Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 16 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

After plenty of carnage last round, the post Origin mini-bye looks tricky.

There’s a fair chance of limited backups due to Origin in Perth.

This creates an opportunity for a moving round and makes trading for a strong 18 a solid strategy this week.

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

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Fullbacks

Drinky is once again the talking point of the fullback position. His low floor makes him a difficult hold, whilst his high ceiling makes him a difficult sell.

Playing the round 16 mini-bye, then facing the Titans in round 17, it makes sense to hold for now. However, the Cowboys form is a definite concern and with most having Drinky at flex, it could be tempting to move him on to a player of any position in coming rounds.

Targets:

• James Tedesco
• Ryan Papenhuyzen

Form watch:

• Scott Drinkwater (Moved from targets)
• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (In supreme form. Warriors are killing it and have a nice run home from round 19)
• Dylan Edwards (Possible post Origin Pod, if the Panthers can go on a late season tear)
• Reece Walsh
• 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

Assuming he backs up, Lomax is the big play for risk takers this week. He plays the Titans, who right wingers have had a field day against (think Kiraz 152). That’s followed by a revenge game against the Dragons next week. The BE (130) is slightly off putting, as is the absence of Mitch Moses, but nonetheless if you’re in a position to get him, it could be the defining play of the round.

Targets:

• Herbie Farnworth
• Reuben Garrick
• Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF)
• Jacob Kiraz
• Jack Bostock (Added – cash grab option)

Job watch:

• Siosifa Talakai (2RF/CTW) (Added – cheapie option if he jags a centre spot and Hiroti is out for an extended period)
• Dane Gagai (Moved from targets – could be a run home option if he keeps the kicking)
• Nathan Lawson
• Lehi Hopoate
• AJ Brimson (CTW/5-8)
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW)
• Kane Bradley(2RF/CTW)

Form watch:

• Zac Lomax
• Greg Marzhew (Moved from targets – tough run home for the Knights, needs to get back to his absolute best to be a top tier CTW for the rest of the season)
• Jamayne Isaako (Moved from targets – ship has sailed)
• Mark Nawaqanitawase (Moved from targets – high BE, reconsider in a few rounds)
• Fletcher Sharpe (CTW/FLB) (Moved from targets – wait and see how he is on return from injury)
• Alex Johnston
• 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)

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5/8

What to do with Munster (BE 135) is a big question at 5/8. He’s a strong chance of not backing up this week. He then plays the Sharks, misses round 18 due to Origin and could once again be a candidate for resting in round 19 against the Knights (Saturday 3pm). 

Of the replacement candidates, Lachlan Galvin is the one who interests me most. He’s available at a big discount compared to his starting price and now gets to play in a strong Bulldogs side. It’s not a move that makes sense this week due to the Dogs’ bye, but is worth considering for future rounds.

If you have the trades, Ethan Strange is a short-term option. He has a BE of -24 and plays the Tigers (away), Knights (away) and Dragons (home) next three.

Targets:

• Jayden Campbell (5/8-FLB)
• Ethan Strange (Added – Possible cash grab option, 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)

Job watch:

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

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Halfbacks

Hughes is a priority either this week (vs Souths) or round 18 (vs Cowboys). He’s known to dominate over the Origin period (99 average in 2024) and looked back to his best in round 14. If you do grab him this week, benching vs the Sharks in round 17 is an option.

Targets:

• Jahrome Hughes

Form watch: 

• Nicho Hynes (Moved from targets – plays no more big bye rounds)
• 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)

2RF

Following the injuries to Ola and Kolo, 2RF is looking a little thin.

Either or both of the Bulldogs edges (Kikau + Preston) look good but they have the bye this week. Kikau was particularly impressive on the weekend with a 109 point performance including 91 in base + power!

For those looking at cheaper options, Piakura comes into this round with a BE of 7. Priced at $337k and coming off one of the best games of his career, he mounts a decent case as a downgrade option. He’ll likely play rounds 18 (unless selected for Origin) and 19.

Targets:

• Eliesa Katoa
• Brendan Piakura
• Dylan Lucas (CTW/2RF)
• Viliame Kikau (Moved from form watch)
• Tallis Duncan (Cash grab option – just be mindful his big score will drop out come round 18)

Removed: Haumole Olakau’atu (injured), Keaon Koloamatangi (injured)

Job watch 

• Luciano Leilua (Added – played 80 on the weekend. Could be an option at around $400k if that continues. Plays rounds 18 and 19)
• Siosifa Talakai (2RF/CTW) (Added – cheapie option if he jags a centre spot and Hiroti is out for an extended period)
• Jack Williams (FRF/2RF)
• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF)
• Jazz Tevaga (HK/2RF)
• Toby Couchman (FRF/2RF)
• Chris Randall (HK/2RF) (Best game on the edge so far last weekend. Hard to invest with Fifita still hanging around though)
• Hudson Young (Origin – would only consider for H2H)
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW)

Form watch 

Priced 650k+

• Jacob Preston (Added)
• Tino Faasuamaleaui (FRF/2RF) (Origin affected)
• Kai Pearce Paul
• Euan Aitken (2RF/CTW)
• Briton Nikora (Base + power is on the up. Could go on a late season run like he did in 2024)
• 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 

Probably not worth trading at front row, unless you need to move Haas or Tino out temporarily for numbers / cash. Even then, it could be best to utilise duals to bring in players from other positions. If you absolutely need a front rower this round, Clark is a decent option

Targets:

• Terrell May
• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) (Moved from job watch)

Form watch:

• Addin Fonua-Blake (Moved from targets – plays no more big byes)
• Joseph Tapine
• Lindsay Smith
• Payne Haas (Origin affected)
• Tino Faasuamaleaui (FRF/2RF) (Origin affected)

Job watch:

• Jack Williams(FRF/2RF)

Looping options

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

Hooker

Following the injury to Sam Walker, Sandon Smith now hopefully holds his spot until the end of the bye period. Grant and Watson appear to be the two main contenders to trade him to at the point.

Job watch:

• Api Koroisau
• Damien Cook
• Jazz Tevaga (HK/2RF)
• Chris Randall (HK/2RF) (Best game on the edge so far last weekend. Hard to invest with Fifita still hanging around though)
• Sandon Smith (HK/HFB)
• Wayde Egan

Form watch:

• Blayke Brailey (Added – was given a licence to run last weekend, which saw him register his best SC score of the season. Option if that continues)
• Cameron McInnes (HK/2RF)
• Harry Grant

Looping options

• Kalani Going (HOK/2RF)