Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 15 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

With three trades available this round, it’s worth casting an eye to round 16, which is shaping as a difficult one with Origin players less likely to backup due to a Perth trip.

It may be worth going early on a player or two on the bye this week, to get your team in shape for round 16.

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

Scott Drinkwater looked far more involved last round and is now nicely priced coming into the round 15 bye.

Consequently, the fullback picture is looking a lot clearer, with a Teddy–Drinky–Papz combo likely the best option for now. 

Targets:

• Scott Drinkwater (Moved from form watch)
• James Tedesco 
• Ryan Papenhuyzen 

Form watch:

• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Added – in supreme form. Warriors are killing it and have a nice run home from round 19)
• Dylan Edwards (Added – possible post Origin Pod, if the Panthers can go on a late season tear)
• Reece Walsh (Added – looked good in return but no rush, with the Broncos having the bye in round 15 and then a tough run upcoming)
• Latrell Mitchell 
• Clint Gutherson 
• Kalyn Ponga 
• Tom Trbojevic 

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

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CTW

Gagai, Marzhew and Isaako have emerged as round 15 and 16 bye cover options.

Gagai has picked up the goalkicking for now to go with a base +power a tick over 50. This puts him in the top tier of CTWs.

However, Marzhew averages nearly 60 in base + power alone and is more likely to cross the stripe. 

With most Supercoaches already owning Sharpe and Lucas, do we really want to invest further in the Knights?

I think it’s fine in the short-term but I’d be looking to stick with just Sharpe and Lucas for the run home. 

Isaako is an alternative option who will make case after a monster score last round.

He has the Cowboys and Knights next two and then could be moved to Kiraz in round 17.

That’s if you can’t go straight to King Kiraz himself (or cover him for the Dogs’ round 16 bye).

Nawaqanitawase is another option who could prove to be a season keeper.

He has Knights, Cowboys, Tigers and Dragons in four of his next five.

However, the Knights and Tigers have proven to be better in defence than you might think this season.

Targets:

• Herbie Farnworth 
• Reuben Garrick 
• Mark Nawaqanitawase 
• Fletcher Sharpe (CTW/FLB) 
• Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF) 
• Greg Marzhew (Added)
• Dane Gagai (Added)
• Jamayne Isaako (Added)
• Jacob Kiraz (Added)

Removed: KL Iro (injured)

Job watch:

• Nathan Lawson 
• Lehi Hopoate 
• AJ Brimson (CTW/5-8)
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) (Origin – would only consider for H2H)
• Kane Bradley(2RF/CTW)

Form watch:

• Alex Johnston 
• Zac Lomax (Going to be essential for run home. Has Titans and Dragons rounds 16 and 17)
• Jaxon Purdue 
• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 
• Jesse Ramien 
• Campbell Graham 
• Izack Tago 
• Josh Addo-Carr 
• Connor Tracey (CTW/FLB)
• Blaize Talagi (CTW/5-8)
• Euan Aitken (2RF/CTW)
• Valentine Holmes (Origin – would only consider for H2H)

Removed: Savelio Tamale (injured)

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5/8

Campbell disappointed new owners this week but had a rare off night.

He’s still easily in the top two 5/8s this season.

I’d make him a priority this round if you don’t own. 

Targets:

• Jayden Campbell (5/8-FLB)
• Ethan Strange (Added – Possible cash grab option in round 16, but his big score will drop out of his average by round 18, so factor that into your plans) 

Form watch:

• Tom Dearden (Possible late season POD if this form continues)
• Jaxon Purdue (CTW-5/8)
• Luke Metcalf (HFB-5/8) 
• Ezra Mam 
• Matt Burton 
• Dylan Brown (HFB-5/8) 
• Cameron Munster (Origin impacted)
• Cody Walker (HFB-5/8) 
• Blaize Talagi (5/8-CTW)

Removed: Kaeo Weekes (Floor is too low)

Job watch:

• Latu Fainu 
• Lachlan Galvin 
• AJ Brimson (CTW-5/8)
• Tyran Wishart 

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Halfbacks

Jahrome Hughes bounced back in style this week.

Word is he was suffering from illness the week before, contributing to his low score against the Titans. 

After round 15, Hughes has no byes for the remainder of the season.

Furthermore, he’s shown a big ceiling over the past two seasons (including high scores of 187 and 156).

A move from Cleary to him makes sense to me, with the Panthers advising their star halfback won’t be available for round 16.

If need be you could go early on this move to make use of the three trades available this week. 

Targets:

• Nicho Hynes (Essential this week with a Thursday night matchup against the Dragons, when he’ll be heavily vice captained)
• Jahrome Hughes (Moved from form watch)

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?)

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2RF

A standout 2RF structure is emerging, with Koloamatangi, Katoa and Olakau’atu pressing their claims as this season’s top tier second rowers.

Pairing them with the right duals could easily see us through until the end of the season. 

Of those three, Ola looks to have the lowest floor.

However, he might also have the highest ceiling.

He misses rounds 16 and 19, but given his ceiling and low breakeven, I’d be looking to bring him in if you don’t already own. 

Targets:

• Haumole Olakau’atu (Moved from job watch – has found form – target provided he misses Origin and you can cover rounds 16 and 19)
• Keaon Koloamatangi (Must have provided he misses Origin)
• Eliesa Katoa (Moved from form watch – No byes remaining after this week. Could get him in early if needed)
• Brendan Piakura (Added – Decent downgrade option following strong round 14 performance)
• Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF) 
• Jack Williams (FRF/2RF) 

Job watch 

• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) (Moved from targets)
• Jazz Tevaga (HK/2RF) (Added – still saw 59 minutes in the middle on Jurbo’s return from injury)
• Toby Couchman (FRF/2RF) 
• Chris Randall (HK/2RF) 
• Hudson Young (Origin – would only consider for H2H)
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) (Origin – would only consider for H2H)

Form watch 

Priced 650k+

• Kai Pearce Paul (POD option but don’t know that I’d want to be buying into the Knights right now)
• Euan Aitken (2RF/CTW)
• Viliame Kikau 
• Briton Nikora 
• Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) 
• Isaah Yeo 
• Siua Wong 
• J’maine Hopgood 

Looping options:

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

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FRF 

Nothing major to note here, except that Erin Clark only played 50 minutes on the weekend.

However, he still punched out 78 with only 12 points in attacking stats.

This might increase in closer games, but it’s probably worth watching for the next few rounds. 

Targets:

• Terrell May 
• Addin Fonua-Blake 
• Jack Williams(FRF/2RF) 

Form watch:

• Joseph Tapine 
• Lindsay Smith
• Payne Haas (Origin affected)

Job watch: 

• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) (Moved from targets)

Looping options 

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

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Hooker

Once more, it’s likely best to just keep whoever you already own at Hooker.

A case could be made for trading Starling out given his reduced minutes, but I’d lean towards using trades elsewhere this round. 

Job watch:

• Api Koroisau (Moved from targets – continues to play 80 but cash gen has stopped for now. Could be a keeper at hooker but would like to see more 80 minute games)
• Damien Cook (Moved from targets – worth continuing to watch his role. Playing 80 but Dragons have been injury affected)
• Jazz Tevaga (HK/2RF) (Added – still saw 59 minutes in the middle on Jurbo’s return from injury)
• Chris Randall (HK/2RF)  
• Sandon Smith (HK/HFB) (Could he keep the kicking when Walker returns?)
• Wayde Egan 

Removed: Tom Starling (Owen Pattie demanding too many minutes)

Form watch:

• Cameron McInnes (HK/2RF) 
• Harry Grant

Looping options

• Kalani Going (HOK/2RF)