Positional Watchlist: NRL Supercoach Round 7 Rising and Falling Player Stocks

Another interesting trading round coming up in NRL Supercoach, with plenty of guns bottoming in price, at the same time as cash gen options being available. 

If like me you’ve used four boosts so far, I’d recommend holding the fifth.

Whilst I’m a fan of maximising cash and points as soon as possible, the last boost is a handy insurance policy that could be needed at a later. 

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We’re also at the point in the season where it’s worth considering Origin and bye coverage.

In recent seasons I’ve found that the round after Origin (‘minor byes’) is often more difficult than the major bye rounds, when we only need to field 13 players.

It’s worth keeping this in mind for your trade plans. 

Fullbacks

Papenhuyzen looks essential this week for non-owners, with a BE of 18 and upcoming games of Dolphins A, Bunnies H, Raiders (Suncorp), Tigers H.

Ponga is a headache for owners but is too good not to bounce back and outperform his current value of $667k.

For non-owners, he’ll bottom out in coming rounds but isn’t essential with origin looming and other good options at fullback.

One of these options is Scott Drinkwater.

The Cowboys tough early draw is now behind them and their upcoming draw post bye looks good (Titans H, Warriors at Suncorp, Panthers H, Manly H, Rd 12 Bye, Tigers H).

He’s averaging 68 so far this season, but with the goal kicking is capable of averaging 85+ based on his career SC record.  

Teddy has a run of Panthers (H), Dragons (H), Dolphins (Suncorp), Bye, Bulldogs (A), before likely playing the round 12 major bye round against the Sharks.

The Dragons and Dolphins games are appealing, but I’d prefer Drinkwater from next week at $150k less.

Targets:

• Ryan Papenhuyzen 
• Scott Drinkwater (moved from form watch – target post round 7 bye)

Form watch:

• James Tedesco 
• Kalyn Ponga (moved from targets)
• Clint Gutherson
• Reece Walsh
• Isaiah Iongi 

Job watch:

• Latrell Mitchell 

Note: Fullbacks with dual are listed elsewhere, as they’re generally best selected in their other position

CTW

With the Knights current form, I’d no longer be targeting at the likes of Sharpe and Marzhew, although both have strong base + power stats. 

Val Holmes is my preferred option of the CTW guns this round,. He’s bottomed out at around $700k and is on the red-hot Dragons’ left edge.

Although he doesn’t play round 12, he’ll likely backup for the round 13 minor bye round. 

There are a few handy cash gen options at CTW this round and next. 

Mawene Hiroti (BE -61) will make quick cash until Iro returns, although he may be back as soon as next round.

The Sharks upcoming run (Knights A, Tigers A, Eels Suncorp) looks pretty good if Hiroti can get a few games. 

Billy Smith (-57) has looked fantastic in his two games and will likely be a priority trade in next round. 

Jaxon Purdue (-45) would be harder to fit in than those two at $533k, but like Drinkwater could go big in the Cowboys’ favourable upcoming run (Titans H, Warriors at Suncorp, Panthers H, Manly H, Rd 12 Bye, Tigers H). 

Targets:

• Valentine Holmes (moved from form watch)
• Mawene Hiroti (moved from job watch)
• Billy Smith (moved from job watch – target post suspension)
• Jaxon Purdue (added – target post bye)

Form watch:

• Jacob Kiraz
• Herbie Farnworth 
• Reuben Garrick 
• Fletcher Sharpe (CTW/FLB) (moved from targets)
• Greg Marzhew (moved from targets)
• Jamayne Isaako 
• Connor Tracey (CTW/FLB)
• Adam Douehi (CTW/5-8)
• Blaize Talagi (added) 
• Selwyn Cobbo 
• Thomas Jenkins (moved from targets)
• Jack Howarth
• Jaylan De Groot 

Removed: Zac Lomax, Gehamat Shibasaki, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Lehi Hopoate, Jeral Skelton, 

Job watch:

• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) 
• Robert Derby 

5/8

Five/eighth just got shallower with the dropping of Galvin to NSW Cup. 

Jayden Campbell looks essential now; he recorded 83 without an attacking stat in round 6. 

Cam Munster is still a solid option but with origin coming up, gets less appealing every week that goes by. 

Close watch on Adam Doueihi after being named at 5/8. 

Targets:

• Jayden Campbell (FLB-5/8) 
• Cameron Munster 

Form watch:

• Dylan Brown (HFB-5/8)
• Cody Walker (HFB-5/8)
• Luke Metcalf (HFB-5/8)
• Adam Douehi (5/8-CTW)

Job watch:

• Jayden Sullivan (HFB-5/8) (added)

Removed: Lachlan Galvin

Halfbacks

Halfback also looks shallow outside of Nathan Cleary.

Jahrome Hughes (BE 111) has lost $92k so far and could be even better value in coming rounds.

Debate remains open on him vs Hynes for the second half spot.

Nicho Hynes is still averaging 72, despite regularly taking a backseat to Trindall in attack.

Targets:

• Nathan Cleary 

Form watch: 

• Nicho Hynes 
• Jahrome Hughes 
• Dylan Brown (HFB/5-8) 
• Cody Walker (HFB/5-8)
• Luke Metcalf (HFB/5-8)

Job watch:

• Jayden Sullivan (HFB-5/8) (added)

2RF

Plenty happening in second row, with David Fifita and Eliesa Katoa looking like ultra-premium options. 

If Dylan Egan starts again on Thursday night, he’s a very tempting trade-in, having played a hybrid edge/middle 80-minute game last start. 

Isaah Yeo, Angus Crichton, Jacob Preston and Hudson Young are all options who could easily average 70+ for the rest of the season.

Of these, I like Yeo most, given his pedigree and that the Panthers will need him to backup over the Origin period.

Similar could be said for Angus Crichton, but the concern is that if he doesn’t backup, the Roosters bye schedule might see him miss the whole Origin period!

Toby Couchman is value at $558k and averaging 66 this season. He looks to have cemented a big minute role at the Dragons. 

Targets:

• David Fifita (moved from job watch)
• Eliesa Katoa
• Angus Crichton 
• Isaah Yeo 
• Jacob Preston 
• Hudson Young (moved from form watch)
• Connor Watson (HK/2RF) (moved from job watch)
• Toby Couchman (FRF/2RF) (added)
• Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (FRF/2RF) 
• Dylan Egan 

Removed: Lachlan Hubner

Job watch 

• Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF)
• Patrick Carrigan (FRF/2RF) 
• Max Plath (HK/2RF) 
• Beau Fermor (2RF/CTW) 
• Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) 
• Matty Nicholson
• Kitione Kautoga 
• Thomas Cant (moved from targets)

Form watch 

Priced 650k+

• Haumole Olakau’atu 
• Briton Nikora 
• Siua Wong (moved from targets)
• J’maine Hopgood 
• Keaon Koloamatangi  

Looping options:

• Myles Martin (FRF/2RF) 
• Ethan Roberts (FRF/2RF) 
• Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF)

FRF 

As per the 2RF analysis, Toby Couchman looks a fine option at $558k.

His upside is limited compared to other positions though. 

Joseph Tapine has emerged as yet another standout front row option and has a BE of 35, priced at $743k, coming into this round.

The Raiders next bye isn’t until round 15 and being a kiwi he won’t play Origin.

With priority buys in other positions though, it may pay to wait on him and hope he’s affordable closer to Origin.  

Targets:

• Payne Haas
• Terrell May 
• Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (FRF/2RF)
• Toby Couchman (FRF/2RF) (added)
• Joseph Tapine (moved from form watch)

Form watch:

• Addin Fonua-Blake 
• Daniel Saifiti 
• Lindsay Smith
• Erin Clark (FRF/2RF) (moved from job watch) 

Job Watch:

• Mitch Barnett (FRF/2RF)
• Patrick Carrigan (FRF/2RF) 
• James Fisher-Harris 
• Corey Horsburgh (FRF/2RF) 

Looping options 

• Myles Martin – Raiders (FRF/2RF)
• Ethan Roberts – Roosters (FRF/2RF)
• Tukimihia Simpkins (FRF/2RF)

Hooker

I’ve neglected him until now but Wayde Egan has been the standout performer at hooker so far this season, averaging 70.6 and playing 80 minutes every round.

He’ll provide great early bye coverage, as the Warriors don’t have their next bye until round 15.

The concern with Egan has always been injury, so it might be worth holding off until closer to the origin period if you can, but priced at $614k, I could understand coaches moving for him now. 

Connor Watson played 80 minutes on the weekend and has done so in 3 of 5 games this season, with one being injury affected.

The minutes are there, but like Crichton, if he plays Origin his bye schedule is unfavourable.

Nonetheless, at just $577k his handy duals could make him a worthwhile trade in for some teams. 

Targets:

• Harry Grant 
• Wayde Egan (added)
• Connor Watson (HK/2RF) (moved from job watch)

Job watch:

• Max Plath (HK/2RF) 
• Ryley Smith 

Form watch

• Peter Mamouzelos