Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 22 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

I wrote at the start of last week’s article that the template team is looking very strong.

With Hughes’ injury and Cleary now essential, I expect this to continue to be even more so the case.

If aiming to make up ground, I’d still be looking at players with the highest ceilings, and leveraging the start/sits each round.

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

Embed from Getty Images

Fullbacks

Teddy, Drinky and Edwards remain the standouts for now.

Of the others, Turbo is the player I’m most interested in.

Although he’s playing centre, his base + power has been way up in recent weeks, and he’s roaming plenty.

A move back to fullback could also be on the cards before the Sea Eagles’ nice run from round 24 (Tigers A, Dolphins H, Dragons A, Warriors H).

Targets:

• James Tedesco 
• Scott Drinkwater
• Dylan Edwards

Form watch:

• Reece Walsh 
• Tom Trbojevic 
• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Added – possible late season POD. From round 24 he has Dragons (H), Titans (A), Eels (H), Sea Eagles (A))

Removed: Clint Gutherson

Job watch:

• Ryan Papenhuyzen

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

Embed from Getty Images

CTW

Whilst he’s on a bye this week, it’s worth planning for Gagai as soon as next week when the Knights host the Panthers.

A goalkicking fullback with his base + power game doesn’t come along often.

Even in a somewhat struggling Knights outfit, he’s an excellent CTW option. 

Targets:

• Herbie Farnworth 
• Reuben Garrick 
• Jacob Kiraz 
• Zac Lomax 
• Dane Gagai (post bye)
• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 

Job watch:

• Adam Douehi (CTW/5-8) 
• Nick Meaney 
• Siosifa Talakai (2RF/CTW) 
• Lehi Hopoate (CTW/FLB)
• Greg Marzhew

Form watch:

• Beau Fermor (CTW/2RF) (Moved from targets)
• Alex Johnston (Has Titans, Eels, and Dragons from rounds 23 to 25. He will miss round 26 with a bye though)
• AJ Brimson (CTW/5-8)
• Mark Nawaqanitawase 
• Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 
• Blaize Talagi (CTW/5-8) 
• Gehamat Shibasaki 
• Bradman Best 
• Jamayne Isaako
• Jaxon Purdue (CTW/5-8)

Embed from Getty Images

5/8

Tommy Dearden is in an epic purple patch and has shown a big ceiling this year, going 143 against the Titans in round 8 and 165 points vs the Dragons last week.

He may have another big one or two in him, with games against the Eels, Knights and Tigers to come.

For SC purposes, ideally, he plays with Purdue or Duffy in the halves (rather than Clifford), but his form is such that it may not matter. 

Based on what we saw from the Storm on the weekend, it looks likely that Harry Grant will be the main beneficiary of the Jahrome Hughes injury.

However, I wouldn’t discount the potential for Munster to increase his output, especially if Papenhuyzen continues to be sidelined. 

Targets:

• Jayden Campbell (5/8-FLB) 
• Lachlan Galvin 
• Tom Dearden (Moved from job watch)
• Cameron Munster (Moved from form watch)

Form watch:

• Blaize Talagi (5/8-CTW) 
• Jaxon Purdue (CTW-5/8)
• AJ Brimson (CTW/5-8) 

Removed: Matt Burton (dislike draw / floor with no goalkicking)

Job watch: 

• Adam Douehi (CTW/5-8) 

Removed: Tanah Boyd (ship has sailed)

Embed from Getty Images

Halfbacks

Expect almost everyone to be on a Cleary–Hynes combo after this week, and justifiably so with their matchups (Cleary vs Titans, Hynes vs Cowboys).

If you’re considering Dearden, he’d definitely be best traded in at 5/8 or flex.

Targets: 

• Nathan Cleary 
• Nicho Hynes 
• Tom Dearden (Moved from job watch)

Removed: Jahrome Hughes

Embed from Getty Images

2RF

Isaah Yeo is still affordable and registered a very solid 83 on the weekend including a TA/LBA. 

I still consider Kikau a decent option, mainly due to his increased offloading this season – he had 5 OLs (3 effective) on the weekend, to go with 2 TA LBAs.

One could argue that his low base (37 in that game) is a concern.

However, as long as he’s freeing the arm, the offloads will continue to pump up his floor.

I prefer him to Preston, who is still establishing a combination with Galvin on the right hand side. 

Fantasy NRL markets have arrived! Alongside our mates at BetBuzz, we’ve designed unique fantasy based markets pitting players together by position every round. Check them out here!

Hudson Young likely has the highest ceiling of all 2RFs based on what we’ve seen so far this season. This needs to be weighed up with his round 24 bye and possible final round resting though. 

Angus Crichton, I still like as an option purely based on his Supercoach pedigree. He’s another 2RF with a ceiling, having gone 150+ a few times in the past. 

Some might argue that Eliesa Katoa is not a top-tier option without Jahrome Hughes.

I don’t see it, though.

He’s added so much to his game that I expect he’ll score well regardless. 

Targets:

• Eliesa Katoa 
• Angus Crichton 
• Hudson Young 
• Isaah Yeo (Moved from form watch)
• Villiame Kikau (Moved from form watch)

Form watch:

• Beau Fermor (CTW/2RF) (Moved from targets)
• Connor Watson (HK/2RF) (Moved from targets)
• Briton Nikora 
• Jacob Preston 

Job watch:

• Siosifa Talakai (2RF/CTW) 
• Jermaine McEwen 
• Leka Halasima (Added – would like to see a few 80 minute games in a row)

Embed from Getty Images

FRF

The cupboard is looking bare outside of May/Haas. 

I don’t mind Carrigan as a hedge with Haas, as his output should increase if Haas’ happens to decrease.

It is a conservative play though, so I’d probably only consider it if you’re looking to protect rank.

Clark will continue to be a solid option, but with just 50 minutes on the weekend, it would be difficult to bring him in with confidence.

Perhaps if the Warriors end up in a battle for fourth, his minutes will increase. 

Targets:

• Terrell May 
• Payne Haas 
• Patrick Carrigan (FRF/2RF) (Added)

Form watch:

• Lindsay Smith (Added – career high game last week. Wait and see if this carries forward)

Job watch:

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

Embed from Getty Images

Hooker

Brailey and Grant have affirmed themselves as the two best hookers for the run home.

Following the injury to Jahrome Hughes, Harry immediately took on an increased role, resulting in his first ton of the season.

He’s still available for just $572k.

For those with a HK/2RF dual, he could be a better option than many 2RFs for the run home. 

Connor Watson has had tough matchups for the last two weeks against the Storm and Sharks.

I’d expect he’ll do much better in the remaining matches.

However, I’d want to see more before investing, given the form of Brailey and Grant.

Targets: 

• Blayke Brailey
• Harry Grant 

Form watch:

• Connor Watson (HK/2RF) (Moved from targets)
• Kurt Donoghoe (HK/2RF)