Squad Breakdown: Analysing the Round 22 teams

We’re well and truly into the business end of the SuperCoach season, with the race for overall glory coming down to the final four rounds.

The first week of head-to-head finals are in the bank, up next is the eliminators, so it’s all on the line for those still alive in their competitions.

The Cooma Stallions’ slightly disappointing month has continued with 1,340 points last round, dropping further to 706^th place overall.

While it’s not panic stations, it is underwhelming after being really well placed coming into the run home sitting around the top 100 a month back. Not to worry!

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Despite the drop in recent rounds, it’s one of my favourite SuperCoach seasons to date due to the variety across squads this deep into the year.

Normally squads are very similar, but there’s stacks of high ceiling players who have really emerged in the past month as trades have begun to run out, meaning the differences in scoring each week are quite substantial.

It makes for exciting weekends of SuperCoach action, and also makes for significant swings in the overall rankings, with plenty more to come no doubt.

As per the teams below, there’s plenty of major outs, so let’s hope your side is well prepared with decent depth!

On that, let’s take a look at the Round 22 teams, with squads courtesy of Fox Sports.

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PANTHERS v STORM

Thursday, 7.50pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Chris Smith 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Sunia Turuva

Reserves: 18. Charlie Staines 19. J’maine Hopgood 20. Robert Jennings 21. Kurt Falls 22. Viliame Kikau

Analysis: Penrith showed last weekend against the Raiders they won’t be too phased by the loss of their star halves.

However, their SuperCoach scoring may be, with the outside backs such as Taylan May, Brian To’o and Izack Tago receiving significantly less ball and space to work their magic.

To be fair, Canberra’s edge defence has been solid enough of late, so perhaps the Panthers edges will ignite this week.

Provided you have good depth at CTW, those players are all sit options outside your 17 for a tough clash with the Storm.

As expected, Api Koroisau played a greater role in attack without his halves, owners have a nice little POD at hooker for the run home.

I wouldn’t rush to buy any of their players this week.

Viliame Kikau has been named on the extended bench.

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Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Cooper Johns 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King

Bench: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Tyran Wishart

Reserves: 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jack Howarth

Analysis: Cameron Munster went nuts at fullback, although it really must be taken into consideration that it was against the leaky Titans defensive unit. He moves back to the halves in the absence of Jahrome Hughes.

While he and Harry Grant remain great buys, this fixture against the Panthers in Penrith probably is a week to anti-POD the pairing.

Hughes owners would nearly prefer he misses this clash to get back to full fitness as he’s arguably a sit in this match anyway. His injury appears minor, so I’d be holding unless you’re flush with trades.

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WARRIORS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 6pm, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Edward Kosi 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jack Murchie 13. Josh Curran

Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Jackson Frei

Reserves: 18. Bayley Sironen 20. Adam Pompey 21. Taniela Otukolo 22. Tom Ale 23. Rocco Berry

Analysis: No interest at the Warriors who have named the team they should have named last week.

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Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Jackson 12. Jackson Topine 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Joe Stimson 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Chris Patolo

Reserves: 19. Declan Casey 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Phillip Makatoa

Analysis: This match up looks outstanding for Matty Burton who delivered against a tough Cowboys opposition.

If you are interested, this is the last week to realistically invest as the Bulldogs face the Eels, Sharks and Sea Eagles in the next three rounds.

A bit like Latrell last week, if you’re investing you need a big score in this clash before he gets into that tough draw.

Jacob Kiraz looks a great play in 17s this week for anyone who still owns.

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EELS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 7.55pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

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

Bench: 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore

Reserves: 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Sean Russell 22. Elie El Zakhem

Analysis: Parramatta’s next month is difficult against the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Broncos and Storm.

For that reason, I’d be a little hesitant to invest in any of their players.

Shaun Lane is on fire, what a SuperCoach revelation he’s been this season locked into an 80-minute role.

With Mitch Moses out, that left edge of Dylan Brown, Shaun Lane and Maika Sivo on the end will continue to see plenty of ball which bodes well for all their prospects.

Lane has a three-round average of 93 and five round of 78 points per game.

He’s owned by 33% of the top 100 ranked overall SuperCoach teams and just 21% of the top 5,000, making him a decent POD play despite the tough draw.

Ryan Matterson has been named but must pass concussion protocols to take his part in the clash.

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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jaxson Paulo 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray

Bench: 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Siliva Havili 17. Davvy Moale

Reserves: 18. Taane Milne 19. Dean Hawkins 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Shaq Mitchell 22. Josh Mansour

Analysis: I gambled on avoiding Latrell Mitchell last week knowing his draw from here on out was brutal, it didn’t pay off with 152 points! Thank the Lord he came off with 20 minutes to go, the SuperCoach record was under threat.

I’m banking on him coming back to the pack over the next month with a run of games against the Eels, Panthers, Cowboys and Roosters, but I’m far from confident. I wouldn’t be buying him with that draw though.

Cam Murray you glorious man, I’m so gutted I don’t own him. Three try-assists in 18 minutes, and despite the blow out score line he still played 66 minutes.

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Due to the Ryan Papenhuyzen injury and Nathan Cleary suspension, trades have been prioritised elsewhere, meaning Murray is still in POD ownership.

He’s owned by just 15% of the top 100 ranked SuperCoach teams and 22% of the top 1,000.

Despite the draw, South Sydney are fighting for both a top 4 and potentially top 8 spot, so there’s no reason why he won’t continue playing big minutes, great buy!

Damien Cook remains a great POD, but I wouldn’t look elsewhere at the Rabbitohs.

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ROOSTERS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 3pm, SCG, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Adam Keighran 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Kevin Naiqama 21. Ben Thomas 22. Siua Wong

Analysis: The Roosters have some tough fixtures to come with games against the Cowboys, Tigers, Storm and Rabbitohs.

For that reason, I’d be a little hesitant investing in their attacking contingent, while at the same time I wouldn’t look to sell.

The Storm and Rabbitohs fixtures may not be as tough as they appear, while they at least face the Cowboys at the SCG.

James Tedesco is the exception if you don’t own him yet, he has a three-round average of 108 and five round of 98.

Joey Manu finally had a quiet game, about time! While I feel far better about him at centre and can see a few lower scores than average occurring in these games, he was roaming around as a second fullback at times on the weekend which was very concerning to see for any pelican that still doesn’t own (yours truly).

At $902k, while playing centre, I wouldn’t be buying. He has a breakeven of 166, and a tough Cowboys clash ahead, so I think non-owners can perhaps wait until next week for the Tigers clash to buy if still wanting him. He could go ballistic in that one, so it’s probably a touch more relevant to those still alive in head-to-head finals next week.

Angus Crichton delivered the goods with 96 last week, including a strong 47 in base, good going lad.

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Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo

Bench: 14. Jordan McLean 15. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Griffin Neame

Reserves: 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Ben Hampton 20. Jake Granville 21. Riley Price 22. Connelly Lemuelu

Analysis: The Cowboys run home is looking a little tougher than we probably anticipated a month ago with the form resurgence of the Roosters and Rabbitohs. Along with those sides, they also face the Warriors and Panthers.

Scott Drinkwater went bonkers in the final 10 minutes against the Bulldogs to not only rescue his score, but hurt non-owners.

Val Holmes flopped, and with that run from here-on-out he can probably be avoided.

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Reuben Cotter was enormous running for 182m off the bench last week, while there’s probably higher upside players to consider on the run home, he’s a super POD at 11% ownership in top 100 ranked teams and 7% in the top 1,000.

Jeremiah Nanai finally failed to score a try, with his score regressing to just 36. He had 38 base in 80 minutes, showing he really does need the attacking stats to score well, which may allude him in the final month.

Alternatively, he’s a freak and could continue to dish them out. Regardless, at $745k I’d be looking elsewhere.

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TIGERS v SHARKS

Saturday, 5.30pm, Scully Park, Tamworth  

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. James Roberts 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Starford To’a 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Fonua Pole 15. Austin Dias 16. Thomas Freebairn 17. Tyrone Peachey

Reserves: 18. Luke Garner 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Brandon Tumeth 21. Junior Tupou 22. Justin Matamua

Analysis: Adam Doueihi was the hype buy last week and really disappointed, despite somehow notching a reasonable 53 points.

He looked a little lost, as did the entire side, without a regular organising half in Jackson Hastings or Luke Brooks.

I still like him for the run home, but with a tough Sharks match up this week you’d want to wait a week to see how he performs before potentially investing.

No interest elsewhere.

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Sharks: 1. Kade Dykes 2. Lachlan Miller 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Andrew Fifita

Reserves: 18. Kayal Iro 19. Royce Hunt 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Matt Ikuvalu

Analysis: The Sharks have arguably the best run home with games against the Tigers, Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and Knights.

For this reason, Siosifa Talakai, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien – who have all underwhelmed recently – remain holds, and should be played in 17s on most, if not all of these weeks.

As the Sharks ramp up their fight for a home final, they could put some big scores on.

Nicho Hynes will be very hard to go against as a skipper in plenty of these games.

With Dale Finucane back, Cameron McInnes is probably a sit most weeks.

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BRONCOS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Corey Jensen 17. Keenan Palasia

Reserves: 18. Cory Paix 19. Ryan James 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Zac Hosking

Analysis: Brisbane have a dream match up here at Suncorp, particularly as they need to bounce back after a poor fortnight. They really should be lifting for this one and putting on a score.

I wouldn’t look to invest in any players as they face the Eels, Storm then Dragons on the run home, while their own form has been questionable.

They’re not too SuperCoach relevant surprisingly, Payne Haas continues to be only solid with back-to-back scores of 59 and 65.

Owners of Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo will be praying they can repay the patience faith with a number of attacking stats in this game.

If I still owned Ezra Mam, I’d hold him this week and play, before moving on next week.

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Knights: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Mathew Croker

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Simi Sasagi

Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Sauaso Sue 20. Chris Randall 21. Edrick Lee 22. Hymel Hunt

Analysis: No interest here.

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RAIDERS v DRAGONS

Sunday, 2pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott

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

Reserves: 18. James Schiller 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Peter Hola 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Analysis: Joe Tapine is out due to a rib injury, plenty are selling which I find a little crazy. He’s out for 1-3 weeks, being rib cartilage it’s a pain tolerance issue, with Canberra desperate to make the eight, I suspect he won’t be out long. But reassess as we get further information during the week.

It’s good news for Adam Elliott who should play extended minutes in his absence.

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Dragons: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Michael Molo

Bench: 14. Tyrell Sloan 15. Aaron Woods 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Billy Burns

Reserves: 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Jackson Ford 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Cody Ramsey 22. Jack Gosiewski

Analysis: No interest here.

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TITANS v SEA EAGLES

Sunday, 4.05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Corey Thompson 19. Toby Sexton 20. Paul Turner 21. Klese Haas 22. Jarrod Wallace

Analysis: David Fifita has averaged an okay 62.5 points since returning to his 80-minute role in the past four games.

He’s done next to nothing, so if he could up his involvement, he could be anything; but geez we’ve said that a lot this season.

A dry day game at home hopefully provides the platform for the big score we’ve all been waiting for. There’s no way you’d be investing on current form.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai

Reserves: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Kurt De Luis 20. Brad Parker 21. Kaeo Weekes 22. Morgan Boyle

Analysis: Manly have a nice run home with games against the Titans, Sharks, Raiders and Bulldogs.

For this reason, I think Daly Cherry-Evans is a nice purchase at $559k despite a poor run of scores that’s seen him average just 36 points in the past three weeks.

I actually think DCE is a decent skipper option in this clash, along with Reuben Garrick.

DCE is owned by just 9% of the top 100 ranked overall teams and 14% of the top 1,000.

I think he’s a super POD for the run home.