NRL Round 27 Teams: Supercoach Squad Analysis

We’ve reached the final round of the NRL Supercoach season, with a new overall champion to be crowned in under a week.

Head-to-head finals were decided for most leagues over the weekend, so congratulations to those who claimed bragging rights (and cashies) over mates.

The Cooma Stallions are finishing on a bit of a heater with 1,613 points last weekend to jump into 653^rd overall.

It’s been a strong end to the season, coinciding with H2H finals for a few league titles, which is always extremely nice despite being very much an overall focused player.

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Reece Walsh came in as part of fullback roulette and delivered as skipper in his debut game for the Stallions in 2025.

With one trade left in the bank, fullback roulette will continue this week, with a few high upside options looming.

Most are out of trades, so it’ll be a bit briefer below, focusing on the best match-ups to target and avoid for those with any trades in the bank, along with any sit v start decisions.

Further, if Brisbane and the Roosters win early in the round, we are very likely to see plenty more restings than the below teams suggest.

Let’s take a look at NRL Supercoach round 27, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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BRONCOS v STORM

Thursday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

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

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves: 18. Delouise Hoeter 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Jock Madden 21. Va’a Semu 22. Gehamat Shibasaki

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan

Reserves: 18. Marion Seve 19. Jack Howarth 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Kane Bradley 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

Analysis: There are far better games to target with a final trade.

Despite being understrength last week, Melbourne will be prepping for week one of finals off the back of a heavy loss, while Brisbane are playing to lock in a top four spot.

There’s still likely to be a reasonable amount of points scored on a dry Suncorp surface, but it’s likely to be a tougher contest.

I’d avoid the vice-captaincy on Reece Walsh with excellent match-ups elsewhere.

Josiah Karapani is a sit option, although he does get the weaker Storm defensive edge in a big bonus.

Likely for big minutes in a huge game, Payne Haas may even be the better VC option than the red-hot Walsh.

Gehamat Shibasaki has been named on the extended bench, Melbourne are near full-strength.

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SEA EAGLES v WARRIORS

Friday, 6pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Clayton Faulalo 4. Tommy Talau 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. Joey Walsh 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Navren Willett 20. D’Jazirhae Pua’avase 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Samuel Healey 10. Tanner Stowers-Smith 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clar

Bench: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima

Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Kalani Going 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Edward Kosi 23. Luke Hanson

Analysis: This fixture from a Supercoach perspective really does hinge on the result of the prior clash.

If Brisbane wins, it’ll mean the Warriors can’t make the top four, making this essentially a nothing game from a ladder perspective.

The Warriors need to make their 24-hour squad cuts prior to that result, so it’ll mean they can’t mass rest players, although they could sit a couple of players with niggles if Brisbane win.

Off the back of a disappointing loss, though, Andrew Webster may just opt to go all-in leading into week one of finals.

It’s Daly Cherry-Evans farewell, so Manly will be up for the contest at Brookvale Oval.

He was immense with 157 points against the Dragons, his second consecutive century.

Tom Trbojevic has back-to-back tonnes and is a huge trade-in option.

I genuinely like him a lot more if Brisbane wins, though, because a Warriors outfit playing for a top-four spot won’t roll over easily.

Tolutau Koula is out for Manly, Wayde Egan is out for the Warriors

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ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS

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. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte

Bench: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Egan Butcher 16. Blake Steep 17. Siua Wong

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Salesi Foketi 20. Sandon Smith 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jack Wighton 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Tallis Duncan 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Jacob Host 16. Cody Walker 17. Cameron Murray

Reserves: 18. Euan Aitken 19. Peter Mamouzelos 20. Shaquai Mitchell 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Lewis Dodd

Analysis: This loomed as a potential blood bath about six weeks ago, but South Sydney have now welcomed back a number of key players as they look to spoil their archrival’s finals hopes.

Fresh off a bye, the Rabbitohs will give this clash everything.

While I think the Roosters will have too much class and too much to play for, it’s certainly not the one-sided affair many would have targeted a while back.

Latrell Mitchell won’t return, while Sam Walker comes in for Sandon Smith.

I still like Roosters players to start in 17s, but I do think now that there are better match-ups to target this week.

Granted, there could be plenty of points still scored in a potential tight result.

Teddy will be in absolutely everything and looms as a great vice-captaincy option, or even straight captain, while I’d avoid Sam Walker coming off a head knock.

Barring injuries, Connor Watson is a 55-minute player off the bench at the moment and is a likely sit outside 17s if you have that luxury this week.

I wouldn’t buy any Rabbitohs players, however, those who held Keaon Koloamatangi will be bullish about his prospects this week.

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DRAGONS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 3pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Jacob Halangahu 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin

Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Reserves: 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Corey Allan 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Michael Molo 22. Blake Lawrie

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Riley Price 21. Luron Patea 22. Jaxen Edgar

Analysis: The Dragons have conceded 80 points in two weeks, and the Panthers are entirely fresh off a rest with all eyes on priming for finals. 

This is a match-up to target for me as Penrith should put on a score to end the season, depending on what Dragons outfit turns up.

Nathan Cleary becomes an obvious captaincy option, while Dylan Edwards is a fantastic alternative.

For those who sold Edwards and have a trade in the bank, he’s one to target getting back into your squad this week.

While there are probably better targets, Penrith’s left edge of Blaize Talagi, Casey McLean and Tom Jenkins are attacking Tyrell Sloan‘s edge, which is very enticing.

Brian To’o and Liam Martin are unavailable.

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TITANS v TIGERS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Brian Kelly 3. AJ Brimson 4. Carter Gordon 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Cooper Bai 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston

Reserves: 18. Tukimihia Simpkins 19. Jaylan De Groot 20. Tom Weaver 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tony Francis

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

Bench: 14. Heath Mason 15. Royce Hunt 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Tony Sukkar

Reserves: 18. Tristan Hope 19. Charlie Murray 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Charlie Staines

While I have little faith in the Titans, we know they can score points, and you’d have to imagine they’ll get up for the farewell of Des Hasler and Kieran Foran.

Points should flow, both ways…

Taylan May could have a field day on the Titans’ feeble edge, he scored 90 against them in his NRL return in round 20.

Jayden Campbell is a sneaky captaincy option for those wanting to go a little rogue in the final round.

AJ Brimson has reminded us of what he can do when he stays fit and plays his preferred position of fullback; he’s sitting with a five-round average of 79 points.

Unfortunately he starts at centre with Keano Kini starting at fullback, Carter Gordon also debuts at centre.

Beau Fermor hasn’t scored under 50 in the back row this season, which is all bar two games in Round 5 and 6.

Gun.

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BULLDOGS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Enari Tuala 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 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. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Reed Mahoney

Reserves: 19. Jake Turpin 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Kurtis Morrin 22. Jethro Rinakama 23. Toby Sexton

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 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. Jesse Colquhoun

Bench: 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Oregon Kaufusi 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Analysis: I’m a little wary of this fixture as I don’t know what sides are going to run out. 

The Bulldogs can’t move out of third and could easily sit a few out come kick-off, while the Sharks’ top four hopes rest on the Brisbane result.

Cronulla just had a bye, so there won’t be any mass resting, but if any players have any concerning niggles it’d change things up.

Regardless, it looks like both teams will run out potential full-strength sides.

As it stands, it’s a match to avoid, but that could change as the week unfolds, so watch this space.

Jacob Kiraz is out with an ankle injury in a blow to essentially 100% of top-ranked coaches that own.

Jesse Ramien returns from injury at centre.

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DOLPHINS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 2pm, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Bench: 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. LJ Nonu 20. James Walsh 21. Peter Hola 22. Herbie Farnworth

Raiders: 1. Chevy Stewart 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Michael Asomua 6. Adam Cook 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Ata Mariota 11. Noah Martin 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies

Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Manaia Waitere 17. Joseph Roddy

Reserves: 18. Kain Anderson 19. Vena Patuki-Case 20. Shaun Packer 21. Ethan Alaia 22. Myles Martin

Analysis: With the Raiders mass resting this becomes a brilliant match-up for the Dolphins.

The highly owned Hudson Young, Joseph Tapine, Tom Starling and Zac Hosking are among a huge number of outs.

Again, it’s a little reliant on results, if the Roosters lose it’ll mean the Dolphins need to win by a relatively small margin to make the top 8.

Regardless, I think the Dolphins will be out to finish the season on a high against a depleted Raiders outfit, but any added incentive helps.

Herbie Farnworth has been named on the extended bench ahead of a potential return; it sounds as though his place in the match may be reliant on that Roosters’ result.

Factor this into your trade plans if you’re eyeing him off, because if the Roosters win, there’s every chance he’s a late scratching, which we’ll likely know by 2pm Saturday at 24-cuts anyway.

Potentially rushed back ahead of schedule for a do-or-die game from a hamstring injury has to be concerning not only for re-injury, but output.

But also, it’s Herbie…

Trai Fuller is three rounds back from injury and has an average of 80 points.

He’s busted eight tackles in each of those three games.

He becomes a super POD play to finish the season as a man in terrific form.

You could take a flyer on any of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Isaiya Katoa, Jeremy Marshall-King, Jamayne Isaako etc.

However, if you’re chasing a Phin, I feel Fuller is the play.

If you do own any Raiders players such as Corey Horsburgh, there’s every chance they get an early shower regardless of result, so I’d be looking to sit them outside starting 17s if the luxury to do so is there.

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EELS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker

Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Matt Doorey 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Jordan Samrani

Reserves: 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Dan Keir 20. Toni Mataele 21. Joey Lussick 22. Joash Papali’i

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

Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Cody Hopwood 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Lachlan Crouch

Analysis: This looms as a decent match-up for the Eels, but it’s also one I probably wouldn’t target.

Zac Lomax is a potential late Hail Mary captaincy play, which I don’t mind at all, however, he hasn’t scored in four of his past five games.

While there are likely to be points, you also don’t know if either team checks out.

Perhaps the Knights get up to farewell Adam O’Brien? It’s a tricky one to predict.

All signs point to plenty of points and a heavy Eels win, so play anyone you own with confidence.

I just think I’d target other matches for buys.