Squad Breakdown: Round 7 team insights

• WEEKLY WRAP: Round 6 highs, lows and shocks
• EPISODE 21: SC Playbook podcast

The teams have dropped for Round 7, with plenty of changes scattered throughout.

The previous round saw a frightening number of injuries to major SuperCoach players, leading to a host of changes across each squad.

With a strong week, I’ve lifted the Cooma Stallions into 195^th place overall.

Here’s our breakdown of the Round 7 teams.

*Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a key on all SuperCoach relevant abbreviations.

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PANTHERS v RABBITOHS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Matt Burton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Moses Leota 17. Billy Burns

Reserves: 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Brent Naden 20. Jack Hethrington 21. Tyrone May

Analysis: Isaah Yeo (70) remains an absolute must in the volatile CTW position, while Josh Mansour had his lowest score of the year with 57, impressive. As predicted, Kurt Capewell’s injury all but locks in an 80 minute role for Yeo. Nathan Cleary (76) continues to prove he’s fixture proof and looks to be fairly comfortably the premium HFB option. Your team will likely have bigger issues to sort, but look to recruit him over the next few rounds. Brian To’o has scores of 74, 69, 32, 82 in the past month and looms as a serious POD a 2% ownership having bottomed out at under $500k. He had a massive nine tackle busts against the Storm. Jarome Luai is nearing his peak at $350k and can be upgraded to Munster at any stage, although it’s not a priority trade.

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Dane Gagai 3. Campbell Graham 4. Braidon Burns 5. Alex Johnston 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Liam Knight 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Patrick Mago 17. James Roberts

Reserves: 18. Mark Nicholls 19. Hame Sele 20. Troy Dargan 21. Corey Allan

Analysis: Having backflipped on Latrell Mitchell late it was hard to see him carve up the Warriors. On further investigation he managed just 71 points despite having two try-assists and three linebreak assists. While there’s no arguing he’s a quality buy with his rapid development at fullback, his base stats are woeful so I’m not convinced as he begins to face tougher opposition. It was a relatively long time coming by his standards, but Damien Cook (108) hit his first ton of the season. He now has scores of 108, 66, 60 and 71 in the past month and with his upside he is a major POD play at 12% ownership. It’d be a luxury trade for many though with the amount of injuries in Round 6. Cam Murray (68) had a try-assist and linebreak assist but didn’t set the game alight in a concerning 60 minutes. The early spells in the past fortnight have likely been due to comfortable leads. If he plays 60 minutes against the Panthers there’s cause for concern with so many elite 2RFs available this season. Cody Walker (63) remains a great POD at 3% ownership, while there are better options than Adam Reynolds (81).

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STORM v WARRIORS

Friday, 6pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Justin Olam 4. Brenko Lee 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Ryley Jacks 19. Nicho Hynes 20. Max King 21. Paul Momirovski

Analysis: Thoughts and concerns with those who held Ryan Papenhuyzen while waiting for that big score we know he’s capable of. Incredibly he’s now priced at just $443k. To state the obvious, he’s a sell at some stage to either of Teddy or Ponga. However, if you have more pressing issues it may be worth holding at his price and the nice Warriors match up to come. The upgrade will cost $300-$400k, I honestly believe it’s not worth ruining the rest of your side to do the trade for that amount, hold. Cam Munster (105) could quite comfortably be the top averaging 5/8 by season’s end, get him in immediately. If you’re strapped for cash and numbers, Brenko Lee (61) is great value at under $339,500 as the Storm run into some easier opposition. Jahrome Hughes returns at halfback.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair

Bench: 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Agnatius Paasi 17. Isaiah Papali’i 

Reserves: 18. Gerard Beale 20. Adam Pompeye 21. Josh Curran 23. Leivaha Pulu

Analysis: As pointed out by Nick Moon in the weekly wrap, RTS hasn’t had a try, try-assist, linebreak or linebreak-assist in 2020, staggering…Taunoa-Brown (45) is nearing his peak price and can be sold either this week or next for a tidy profit of over $200k. It may be worth seeing if interim coach Todd Payten gives him extra minutes as he’d be an indefinite hold if so with his huge PPM. Eliesa Katoa’s injury has cruelled him of another price rise or two, he’s been replaced in the starting line up by former Raider Jack Murchie. Katoa is a sell either this week or next at a $220k profit. Tohu Harris scored 82 with the aid of a linebreak. He has scores of 82, 65, 87 and 79 in the past month and is owned by just 1% of teams. If he maintains 80 minutes this week under Payten, which he should, he’s a super POD for next week.

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ROOSTERS v DRAGONS

Friday, 7.55pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 

Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Mitchell Aubusson 20. Ryan Hall 21. Lachlan Lam

Analysis: James Tedesco has been named! However, with the six day turnaround he is in obvious doubt after being mauled by Maika Sivo. Fortunately he plays fairly early in the round and can be benched if required. I’d have sold him for two weeks to Tommy Turbo if he missed the game, but that plan went out the window with the hammy injury. If he does play, I’ll be skippering without concern for the obvious HIA issue. He could beat his 199 if he plays. Daniel Tupou (94) has an average of 68PPG and with an extremely strong base is another outstanding POD at 5% ownership. We can finally confirm that Angus Crichton (65) is an 80 minute player this season and has joined the elite 2RF stocks in 2020. Unfortunately he’s now priced at over $700k so you’ll need to break the bank to get him in.

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jason Saab 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Trent Merrin

Bench: 14. Ben Hunt 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jacob Host 17. Jackson Ford

Reserves: 18. Korbin Sims 19. Tristan Sailor 20. Tim Lafai 21. Billy Brittain

Analysis: Zac Lomax (86) finally found a few attacking stats on his way to his highest score of the year. He’s initiated another round of price rises and can be held, but I wouldn’t be playing in my 17 against the Roosters. Tyrell Fuimaono (36) again played 57 minutes but managed to flop. He’s been a real disappointment for anyone who brought him in. Cam McInnes (58) came back to earth and saw a minor price rise. He remains a must-have in coming rounds, although fitting him into your back-row alongside options including Taumalolo, Matterson, Crichton and Murray is hard to do when considering you need Ponga and Teddy at fullback. Jason Saab replaces the suspended Jordan Pereira.

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COWBOYS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Esan Marsters 5. Connelly Lemuelu 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh McGuire 9. Reece Robson 10. Francis Molo 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Ben Hampton 15. Gavin Cooper 16. Peter Hola 17. Reuben Cotter

Reserves: 18. Tom Opacic 19. Shane Wright 20. Jordan McLean 21. Jake Granville

Analysis: Scott Drinkwater (91) punished those who rightly sold and can be held for another couple of weeks with further price rises initiated. Although with matches against the Knights and Eels coming up I’d be extremely hesitant to play in 17s. If you can go Drinky-Munster I’d just do it. The Hammer (37) was on about 2 at the break but found a few stats in the second half. He’s a decent downgrade option this week to generate cash, but beware his job security isn’t good. There’s not much doing elsewhere with Jason Taumalolo (76) ticking over nicely without going big. He played 72 minutes which is very promising going forward. Esan Marsters (88) needs more than a junk time try to gain my interest.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Sione Mata’utia 13. Tim Glasby

Bench: 14. Tex Hoy 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Aidan Guerra

Reserves: 18. Brodie Jones 19. Tautau Moga 20. Phoenix Crossland 21. Pasami Saulo

Analysis: Bradman Best is out! He’s been left out due to a Covid breach and will miss just the one round. If there was a week we didn’t need a dodgy team shock to a popular player this was it. Kalyn Ponga (78) went very well despite doing very little outside of his one linebreak. Full acknowledgement of the job Adam O’Brien has done with this club in a short amount of time, but why Ponga was restricted to his weaker right edge the entire game has me absolutely perplexed. I can’t for the life of me work out what the tactic was there, but surely it’s a one off? Regardless, get Ponga in asap… Kurt Mann (72) is the gift that keeps on giving having made over $120k and rising. He was arguably the best on ground and is an indefinite hold as well as a strong play in 17s this week. Mitch Pearce (100) is averaging 71PPG excluding his 1 point game when knocked out early. That injury means he’s priced at just over $400k and is a strong POD at 8% ownership, although I still think he’s a level below the likes of Johnson and Munster. David Klemmer (75) scored well in just 52 minutes, but I can’t justify the price tag until he’s gets to 60+ minutes which looks unlikely under O’Brien. Daniel Saifiti (101) has been an absolute revelation in SuperCoach in 2020, averaging 74PPG and is still available at $551k. Scrap the first two rounds where he played 35 and 43 minutes and his numbers are exceptional since. He’s averaging 57MPG, 80PPG and 64BPG, monster! With Twal gone he looks a very enticing prospect to join Payne Haas in the front-row.

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BRONCOS v TITANS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Darius Boyd 5. Xavier Coates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Brodie Croft 8. Matt Lodge 9. Issac Luke 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Tevita Pangai Jnr 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Jamayne Isaako 15. Jamil Hopoate 16. Rhys Kennedy 17. Ben Te’o

Reserves: 18. Tom Dearden 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Richard Kennar

Analysis: Before you cut ties with any underperforming Broncos, aka all of them, note they face the Titans and Warriors over the next fortnight. I’d be holding the majority of them, namely attacking players, then cutting straight after if they can’t fire. Payne Haas (54) hit the skids big time for those who captained, playing just 59 minutes. Milford (19) has dropped way too much in price to consider trading before this upcoming draw. Surely he finds some attacking numbers against the Titans. It’s hard to find any value in the trade this week. Jamayne Isaako has been bench and is a sell with very little value. Xavier Coates has scores of 49 and 52 in his opening two games and is a great downgrade at $203k. He’s about the only shining light coming out of Brisbane. I also don’t mind him as a play this week. Pat Carrigan will miss a week through suspension and is a sell having done a stellar job that included $127k in price rises.

Titans: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Dale Copley 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ash Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Mitch Rein 10. Sam Lisone 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow 

Bench: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Jarrod Wallace

Reserves: 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Erin Clark 20. Beau Fermor 21. Tyrone Roberts

Analysis: Mo Fotuaika has started the last four games for an average of 71PPG in 62MPG with a mental 64BPG. He played 75 minutes in the front-row against the Dragons. At $516k he looks like another quality replacement for Twal. Jai Arrow is ticking along okay with another 64 in 60 minutes which is about on par for his recent weeks. He’s an upgrade to a genuine gun 2RF, but there’s likely other issues for teams to sort out before getting rid of Arrow who is hardly a concern. Bryce Cartwright has been dropped.

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EELS v RAIDERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Ray Stone 15. Marata Niukore 16. Oregan Kaufusi 17. Brad Takairangi

Reserves: 18. David Gower 19. Daniel Alvaro 20. George Jennings 21. Jai Field

Analysis: Mitch Moses is averaging just 45PPG when you take out his century against the Titans. He’s not a huge issue if you have other concerns, but he’s a trade to Nathan Cleary when possible. Dylan Brown is averaging 66PPG with an extremely solid 37BPG for a half. He remains a strong POD, but I’d much prefer Cleary at halfback. Ryan Matterson scored 91 against the Roosters and barely did a thing. He had 67 in base and now averages 83PPG. You could argue he’s the number one SuperCoach 2RF ahead of Jason Taumalolo… something to discuss over a schooner on Friday night anyway. He’s still owned by just 26% of teams and should be made a priority trade in this week.

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 

Bench: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Ryan Sutton 17. Hudson Young

Reserves: 18. Bailey Simonsson 19. Dunamis Lui 20 Matt Frawley 21. Tom Starling

Analysis: The Raiders have been very unimpressive at both NRL and SuperCoach level since knocking off the Storm when the comp resumed. George Williams (37) has done his job as a mid-range cow making $127k, but with a breakeven of 71 he can be moved on to Cleary, SJ or Munster any week now. Josh Papalii scored 58 in 54 minutes and isn’t at his elite scoring level at the moment. Corey Horsburgh (67) continues to churn out good scores thanks to a strong work rate and the freedom to offload being handed to him by Ricky Stuart. He’s an indefinite hold while injuries are dealt with. Joe Tapine (52) is averaging 58PPG and has made owners $116k but can be upgraded this week or next. He’s been unimpressive in actual NRL on the right edge and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Hudson Young eat into his minutes from now until John Bateman returns.

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SEA EAGLES v SHARKS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Central Coast Stadium

Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Tevita Funa 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Cade Cust 15. Jack Gosiewski 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka

Reserves: 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Abbas Miski 20. Haumole Olakau’atu 21. Toafofoa Sipley

Analysis: Condolences to Tommy Turbo (78) owners, he was on his way to a triple figure score before the hammy plague hampered him once again. It’s a shame for SuperCoach that he’s out as nailing the fullback rotation was one of the most exciting aspects to follow each week. He’s expected to miss the next six weeks and can be traded to Teddy or Ponga. AFB’s (58) top score for the season is just 64 and he’s passed 60 just once. While doing damage on the field, he’s not quite hitting the heights most expected, particularly in the absence of Marty Taupau against the Raiders. Taupau returns this week. Owners can hold AFB, but I wouldn’t be rushing to bring him in. Jake Trbojevic has scored between 52-67 every round and no longer boasts the ceiling to match the elite 2RF options. While I wouldn’t buy him, Daly Cherry-Evans will take up a significant amount of attacking ball in Turbo’s absence and should see an increase in scoring.

Sharks: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Bryson Goodwin 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Jack Williams 

Bench: 14. Toby Rudolf 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Connor Tracey 20. Will Kennedy 21. Jackson Ferris

Analysis: Cronulla face a depleted (and surely gassed) Manly outfit this week, then the Titans, Panthers, Warriors and Dragons…very nice. Shaun Johnson (75) is leading the NRL in try-assists with eight yet still manages to find copious amounts of criticism, fair dinkum, give the bloke a break. He’s now got a 3RA of 70PPG, has a dream run of games, and was running the ball on both sides of the field as much as I’ve seen him in recent years. I’m very optimistic about his scoring in the next month and $506k is a great buy at just 12% ownership somehow. Hat-trick hero Sione Katoa (107) is the beneficiary of SJ’s good form and now sits with a 65PPG average. He’s fairly rocks or diamonds, but with the draw coming up he’s worth serious consideration. Jesse Ramien (41) would be a sell, but I’ll be holding with the fixtures to come. His impressive base of 33 is holding him together in the absence of attacking stats. Toby Rudolf is nearing his peak having made a very handy $153k and can be sold either this week or next.

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BULLDOGS v TIGERS

Sunday, 6.30pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Reimis Smith 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Jake Averillo 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Kieran Foran 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Renouf To’omaga 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Adam Elliott 

Bench: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Dean Britt 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves: 19. Sione Katoa 20. Lachlan Lewis 21. Aiden Tolman 22 Nick Meaney

Analysis: Since moving to fullback Will Hopoate is averaging 69PPG. At $498k I think he’s an excellent buy at CTW with strong base stats, my concern is that I think his ceiling is limited playing for the Bulldogs. Do you pick him or someone like Daniel Tupou, David Nofoaluma or Josh Mansour who are playing for teams that score points for fun? Jake Averillo has risen to $261k and has a breakeven of -35, so there’s plenty of cash to be made. However, like Hopoate I worry about his scoring potential at the Dogs, so I’d prefer bank one of the lower priced cheapies.

Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Tommy Talau 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Matt Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Elijah Taylor 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Michael Chee-Kam

Reserves: 18. Benji Marshall 19. Chris Lawrence 20. Billy Walters 21. Reece Hoffman

Analysis: Luciano Leilua (39) played 74 minutes despite injury concerns but failed to get in on the scoring action. He’s done a solid job for owners but can be upgraded when it suits your side. Of all players to not get in on the action, in-form flyer David Nofoaluma failed to score or assist a try. It mattered little as he still punched out 78 points. With a breakeven of 102 I’ll be praying the Bulldogs can keep him at bay this week, then I’ll be looking to jump on at closer to $600k next round, but I’m hardly confident. Luke Brooks (56) is going solid with a 55PPG average. My issue with jumping on Tigers attacking players is that I’m hardly convinced they are anything close to the real deal. They haven’t beaten even remotely good opposition this year, so let’s see how they score against proper competition. That being said, their draw over the next five weeks includes the Dogs, Broncos and Warriors so there’s plenty of enticement in that. Alex Twal (29) was injured in the first half in a very cruel blow for owners as he was a set-and-forget in the front-row for the year. Harry Grant (84) went big and will see some monster price rises and is an extremely safe play in 17s, especially this week if they can put a few on the Dogs. Zane Musgrove is out of the squad entirely.

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SUPERCOACH TERMINOLOGY KEY

MPG = Minutes per game

PPG = Points per game

PPM= Points per minute

BPG = Base per game (point accrued in tackles + runs + missed tackles)

POD = Point of difference

3RA = Three round average

5RA = Five round average

BREAKEVEN (B/E) = The score a player must record to earn a price rise.

*Please note all our stats are taken from the geniuses at nrlsupercoachstats.com