Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 13 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

We’re just about halfway through the season and with a tricky bye period upcoming my strategy remains the same: focus on season long guns to save trades for the backend.

This isn’t how I’ve always played, but with the mass restings that have occurred in recent seasons, rounds 26 and 27 can sometimes be equivalent to mini bye-rounds. 

Factoring in injuries, this really means we have few trades to play with if we want to field full sides as much as possible.

Sure, there may be a standout cash gen option or two between now and then, but for the reasons above, I’d prefer to focus on players who can be held for the season. 

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

Fullbacks

Tom Trbojevic is the main point of interest here, now down to $516k with a BE of 76 and a run of Broncos [H], Knights [A], Titans [A], Rd 16 bye, Tigers [H].

He looked to be running better, whilst still not at his best. If you have the trades, he could well be worth a punt, but if not I’d be holding off to see how injury recovery and Origin plays out. 

Targets:

• James Tedesco (Wait until round 15)
• Ryan Papenhuyzen 

Form watch:

• Scott Drinkwater (Moved from targets – Tigers matchup isn’t as easy as it looks and with Papz a clear captaincy standout this week, Scotty isn’t essential)
• 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

CTW

Iro and Farnworth keep on getting it done.

Meanwhile, Garrick looks a touch out of form, but with that Sea Eagles draw, it would be a bold play to go without him. 

Non-Lucas owners need to make him a priority, with a BE of 45 and no byes until round 18. 

Targets:

• KL Iro (Post round 13 bye)
• Herbie Farnworth (Post round 13 bye)
• Reuben Garrick 
• Mark Nawaqanitawase (Wait until round 15)
• Xavier Coates (Cash gen option, provided he backs up from Origin)
• Fletcher Sharpe (CTW/FLB) 
• Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF) (Moved from job watch – overcame suspected injuries/playing centre)
• Lehi Hopoate (Added – I’m late to the party on this one but he’s a tick under $600k and his base + power has been notably high of late. He’s also good insurance for any Turbo owners)

Form watch:

• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Added – At just $504k and playing in a strong Warriors outfit, capable of averaging 70+ if everything clicks)
• Jesse Ramien 
• 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)

Job watch:

• Kyle McCarthy (Added – cheapie option if he keeps his spot)
• AJ Brimson (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)
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) (Origin – would only consider for H2H)
• Tom Jenkins 
• Kane Bradley(2RF/CTW)

5/8

Plenty of intrigue around Galvin now with his mid-season transfer.

He’s going to be a legitimate SC gun in the future, but this might not happen right away at the Dogs. 

Burton scored 50 last round in torrid conditions.

With the goalkicking in a strong Bulldogs side, he still looks great value at $535k.

It’s worth waiting to see his role and chemistry with Galvin, though.  

Targets:

• Jayden Campbell (5/8-FLB) (Wait until after this week’s Storm matchup)

Form watch:

• Matt Burton (Moved from job watch)
• Lachlan Galvin (Moved from form watch)
• Dylan Brown (HFB-5/8) 
• AJ Brimson (Move to fullback could be gold. Wait until after Storm round 13 game) (CTW/5-8)
• Ezra Mam (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 make 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) (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:

• Tyran Wishart 

Halfbacks

Jahrome Hughes is a prime target this week with a day matchup vs the Titans.

I feel like he really took the reins over the bye period last season.

The stats back this up with an average of 99 across 5 games over this period in 2024. 

Targets:

• Nicho Hynes (Post round 13 bye)
• Jahrome Hughes 

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) 

Job watch: 

• Sandon Smith (HK/Half) (Could he keep the kicking when Walker returns?)

2RF

Keaon is likely to be among the most traded-in this week and rightfully so after his 96 base-point performance in round 11.

The situation becomes slightly more complex if NSW lose Origin one, but he’ll still be essential for the run home provided he continues to play middle (and it’s hard to see how he doesn’t with that form). 

Targets:

• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) 
• Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF) (Moved from job watch – overcame suspected injuries/playing centre)

Removed: Leka Halasima (plays no more big byes), Zac Hosking (ship has sailed)

Job watch 

• Keaon Koloamatangi (Killing it in the middle, as expected. Would feel more confident that he won’t get picked for Origin if Blues win game one)
• Euan Aitken (gets CTW dual round 12. 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)
• 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)

Removed: Thomas Cant (didn’t start round 12), Isaiah Papalii (injured)

Form watch 

Priced 650k+

• Viliame Kikau (Moved from targets – first big bye out of the way)
• Haumole Olakau’atu (Moved from targets – disappointing last week and now has a 91 BE)
• Briton Nikora (Moved from targets – BE 95. Seems to be struggling for form but I sill expect him it to turn it around at some stage)
• Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) 
• Eliesa Katoa 
• Isaah Yeo 
• Siua Wong 
• J’maine Hopgood (Now priced at $430k, could he turn it around at some stage?)
• Kai Pearce Paul 

Looping options:

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

FRF 

Not a lot to talk about here, but I will mention Erin Clark.

He has taken tremendous strides as a player and continues to play a prominent role for the Warriors.

At $700k and with no more major byes, there’s no rush on him, but non-owners could consider a trade-in should they need cover for any minor bye rounds. 

Targets:

• Terrell May 
• Joseph Tapine
• Addin Fonua-Blake (Post round 13 bye)
• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) 

Form watch:

• Lindsay Smith
• Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF) (Origin impacted)
• Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) 
• Payne Haas (Origin affected)

Looping options 

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

Hooker

Tom Starling’s run of 80-minute games ended thanks to a sin bin.

It will be interesting to see if he gets back to it. 

As has been the case for much of the season, its likely not worth trading at hooker.

If you need cover this round, then Api is worth a look, as he’ll make cash while filling the spot. 

Targets:

• Api Koroisau (Cash grab option)

Job watch:

• Tom Starling (Moved from targets)
• Sandon Smith (HK/HFB) (Moved from form watch – Could he keep the kicking when Walker returns?)
• 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) 
• Harry Grant

Looping options

• Kalani Going (HOK/2RF)