Team lists: Supercoach round 22 squad analysis

For the majority of leagues, we’re likely at the penultimate round of the NRL Supercoach head-to-head regular season.

Most leagues will have their grand final in round 26, meaning finals series start next week.

Check your settings, as some will be set up for a round 27 grand final.

It’s the business end of the season, with some coaches sitting comfortably in the top four and others in desperate bids to crack the top eight and stay alive.

Check your ladder position, essentially there’s no difference between first and fourth in terms of week one of the finals, so if you’re locked in the top four it’s worth saving trades this week for the finals.

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If you’re in contention for top four or top eight, go hard, the win could prove invaluable.

After a tough few weeks, the Cooma Stallions showed some fight last weekend notching 1,298 points to rise a thousand spots into 6,144^th overall.

A vast improvement and a nice jump as we look to make a charge across the final six rounds.

Tune into the SC Playbook podcast tonight as we break down in detail the clubs with the strongest and weakest H2H finals fixtures.

As trades run low, and plenty of sides start to fall off the perch and become more irrelevant on the run home, I’ll keep the analysis a little more concise below.

Let’s get stuck into the round 22 analysis, with squad lists courtesy of Fox Sports.

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BRONCOS v ROOSTERS

Thursday, 7:50pm, The Gabba, Brisbane

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Xavier Willison 19. Jock Madden 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Jordan Pereira

Analysis: Reece Walsh, the fullback we’re somehow all overlooking?

He scored a sensational 111 on return from suspension against none other than title contenders South Sydney.

He’s now averaging 76 points per game and is owned by very few.

Brisbane’s draw to come is brutal against the Roosters, Cowboys, Eels, bye, Raiders and Storm, so I’m looking elsewhere, but at $666k he’s dirt cheap with great upside.

That’s four of five against top eight sides plus a bye.

He was able to buck the trend on the weekend in style, but his scores against top 9 sides this season haven’t been super enticing, albeit respectable.

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Rd 21: Rabbitohs 111 (Boom!)

Rd 14: Sharks 65

Rd 12 Panthers 42

Rd 11: Storm 67

Rd 9: Rabbitohs 23

Rd 8: Eels 38

Rd 6: Raiders 86

Rd 2: Cowboys 105 (when they were ordinary)

= 67PPG (61PPG withdrawing Cows Rd 2)

Payne Haas looks an excellent pick-up at a decent rate of $767k, particularly with Tohu Harris and Addin Fonua-Blake on the bye, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui suspended.

Brendan Piakura returns after missing last week due to illness.

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Corey Allan 19. Siua Wong 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Dylan Napa

Analysis: James Tedesco is sitting with a six game average of 93 points, the man is well and truly back, but are the Roosters?

The fact he’s done that predominantly in a losing Roosters side suggests any continued improvement from the Tri-colours should only benefit Teddy.

At minimal ownership, and a decent run home against the Broncos, Sea Eagles, Dolphins, Eels, Tigers and Rabbitohs, he’s a strong alternative to the more highly owned fullbacks.

Back to the wing, and back to Supercoach form for Joseph Suaalii.

He scored 85 against the Titans, and most importantly his base was 38, substantially better than his entire season outside of round 9 against the Warriors were he knocked out 39 in base.

At $486k with goal-kicking duties he’s a downgrade option to free up cash, but if doing so I’d be hesitant to play in 17s this week against the Broncos.

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TIGERS v RABBITOHS

Friday, 6pm, Scully Park, Tamworth

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Junior Tupou 5. Charlie Staines 6. Daine Laurie 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Will Smith 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Aitasi James 18. Justin Matamua 19. Asu Kepaoa 20. Jake Simpkin 21. Tommy Talau 22. Tallyn Da Silva

Analysis: No interest in the Tigers.

John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’i are scoring well enough and are fine to hold if trades are an issue for your side.

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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Davvy Moale 15. Siliva Havili 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Shaquai Mitchell 20. Tallis Duncan 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Dean Hawkins

Analysis: The run begins for the Rabbitohs.

With Brisbane out the door, South Sydney’s draw opens up enormously with games against the Tigers, Sharks, Dragons, Knights, bye and Roosters.

Best yet is the fact they’re sitting outside the eight, meaning they need to not only win most games on the run home, but win well to up their for and against to contend for a top four spot.

Latrell Mitchell returns, and there’s some concern around the fact that after a 10 week break he wasn’t cleared to face Brisbane in a huge clash.

However, with that draw and fire in his belly (surely!), he looks a great option to me at 0% ownership which will grow substantially this week as the second most traded in player.

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My boy Cam Murray delivered last week as a $240k profit trade in for J’maine Hopgood.

Murray looked excellent, scoring 76 points in 76 minutes with a linebreak assist his only major attacking stat to go with 58 in base.

At $533k he remains an absolute bargain.

Still no Tyrone Munro in a blow to owners hoping to play the rookie flyer in 17s this week.

Campbell Graham is another terrific POD play for the run home, while Cody Walker could go bonkers.

Proceed with caution though as the Rabbitohs have the round 26 bye, so you don’t want to overstack your side with their players, particularly if you’re low on trades and can’t flip any out later on.

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STORM v EELS

Friday, 8pm, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Tyran Wishart 18. Grant Anderson 19. Chris Lewis 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Aaron Pene 22. Jayden Nikorima

Analysis: Despite Melbourne’s poor performance, Cameron Munster dished out an excellent 97 points.

Owned by around 40% of Supercoaches there’s still some differential if you’re looking to pick him up at an extremely cheap $646k.

Harry Grant flopped against Newcastle, but he remains the top hooker selection in the game so stick strong.

Surprisingly there’s not a lot else to speak of at the Storm.

Eli Katoa finally returns from an eye/facial injury on the bench, however Melbourne are missing Justin Olam, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Reimis Smith and Tariq Sims from last week.

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Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Waqa Blake 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Andrew Davey 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Joey Lussick 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Haze Dunster 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie

Analysis: Parramatta’s brutal draw makes it hard to invest in their contingent.

They face the Storm, Dragons, Broncos, Roosters, Panthers followed by the round 27 bye.

The round 27 bye is particularly concerning for overall focused, or those with H2H grand finals that week, as potential restings across the NRL could leave squads short.

Those with grand finals in round 26 can look at their players a little differently, although the Penrith match-up that week is far from ideal if you are fortunate enough to get through to the decider.

Andrew Davey starts for the injured Shaun Lane, with Ryan Matterson remaining on the bench.

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RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. Nick Cotric 19. Matt Frawley 20. Trey Mooney 21. Ethan Strange 22. Utuloa Asouma

Analysis: Very little to speak of at the Raiders, once again outside of Joe Tapine and Corey Horsburgh who are holds until the end of the season.

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Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Brodie Jones 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Jack Johns

Analysis: With Melbourne out of the way, and disposed of comfortably, Newcastle become strong targets in a rich vein of form with a great run home.

They face the Raiders, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Sharks and Dragons.

Kalyn Ponga is one big score away from joining the million dollar club, and with that run he could be on the verge of the two million dollar club by season’s end.

Imagine not owning him, sigh…

When KP’s firing, so is Greg Marzhew.

Big Greg is averaging a stunning 80 points this season, with a 39 in round 9 his only score under 49 all season.

He’s done so in an average Knights side (up until recent weeks), so if they continue this form until the end of season he could go huge on the run home.

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DRAGONS v SEA EAGLES

Saturday, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Jack Bird 18. Zane Musgrove 19. Sione Finau 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Max Feagai 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Analysis: No interest at the Dragons for me, however Zac Lomax deserves a shout out after a below par Supercoach season by his standards, he’s dished out back-to-back scores of 115 and 138!

The Dragons run home is brutal, so I wouldn’t be buying.

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Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dean Matterson 15. Aaron Woods 16. Sean Keppie 17. Ethan Bullemor 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Ben Condon 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Analysis: Manly have a mixed run home with some very soft games in the Dragons, Bulldogs and Tigers, and some tough games in the Panthers and Warriors away.

For that reason, Reuben Garrick is definitely a hold with a three round average of 66 since shifting to fullback.

He’s a potential sit for the Panthers clash but otherwise could have some biggies left in him.

No other real interest at the Sea Eagles for me, potentially Haumole Olakau’atu if you want a POD and have trades up the sleeve to do so.

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PANTHERS v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Zac Hosking 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Liam Henry

Analysis: Oh boy, that Doggies clash was a case of what could have been for the Penrith Supercoach contingent after a blistering first half that was halted in the second.

Credit to the Dogs for gritting their teeth to put in a spirited second half.

Anywho, where were we.

Nathan Cleary will be better for the run and remains pretty close to a must-have for me.

While the Panthers have a few tougher fixtures on the run home, four home games to round out the season kind of nullifies those games a fair bit.

Izack Tago is out again, with Tyrone Peachey retaining his spot at centre.

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Brian To’o looks a great buy at a reasonable price.

To’o and Cleary’s right edge comes up against the Sharks horrific left edge defensively and could have a field day.

Scott Sorensen is averaging 72 points per game in 13 games of 59+ minutes this season.

Yes it’s inflated a bit by his 175 point monster, but it also reflect his upside in a gun team.

He’s slightly attack reliant, but in this ruthless Penrith outfit there’s no reason why he can’t find points.

The risk is in rotation with so many back-rowers available and the fact he’s hardly missed time since round 4, but we’ve said that all season and he continues to get the game time.

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Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Royce Hunt 18. Matt Moylan 19. Kayal Iro 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Daniel Atkinson 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Analysis: What to do with the Sharkies?

With games against the Panthers, Rabbitohs, Titans, Cowboys, Knights and Raiders the run home isn’t easy.

Ultimately I think everyone bar Nicho Hynes (even then…) are trades if you have enough up your sleeve to do so.

It’ll change for every squad, because if you have depth to sit out players like Ronaldo Mulitalo, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien for a clash like Penrith this week I think it’s okay.

To then be able to inject them for softer matches like the Titans makes sense.

But if you’re forced to play them it’s a big concern.

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Essentially, shifting them should be the play if possible, but it could be a luxury for those with sub five trades up the sleeve.

And what about Nicho?

He was set for likely his lowest score of his career at Cronulla, before a few late try-assists not only rescued him, but catapulted him to 86 points.

If you’re a Shaun Johnson and Nathan Cleary owner you’d just stick to that, but he’s likely just a hold for the season. I mean he is averaging 99!

If your squad is stacked it could be a nifty, albeit risky POD play to sit him this week against Penrith.

Wade Graham on the edge may be a concern for Mulitalo.

Sifa Talakai has been named on the bench.

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BULLDOGS v DOLPHINS

Sunday, 2pm, Salter Oval, Bundaberg

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Corey Waddell 17. Samuel Hughes 19. Jayden Okunbor 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Liam Knight

Analysis: No interest here.

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Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Herman Ese’ese 15. Josh Kerr 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Isaiya Katoa 19. Harrison Graham 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Max Plath 22. Jack Bostock

Analysis: The Dolphins return from the bye with a nice next month against the Bulldogs, Knights, Roosters and Tigers, before finishing with the Cowboys and Warriors.

No interest for me, but players such as Jamayne Isaako and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could finish with a bang and prove PODs for head-to-head finals.

Valynce Te Whare returns to centre.

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TITANS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Erin Clark 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Jacob Alick 20. Ken Maumalo 21. Kruise Leeming 22. Thomas Mikaele

Analysis: Titans draw: Cowboys, Warriors, Sharks, Panthers, Storm, Bulldogs… Oh dear.

It’s about as tough as it gets for the Titans to run home, particularly if your H2H season finishes before the Bulldogs clash.

For that reason, David Fifita is the only player I’d be considering.

Is there perhaps an anti-POD opportunity in going against big Fifi?

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The concern is that IF there’s any blow out score lines as per the Roosters on the weekend he could get an early shower and play 60 minutes in a well-beaten team.

I still think he’s a buy, and the Titans have shown enough this season to suggest they can stay in tougher games, but there is a genuine option to go without the big fella.

I’d be shifting AJ Brimson if I owned due to that draw and the fact there’s so many great 5/8s and fullbacks available.

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Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 16. Jason Taumalolo 17. Sam McIntyre 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Kyle Feldt 20. Riley Price 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Mitchell Dunn

Analysis: Due to the fact Scott Drinkwater is well over one million dollars and Val Holmes is $845k there’s probably not a heap of investment interest at the Cowboys unless you want to pay top dollar for those boys.

Semi Valemei, $572k, 72 point average, super POD anyone?

With Jeremiah Nanai out for 4-6 weeks, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki starts on the edge and is a downgrade option at just $277k with seemingly some serious upside.

SuperCoach Team Scoring

Via SC Playbook reader, Dylan