NRL Round 8 team lists: Full squads + NRL Supercoach analysis

Key players were injured, coaches were sacked, and veteran superstars stepped up with monster centuries…

The NRL Supercoach season has been blown wide open with an explosion of points across Round 7.

With the likes of James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Herbie Farnworth, and Nathan Cleary among plenty more going gangbusters, Supercoaches will be deciding which player is the priority target with their two (or three) trades this week, as they sit and watch the ones they miss skyrocket in price in the coming rounds.

The Cooma Stallions had what we thought was a monstrous round with 1,487 points; in reality, it was probably a tick over par with the inflated scores across the board.

We did see a few green arrows as a result, to move to 20k overall. Outside of a Tom Trbojevic hamstring injury, the boys are set up very nicely for some more rank rises in the future. Hopefully…

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In saying that, the time has come to really consider the fast-approaching bye period.

It’s not so much about putting major emphasis on maximising players in this period (although important, of course), it’s about avoiding trading in stars that will miss extended matches throughout this time.

For example, Latrell Mitchell, who will be among the most traded in players this week following his 177-point demolition job of the Dragons, may not be a buy at all as he’s more than likely a sell in Round 12.

At a minimum, he will miss Round 12 (Origin), Round 13 (bye), Round 15 (Origin), Round 16 (bye), and Round 18 (Origin).

Origin period planning will be the topic of the week on the SC Playbook podcast, and across our network, we’re here to break it down for you to save you the time!

Let’s take a look at the NRL Supercoach Round 8 analysis, with team lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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TIGERS v RAIDERS

Thursday, 7:50pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

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

Bench: 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Patrick Herbert 19. Tristan Hope

Reserves: 20. Latu Fainu 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Tony Sukkar

Analysis: While missing the first major bye round, the Tigers boast one of the best Origin period draws, missing just one game.

While likely in the Origin frame, Terrell May remains a great buy at any stage.

I don’t see the Tigers blowing teams away too frequently, nor do I see them getting blown away on current form.

This is encouraging for the ongoing large minutes of May, Kai Pearce-Paul, and Alex Twal.

May has played his two biggest minutes of the season over the past fortnight with 64 and 68, notching centuries in both games.

He scored a try and had three linebreaks in this time, which won’t be the norm, but in slightly reduced minutes compared to last season, he is looking more threatening at the line in my opinion. 

Buy at any time, although I will say this week at $803k with a breakeven of 46, there are a few extremely high ceiling players you may want to grab first. 

Teenager star Heamasi Makasini hasn’t quite hit his expectations, understandably so at 18-years-old, with an exciting shift to the wing producing his lowest score of the season with 23 points.

He’s been dropped after a down performance, and with a breakeven of 50 you could move him on, but we’ve also seen with a number of cheapie CTWs this season that the big score and cash influx can come at any time.

Potential cheapie Patrick Herbert has been dropped to the bench in a blow for those that went early on him.

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Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Ata Mariota 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daine Laurie 16. Joseph Roddy 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Savelio Tamale

Reserves: 20. Owen Pattie 21. Jordan Uta 22. Jake Clydsdale

Analysis: The Raiders also have a great Origin period draw with just one bye; they do, however, have another awkward bye in Round 11, which is preceded by a clash with Penrith.

For this reason, I’d steer clear of buying any players not named Simi Sasagi for now.

Sasagi has a four-round average of 100 and is simply a must, despite the price tag of $731k. His dual CTW-2RF positioning is also invaluable.

Hudson Young has been suspended for two games, missing enticing clashes with the Tigers and Titans.

He returns in Round 10 to face the Panthers, has a Round 11 bye, and is likely unavailable in Round 12 due to Origin duties. Sell.

This is a huge win for Noah Martin, who went from being a sell to an indefinite hold.

Shifting to the bench in recent weeks, he’s played just 56 minutes for scores of 60 and 42.

I expect him to return to an 80-minute role for the foreseeable future, likely making him a hold throughout Origin.

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COWBOYS v SHARKS

Friday, 6pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame 18. Matthew Lodge 19. Kai O’Donnell

Reserves: 20. Zac Laybutt 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby

Analysis: The Cowboys have a strong early Origin bye period schedule, before missing the second two major byes in Round 15 and 18.

An awful night in Townsville against the Sea Eagles flatlined any cash generation in their Supercoach contingent.

With the Sharks into the Bulldogs, I wouldn’t rush to invest.

Tom Chester remains an indefinite hold with a three-round average of 79 points, including a crazy 47.6 in base stats in that time.

Work rate aside, he just completely passed the Supercoach eye test despite the heavy loss, busting eight tackles and causing chaos on the right edge.

He had numerous drop balls in tough humid conditions, but his running game was superb. Season keeper perhaps?

I wouldn’t rush to sell any Cowboys I owned just yet.

Reed Mahoney, Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi all return from injury.

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Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 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. Briton Nikora 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves: 20. Riley Jones 21. Riley Pollard 22. Sione Katoa

Analysis: The Sharks have an okay Origin period schedule, missing the first major bye round along with another in Round 17, which is a full NRL round.

Incoming games against the Cowboys, Tigers, and Rabbitohs are enticing.

Nicho Hynes was earmarked as a buy following their week off; however, a 50-point score against the Roosters has hindered his prospects a touch.

He’s $832k with a breakeven of 83, but once his 144 points drop out of his rolling average after this week, he should drop heavily in price, pending, of course, another big tonne.

Do we just wait until after the Round 12 bye to invest?

If you have the cash, I think you can let rip, but with James Tedesco headlining a number of must-haves this week that are skyrocketing in price, he’ll be tough to prioritise.

KL Iro is an interesting watch in the coming weeks; his base of 41 remains excellent, he’s just not quite hitting the tackle-break numbers of 2025, without being poor as such.

I suspect he’s set to explode sooner rather than later, but I may just be a wishful owner.

Blayke Brailey tonned up before the bye in a losing team; he can be bought at any time, though there is the threat of Origin selection.

With Harry Grant a hold and Brandon Smith on the radar this week, I just don’t have room for him at the moment.

Cameron McInnes makes an early return from injury for his first game of the season, while Siosifa Talakai has been named at centre, with Sione Katoa dropping to the reserves.

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BRONCOS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jonathan Sua 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Samuel Hughes 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jake Turpin 19. Josh Curran

Reserves: 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Jethro Rinakama 22. Alekolasimi Jones 23. Alex Conti

Analysis: The Bulldogs don’t have a bye until Round 15, which is then followed by another in Round 18, making them relevant to that point.

From beating the unbeatable Panthers one week, to getting towelled up by the injury-riddled Eels the next, you’ve got to love rugby league…

The Bulldogs have the second-worst attacking record in the competition, scoring just 3.3 tries per game, ahead of only the Dragons.

Interestingly, they’re averaging 5.2 linebreaks per game, which has them in sixth overall.

It suggests to me they can’t convert their chances, and mainly that their red-zone (opposition 20m) attack is clunky.

It also means their Supercoach prospects aren’t overly interesting at the moment.

Jacob Kiraz was injured in the loss and will spend some time on the sidelines.

Jonathan Sua is $216k and scored 41 points with a try and linebreak in his first game on the weekend.

He’s a potential cheapie next week, provided the output increases along with job security, pending the results on the injured outside backs.

With Stephen Crichton returning this week, it could be short-lived pending other returns.

Jacob Preston remains the most relevant Bulldog and is a decent buy, again with concern around an Origin call-up.

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Broncos: 1. Jesse Arthars 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Ben Talty 9. Cory Paix 10. Jack Gosiewski 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Xavier Willison

Bench: 14. Josh Rogers 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Preston Riki 17. Va’a Semu 18. Hayze Perham 19. Antonio Verhoeven

Reserves: 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Cameron Bukowski

Analysis: The Broncos have a tough month ahead with games against the Bulldogs, Roosters, Sea Eagles (at Brookie), and the Warriors.

They also have one of the worst Origin period schedules, with all three byes landing between Round 12 and 19.

They do play the second two major bye rounds, but miss the tricky minor bye rounds afterwards.

For this reason, along with a growing injury toll, I can’t really entertain any players.

Payne Haas is set to spend up to two months on the sideline. It goes without saying the impact this will have on their go-forward.

Pat Carrigan remains sidelined due to suspension for one more week, while Corey Jensen is also injured.

The one player that does gain some relevance is Xavier Willison due to the exodus of middle forwards.

Willison had 95 points in base and power on the weekend in 72 minutes, inflated with the injuries.

He had 79 points in pure base, including 54 tackles and 16 runs!

He’s awkwardly priced at $502k with a breakeven of 36, but he could explode in the absence of middles.

The question mark will be game time; he’s averaging 52 minutes per game, so an uptick towards 60 should see him score very well.

He also has the potential to produce some major attacking stats, while dual 2RF-FRF positioning is a major bonus.

It could be a masterstroke, but I’ll be spending my pennies elsewhere.

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DRAGONS v ROOSTERS

Saturday, 4pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kade Reed 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Ryan Couchman 13. Hamish Stewart

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Kyle Flanagan 19. Christian Tuipulotu

Reserves: 20. Hayden Buchanan 21. Hame Sele 22. Ryan Hutchinson

Analysis: The Dragons have a firing Roosters side this week, into a Round 9 bye, pass!

Unless your last name is Couchman…

Ryan Couchman returns from suspension, and watching on from the sidelines will have him raring to go during an awful period for the club.

At $335k with a breakeven of -18, he’s a buy this week in my view.

Prior to suspension, he averaged 66 points in 54 minutes, with an outstanding 58 in base.

You’re potentially buying a season keeper at cheapie rates.

He’s been named to return on the edge, 80 minutes perhaps?

Toby Couchman is another watch under interim coach Dean Young, averaging 67 points in 54 minutes per game.

He scored 107 points with a try-assist and 70 points in base against the Rabbitohs.

He’s at $596k with a breakeven of 18, with a big watch on his minutes this week.

In a few major change ups, cheapie Kade Reed comes into halfback for Kyle Flanagan, with Daniel Atkinson named at five-eighth.

Cheapie prospect David Fale drops out for Christian Tuipulotu, while Jaydn Su’A is suspended.

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Billy Smith

Reserves: 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Egan Butcher 22. Tommy Talau

Analysis: A day match on ANZAC Day is mouthwatering for the red-hot Roosters against a winless Dragons outfit.

I’m not sure which way it’ll go, but I can really see a desperate Dragons outfit on an emotional day coming out full steam ahead and shaking up their rivals.

Regardless, class should prevail with the Roosters winning well, but will it be by as much as most are expecting?

Alternatively, if recent form replicates for both clubs, the Roosters could win 60-0.

I’m not going to waste too much time on the Roosters, as there are so many viable options that we’ll touch on during the podcasts.

They face a depleted Broncos next week, into the Titans and Cowboys. Whether they win them all or lose them all, points are going to flow.

James Tedesco is the No.1 trade target this week; get him or get left behind.

Mark Nawaqanitawase has a three-round average of 94 points to sit at $732k with a breakeven of 69.

As an owner, I’m really hoping other pressing buys see people struggle to get Marky Mark.

He’s currently the 14^th most traded in player, owned by 14.8% of the top 10% overall.

If Teddy wasn’t a must, I suspect he’d be in the top three most traded.

Sam Walker scored 65 points in this fixture last year and 172 points the year prior!

At $577k with a breakeven of 8, he’s a genuine option for this incoming period.

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WARRIORS v DOLPHINS

Saturday, 6:05pm, Hnry Stadium, Wellington

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark

Bench: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Marata Niukore 20. Luke Hanson

Reserves: 21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 22. Adam Pompey 23. Makaia Tafua

Analysis: The Warriors have an awful schedule incoming, with all three byes landing between Round 10 and 18.

They do play the first two major bye rounds, which is a huge bonus, but it’s tough to invest knowing the contingent will play just six games in nine weeks from Round 10 onwards.

Jackson Ford is a beast; he’s scored back-to-back tonnes in 80 minutes of game time.

Against the Titans, he had an utterly ridiculous 87 points in base, made up of 49 tackles and 23 runs.

He’s averaging 69 in base for the season!!!

Regardless of the impact of returning forwards, he’s a season keeper unless his minutes drop to 60 or below, which at this point seems unlikely.

At $661k with a breakeven of 91, I’d be very tempted to cash in Tanah Boyd for a gun halfback with better availability incoming, but it’s not urgent with games against the Dolphins and Eels.

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Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Brad Schneider 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles

Bench: 14. Ray Stone 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Trai Fuller 18. Lewis Symonds 19. Tevita Naufahu

Reserves: 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Oryn Keeley 22. John Fineanganofo

Analysis: The Dolphins have the best Origin period draw in Supercoach, playing all three major bye rounds, missing just one minor in Round 13.

Herbie Farnworth destroyed the Panthers of all teams, notching a season-high 134 points made up of one try, 18 tackles, 12 tacklebreaks, six offloads, two linebreaks, and 20 runs. Madness…

With no Origin impact, he’s an absolute must at $826k with a breakeven of 51.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has flown under the radar fairly quietly, averaging 83 points thanks to his 122 against the Panthers.

With a tough month against the Warriors, Storm, Bulldogs, and Rabbitohs, into the Origin period, I’d avoid.

Ditto Jake Averillo, the speedster, is averaging 80 points per game with a five-round average of 87 points.

He’s scored six tries in five games and has produced a ridiculous 39 in base per game, increasing from 28 per game in 2025 and 27 per game in 2024. Where has that work rate come from?

Considering he’s an attacking weapon, if these numbers are sustained, he could genuinely be a season keeper.

He’s not for me, but numbers don’t often lie!

The bye into the Panthers took the focus off him, but Kulikefu Finefeuiaki remains an outstanding buy at $657k with a breakeven of 83.

He scored 83 points against Penrith, with 75 in base! What’s going on in Redcliffe?

The only concern there is a potential Origin debut off the back of the elite form…

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STORM v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 8:10pm AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Manaia Waitere 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Shawn Blore 17. Davvy Moale 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Hugo Peel

Reserves: 20. Trent Toelau 21. Josiah Pahulu 22. Moses Leo

Analysis: Melbourne doesn’t have a bye until Round 15, but they do go on to miss the last two major bye rounds.

They’ve lost five on the trot and are looking a shadow of themselves.

Their Supercoach contingent are still okay, but they’re a long way from the musts we thought they’d be early in the season.

The good news out of it is that the likes of Harry Grant and Cam Munster are far less likely to rest around Origin, with no luxury of sitting in the top four.

Cam Munster hasn’t scored over 62 since round 1, sitting with an average of just 57 points.

Harry Grant has a three-round average of 47 and a five-round average of 52, yuck…

With games against the Rabbitohs, Dolphins, Tigers, and Eels incoming, you’ll likely just have to hold and hope these long-time Supercoach guns regain their form.

Sua Fa’alogo has an average of 81 during this losing streak, giving owners no real reason to consider selling.

If and when the Storm finds some form, he’d be terrifying not to own.

Joe Chan played 80 minutes for just 52 points, punching out an excellent 55 in base, but the early-season attack has eluded him.

He dropped $41k and sits with a breakeven of 94.

Still no Ativalu Lisati, which definitely helps Chan for another week.

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Rabbitohs: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Sean Keppie 11. Brandon Smith 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Jayden Sullivan 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Euan Aitken 19. Liam Le Blanc

Reserves: 20. Latrell Siegwalt 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Edward Kosi

Analysis: The Rabbitohs have a great Origin period bye schedule, provided you’re not an actual Origin player.

They play all three major bye rounds and miss two mini bye rounds.

This makes them strong pick-ups for that period.

The third top-scoring player in Supercoach, Latrell Mitchell, is, in my opinion, not a buy this week.

That’s purely due to the Origin draw, as he’ll be a sell in Round 12.

At a minimum, he misses Rounds 12, 13, 15, 16, and 18.

Playing just one game in a five-week stretch means he can’t be held, likely at over $900k.

You could buy him this week at $859k with a breakeven of -2, then sell at a potential profit in a month, but surely that cash and those two trades could be better utilised elsewhere?

Of course, he could continue to explode and destroy you, it’s Trell, but there are so many strong options available this week with good match-ups that are season keepers.

E.g. You may be able to squeeze in Teddy and Marky Mark by foregoing Latrell.

Brandon Smith starred in his second game back from injury, scoring 80 points in 55 minutes with two try-assists.

At $235k with a breakeven of -29, the majority of us can finally downgrade whichever dud reserve hooker we started the season with.

He’s been named in the edge back-row, which is a bit ridiculous, expect him to play lock with Cam Murray on the edge.

Alternatively, Euan Aitken has been named to return from the bench and could definitely find himself starting on that edge come gameday.

With all the left edge love, Campbell Graham is catching a cold on the right edge, averaging just 51 points to sit at $433k.

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KNIGHTS v PANTHERS

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. James Schiller 6. Sandon Smith 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Francis Manuleleua 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker

Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Kyle McCarthy

Reserves: 20. Peter Hola 21. Lachlan Crouch 22. Wilson De Courcey

Analysis: The Knights, unfortunately, miss the first two major bye rounds, making them relatively unappealing at the moment.

Add in their growing injury toll and a Penrith match-up this week, and it’s hard to make a case for too many players.

Francis Manuleleua could be an exception, scoring 77 points in 80 minutes on the weekend after coming in and starting on the edge for the injured Dylan Lucas and Thomas Cant.

He’s $201k with a breakeven of -19, so there’s likely to be plenty of cash incoming.

Whether he retains the spot for a while or gets benched next week, I don’t know.

He could be a cheapie sent from the Gods, or an all-time trap.

The lack of early bye period coverage hurts.

Fletcher Sharpe hasn’t been great, averaging just 53 points to sit at $590k with a breakeven of 115.

Despite this, if he looks fit against Penrith this week, I’ll be tempted to jump on board at around $550k with games incoming against the Rabbitohs, Dragons, and Titans.

The Origin schedule isn’t great, but it’s not a total killer. 

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Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Kalani Going 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole

Reserves: 20. Luron Patea 21. Billy Scott 22. Sione Fonua

Analysis: Penrith have an excellent bye period schedule for their Origin contingent, with byes in two major bye rounds.

However, I also suspect that with their ladder position, Ivan Cleary will rest Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, and whoever else plays Origin very quickly.

This is bad news for the non-Origin players who not only have poor Supercoach coverage, but could also lose key playmakers during this time.

All that being said, it’s Penrith, and they could win their next month of footy by an average of 40 points.

The incoming draw against the Knights, Sea Eagles, Raiders, and Dragons is excellent.

With Liam Martin out, Isaiah Papali’i looks locked to a 70-80 minute role barring any early showers.

With no Origin to worry about, he’ll remain a good buy for the foreseeable future at $631k with a breakeven of 67.

Luke Garner was a big watch last week; he played an okay 66 minutes (including golden point) for just 43 points.

At $440k with a breakeven of 67, he remains a watch unless the full 80-minute role emerges.

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SEA EAGLES v EELS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Clayton Faulalo 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Simione Laiafi 19. Josh Feledy

Reserves: 20. Nathan Brown 21. Joey Walsh 22. Jackson Shereb

Analysis: A rejuvenated Manly are three wins on the trot, and have a great Origin period schedule playing all mini bye rounds and two majors.

Tom Trbojevic suffered yet another hamstring injury. As a Turbo lover, Supercoach owner, and NSW Blues die-hard, this hurts in so many ways.

With injury comes opportunity, that’s in the form of Tolutau Koula, who shifts to fullback in his absence.

He didn’t feature at fullback last season, with Lehi Hopoate preferred.

In three games at fullback in 2024, he had scores of 79, 83, and 78.

Two games in 2023 produced scores of 188 and 125; however, these were the final two games of the season against lowly placed Bulldogs and Tigers outfits.

In his debut year in 2022, he had two games at fullback for scores of 50 and 54.

That equates to a career average of a very skewed 93.85 points per game.

At $665k with a breakeven of 118 and Penrith next week away, I don’t feel there’s a need to rush on this purchase.

I’ll reevaluate from round 10 onwards, but I’m very interested.

Taniela Paseka had a season high of 85 points with a try against the Cowboys.

He’s now $457k with a breakeven of 11 and may be a hold through until Round 12 as an extra man.

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Eels: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker

Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Toni Mataele 17. Jack de Belin 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Lorenzo Talataina

Reserves: 20. Araz Nanva 21. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 22. Teancum Brown

Analysis: Parramatta have a decent Origin period bye schedule, but do miss the first major in Round 12, along with the second mini in Round 16. 

The Eels produced one of their best wins in a long time against the Bulldogs, but there’s still very little Supercoach interest for the time being.