NRL Round 24 Teams: Supercoach Squad Analysis

James Tedesco’s vintage performance against the Roosters reminded Supercoaches of a valuable lesson at this time of the year.

Match-ups, are everything…

This isn’t to say you’d target the Dolphins as a soft one each week, but the 189 point masterclass from the veteran fullback decided essentially all Supercoach head-to-head finals in week one for any who gave him the captaincy or vice-captaincy armband.

While finding the softest match-up is never clear, there are always games that at least on paper appear the ones to target.

Utilise your final trades wisely to benefit from the best fixtures in the backend of Supercoach finals.

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The Cooma Stallions had a bumper week with 1,432 points to rise up into 1,630^th overall.

To say I was delighted with that score in week one of H2H finals is an understatement.

Unsurprisingly, I was fortunate to jump on James Tedesco as my vice-captain where I had essentially a free loop to play with.

Hopefully the green arrows can continue to edge towards a top 1000 finish and potentially top 500 if my final five trades can be well executed.

As people get lower on trades I’ll reduce the analysis a touch and also shift a little more focus to head-to-head players with a look at certain players with the best match-ups.

Let’s take a look at NRL Supercoach Round 24, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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PANTHERS v STORM

Thursday, 7:50pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey Mclean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Bench: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Jack Cole 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Trent Toelau

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 4. Marion Seve 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec Macdonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Kane Bradley 20. Siulagi Tuimalatu-brown 21. Lazarus Vaalepu 22. Nelson Asofa-solomona

Analysis: Plenty are flocking towards players in this fixture on account of the red-hot form of both sides.

I’m not convinced at all that it’s the match-up to target, certainly for head-to-head focused players needing to win an elimination final.

These two clubs will use this as an early finals hit-out which may well turn into a grind.

I wouldn’t be targeting it at all if I was H2H focused.

Overall is somewhat different in that there may be players with low breakevens you want to jump on before their price becomes unattainable for you with minimal trades left.

Both sides have an awful run home, but they’re also both good enough to overcome it and score points.

If you’re slim on trades and numbers, both clubs are also genuine chances at mass resting in round 27 IF they’re in a position where nothing will change for week one of finals.

Tyran Wishart is dual 5/8-HFB and is just $363k with a -4 breakeven.

In six big minute games this season he’s averaging 51.2 points per game.

In 12 games of 80 minutes last season he averaged 79 points!

He’s a rock solid play each week, granted that ceiling is very much capped with the opposition he has incoming.

Brian To’o notched his second tonne of the season against the Knights, he’s very cheap at $517k and is a decent option.

Between the draw and huge resting possibility I’m not overly keen, but he’s a proven gun that can finish well.

Harry Grant and Cameron Munster tend to thrive in tough games, and it also reduces their chance of an early shower making them good pick-ups.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is out due to a concussion, with Nick Meaney to play fullback.

Still no Isaah Yeo for the Panthers.

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WARRIORS v DRAGONS

Friday, 6pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Edward Kosi 21. Tom Ale 22. Kayliss Fatialofa 25. Bunty Afoa

Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mat Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Jack De Belin

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Michael Molo 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Jacob Halangahu 21. Nathan Lawson 22. Christian Tuipulotu

Analysis: The Warriors don’t overly entice on current form, however their final month against the Dragons, Titans, Eels and Sea Eagles is appealing.

I would ignore last week’s result where not a single player managed to score over 50.

It was against a resolute Bulldogs defensive outfit in driving rain.

Rinse and repeat each week, but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains an excellent run home POD, while Erin Clark is a safety first 2RF-FRF option.

Te Maire Martin is out with a concussion, with Tanah Boyd back into the halves.

Despite their resurgent form, I still have no real interest in the Dragons.

Hayden Buchanan starred on debut for 75 points last week and is a bottom dollar option at $198k for anyone looking to free up cash.

You wouldn’t want to play him at all, but if times get tough in coming weeks at least he’s an active body!

Kurt Capewell is out which will see Leka Halasima start on the edge.

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ROOSTERS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 8pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Egan Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Sandon Smith 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Junior Tupou

Bulldogs: 1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Jake Turpin 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Connor Tracey 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton

Analysis: This isn’t a game I’d target for H2H finals players, but it is hard to ignore the red-hot form of the Roosters.

I think they’re better plays for overall focused players with games against the Eels and Rabbitohs to come.

Sam Walker is averaging 82 since returning from an ACL lay-off and is clearly the POD halfback to target for the run home. He’s $702k with a breakeven of 24.

He’s a popular buy this week, but against the Doggies defence I’m not interested.

I think it’s worth waiting until next week if you can cop the inevitable price rise.

Mark Nawaqanitawase burst back to form with a hat-trick and a Supercoach century last week.

He’ll have more big scores to come and his match-up with rookie Jethro Rinakama is decent, but I do think he’s a sit option this week for those with strong squads to choose from.

Despite his stunning 189 last week, this isn’t a week I’d look to skipper James Tedesco.

Stephen Crichton has been exceptional in his hybrid centre-fullback role, scoring a tonne in driving rain against the Warriors.

This role enhances his Supercoach ceiling substantially, but does it continue when Connor Tracey returns?

My guess is to a degree, but far less frequently.

Tracey has been named on the extended bench, if available he’d come in at fullback, pushing Jacob Kiraz to the wing and likely Rinakama out of the team.

With the Dogs next month against the Roosters, Storm, Panthers and Sharks I’ll avoid, but there’s serious temptation.

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SHARKS v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, Sharks Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Chris Veaila

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Phillip Sami 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Tony Francis 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Klese Haas 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston 18. Keano Kini 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Tom Weaver 22. Allan Fitzgibbon

Analysis: Briton Nikora is out for the remainder of the regular season due to suspension, while Jesse Ramien is also likely gone for the rest of the regular season with a broken hand.

Spare a thought for the Stallions as another two players bite the dust ahead of a dream match-up.

Billy Burns comes in and is a viable option for those looking to bolster depth while freeing up cash.

He’ll start in Nikora’s place at just $359k, with a breakeven of 59 you can probably wait a week to ensure he gets the full 80 minutes which he should.

In eight games of 65+ minutes this season he’s averaging 55.8 points per game.

Note the Sharks do have a bye next week though.

Nicho Hynes looks an enticing captaincy play this week against a soft, albeit improved Titans outfits.

H2H based players can certainly target this fixture for one week plays, with Ronaldo Mulitalo in line for a potentially huge day out.

Beau Fermor and Jayden Campbell remain the only two real Titans targets who are run home guns, the latter would have had his third tonne on the trot had he put the ball down for the opening try against the Rabbitohs.

Condolences to anyone who lost a H2H final off that dropped ball… 

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is firming to return from injury after being named at lock.

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BRONCOS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Sydney

Broncos:  1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Va’a Semu 20. Jock Madden 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Josh Rogers

Dolphins:  1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Aublix Tawha 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Bench: 14. Ray Stone 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Josh Kerr 17. Kenny Bromwich 18. Peter Hola 19. LJ Nonu 20. Trai Fuller 21. Harrison Graham 22. James Walsh

Analysis: With Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds out, this entire Broncos team just becomes a watch and reassess for a week.

Unless your name is Payne Haas, the man is simply in another league.

He returned last week from a leg infection against the premiership favourites, reportedly carrying injury niggles, and was sensational.

In that game he had 61 in base and five offloads.

With both halves out, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Haas look to utilise that offload more and more to create second phase play for Ben Hunt and Reece Walsh.

Walsh picks up the goal-kicking duties in the absence of Reynolds which is huge for his stocks.

The Dolphins are likely just a watch after last week’s demolition at the hands of the Roosters, have injuries taken their toll or will they bounce back?

They’ve been extremely resilient all year so I’d suggest a bounce back is incoming, but you’d want to ideally see what they produce this week.

Tevita Naufahu scored a double for 87 points in the loss and is in prime real estate on the Dolphins left wing.

At $265k with a breakeven of -18 he’s a playable option for depth if you’re looking to free up cash.

Josiah Karapani edges Jesse Arthars to replace the injured Selwyn Cobbo.

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RABBITOHS v EELS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Siliva Havili 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow

Bench: 14. Shaquai Mitchell 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Brandon Smith 17. Thomas Fletcher 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Haizyn Mellars 22. Cody Walker

Eels: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Luca Moretti

Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Dylan Walker 16. Matt Doorey 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Jordan Samrani 19. Dan Keir 20. Haze Dunster 21. Isaiah Iongi 22. Toni Mataele

Analysis: The Rabbitohs claimed a win last week and are starting to get a few numbers back.

They do have the bye in H2H grand final week in round 26 though.

With Latrell Mitchell in the team there’s always extra energy and attacking potential, but I still think there’s far better teams to target than South Sydney.

Parramatta are playing vastly improved footy, but they still lack appeal from a Supercoach perspective.

I do like this match-up for them, but I wouldn’t be looking to recruit any players outside of Zac Lomax.

Even Lomax has struggled in recent weeks with scores of 41 and 49.

Lachlan Hubner is out with a concussion.

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TIGERS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal

Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Heath Mason 19. Brent Naden 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Luke Laulilii

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Tommy Talau 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Michael Chee Kam 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Analysis: I don’t have a clue how this fixture will pan out, however I do believe there’ll be points from both sides making it a decent game to target for H2H finals.

Adam Doueihi has been excellent since shifting closer to the action at five-eighth and lock in recent weeks, including a tonne in the halves against the Bulldogs in the wet.

The Sea Eagles concede the fifth most Supercoach points of any club to five-eighths, making Doueihi a genuine one week play and even run home option.

He also faces the Cowboys in Sydney, Canberra away (sit) and then the Titans away to finish the season.

While risky, there’s upside.

Manly are very up and down at the moment, their final month is appealing though against the Tigers, Dolphins, Dragons and Warriors at Brookie.

Tom Trbojevic retains his fullback spot despite the return of Lehi Hopoate who will play on the wing, pushing Reuben Garrick back to centre.

For anyone with a flex spot available, Turbo is a strong play with enormous upside for the final month.

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COWBOYS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 4:05pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Thomas Mikaele 18. Viliami Vailea 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Kaiden Lahrs

Knights: 1. Connor Votano 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

Bench: 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jackson Hastings 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Fletcher Hunt 22. Jack Hetherington

Analysis: On current form I’m not overly keen on anyone in this fixture for the run home.

The Cowboys also have the bye in round 27 which isn’t ideal.

Dane Gagai owners have suffered a blow with the veteran returning to centre to accomodate rookie fullback Connor Votano (FLB only).

Gagai also gave up the goal-kicking duties to Jack Cogger last week, so while he could still score well with a nice match-up he’s no longer a buy option.

Scott Drinkwater has underwhelmed over the past few weeks, but with two of his next three games in Townsville I’ll be holding tight.

Drinkwater averages 74.7 points per game in Townsville this season, that included a 14 point score in round 11.

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