Not quite enough)

Form watch

• Cameron McInnes (HK/2RF) (Moved from job watch – not selected for Origin, but with a bye in round 13, wouldn’t be looking to trade him in this week)
• Harry Grant
• Sandon Smith (HK/HFB) (tough draw incoming and likely loses goalkicking when Sam Walker returns around round 15)