NRL Supercoach cheapie analysis: Backline bargain buys

All Supercoaches know the secret to early success is nailing your cheapies.

It’s not everything, but it’s vitally important.

Not necessarily from a points perspective as you’ll largely sit them outside your starting 18, but certainly from a perspective of saving early trades.

If you start the wrong cheapies, you’ll inevitably be trading them by round 3 – the first price rises of the season – for the ones you’ve missed.

Nail them and you’ll be sitting pretty watching them bank cash while others scramble to get them.

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Further, it allows you to focus early trades on other areas of your team that may require patching up.

I’ve gone through and ranked the best cheapies in order for round 1, separating the rankings into two articles, backs and forwards.

It goes without saying, but the first team list Tuesday of the season will be very telling and shake up this order.

While I could rattle off another 30 players, the reality is that anyone not on this list is probably irrelevant to begin the season, pending TLT.

I’ve considered a cheapie as any player under $350k, factoring in everything from price, to job security to scoring potential.

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BACKLINE CHEAPIE RANKINGS

1) Jonah Pezet I $235,600 I 5/8

Starting in the halves at just $235k, Pezet should generate some good cash for owners.

I’d be very reluctant to start him on any given week, but he’ll sit in the reserve 5/8 slot until maxing in value.

I actually prefer Daniel Atkinson on scoring potential, Pezet has greater job security though.

Other cheapies will score better, and make more money, but the job security for a starting five-eighth is outstanding.

Adding to his ranking, 5/8 is a fairly ordinary position to begin the season so he’s an easy reserve to lock away.

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2) Daniel Atkinson I $235,600 I HFB

Atkinson or Sanders? That’s the big question facing Supercoaches ahead of round 1.

Both appeal, Atkinson probably has slightly better job security to start the season, Sanders could kick goals.

But there’s very little in it, including price.

Atkinson played 15 games of 80 minutes in 2024 at Cronulla for an average of 45.53.

He played the lone 80 minute game last season in round 27 against the Bulldogs for 51 points.

I’m largely going to base my decision off whoever looks the best in trials!

3) Ethan Sanders I $246,400 I HFB

If you’re not picking Atkinson, you should have Sanders.

He’s expected to get the nod at halfback where he starts at near bottom dollar.

He may even kick goals which would make him even more appealing.

The conundrum comes in that you may not want both cheapies in the halfback slot.

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4) Setu Tu I $201,400 I CTW

Setu Tu looks likely to edge out David Fale for a wing spot at the Dragons and starts cheap.

While job security will be poor, it’s hard to go past a bottom dollar cheapie.

The Dragons edges get plenty of good ball, they’re excellent on the set piece, this gives him plenty of point-scoring potential.

Vegas aside, on a smaller field against the Doggies defence, I wouldn’t play him in round 1 but he’ll be decent down the track.

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5) Heamasi Makasini I $235,600 I CTW

Provided Makasini is a starter for the Tigers he’ll be in my team at the bargain price. A hat-trick in the trial, Jeral Skelton under an injury cloud? Surely Benji…

If the Tigers player round 1 and we had 100% confirmation of being picked he’d probably be higher up.

6) Moses Leo I $235,600 I CTW

The unfortunate injury to Storm star Xavier Coates will likely see Kiwi Moses Leo start on the wing.

He looks an excellent player with genuine scoring potential in a quality attacking team.

If it wasn’t for Zac Lomax’s shadow lingering over AAMI Park I’d probably have him higher up this list.

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7) Tom Chester I $216,800 I CTW-FLB

Chester looks the front-runner to start at centre for the Cowboys, despite an injury niggle.

The beauty to Supercoaches is that the Cowboys open the season in Vegas, so we’ll know whether or not he’s fit (and named) immediately.

The issue is Zac Laybutt is suspended for two weeks, so the spot could be short lived.

Worst case we’ll get two games, then he’s one injury off his first price rise if dropped.

8) Siale Faemani I $201,400 I CTW

Faemani could average 130 to start the season, or 13, who knows with the Titans!?

Firstly, he’s far from locked into the Titans round 1 team, but he may nab a wing spot.

Job security is poor, scoring potential is questionable, but a starting cheapie is a starting cheapie.

If the above CTW cheapies lob I’ll likely avoid, and trade him in come round 3 if he starts well.

However, there’s no knock on starting him in your squad.

WATCHLIST: On the fringe

This list could have half of reserve grade, but I’ve just noted a few that with good form or injury could become instant purchases.

Kade Dykes I $201,400 I FLB

Nothing major to add on this pair, only that they’ll warrant huge pre-season viewing.

They’re highly regarded spine players that’ll heap pressure on veteran starters to retain their spots.

Neither are expected to start in round 1, but if either do enter the 13 through form or injury they’ll be near musts at bottom dollar.

Mitch Woods I $201,400 I HFB

Under an injury cloud to start the season, but keep an eye on the young prodigy as the season progresses.

Liam Ison I $216,800 I FLB

Will Kennedy is likely to start at fullback, but should Ison impress early in the season and enter the frame we could be looking at a star cheapie.

Joey Walsh I $235,600 I HFB

Walsh is one of the highest regarded rookies in the NRL, earmarked as a long-term halves successor to DCE.

He won’t start in round 1, but he may jag a bench spot.

He won’t be Supercoach relevant until he starts, so be ready to pounce should he get the opportunity through injury or form.

David Fale I $235,600 I CTW

Fale and Tu are in a hitout for round 1, if Fale gets the nod, pick him instead! It very much looks as though it’ll be Tu though.

Coby Black I $201,400 I HFB

Black isn’t expected to start the season, but if anything happens to the starting halves or if he edges ahead of Sanders at any stage he’d be in for me.