As we get to the tail end of the NRL SuperCoach season, nothing is surer then teams starting to look the same as one another.

And while the reason is usually down to Coaches gravitating towards the best players, the question must be asked about whether or not there’s other players flying well beneath the radar.

When it gets down to it, skippers and unique players are what will define the outcome of your Head to Head season.

We know the general rule of thumbs – if you’re the stronger team, decrease the amount of uniques so there’s less variables. And conversely, if you’re coming up against a seeming super side, POD players can overcome.

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This article is an exercise is examining the best point of difference players across every position to help get you thinking about different paths to take.

Below is an entire squad built up of players under 10% owned in the Top 10% of SuperCoach designed to go against the popular players.

Some of them have low ownership because of injury. Some because of their rep commitments. But all of them are more than capable of pushing into the Top 5 at their position if the chips fall their way.

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Hooker

Most popular at position: Sandon Smith (70.6 per cent owned), Tom Starling (24.6 per cent owned)

Expected popular options: Connor Watson (14.9 per cent owned), Harry Grant (14.3 per cent owned)

POD Options:

Api Koroisau – 1.7 per cent owned

The departure of his understudy, Tallyn da Silva, all but locks in Api for an 80-minute role for the run home. He had a 63 average last year which included goal kicking and remains the Tigers back up.

Since stepping into an 80-minute role 5 games ago he has averaged 71 which includes a huge 144 against South Sydney.

Sure, the Tigers could capitulate. But regardless of how they’re tracking it is unlikely Api will give up without a fight. And he has the skill to match Watson and Grant as the expected top hookers for the run home.

Blayke Brailey – 6.5 per cent owned

We’ve heard it in the media for three weeks now – Brailey’s been given the mandate to up his amount of runs. He had an equal season high of eight in round 15 against the Dragons in a score of 102, and backed it up with 5 and 4 runs in the last two weeks.

With a nice draw for H2H Finals, if the Sharks give him the green light he could have some big ones.

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Front row forward

Most popular: Terrell May (99.7 per cent owned), Keaon Koloamatangi (90.3 per cent owned), Payne Haas (77.1 per cent owned), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (66.4 per cent owned)

POD Options:

Jack Williams – 1.5 per cent owned

One of the breakout SuperCoach stars of the year yet no one realises. The former Cooma Stallion has a 5RA of 75 and is getting big minutes and scoring bulk base stats.

There’s every chance the current Top 4 most popular guys are the best scorers on the run home. But with a decent draw for H2H finals, if Williams can add some attack to his already hulking base and power numbers then look out.

Pat Carrigan – 1.9 per cent owned

His ownership would be higher if not for the Origin impacted period he’s going through right now. But with an average of 69 while playing prop so far this year he should be way higher owned.

While his scoring hasn’t quite been as elite since moving back to lock (3RA of 58), what I love about Carrigan is how strongly he finishes every season.

These are his scores last year post Origin: 66, 75, 82, 84, 82, 39. That’s an average of 71.

In 2023 it was similar, albeit injury impacted with returns of 58, 97, 125 and 52. That’s an average of 83.

The moral of the story here is that he could breakout post Origin and he’s only $600k.

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Second Row Forward

Most popular: Eli Katoa (95.1 per cent owned), Dylan Lucas (92 per cent owned), Zac Hosking (41.8 per cent owned).

POD Options:

Hudson Young – 9.4 per cent owned

His 81.1 average leads the position and it shouldn’t shock anyone to see his name mentioned. This is actually just a reminder that he could be – pending injury – a priority target for H2H Finals.

If you play a 23-26 Finals system, the Raiders playing the Tigers could almost certainly present a season defining matchup to target.

Angus Crichton – 1.1 per cent owned

Arguably the best second rower of 2024, and criminally under owned based on availability. Yes, he’s about 10 point down on last year’s efforts, but that just means his price is obtainable sitting at just $584k.

With Sam Walker due back soon, the Chooks are primed for an uptick in attacking football inspite of a toughish draw for the run home.

Isaah Yeo – 1.3 per cent owned

Another ‘fallen gun’ whose down 11 points on his average from last year. If you believe that Penrith can mount a late season charge towards Finals, Yeo will likely have his hands all over it. At just $549k, he’s way unders for what we know he can do. Finished last season by averaging 81 after Origin.

Haumole Olakau’atu – 5.5 per cent owned

The 8th best averaging player at the position who was heavily sold due to injury. The risk of re-injury will hang over his head for the remainder of the season, but a guy with attacking pedigree like him – who already has three tons – plus a decent run of games in finals is enticing.

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Halfback

Most Popular: Nicho Hynes (72.2 per cent owned), Sandon Smith (70.6 per cent owned), Jahrome Hughes (64.8 per cent owned)

Expected most popular: Nathan Cleary (29.7 per cent owned) 

POD Option:

Isaiya Katoa – 6.2 per cent owned

In a position where it’s hard to go against the big boys, IKat is heaving a breakout year and is close to challenging the Hynes, Cleary, Hughes axis.

His low score this year is 42 way back in Round 4. Since then his worst is a 52 and he’s had three scores over 90 including a 111 last week. 

With a solid H2H finals draw for 23-26 systems against Rootsers, Broncos, Manly and a GF against the Titans, he could seriously do some damage in that time which is unexpectedly harder for some of his opponents like Cleary and Hughes.

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Five-Eighth

Most Popular: Cameron Munster (67.2 per cent ownd), Jayden Campbell (41 per cent owned), Lyhkan King-Togia (39.5 per cent owned)

POD Option:

Tom Dearden – 0.8 per cent owned

A handy dual position, a team who knows how to score points and a run home with plenty of home matches and day games all scream high-scoring to me.

No one owns him, and when you throw Clifford into this side his average jumps to 69.2 which is more than enough to challenge the most popular guns.

People will say “he’s reliant on tries), well yes he is. But he knows how to score them and is a serious flat track bully. He already has scores of 97, 143 and 114 so far in home games. And with some softer matchups against Dragons (21), Eels (23) and Tigers (25) on the run home he’s every chance of dropping a big one once more.

Blaize Talagi – 2.5 per cent owned

His DPP makes him a POD option in two positions. Averaging 62.7 in 11 games this season, you get the feeling that this fleet-footed attacker will lift if the Panthers can get the attack going to end the season.

The draw for H2H finals is tough – from 23-26 he plays arguably the best four defensive sides in the comp – but he’s got explosive scoring potential as illustrated by a 112 in Round 10 against the Cows in a high scoring shoot out. His base of 29 this year is also fantastic.

Alexander Brimson – 4 per cent owned

It’s pretty simple with Brimmo – if he stays at fullback he can push an average of 65 or more. And the Titans have a decent draw as well. In his four games at fullback since Round 14 he’s averaged 72 with only one try scored.

Kaeo Weekes – 2.5 per cent owned

The ultimate roller coaster. People are already paying attention to him this week after a big 109 against the Knights. But they’re probably overlooking the 39 he dropped against Wests Tigers the week before.

The ceiling is there for sure with three tons this season. If you can play him on matchups as your backup it could be a great move.

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CTW

Most popular: Reuben Garrick (94.7 per cent owned), Dylan Lucas (92 per cent owned), Herbie Farnworth (88.2 per cent owned), Jacob Kiraz (82.4 per cent owned), Josiah Karapani (73 per cent owned), Billy Smith (42.3 per cent owned)

Expected most popular: Zac Lomax (28.9 per cent owned)

POD Options:

Valentine Holmes – 9.8 per cent owned

He’s always popular after Origin and this year won’t be much different. His base and scoring averages get him to 50 most weeks without issue. And outside of a 40 in Round 2, he hasn’t scored below 58 and has eight scores over 70.

The Dragons have a mixed draw on the run home but he’s just a reliable dude who could score brilliantly for you at low ownership.

Brian To’o – 0.5 per cent owned

Injuries will keep people away, and maybe that’s the correct thing to do this year with To’o.

But still for a guy with averages of 70 and 71 in his previous two years, he’s appealing at just over $600k.

Rounds 23-36 are tough for Bizza, and the right edge for Panthers hasn’t scored as many tries as the left. But we know outside Cleary he could find the line at any moment.

Dane Gagai – 1.5 per cent owned

Gags has been goal kicking since Round 12. Unfortunately it hasn’t seen a huge jump in his scoring and his 5A sits at 64 which is respectable but not frightening.

We don’t know how exactly the Knights are going to go without Ponga and Sharpe most likely for the season. But any goal kicker with his work rate is worth monitoring.

Bradman Best – 0.5 per cent owned

My favourite stat on Best is that if you removed his four injury impacted games last year he averaged 65. My least favorite stat is that he had four injury impacted games last year.

Still, a 73 average is nothing to sneeze at and could be maintained. He’s a focal point of their attack and has good base and power stats.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – 1.9 per cent owned

The Wahs run home from 24-26 is really nice and includes a couple of home games. RTS is quietly ticking along with a 61 average that – if he can lift his output against softer opponents – could see him match it with the premium tier options.

Alex Johnston – 1.4 per cent owned

I called him a ‘buy’ last week and he dropped a shocking score of just 20. But the run home and potential to be paired with Latrell is enough to make him appealing.

The Rabbits play the Titans, Eels and Dragons across rounds 23 – 25. They’ve got an awkward bye in Round 26 where a lot have their grand final, but with the potential for him to score bulk tries he’s worth monitoring. He already has two hat tricks this year!

Stephen Crichton – 0.0 per cent owned

Per the Gags stats, any goal kicking centre is worth monitoring. Crichton’s base is poor amongst CTW, but his ability to find attack and points from conversions could add up to some huge games in the right circumstances. The draw is tough but so are the Dogs.

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Fullback

Most popular: James Tedesco (94.1 per cent owned), Ryan Papenhuyzen (93.3 per cent owned), Scott Drinkwater (81.1 per cent owned)

POD Options:

Dylan Edwards – 0.4 per cent owned

Edwards’ breakout season last year was punctuated with scores inflated by goal kicking. We don’t know if that’s in his future but it could be with Cleary nursing a groin issue, but a 3RA of 81 suggests he’s still capable of matching it with the big boys at the position due to his base.

The draw for most H2H systems is poor. Arguably the worst draw out of anyone at the position. But do matchups matter when he’s not reliant on attack?

Latrell Mitchell – 1.5 per cent owned

People are cottoning on to the soft Souths draw for H2H finals. And realise that this man is the one who’d likely benefit the most.

Titans, Eels, Dragons, Bye. That’s the run for the 23-26 finals system. And a season long average of just 63 to-date is 14 below his next worst average in the last four years of 77.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – .1 per cent owned

If the Dolphins stay hot, why couldn’t Hammer. A 5RA of 83 is rock solid (and just quietly, heaps better than Ryan Papenhuyzen) and only bettered by Teddy and Drinky. The question becomes then can he keep it up?

A decent draw in H2H finals suggests it’s possible. So keep him front of mind – especially for a grand final in 26 against the Titans.

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