Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 23 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

The impact that injuries will have on the run home is becoming clearer, with another highly owned gun in Herbie going down.

If low on trades, I’d be prioritising only using them for injuries at this stage, especially for high-ceiling players.

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

Edwards now enters a tougher run of games (Knights A, Storm H, Raiders H, Bulldogs A), so he is no longer essential.

His floor is high though (51 base + power ave this season) and he plays the Dragons in round 27, so could be worth holding onto. 

Tedesco still has games against the Dolphins (A), Eels (A) and, importantly, Bunnies (H), in round 27 (when he’ll be a prime captaincy candidate). 

I also see Drinky as a hold with Eels (A), Knights (H) and Tigers (A) next three.

The Cowboys’ bye in round 27 could make him a sell as soon as round 26 (at home to Broncos) though. 

Targets:

• James Tedesco 
• Scott Drinkwater

Form watch:

• Dylan Edwards (Moved from targets)
• Reece Walsh 
• Tom Trbojevic 
• Ryan Papenhuyzen (Moved from job watch: high base + power last week but has lost the goalkicking)

Removed: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (looks to have lost fullback spot)

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

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CTW

Brimson has put his hand up ahead of a prime matchup vs the Bunnies on Sunday afternoon on the Gold Coast.

The Bunnies are conceding the most SC points to fullbacks this season of any team, in any position in the comp (stats courtesy of the Ru Crew).

Brimmo looked fantastic against the Panthers on the weekend, and the Titans appear to have found some form.

It’s worth noting that he’s gone a big end-of-season run before, averaging 97 in the final 5 rounds of 2022, albeit that he was playing 5/8 at the time. 

The Titans face the Dolphins (A) and Tigers (H) in the run home.

That Tigers game in round 27 could be anything.

Gagai will also be popular as a hardworking, goalkicking fullback.

His draw appears slightly less favourable, with Knights’ best run home matches being Cowboys (A) and Eels (A).

However, from rounds 24 to 27, they play nothing but day games, which is very enticing.

Another option could be to wait a week and take your pick of RTS, DWZ or Tuapiki ahead of the Warriors rounds 24-27 run of Dragons (H), Titans (A), Eels (H), Sea Eagles (A).

However, I’d favour waiting on any Warriors’ options given they play the Dogs this week.

This also allows another look at Tuapiki’s job security and form. 

Targets: 

• Reuben Garrick 
• Jacob Kiraz 
• Zac Lomax 
• Dane Gagai
• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
• AJ Brimson (CTW/5-8)(Moved from form watch)

Removed: Herbie Farnworth (injured)

Job watch:

• Adam Douehi (CTW/5-8) 
• Siosifa Talakai (2RF/CTW) 
• Lehi Hopoate (CTW/FLB)
• Greg Marzhew
• Taine Tuapiki (Added. CTW/FLB) 
• Stephen Crichton (Added. Increased role in attack last weekend with Tracey out)

Removed: Nick Meaney (even though goalkicking, hard to see a high ceiling game with a semi-difficult run home)

Form watch:

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

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5/8

Expect a significant rise in ownership for Jayden Campbell ahead of the Bunnies game this weekend.

He also presents an intriguing captaincy option in a slightly difficult weekend for skippers. 

For those who already own Campbell, Dearden still looks a decent POD option.

Be mindful of the Cowboys’ round 27 bye, though.

Targets:

• Jayden Campbell (5/8-FLB) 
• Tom Dearden (5-8/HFB)
• Cameron Munster 

Form watch:

• Blaize Talagi (5/8-CTW) 
• Jaxon Purdue (CTW-5/8)
• AJ Brimson (CTW/5-8) 
• Lachlan Galvin (Moved from targets)

Job watch: 

• Adam Douehi (CTW/5-8) 

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Halfbacks

Sam Walker has been excellent since his return and could be a quality Super POD for the run home.

The Roosters have games against the Dolphins (A), Eels (A) and Bunnies (H) during the run home.

He’s the type of ceiling player worth looking at this time of season, with historical high scores of 172 and 163.

Targets: 

• Nathan Cleary 
• Nicho Hynes 
• Tom Dearden (5-8/HFB)
• Sam Walker (Added)

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2RF

Not a whole lot of exciting options in the forwards.

Of note, Isaiah Papali’i could quietly be returning to a starting 2RF role, where he has been a weapon in the past.

Disappointing games from both Young and Kikau on the weekend.

Perhaps Hudson is still carrying an injury.

Villiame probably struggled in the wet conditions, especially given that his scoring has been heavily influenced by offloads this season.

Targets:

• Eliesa Katoa 
• Angus Crichton 
• Pat Carrigan (FRF/2RF)

Removed: Isaah Yeo (injured)

Form watch:

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

Job watch:

• Siosifa Talakai (2RF/CTW) 
• Leka Halasima 
• Isaiah Papali’i (Added – could quietly be returning to a starting 2RF role, where he has been a weapon in the past)

Removed: Jermaine McEwen (ship has sailed)

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FRF

The week off may benefit Payne Haas in the long run, given he has been playing through injuries for much of the season.

If named, I think he’s a fine trade-in, even though the Broncos play the Storm away.

Targets:

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

Form watch:

• Lindsay Smith 

Job watch:

• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF)

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Hooker

Probably not much benefit in trading a hooker at this stage.

Harry Grant couldn’t match last week’s efforts, while Watson played reduced minutes (57), coming off the bench. 

Brailey is still the form option, but the Sharks’ upcoming bye in round 25 is off-putting.

Targets: 

• Blayke Brailey
• Harry Grant 

Form watch:

• Connor Watson (HK/2RF)
• Kurt Donoghoe (HK/2RF)