Squad Breakdown: Round 14 team insights

• WEEKLY WRAP: Round 13 highs, lows and shocks
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The teams have dropped for Round 14, and finally we’ve had a long-awaited day of largely predictable announcements.

The Cooma Stallions produced a steady round to score 1,254, leading to a small drop to 55th in the overall rankings.

Here’s our breakdown of the Round 14 teams.

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

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ROOSTERS v STORM

Thursday, 7.50pm, Sydney Cricket Ground

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Ryan Hall 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvala 6. Luke Keary 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Drew Hutchinson 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Nat Butcher 17. Daniel Fifita

Reserves: 18. Egan Butcher 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Max Bailey 21. Kyle Flanagan

Analysis: James Tedesco hit the skids again this week, not just by his standards, but by the standards of all SuperCoach guns.

He failed to record a single tacklebreak which is mindblowing, and also a credit to the Dragons’ defence. He averages 64PPG over the past four weeks.

It’s a huge lesson in how vital the go forward of your pack is for backline players. With the Roosters pack decimated, they just haven’t provided the go forward necessary for Teddy to do his thing.

With the clash against Melbourne this week there will be many jumping off the captaincy ship which is a refreshing change, but it will also make him a semi unique option which is also enticing.

I thought at least a few of JWH, Cordner, Crichton and B.Moz may have returned for this clash, but they haven’t, making them very undermanned which is again likely to heavily impact Teddy.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho played 80 minutes and kicked goals, running 23 times (21 runs over 8m) for a ridiculous 92 points without a major attacking stat.

With those minutes he’s a must, but the Roosters have returning cattle soon and surely Flanagan isn’t out of the team for long?

Mitch Aubusson has scores of 76 and 75 in the past two rounds and is doing a brilliant job for those who jumped on at $226k. He’ll be a very simple upgrade to a gun CTW in a couple of weeks.

Ryan Hall and Matt Ikuvalu are risky plays this week.

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

Bench: 14. Nicho Hynes 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Albert Vete 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Reserves: 18. Sandor Earl 19. Chris Lewis 20. Cooper Johns 21. Brenko Lee

Analysis: Ryan Papenhuyzen returns this week after being brutally rested (for SuperCoaches) last week. If I owned I’d sell straight to whoever I didn’t own out of Teddy and Ponga.

Cam Munster was on track to go big before suffering an injury against the Dogs. He’s likely a sell unless your team is stacked, this should open up the halves a little which is always fun. He’s predicted to miss 2-3 weeks.

No Cam Smith gives Brandon Smith another run much to the relief of owners. He was extremely disappointing, playing a decent 67 minutes, but scoring just 52 points which included a try-assist, linebreak assist and just 3 runs!

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WARRIORS v PANTHERS

Friday, 6pm, Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Patrick Herbert 3. Adam Pompeye 4. Peta Hiku 5. George Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga

Bench: 14. Wayde Egan 15. Adam Blair 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Isaiah Papali’i

Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 20. Gerard Beale 21. Adam Keighran 22. Josh Curran

Analysis: Popular buy Jazz Tevaga left new owners with mixed emotions following the win over the Sea Eagles. He scored a very solid 73 which included a linebreak, but he only played 50 minutes.

With this game time he remains a solid option, if he gets to 60+ minutes he’ll be close to a must-have, but will it happen as he returns to full fitness?

While not the full game, Tohu Harris returned to 75 minutes for 67 points entirely in base. He remains a solid option and is still at just 5% ownership. 

Panthers: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone May 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brent Naden 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Api Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Moses Leota 17. Zane Tetevano

Reserves: 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Dylan Edwards 20. Matt Burton 21. Billy Burns

Analysis: Penrith face the Warriors, Sharks, Tigers and Broncos over the next month, meaning all attacking players should be on the radar of SuperCoaches.

Josh Mansour is one who is very affordable at around $450k. He had eight tackle busts against Canberra and scored well despite the tough encounter. He’s a serious option with the upcoming run despite the lack of decent ball from Stephen Crichton.

Crichton remains a strong buy and is a very different player to Mansour. He relies a lot more on attacking stats, having had just nine and 10 runs the past two weeks.

However, he’s a gun playing in a stellar side, so there’s no reason to suggest the attacking stats can’t continue to flow.

Nathan Cleary bashed out another 88 and is a serious captaincy option against the Warriors. Api Koroisau rewarded those who jumped back on board. He scored 72 with a try-assist and 51 tackles. He remains a good buy this week for anyone still looking to move on a hooker.

Jarome Luai has peaked in price and is a sell, although with Munster down he is fine to hold with the very handy dual HFB-5/8 positioning.

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EELS v DRAGONS

Friday, 7.55pm, 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. Kane Evans 17. Oregon Kaufusi

Reserves: 18. Andrew Davey 19. Haze Dunster 20. Stefano Utoikamanu 21. Brad Takairangi

Analysis: King Gutho finally hit the skids with just 26 points, although you can forgive him as it was near impossible to inject himself efficiently with the conditions.

Although it didn’t impact Dylan Brown (119) who showed his class in the win over the Sharks. To produce that score in those conditions was remarkable.

I had a few halves ahead of him, but with Munster now down he’s a very viable option going forward if he wasn’t already.

Mitch Moses scored 52 with five repeat sets and remains a decent cut-priced halves option to be played on a week-to-week basis.

Junior Paulo underwhelmed a touch with 52 points, but his offload was obviously impacted with the wet track. Of slightly more concern was his 54 minutes of game time, but hardly a major worry.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard was solid again with 64 points in 58 minutes, but I’ll stick to my guns and continue to suggest there’s FRFs with higher ceilings and are therefore better buys.

Ryan Matterson returns in a major relief for those who held. He’ll be very affordable in two weeks for those who jumped off. A big score would be massive to stop the plummeting cash.

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Tristan Sailor 15. Kaide Ellis 16. Korbin Sims 17. Jacob Host

Reserves: 18. Brayden Wiliame 19. Eddie Blacker 20. Jason Saab 21. Jayden Sullivan

Analysis: Following a tough clash this week, the Dragons face the three Queensland sides. Zac Lomax continues to get it done with a ton against the reigning premiers, and it could’ve been far higher.

He immediately put a halt to any major price drops and is a great target for next week. Euan Aitken remains a POD option having scored 68 points with 19 runs, but more importantly he looks back to his best.

Cam McInnes is back with a bang, scoring 99 points made up of 55 tackles, 12 runs and a try-assist. He remains a great target this week at under $600k.

I like the move back to lock as it significantly enhances his running and the attacking stats that come with it.

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SHARKS v TITANS

Saturday, 3pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf

Bench: 14. Connor Tracey 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Jack Williams 17. Royce Hunt

Reserves: 18. Teig Wilton 19. Briton Nikora 20. Braydon Trindall 21. Bryson Goodwin

Analysis: The Sharks face the Titans, Panthers and Cowboys over the next three weeks. This game is set up for Shaun Johnson to score very well.

His 63 in the wet conditions against the Eels was very classy. He’s averaged a monster 77PPG since Round 3, and has shed any remnants of the ‘rollercoaster’ tag having not scored below 56 in that time.

John Morris pulled a swifty on us all by shifting Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa’s wings. It’s a hammer blow for Katoa who was primed to go big this week. He’s now a sell next week, while Mulitalo becomes a very intriguing POD outside SJ. He could be the perfect fixture dependant 5th CTW for the run home.

The concern is his output with just 18BPG which is a major issue if he doesn’t score. In eight games this season he hasn’t scored more than 24 in base.

Toby Rudolf has been a brilliant slow-burning cash cow having made $250k but now has a breakeven of 48. Owners of him and Pat Carrigan can now likely afford to upgrade the Shark AND keep Carrigan as an extra FRF, very nice.

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Dale Copley 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ash Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Nathan Peats 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow 

Bench: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Jarrod Wallace 17. Sam Lisone

Reserves: 18. Corey Thompson 19. Jai Whitbread 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Beau Fermor

Analysis: AJ Brimson gives the Titans some SuperCoach relevance again. He scored 112 on return from injury and looked exceptional. He’s dual FLB-5/8 and is just $359k.

Many will be tempted as a POD for the run home, but I’m against it. Unless you are seriously strapped for cash there are significantly better options in both positions. People get carried away when players score well against dud teams, and that’s exactly what the Cowboys are.

I just can’t see the Titans producing enough points to make Brimson the POD people are hoping for.

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COWBOYS v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 5.30pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tom Opacic 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Ben Hampton 7. Michael Morgan 8. Josh McGuire 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. John Asiata 16. Emre Pere 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Shane Wright 19. Jake Clifford 20. Corey Jenson 21. Esan Marsters

Analysis: Anyone who was forced to hold Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow last week due to injuries can happily sell now. He dropped $17k this week and will continue to plummet further with the move to the wing.

Jason Taumalolo played a promising 69 minutes and is a decent captaincy option this week. The Rabbitohs are fairly thin through the middle, so JT could do plenty of damage.

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

Bench: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Liam Knight 16. Patrick Mago 17. Keaon Koloamatangi

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Corey Allan 20. Troy Dargan 21. Kurt Dillon

Analysis: Damien Cook and Cam Murray couldn’t get in on the scoring action against Brisbane with disappointing scores of 49 and 53 respectively. Cook has a very grim 3RA of 48PPG.

Regardless, I’ll be holding indefinitely as I think they’ve both got a three figure score in them very soon. Murray played 80 minutes for the second consecutive week which is very promising, but the numbers haven’t inflated with the game time.

Cody Walker scored just 41 but remains a decent replacement for Munster. I’ll potentially get him and use him as an 18th man going forward, while obviously playing this week with the nice match up.

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RAIDERS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 7.35pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

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. Siliva Havili 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Hudson Young

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Ryan Sutton 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Michael Oldfield 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Matt Frawley

Analysis: Canberra have survived a tough run of matches and now finish the season with a very friendly draw including: Broncos, Titans, Bulldogs, Roosters, Dragons, Warriors and Sharks.

John Bateman was solid in the loss to Penrith with 56 points in 80 minutes. He is a really strong buy this week and should find some attacking stats in coming rounds.

Josh Papalii remains a solid investment, like he is every week. He already has a 100, 98 and 94 to his name this season, that’s the upside we want in front-rowers.

Outside of that pair I’m not interested in anyone at the Raiders despite the soft draw.

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Richard Kennar 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Brodie Croft 7. Tom Dearden 8. Tom Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Ben Te’o 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Corey Paix 15. Jordan Riki 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Matt Lodge

Reserves: 18. Issac Luke 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Rhys Kennedy 21. Jesse Arthars

Analysis: Over the next month Brisbane have a very tough draw with games against the Raiders, Dragons, Roosters and Panthers.

Kotoni Staggs was a disappointment for many who jumped on, finishing with just 28 points in the loss to the Rabbitohs.

It stuns me each and every week that Brisbane can be so bad yet maintain so much SuperCoach relevance. I suppose that says plenty about the quality of individuals on the roster who are struggling to gel as a side.

He’s a definite hold for owners, with the goal-kicking duties the major factor, but I’ll be staying away purely due to the draw. David Fifita returned in style with a try and 79 points, but what caught my eye was the fact he played the entire 80 minutes following a long lay off.

He is a serious POD in the second-row with huge upside. With Tom Dearden and Brodie Croft in the halves, Brisbane’s strike power is through the right edge of Fifita and Staggs, so they should see plenty of early ball each week.

Had it not been for Tevita Pangai Jnr’s two week spell for breaching the NRL bubble, Pat Carrigan would have been a definite sell.

As predicted, he played fewer minutes with just 43, albeit reduced due to a HIA. I still think he can be sold as an anti-POD play, but there’s now no urgency as he should be back to 65+ minutes.

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KNIGHTS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To’a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Blake Green 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Josh King

Reserves: 18. Tex Hoy 19. Brodie Jones 20. Chris Randall 21. Mason Lino

Analysis: Newcastle face the Sea Eagles, Cowboys and Sharks over the next three weeks.

Last week I called Kalyn Ponga to average 100+ over the next month, it’s off to a good start with a 172 point demolition of the Tigers.

He’s still very affordable at $630k and is a priority target for everyone this week. With Munster injured, Mitchell Pearce is a very sneaky super POD option for the next few rounds for anyone that wants to live dangerously. He has huge upside when he’s on.

Kurt Mann played the entire 80 minutes with the shift to hooker, absolutely massive for owners. He only scored okay with 51, but it was still promising. He spent time at lock, much like the role Connor Watson has played in the past. He’s not a priority trade in by any means, but he’s certainly a close watch in coming weeks.

He was extremely unlucky not to be awarded a try-assist and linebreak assist for Saifiti’s try, but there’s every chance I’m just looking at it through an owner’s eyes! Nonetheless, the signs are good.

Daniel Saifiti returns from injury in the starting side and is a big watch this week.

Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cade Cust 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 

Bench: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Sean Keppie 17. Haumole Olakau’atu

Reserves: 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Tevita Funa 20. Abbas Miski 21. Jack Gosiewski

Analysis: Jake Trbojevic has roared back to life with a 3RA of 85PPG. He had a try-assist, 40 tackles and 19 runs in the loss to the Warriors.

Congrats to those who jumped on DCE as a POD when Tommy Turbo went down. He’s averaging a very respectable 76PPG over the past month.

Addin Fonua-Blake is out injured and will miss two weeks and is likely a sell. Although if you’re running a strong 18/19 man squad and are covered with two quality FRFs I can see the case to hold. Marty Taupau doesn’t tempt me in the slightest despite AFB’s absence.

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TIGERS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joey Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Benji Marshall 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Russell Packer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Luke Garner 13. Matt Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Thomas Mikaele 15. Josh Reynolds 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Chris Lawrence

Reserves: 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Shawn Blore 20. Alex Seyfarth 21. Elijah Taylor

Analysis: Following the nice match up with the Bulldogs this week, the Tigers begin a brutal run home. Start making plans to move on any players you own. The exception is probably David Nofoaluma who scored 58 in the heavy loss to the Knights with 21 runs and eight tackles.

Luciano Leilua is one guy who has done a tremendous job over an injury riddled past month, but can be moved on after this round at strong value. While his base is decent enough, he relies on attacking stats to match the elite 2RF options.

Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tim Lafai 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jack Cogger 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Sione Katoa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson

Bench: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Aiden Tolman 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Reimis Smith

Reserves: 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Renouf To’omaga 21. Chris Smith 22. Matt Doorey

Analysis: As tipped, Raymond Faitala-Mariner came crashing back to earth with 49 points without any attacking stats, and against the resilient Storm defensive unit. If I owned I’d cash out at a whopping $623k, although it’s not urgent if you have other issues.

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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