Draft rankings: HFB, FRF positional analysis


<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Halfback rankings</strong></h2>



<p>If you ask any SuperCoacher with half a brain who the best players in the game are, they’re probably going to give you either Nathan Cleary or Nicho Hynes. And they’re right. </p>



<p>When it comes to the true high-scoring superstars of the game, the halfback position has a ceiling which can be hard to match.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In real life NRL, the best halfbacks have their hands in everything and in SuperCoach that translates to points, points, points.</p>



<p>Most Draft Rankings will have Hynes and Cleary as consensus top 2 picks &#8211; and the order really comes down to personal preference.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Guys like SJ, Jahrome Hughes and DCE are in that tier just below and are capable of big 70+ averages too. </p>



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<p>But despite all the glitz and glamour of the position, the depth does fall off fairly quickly.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Accordingly, the best strategy for a HFB is to strike quickly &#8211; think within the first two rounds &#8211; or wait until later when more value emerges.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Remember that if everyone in your draft is targeting one position, it will mean there’s likely to be value emerging in a different area.</p>



<p>Here’s our ranking of the top HFBs to target in your 2024 Draft.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td><strong>HFB</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Nicho Hynes</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Nathan Cleary</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Shaun Johnson</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Daly Cherry-Evans</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Jahrome Hughes</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Matt Burton</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Mitch Moses</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Sam Walker</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Adam Reynolds</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Ben Hunt</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Jamal Fogarty</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Luke Brooks</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<ol>
<li><strong>Nicho Hynes</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>A 95 average in 2023 says it all. Playing in a high octane team and kicking goals means Hynes is a beaut.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A fairly tasty finals draw across rounds 23 &#8211; 26 against Titans, Knights, Dragons and Warriors gets him the nod above Cleary, as does the low chance of him playing Origin.</p>



<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Nathan Cleary</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Could easily be the number 1 draft pick, it just comes down to preference. Cleary does it easy and regularly scores over the hundred mark &#8211; he did it eight times last year. Does he take on more accountability as the Panthers prepare for life after Luai?</p>



<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Shaun Johnson</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>His 78 average came from the clouds last season, and there’s little to suggest he can’t do it again. If you believe in the Warriors, SJ is a solid pick and could go as high as the top 10 in your draft. Dolphins, Manly, Dolphins and Sharks in the finals is a rock solid draw.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Of course his age always brings concerns of soft tissue injuries and if you’re nervous, look elsewhere. But SJ and the combinations of last year should continue and only improve with RTS joining the side.</p>



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<ol start="4">
<li><strong>Daly Cherry-Evans</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>The ever reliable Queensland rake is always a pretty safe bet. If Manly and Turbo are firing, he usually cashes in. If Turbo goes down, he becomes the focal point of the attack.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The reason he’s as high as four on this list is the finals draw. Raiders, Warriors, Tigers and Bulldogs is as good as it gets for the finals and you could ride DCE all the way to the title if he goes big.</p>



<ol start="5">
<li><strong>Jahrome Hughes</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>On his day, Hughes is capable of being as high as number 3 on this list. He could also improve off the back of a 71 average in 2023 thanks to his combination with Katoa on the Storm right-edge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Playing the Rabbits and Panthers in the first two weeks of Finals counts against him considerably.&nbsp;</p>



<ol start="6">
<li><strong>Matt Burton</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>The Dogs should be better, but still not great, but Burton’s dual is valuable and he should easily improve given the increased calibre of cattle around him this season. He has a good finals draw against the Dragons, Dolphins, Warriors and Sea Eagles.</p>



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<ol start="7">
<li><strong>Mitchell Moses</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>In a normal season, Moses could be top 3 at the position. If there’s one thing we can predict about him is his inconsistency. And unfortunately, Moses’ draw for SuperCoach finals round 23-26 are downright awful.&nbsp;</p>



<p>He will take on the Panthers, Roosters and Broncos before a friendlier game against the Dragons. This means when you’ll want him most, he could be having one of his down weeks.</p>



<ol start="8">
<li><strong>Sam Walker</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Despite the heights of his debut season, the prodigal son’s best average is still in the 60s which places him that tier below some of the other options. If you believe he gets better you could go early on him in picks 20-40, but be prepared for the roller coaster ride.</p>



<ol start="9">
<li><strong>Adam Reynolds</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>His decent weekly tackle count and accurate goal-kicking gives him a solid floor, but he’s always an injury risk given his age. A solid option without being too spectacular.</p>



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<ol start="10">
<li><strong>Ben Hunt</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Always seems to have to do a lot to score well, hence why he’s never an option to consider in Classic. With the Dragons not expected to be very good this year, I wouldn’t be expecting much.</p>



<ol start="11">
<li><strong>Jamal Fogarty</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>With no Wighton, and a return to being the primary goal-kicker, an improvement is almost a must. Fogarty will get a lot more ball and has always been a steady SuperCoach scorer highlighted by his 63 average in 2022.</p>



<ol start="12">
<li><strong>Luke Brooks</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>The dual is handy, as is the finals draw mentioned above for DCE. If you believe in the narrative that he will be unlocked without the pressure of being the primary playmaker, he could be for you.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brooks typically bangs out an average in the mid-50s at the Tigers, so he should do at least that.</p>



<p><strong>Sleepers:</strong></p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Tanah Boyd </strong>has a decent floor thanks to his tackling and goal-kicking. This season, he might even have a proper second-rower next to him in either Fermor or Fifita. Averaged 49 last season and should do at least that, if not more.</li>
</ul>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Front-row forward rankings</strong></h2>



<p>Draft will teach you many things. One of those is that the difference between front-row forwards not named Payne or Tino is negligible.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This isn’t a position where you need to find a 70+ average &#8211; for the most part a 55 will do. As such, rankings are as much about who you’d like to own.</p>



<p>In a position where players aren’t on field for the full 80, point scoring can often come down to minutes. Finding durability, or even players from other positions who are FRF eligible can be a gold mine.</p>



<p>Strategically, there’s only two guys at FRF who should go off your board before pick 20, and only two more who should go before pick 60.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some coaches will leave this position in their team until every other need is met, and it’s a strategy I agree with.</p>



<p>Regardless, here’s the rankings.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td><strong>FRF</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Tino Fa’asuamaleaui</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Payne Haas</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Addin Fonua-Blake</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Joe Tapine</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Mitch Barnett</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Max King</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Jack de Belin</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Mo Fotuaika</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Taniela Paseka</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Reuben Cotter</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Terrell May</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Jake Trbojevic</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<ol>
<li><strong>Tino Fa’asuamaleaui</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Could top-score in two positions this season, but there’s a slight concern over how Des will manage his minutes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you get him, put him at FRF as you’re likely to get more value with your later picks at 2RF. Should be a pick in the late teens or definitely before pick 30.</p>



<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Payne Haas</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Could easily be a top 5 scorer in all of SuperCoach but the Broncos are more invested in winning the comp. Again, his minutes could be managed. Has a bye during finals which has him below Tino for me.</p>



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<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Addin Fonua-Blake</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Averaged over 70 last season but that included a lot of tries. If you think he keeps that up, he’s a decent pick-up in the 30s. If you think there’s regression, 50s is better.</p>



<ol start="4">
<li><strong>Joseph Tapine</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Those who owned in 2023 will know that unless Ricky has given him the license to offload, his ceiling is capped fairly significantly.</p>



<p>I sound like a broken record but when a player’s scoring is dependent on a coach’s directive that we cannot predict, it’s not worth going early. 50s to 60s is decent value.</p>



<ol start="5">
<li><strong>Mitch Barnett</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Averaged well last year with a 60 playing across the front and second-row. Comes with an injury risk given his debilitative neck injury but could go well. Picks 80+.</p>



<ol start="6">
<li><strong>Max King</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>A 54 average last season could’ve easily been higher if not for multiple injury affected games. Should get good minutes in a thin Dogs pack and could easily get that up to 60 per game. Could be a number 3 FRF this season. Should be available picks 90+.</p>



<ol start="7">
<li><strong>Jack de Belin</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>The dual is handy and JDB is another solid option. Averaged 57 last year and there’s no reason why he couldn’t match that.</p>



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<ol start="8">
<li><strong>Mo Fotuaika</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Another whose performances are very dependent on the coaches instructions. MoFo is another who’s capable of a top 3 finish at the position this season if he can get his minutes up over 60. Again, wait until picks 100+.</p>



<ol start="9">
<li><strong>Taniela Paseka</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Showed glimpses last season of some elite scoring potential. Could easily push upwards of a 55 pending role.</p>



<ol start="10">
<li><strong>Reuben Cotter</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>A 53 average last season was down on expectations after a break-out 2022. With the captaincy this season and handy dual, he’d be a fun late pick-up in drafts with as much potential as you’ll find in picks 120+.</p>



<ol start="11">
<li><strong>Terrell May</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>In his games playing 40+ minutes, May had scores of 60, 52 and 65. If he can get close to that mark he’s capable of a 55 average. He should drop in drafts thanks to his 42 average last season and may present value.</p>



<ol start="12">
<li><strong>Jake Trbojevic</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>A 53 average is enough to earn a thumbs up. He won’t have the highlight reel plays but shouldn’t ever let you down.</p>


Draft rankings: HFB, FRF positional analysis

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