Nick Moon
Self-proclaimed funny guy
NRL Supercoach 2026 Round 5 Wrap: 9 Things We Learnt
A depleted Broncos, firing Panthers and resurrected Sea Eagles, Nick Moon recaps Round 5 of NRL Supercoach 2026
NRL
April 7, 2026
Another week of Shoulda, Coulda, Wouldas, but they don’t fly in Supercoach!
We live and die, metaphorically, by our choices in this fickle game we play, and those choices are starting to come and haunt us!
Holding Payne was one that could have swung hugely for patient owners, but he couldn’t up his output.
Another week of that and owners will be hitting the trade button.
I sold Sua on a wing and a prayer and was a very happy man for 75 minutes.
The late try hurt, but overall pretty happy with it.. Watching next week against the Warriors might be worse than a root canal, but we will see.
All those decisions, though, allowed me to bring in Sasagi, who looks every bit a Supercoach star, and Turbo, who has kept me employed by SC Playbook over the years. Turbo v Dragons. Hello!!!
Koula than Kaeo was cruelled, like many, by the Walsh captaincy as I stumbled my way to 1168, likely dropping me out of the top 30000
1. Reece’s pieces
Life was good for Reece Walsh owners – and even those who captained him!
Crossed for the Broncos’ first try, looked in everything attacking the line, and in the 37th minute, streaked away for what would have been one of the year’s best tries!
A toe, like a little toe, scraped the line, try was called back, and he broke his cheekbone mere seconds later.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat would have looked like about 70 odd points at the break, had him on his way to Gold Coast hospital with 38 points and about 6 weeks on the sidelines.
Sliding doors moment if there ever was one!! He scores that, maybe he ends on 130, all things going well, and I’m writing a completely different article.
If many were like me, they switched their TV off and went to bed.
Even the extra hour of sleep didn’t help as we all woke to the realisation that he will now spend a good 6-8 weeks on the sidelines and is an immediate sell.
Thankfully, though, he will be around 750k, allowing us to move to the likes of Turbo, Edwards, or take a flyer on a now rested Tedesco.
Reece, we hardly knew ya!
Embed from Getty Images2. Bad week to be a rehab room
Could the injury list get any bigger!
5 weeks in and the emergency rooms around the country following the NRL are bulging at the seams.
Brisbane kept Mater hospital busy over the weekend, with not only Walsh popping in for a quick plate in his cheek, but Reynolds picked up a groin injury that could keep him out for a couple weeks.
But we know how well Adam and soft tissue injuries fare of late, so he could miss multiple weeks.
Hunt’s knee injury was worse than first thought, and Brisbane will now be missing Hunt, Reynolds, and Walsh for the foreseeable future. SOS call to Alfie on the cards?
Embed from Getty ImagesStephen Crichton is a sell after picking up a shoulder injury, and no, it wasn’t from carrying the Bulldogs. An extended period, which is not like the extended warranty you get on a car
Metcalf did his hammy, which might be better news for Boyd owners as he can retake the reins, whilst Keaon had the Elastoplast company in raptures at the amount of strapping tape he was sporting on his knee.
Seems to have limited his output of late as he has now had 3 weeks on the bounce, failing to go above 66
The Monday classic only continued the tough run for medicos, with the Eels losing 3 players, notably Jonah Pezet, who copped a knock to the head but also a hamstring injury.
No idea of severity, but in better shape than poor Bailey Simonsson
Embed from Getty Images3. Still some Payne for Haas owners
After turning off the TV when Walsh went down, I was hesitant to check the scores, knowing I, alongside many others last week, sold off Payne Haas.
After being named on Tuesday and confirmed by about Friday, all owners and non-owners’ eyes were on him to see how he fared after his AC joint injury.
And the winners are…. Sellers!
Only managed a meagre (By his standards) 49 Supercoach points, and there was a notable dip in his work rate.
Questions now for owners are: Is he worth the hold? 800k can get you some pretty solid FRF options and some change to go with it. Did someone say Alex Twal?
Takes on the Cowboys without Reynolds, Walsh or Hunt, so will need his experience on the field, but is Maguire quickly realising that, despite him going to Souths next year, if Brisbane are to feature deep into September, he doesn’t need his talisman going bonkers in early April?
Embed from Getty Images4. Where Eagles dare
When the boys are on, the boys are on.
A moody looking Keiran Foran watching on from the shadows of the box, Ola treating the Dolphins players like flies, and Turbo of old (for 46 minutes anyway) had even Artimis II holding off on their Moon mission to swing over Brookie for a look.
Holy Thursday rained down on the Dolphins as Manly came to play in 2026.
Turbo was much wanted for many owners looking to move Kini on, and for 46 minutes, it was all rosy.
A Cat 2 HIA ended his night, and had Manly not been up 28-0, he would have surely returned. Good news though, still managed 76 and takes on the Dragons.
Olakau’atu was unlocked by Foran and now shapes as a near must. Pretty quiet start to the season by his standards, but hasn’t had a score under 60 as yet, and now, playing Fozball, looks like the main go-to guy on the right edge.
Koula’s move to fullback also helped him as he posted his second 100+ score of the season, along with a 94.
Taking out that atrocious game against Newcastle where everyone in Manly was bad, he has scores of 108, 94 & 104. Owned by 2.1% of teams and running at the Dragons this weekend.
Please and thank you.
Embed from Getty Images5. Nicho & Cleary
Same age, same income, same starting balance.
This isn’t an ad for Cbus Super, but a way to get both in the conversation!
The halfback class of 2026 has really gone to another level, and these 2 are now head and shoulders above the rest.
Cleary started off proceedings for Round 5, putting on a halfback masterclass against the Storm. Another one of those games where Penrith put 50 past a team, and he only registers a sub 120.
Owners would be pleased, non-owners likewise, as those types of games in the past have resulted in him scoring 160+.
The Bulldogs are the next on the hit list for the Mountain men, and you could lock him down for another 100. Easier said than done to find 840k and bring him in.. Walsh to Flex?
Embed from Getty ImagesSo once Cleary did his thing, it was time for Nicho to enter the conversation.
He does it better than any other player, when talking about accumulating points! Every week he just finds a way.
Set up a couple and kicked a bag of goals to post a season high 144. Was on close to 100 by halftime as the Sharks found gaps in the Warriors’ defence.
Made 20 odd tackles, picked up about that in running points before a goal was kicked or a try assist was given. Just as busy as ever and making owners make huge inroads into the rankings. Even better if you were smart enough to captain him.
Takes on the Chooks off their bye, who haven’t defended as well as others to start the year, then a bye.
Hopefully, by then, you will have fixed up the Atkinson or Sanders problem and won’t have to play either
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6. Second Row *Chef’s Kiss*
How good are the second-row class of 2026!
Week 5 now, and the best are starting to shine through, but there are still some gems to be unearthed.
Finefeuiaki had his quietest game to date, but still managed 53 in a well-beaten Dolphins side.
Ola has been spoken about, but he is a trade target if there ever was one.. Martin and Young looked like both could go 120 with some attack for the Raiders.
Although attack and the Raiders haven’t been mentioned quite as often this year.
Sasagi is the dual we all need, and now that I’m an owner, I feel so much better about owning him.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut this week’s points have been split between the Tigers duo of KPP & Twal! Both, like Finefeuiaki, have left previous seasons behind and are blowing sides apart!
Twal had 70 points in base with 4 offloads against the Eels on Monday afternoon to finish with 86.
Golden point helped, but a lot of his work had already been logged.
And whatever they were doing to KPP in Newcastle should have the authorities questioning that club. He is a different player this season, and hats off to Benji for unlocking this new player.
4 Rounds played, averages 92, and the best is yet to come.
Embed from Getty Images7. Penrith have worked out this NRL thing
This is the stuff of dreams for Panthers fans.
Melbourne on Friday night were very good. Completed at 94%, so against any other team, that is probably a resounding win for the Storm
Not up against this Panthers side, though. Lazily put 50 past them and, in doing so, further showed the other 16 teams they are playing for second place.
They have been on fire Supercoach-wise whilst also death riding any opposition players.
Tom Jenkins is about to surpass 850k, and that’s the world we are living in here in 2026! No one could have predicted this, doubles in all 5 games to start the season, a low score of 76, and now averages 109.
Inconceivable, but well done to all those who jumped on. For many like me who missed out, it is a tough death ride. We might be reaching Herbie and Timmy of 2025. Watching on in angst every week.
Yeo was given the full 80 and scored 69 in a pleasing bounce back from the rest last week. Poked his head through a number of times and slipped a couple of offloads away, one was a shorts pull away from a try.
IPap scored 50 and should have been 80 had he been able to catch the footy. Dropped it cold over the line, which would have landed him a try and line break.
Edwards staked his claim for a Walsh trade as a serious POD. Origin not far away so he will want to push for selection
Embed from Getty Images8. Hooker Conundrums
Feel like every year I write about this. And only 5 rounds in, we may be at panic stations!
Harry Grant picked up a knee injury on Friday night and left the field early, scoring only 39 points. Has now turned in a 3RA of 53 and is no certainty to play this weekend.
How’s your backup hooker going? Smith is yet to be sighted, and if he does play, it won’t be for long, considering how well Mamouselos played on Friday afternoon.
Mahoney looked a bit better, but he was running through the Dragons and now faces Brisbane.
Thankfully for the Grant mishap, Brailey only managed 53, and we are yet to see a clear gap between the 2 with both averaging around 70.
Brailey is a set and forget, but is it a trade you really want to make at HOK at this time of the year?
Embed from Getty Images9. Minute Watch
Dolphins v Sea Eagles
FineAF 80, Lemuelu 80, Gilbert 45, Flegler 43, Turbo 47, Ola 80, Paseka 40
Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Keaon 67, Fifita 66, Murray 63, Kiks 80, Preston 80, Hayward 80,
Panthers v Storm
Ipap 67, Yeo 80, Cleary 73, Grant 62, Clarke 54, Chan 80, Stefano 49
Dragons v Cowboys
Su’A 66, Stewart 66, Cook 58, T Couch 58, Luch 80, Luki 80, Mahoney 80
Titans v Broncos
Tino 49, Hau 80, Fermor 80, Walsh 39, Carrigan 80, Haas 55
Sharks v Warriors
AFB 49, Colquhoun 38, Nikora 20, Brailey 80, Metcalf 75, Clark 50, Leka 80, Ford 65
Knights v Raiders
Lucas 80, Mooney 40, Sharpe 80, Crossland 77, Young 80, Martin 80, Sasagi 80
Eels v Tigers
Williams 76, Tuilagi 71, Twidle 26, KPP 85, Fainu 85, May 54, Api 85
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