Squad Breakdown: Team insights, Round 19

2020 NRL SuperCoach runner-up Tim Williams analyses all the key SuperCoach ins and outs following the release of Round 19 teams.

Squad Breakdown

What a bizarre weekend of SuperCoach action that turned out to be.

Tommy Turbo and James Tedesco failed to back up from Origin resulting in auto-emergencies for many.

With so many squads already depleted it meant they were given a free shot at the vice-captaincy loophole, and with Nicho Hynes going huge before very popular skipper Cody Walker failed to hit three figures it made for big overall ranking swings.

The heavily owned Tohu Harris scored just 6 points due to a bad early injury against the Panthers, plenty who left him out of squads copped him as an auto-emergency anyway!

It was an odd week, and unfortunately the Cooma Stallions copped just about all of the above, including Tohu as an auto-emergency, but no loophole on Hynes due to Melbourne playing after Manly and the Roosters.

It was a frustrating week as depth counted for little, however I managed to score 1,285 points and slip a few hundred spots to 1,165th overall, I anticipated far bigger drops!

Not to worry, there’s plenty of highs and lows in this game, congrats to those who saw green arrows in a difficult round to navigate. Hopefully things can turn around in coming weeks for those of us who copped a drop.

The run home in the overall race and towards head-to-head finals is really heating up!

With injuries to popular players such as Tohu and Alex Johnston, the issue of depth we’ve spoken about all season may hit SuperCoaches far quicker than expected.

Let’s take a look at the Round 19 teams.

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EELS v RAIDERS

Thursday, 7.50pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown

Bench: 14. Marata Niukore 15. Shaun Lane 16. Oregan Kaufusi 17. Will Smith

Reserves: 18. Haze Dunster 19. Bryce Cartwright 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Joey Lussick

Analysis: Parramatta have a very difficult run home after this week with games against the Raiders, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Storm and Panthers.

I know it always feels wrong selling someone off a ton, but that’s exactly what I’d be doing with Clint Gutherson who has done a great job over the Origin period for those who held through.

Tom Trbojevic should be owned by everyone, while James Tedesco is a great target this week.

However, The King should score well again this week, so anyone interested in Kalyn Ponga or Ryan Papenhuyzen can happily hold fire for another round if needed.

Reed Mahoney has been exceptional this season, it’s a shame injuries have seen him in and out of many SuperCoach teams.

At just $504k he’s a great trade in target for anyone struggling at hooker, however, I do think Harry Grant is a far bigger priority when fit, so those chasing Mahoney would want to have a few trades in hand.

While his base is strong, attacking stats won’t come every week with that tough run home.

Ryan Matterson comfortably played his best game of the season against the Titans, belting out 135 points in the process.

The tough run home for the Eels should actually help Matterson as I expect him to play close to 80 minutes in tight games, where as blowout score lines have seen him play 50-55 minutes this season.

At $550k he’s a strong buy option this week, especially for the masses who are needing to move on Tohu Harris.

With plenty to move on the Eels back-rower, it may also become an anti-POD play to avoid him if 50%+ of SuperCoaches recruit him in coming rounds.

He’s just one head knock away from missing the back end of the season which would be a huge blow, but that’s just speculative and hopefully won’t come to fruition.

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Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Harley Smith-Shields 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Semi Valemei 6. Matt Frawley 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Emre Guler 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Hudson Young 13. Ryan Sutton

Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Matt Timoko 16. Sia Soliola 17. Joe Tapine

Reserves: 18. Caleb Aekins 19. Ryan James 20. Siliva Havili 21. Trey Mooney

Analysis: When Tohu Harris was named last week in the extended squad I switched plans to sell him to David Fifita, instead opting to move on Corey Harawira-Naera. That hurt…

He wouldn’t have been in my 17 anyway so to be fair the 124 points riding the pine probably would’ve hurt more!

He played his best game of the season by some margin against the Sharks, proving an absolute handful for the opposition every run.

He tried to offload just about every time he had the ball, managing to get the arm free eight times!

Surprisingly he was owned by an enormous 82% of the top 100 ranked SuperCoach teams heading into Round 19, so he isn’t a POD at all.

As good as he looked, the Raiders have a relatively tough run home and he’s pretty reliant on attacking stats, so at the ownership I think he’s the perfect anti-POD play. Disclaimer, that may just be me saying that as a bitter seller.

Xavier Savage, weapon! He belted out 114 points in a starring performance, rising to $228k in the process with a breakeven of -54.

Unfortunately he’s out for the season in a blow for the Raiders. He was the third most traded in player this week.

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ROOSTERS v KNIGHTS

Friday, 6pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchinson 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Lachlan Lam 15. Nat Butcher 16. Egan Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho

Reserves: 18. Adam Keighran 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Josh Morris 21. Ben Thomas

Analysis: James Tedesco returns, thank God, and he has a debt to pay to loyal owners after a frustrating period of ownership.

Daniel Tupou continues to tick along okay with incredible base stats, but he hasn’t really looked like scoring in recent games. He’s had 35BPG across his last three games.

Tedesco’s absence is a big reason for that and I expect him to bag some meat with his number one back on deck, Joey Manu isn’t a genuine ballplayer.

At tiny ownership, Matt Ikuvalu is a super POD play for the run home coming off his 132 against the Cowboys.

Sammy Walker has fired for those who held or jumped on in recent weeks.

He smashed out 120 points and again came up big when the Roosters needed him late in the game against the Cowboys.

Owned by just 22% of the top 100 and 20% of the top 1,000, he’s an electric POD for the run home that can be sat outside 17s in tougher games.

Angus Crichton is still not owned by 25-30% of top ranked SuperCoaches.

Backing up from Origin, he scored 79 points in 56 minutes to take his season average to 75PPG. 

With the Roosters fighting to stay in touch with the top four it’s hard to see him playing anything less than 80 minutes each week on the run home.

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Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dom Young 3. Kurt Mann 4. Enari Tuala 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson

Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. David Klemmer 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Tex Hoy 21. Lachlan Fitzgibbon

Analysis: After this week’s game, the Knights have a stellar run home with games against the Roosters, Raiders, Broncos, Sharks, Dogs, Titans and Broncos.

Kalyn Ponga is in doubt, but non-owners will actually be hoping he plays due to the tough match up and his breakeven of 137.

If he plays, he should be available for around $600k next round! Currently owned by just 4% of the top 100 ranked SuperCoaches and 3% of the top 1,000, he is one of the best Super PODs you’ll ever see.

Despite Tyson Frizell’s return to the edge last week, in turn moving Mitch Barnett to lock, Connor Watson played 58 minutes off the bench which is very reassuring. 

However, this was likely due to Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s injury that also saw Barnett play 80.

Big news with teams dropping that Fitzgibbon has been dropped (potentially named on extended bench due to injury), meaning Watson starts at lock and Barnett starts on the edge where he should play 80.

Both become very solid plays in 17s this week, massive for owners.

Frizell is another super POD to consider for the run home as a replacement for Tohu Harris as others inevitably flock to CHN, Cam Murray, Jason Taumalolo and Ryan Matterson.

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COWBOYS v STORM

Friday, 8pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Murray Taulagi 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Kane Bradley 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Tom Dearden 8. Francis Molo 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 12. Mitch Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Tom Gilbert 15. Heilum Luki 16. Coen Hess 17. Jake Granville

Reserves: 18. Lachlan Burr 19. Michael Bell 20. Peter Hola 21. Daejarn Asi

Analysis: Jason Taumalolo is the only Cowboy worth mentioning, particularly with plenty needing to move on Tohu Harris.

He’s bounced back to serious SuperCoach form with back-to-back scores of 72 and 87 in 61 and 57 minutes, very promising!

He’s just $512k with a breakeven of 32. He’s a great trade in option this week, however I’d be tempted sit him against Melbourne anyway and he shouldn’t make too much money, so it can wait a week if you are keen on the Kiwi enforcer.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow POD at CTW anyone???

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Storm: 1. Nicho Hynes 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cooper Johns 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Chris Lewis 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tui Kamikamica

Bench: 14. Aaron Booth 15. Aaron Pene 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Reserves: 18. Trent Loiero 19. Jordan Grant 20. Isaac Lumelume 21. Marion Seve

Analysis: Ryan Papenhuyzen finally returns for the Storm on the bench as he’s eased back from injury, meaning the majority who held Nicho Hynes get his services for at least another week with big minutes.

However, Cameron Munster has been rested so we still don’t really now what will happen to Hynes at full strength.

Owned by just 5% of the top 100-1,000 ranked SuperCoach teams, Munster is a massive play next week after knocking out his second ton of the season against the Knights.

He looked very hungry following Origin and almost certainly has more tons in him before the season is out. He has just one score under 50 this season.

The Storm have an okay run home against the Cowboys, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Raiders, Titans, Eels and Sharks.

It may be time to unleash the Mad Dog after his rest this week…

At tiny ownership, Josh Addo-Carr is another massive POD play that can easily be sat against tougher opposition.

He’s the perfect play v weak opposition player for the run home with such a large ceiling.

His 21BPG is poor and can lead to low scores when attacking stats don’t roll in, but there won’t be many games where he doesn’t find the try line on the run home.

Jahrome Hughes remains a magnificent option with a season average of 75PPG and four tons to his name.

Having scored 96 in 49 minutes, a fifth ton was inevitable had he not been cautiously rested due to a calf complaint against the Knights.

Little to add on Brandon Smith who remains a great buy.

Still no Harry Grant, bugger me…

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RABBITOHS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 3pm, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cam Murray

Bench: 14. Taane Milne 15. Jacob Host 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Dean Hawkins

Analysis: The Rabbitohs have a great fortnight ahead, before their draw finally toughens up for head-to-head finals.

They face the Warriors, Dragons, Eels, Titans, Panthers, Roosters and Dragons.

Alex Johnston is expected to miss 1-4 weeks with a minor hamstring strain. This could see him return for that harder string of games which would make him a difficult play.

At $770k I can see the temptation to cash in on him this week.

For anyone who can cover him, which will be most, I’d recommend holding and playing for those easier match ups where we know he can go very large.

While we know he can go low due to his poor 20BPG, I’m becoming far more assured of solid scores even against stronger sides due to the fact that left edge is so dominant.

In fact the only game on the run home that I’d even sit him for would be against the Panthers, keeping in mind he put 154 on the Eels in Round 12.

For anyone selling, his centre Dane Gagai is a terrific replacement at $630k. With a breakeven of 132 he will likely drop decent cash in coming weeks, however I do think this week is the time to buy with a few nice games ahead.

His 33BPG is exceptional, and he’ll find attacking stats again over the next fortnight after a few try-less weeks.

Purely on SuperCoach form, Damien Cook is half the player of Harry Grant, so I wouldn’t be looking to recruit the Bunnies rake.

Cam Murray is a great POD replacement for Tohu. He’s owned by just 1-2% of basically the entire top 20,000 ranked SuperCoach teams.

He’s affordable at $568k and is running a 3RA of 88PPG.

He played the full 80 against the Bulldogs, although this was inflated having moved to centre due to injuries in the backline.

I suspect Wayne Bennett will give Murray big minutes (maybe 65-70) in the backend of the year as the Rabbitohs fight to keep their spot in the top four.

With huge attacking upside he has a decent ceiling, and his actual NRL form is sublime, expect some big scores to come.

Further, his base has been exceptional of late, racking up over 60 in pure base in four of his last five game that weren’t impacted by injury.

He’s based under 50 just once this season discarding his injury affected game.

With the Warriors expecting to have key players out this week, following a gut busting performance against Penrith, I can see the Bunnies winning this one easily.

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Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Euan Aitken 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chad Townsend 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Matt Lodge 11. Jack Murchie 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran

Bench: 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Eliesa Katoa 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Leeson Ah Mau

Reserves: 18. Kane Evans 20. Edward Kosi 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Analysis: A quick shout out to the Warriors who put up one of the bravest performances against Penrith I’ve seen from a team in a long time.

How they managed to stay in that contest the entire time with basically no bench the entire game against premiership heavyweights under the new rules I’ll never know, so courageous!

Owned by almost everyone, Tohu Harris will miss the remainder of the season.

Unfortunately he’s leaked cash and is now worth just $490k. There are plenty of great replacement options.

Personally, I’m probably just going to hold him until I’m forced to trade. If you can cover him fine, there’s no harm in just holding fire on trades for the time being. 

Ask yourself whether his replacement will definitely make your starting 17 each week, or can you save a trade for the time being and play someone just as good as the replacement in the meantime?

Matt Lodge and Addin Fonua-Blake were outstanding on the weekend in huge minutes due to injuries, however the inflated minutes led to seriously inflated scores, so don’t get too attracted to them.

In 80 minutes, Lodge had a try-assist, 25 tackles, eight tacklebreaks, eight offloads and 20 runs. They’re some Anthony Laffranchi type numbers…

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SEA EAGLES v TIGERS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Marty Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves: 18. Moses Suli 19. Cade Cust 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Kurt De Luis

Analysis: Tom Trbojevic returns which is huge news for the SuperCoach output of the entire team.

Back-to-back flops from Jason Saab makes him an interesting hold v sell candidate.

He’s been poor without Turbo all year so it’s hardly surprising to see him struggle in recent weeks.

Saab has a breakeven of 170 and will start to plummet cash. If you have decent trades in hand he’s a fine sell, but the argument to hold is just as strong.

Manly’s run includes game against the Tigers, Sharks and Storm in the next three weeks, then for head-to-head finals they face the Eels, Raiders, Dogs and Cowboys.

I sold last week because A) I needed money to fund a Fifita trade and B) David Nofoaluma looked the goods at $380k.

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However, he looks a great play against weaker opposition with Turbo and DCE back, consider the fact he scored 162 just three games back in his last outing with that pair.

Reuben Garrick returns to the wing and should flourish with Turbo back. I’m a terrified non-owner having anti-POD played him. With a breakeven of 194 I’m hoping he drops plenty before becoming a potential pick up.

DCE remains a great POD for the run home at 5% ownership among the top 100 ranked SuperCoach teams and 4% in the top 1,000.

He has a big ceiling and is one of a few players who could determine the overall champion.

Josh Schuster returned from a length injury lay off in style with 96 points, most impressive in SuperCoach though was the fact he played the full 80 in his first game back.

While some will be tempted, his ceiling is far more limited than other options in the position, I’d personally go someone like Cam Munster who has greater potential to hit those 150+ scores.

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Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Junior Pauga 4. Tommy Talau 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jacob Liddle 10. James Tamou 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Thomas Mikaele

Bench: 14. Joe Ofahengaue 15. Alex Twal 16. Tui Simpkins 17. Moses Mbye

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee-Kam 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Alex Seyfarth 21. Shawn Blore

Analysis: The Tigers have an exceptional run home with games against the Sea Eagles, Warriors, Dogs, Cows, Sharks, Panthers and Dogs, but there’s only two players worth noting.

David Nofoaluma delivered for new owners last week, and those who patiently held through a tough run in the Origin period, with a double against the Broncos.

At $400k with a breakeven of 23 he remains dirt cheap and looks a terrific investment, if for no other reason than depth at CTW.

Adam Doueihi, my word, what a SuperCoach season he’s putting together.

154 against the Broncos takes his season average to 77PPG. Why Madge shifted him from 5/8 to centre I’ll never understand.

At $566k he’s still affordable, but the -40 breakeven means this is likely your last chance to get him this season.

My only concern is that if the Tigers fall apart and suffer decent losses he may struggle to trouble the scorers, however with that draw they should be relatively competitive at worst in games. 

Plus their annual charge to 9th place has swung into motion.

Daine Laurie rewarded anyone who held with a ton against the Broncos. They’ll be happy to have his services, but I wouldn’t be buying.

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PANTHERS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Tyrone May 8. Moses Leota 9. Api Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Liam Martin

Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Paul Momirovski 20. Matt Eisenhuth 21. Izack Tago

Analysis: Matt Burton was at times starved of decent ball against the Warriors, he still managed to score okay.

I’ve heard some are thinking of selling, but with a dream match up with the Broncos at Suncorp this week I’m tipping him to go big.

It’d be even better if he was kept in the halves alongside Jarome Luai, although he will play at centre on the left outside Luai which is encouraging as he should see plenty of ball.

I was writing essays about Penrith’s SuperCoach potential earlier in the season, but at the moment it’s fairly quiet until Nathan Cleary returns.

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Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Brodie Croft 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Keenan Palasia 17. TC Robati

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Jesse Arthars 20. Xavier Willison 21. Xavier Coates

Analysis: Kotoni Staggs remains a close watch in coming weeks, but with a breakeven of 79 and upcoming games against the Panthers I wouldn’t be buying this week.

To state the obvious, Payne Haas is a serious buy option this week despite the tough match up.

He’s still affordable at $530k, and with a breakeven of 19 he’s set to make some cash.

He’s played 64 minutes the past three weeks which looks to be his game time for the rest of the season.

He’s a great investment, however he’s far from a must-have for a number of reasons.

His back-to-back scores of 90 and 89 were excellent, but they both had major attacking stats in the form of try-assists and line-assists.

He didn’t have a score over 57 in the five weeks prior to that. Granted he was managing an Origin campaign on the side.

Take out the try-assists and he has scores of 70 odd in both games.

I’m not saying he isn’t a great trade target, because he is, I’m just wary that people are running so low on trades.

Most people are running Isaiah Papali’i at front-row who is a must, alongside guys like AFB, Lodge or TPJ (on return).

Assuming people will only use their two starting front-rowers in their 17 each week due to depth (barring injuries/suspensions), you’d be dropping say AFB to accomodate Haas.

Is that achieving much when you’re burning a vital final trade of the season?

Not for me, but some teams will need another front-rower or a bit of depth so I’m not knocking any investors at all.

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DRAGONS v TITANS

Sunday, 1.50pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Gerard Beale 4. Cody Ramsey 5. Mat Feagai 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Jack Bird 12. Tariq Sims 13. Josh McGuire

Bench: 14. Adam Clune 15. Tyrell Fuimaono 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Jack de Belin

Reserves: 18. Kaide Ellis 19. Talatau Amone 20. Billy Burns 21. Tyrell Sloan

Analysis: No interest here for me. Ben Hunt is fine to hold and play based on match up, but with the Dragons being a bit of a rabble I wouldn’t be buying.

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Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Ash Taylor 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Beau Fermor

Reserves: 18. Esan Marsters 19. Sam McIntyre 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Jayden Campbell

Analysis: AJ Brimson managed a solid 51 despite the heavy defeat to the Eels.

Interesting to note that discarding his injury affect 8 against the Sharks, his six scores prior were 93, 90, 47 (v Panthers), 80, 91 and 80.

That’s serious scoring for a guy with huge POD potential at next to no ownership.

I still can’t have him ahead of the elite fullback options, but he may be worth a complete throw at the stumps for some.

Corey Thompson remains a POD option with a season average of 64PPG.

David Fifita is a must-have and would have just about tonned up against the Eels had it not been for a denied try on fulltime.

Why Justin Holbrook played a freshened up David Fifita for just 58 minutes is beyond me.

Making the decision all the more odd, when benching Fifita he shifted Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – who had played 44 minutes in Origin two days prior – into Fifita’s edge role… Truly perplexing.

Greg Marzhew returns from injury in place of the injured Phillip Sami which is great news for the depth of owners.

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BULLDOGS v SHARKS

Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Corey Allan 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Lachlan Lewis 7. Jake Averillo 8. Ava Seumanufagai 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Corey Waddell 12. Josh Jackson 13. Luke Thompson

Bench: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Dylan Napa 16. Joe Stimson 17. Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves: 19. Kyle Flanagan 20. Sione Katoa 21. Falakiko Manu 22. Matt Doorey

Analysis: The Bulldogs have been outstanding the past fortnight, threatening major upsets against the Roosters and Rabbitohs.

Their efforts deserve serious praise, however they aren’t enticing on the SuperCoach front.

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Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jack Williams

Bench: 14. Mawene Hiroti 15. Royce Hunt 16. Briton Nikora 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias 19. Luke Metcalf 20. Andrew Fifita 21. Jonaiah Lualua

Analysis: Outside of Shaun Johnson there’s not a lot doing here SuperCoach wise.

After a very consistent run of games from SJ, he absolutely hit the skids against the mighty Raiders with just 17 points!

He was below average, but don’t forget why you bought him.

Prior to that game, he had a 5RA of 67PPG with a low score of just 51. In that period, he was playing some excellent footy.

The fact Braydon Trindall kicked goals over him on the weekend shows he is carrying an injury.

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SJ has, in my opinion, been dealt with an unfair amount of criticism throughout his entire career.

Every time he does cop an earful from the public, he steps up and bounces back to remind them of what he’s capable of.

Fortunately this week he gets the opportunity to do so against the rejuvenated Bulldogs.

While the SuperCoach days of big tons may be past him, he’s still got plenty left in the tank.

I’ll likely be playing him this week, and if he does look hindered by any injury or slow as per last week I’ll sit him in coming rounds.

Jesse Ramien has been rock solid for owners and is a hold and play the remainder of the season.

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

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