NRL Supercoach Round 11 – It Begins!
It’s finally arrived! Round 12 kicks off this weekend and it’s time to see our bye planning in action.
I’ve had a rollercoaster of a season so far. I managed to drop 2500 ranks in two weeks and have only just climbed back to 835th overall. My round 12 side is ready to go despite Milford getting the nod for Origin. Luckily I’ll still be able to field 17 players without having to tear my team apart.
To kick things off we’ll take a look at the State of Origin teams. Most of the usual suspects have been named which is always a relief for SuperCoaches. Dylan Napa replaces the injured Matt Scott and there’s no sign of Billy Slater for game one. 8% of coaches will be relieved that Valentine Holmes has missed out on selection while 21% of us cringed at the news that Milford will replace the injured Johnathan Thurston in the halves. There’s speculation that Thurston will take the field next Wednesday but it’s thrown a spanner in the works nonetheless.
The New South Wales’ team didn’t come with too many surprises either. Jack De Belin, Nathan Peats and Jarryd Hayne weren’t 100% confirmed but neither of these players would’ve been available for round 12 anyway.
State Of Origin Teams
Queensland
- Darius Boyd
- Corey Oates
- Will Chambers
- Justin O’Neill
- Dane Gagai
- Anthony Milford
- Cooper Cronk
- Dylan Napa
- Cameron Smith
- Nate Myles
- Josh Papalii
- Matt Gillett
- Josh McGuire
Extended Bench:
Michael Morgan
Sam Thaiday
Aidan Guerra
Jacob Lillyman
Johnathan Thurston
New South Wales
- James Tedesco
- Blake Ferguson
- Josh Dugan
- Jarryd Hayne
- Brett Morris
- James Maloney
- Mitchell Pearce
- Aaron Woods
- Nathan Peats
- Andrew Fifita
- Josh Jackson
- Boyd Cordner (c)
- Tyson Frizell
Extended bench:
Jack Bird
Wade Graham
David Klemmer
Jack Trbojevic
Jordan McLean
Matt Moylan
Jack de Belin
Candidates For General Bye Coverage
It’s always fun to go POD shopping before the bye period begins but let’s not get too carried away. Most candidates will cost you two trades as they won’t appear in your run home side. Additionally, a few of them will tie up some of your funds and you’ll have to work around them if they’re not strong enough for your seventeen. Just make sure you’re not using two trades on a player you’ll be using on three or four occasions.
- Adam Reynolds ($317k HFB 3.1%) wasn’t a front runner for Origin selection but a few of us needed confirmation before considering him for our team. He may not be a popular halfback choice but he’s definitely seen his fair share of decent scores.
Unfortunately Reynolds comes with a number of negative factors. Obviously you’ll be using him for the three big bye rounds but his other fixtures through the bye period are quite difficult. The Rabbitohs will face the Cowboys, Broncos and Roosters outside the three big bye rounds which may be bad news for Reynolds owners. He’s already scored in the twenties against tough defensive sides this season (Cowboys, Sea Eagles and Storm). Proceed with caution!
- Semi Radradra ($290.8k CTW 12.2%) is an absolute steal at $290k. He may have had his fair share of poor scores but there’s more to Semi’s appeal than meets the eye.
There’s no point focusing on the negatives when Semi is available at such a cheap price. His pros easily outweigh the cons at this stage. Not only is he available for all three big bye rounds but the Eels’ fixtures outside these games are quite favourable. In fact, their run home isn’t too bad either so you could give him a punt in your run home side if you’re feeling ballsy. We’ve been given an appealing candidate on a platter!
- Tyrell Fuimaono ($122.6k 2RF/CTW) will be one of the more popular trade-ins this week. He’s a bottom dollar cheapie playing his third game but is he really worth the hype?
Fuimaono has entered the trade radar in the past couple of weeks. He usually plays 30 minutes (give or take) from the bench and is projected to make around $90k through the bye period. His appeal lies in his perfect bye coverage and samurai-like hair cut but unfortunately that’s where it ends. Adding Fuimaono to your side brings another AE nightmare to the table. It’ll also cost you another trade as you won’t want him in your run home side. Is it really worth the hassle for an extra 20 to 30 points each big bye round? He’s going to be very hard to ignore this week as he’s an easy downgrade option who’ll provide you with money to improve your round 12 numbers. By all means consider him but don’t assume he’s a ‘must have’ for the bye period.
- Cody Walker ($391.5k FE/FB) and Shaun Johnson ($368.1k FE/HB) are both attractive pick-ups for round 12. Walker will play all three bye rounds and is looking good playing at fullback. Don’t worry too much about his 27 point game last weekend. The Bunnies we up against the always impressive Storm in a rain-affected match. He should be good for 60+ points against the Eels this week.
Johnson has been a little disappointing recently but he typically steps up his game through the bye period. It’s hard to ignore SJ when he’s priced this low and he’ll be a nice addition to your round 12 side. Don’t be scared off by his 82 break even; he could easily score that this week at home against the depleted Broncos.
In Short
- James Graham ($344.7k FRF) is an absolute steal at $344k. He’ll play rounds 12 and 18 and will provide your team with base consistency. His price has come down due to two injury affected performances so don’t let his recent scores discourage you.
- Manu Ma’u ($332.4k 2RF/CTW) will also be a useful addition through the bye period. He has perfect bye coverage and the very handy 2RF/CTW DPP status. He’ll cost you just $332k and is usually good for 50+ points.
- Jordan Rapana ($390.3k CTW) is now over $200k cheaper than his round eight price. He’s been very underwhelming in recent weeks but many coaches are getting him in prior to his round 12 match. Keep in mind that he isn’t available for rounds 15 and 18 but he’s a solid choice nonetheless. He’s also a suitable candidate for your run home team.
- Paul Gallen ($514.5k 2RF/FRF) needs to be considered this week if you don’t own him already. He’s been cleared of any surprise Origin call-up and is available for the first two big bye rounds. He’s averaging 76.6 PPG this season and you’d be a fool to ignore him.
- Corey Norman ($377.3k FE/HFB) is expected to return from injury in round 17 so I’d recommend using the money to improve your bye coverage. Luckily there are a couple of suitable candidates ripe for the picking.
Top 5 Break Evens
(Must have played 2 games and expected to be named round 11 or 12)
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ($169.8k): -35
Kyle Feldt ($241.3k): -33
Daniel Tupou ($329.9k): -27
Brock Lamb ($260.6k): -21
Tyrell Fuimaono ($122.6k): -15
Bottom 5 Break Evens
(Must have played 2 games and expected to be named round 11 or 12)
Dylan Walker ($450.4k): 127
Clint Gutherson ($405.6k): 119
Ben Hunt ($348.2k): 119
Johnathan Thurston ($448.9k): 115
Josh Addo-Carr ($334.9k): 114
Team List Tuesday
Nathan Brown has been named at lock despite injuring his ribs last weekend
Andrew McCullough is out injured
Kodi Nikorima has been named on the bench
Ben Hunt returns to the Broncos’ halves
James Roberts has been named in the centres despite suffering an ankle injury at training
Simon Mannering returns at lock
State of Origin players won’t be playing this week
Predictions
Semi Radradra will average 65+ through the Origin period
Tyrell Fuimaono will average fewer than 30 through the Origin period
Shaun Johnson will average 70+ through the Origin period
Great write up cowboy and congrats on your ranking. That's pretty handy at this point of the season with the byes approaching and a good strategy in your top pocket
I think I'm bringing in sj semi Mau and probably fui. Need the downgrade cash and don't see other options. A grand total of 90 points over three byes may still come in handy
Cheer Marvin. How are you travelling this season mate?
Great trade-ins and yeah, it's hard to ignore Fui when he'll give you that extra cash. I'll be taking a look at my trades tomorrow night – I'll be looking to improve my round 15 numbers.
Yeah round 15 appears to be the tricky one but we have a bit more time to sort that out at least.
I'm traveling terribly. Was around 2200 until last week and dropped to 6500 on the back of captaining Munster over surgess
What are your thoughts on Sio Siua Taukeiaho? I'm torn between trading him in or trading James Graham in, they have the same byes. Taukeiaho should get more game time but most likely plays on the edge while Graham has had his concussion issues.
Tauk is always a solid option mate. Consistency and a reasonable price is hard to pass up – both players can provide that. I wouldn't be too worried about Graham's concussion issues but if you want to eliminate risk then I'd go with Tauk. 2 games coming off early in recent times is a little concerning.
…I should also say that Graham is likely to score better while Tauk is on the edge (as far as base goes). If you can ignore his concussion issues them go Graham
Ooops sorry, thought this was the AFL one, but its a NRL one thats cute, i'll be on my way.
Thoughts on Lafai over the bye period (13+)? Fixtures are very tempting and I don't think many people will be considering him at all at his price which makes him even more of a POD. Solid scores against defensive teams this year as well in storm, cowboys, sharks etc.
also wondering about Taane Milne's job security! Cheers
Lafai is a solid trade Geoff. Should score very well through the bye period. I'm thinking of grabbing him next week too.
Milne will be in the side until Aitken returns from his hamstring injury
Nice, leaving 400k ITB this week so I can do Cotric–>Munster/Harris, GGM–>Lafai next week, on this note who do you prefer out of the 2 storm players? Munster could go huge against the knights but maybe harris is the better long term option especially if im taking a bit of a risk on lafai? Cheers mate.
Yeah mate I reckon you should take the punt on Harris if you're getting Lafai. Either would be good but Harris is gold at CTW. At least he won't get ya the low scores on a bad day.
Wanted to know your thoughts on Mitch Moses, at a better team now and finished last season strong so could go well.
I agree his potential will be higher at the Eels but I'll need him to prove he's worth before considering him for this season. If he strings together a couple of good games he'll be on my trade radar Charles
Is d walker a keeper or a trade in your opinion? Cheers.
No issues with keeping him mate. Manly have a fairly good run through the rest of the season. If you're a H2H player I'd hold. If you're an overall player I can see pros to both holding and selling. Just depends on how your team is shaping up, especially your CTWs
Thanks mate! Yeah in a real pickle wouldn't mind pocketing some money for him in a trade to brenko
On the topic of Milne, is he a good POD option? Worried that when Dugan and Widdop are back he will get pushed out of the side.
I.e Mann takes the right centre spot over Milne
That's a toughie mate. Milne was never in the original Dragons' seventeen but he's been playing well. He's a good POD and kinda reliable with his base. I'd like to see him stay in there over Mann but when Duges/Widdop come back it'll be a guessing game whether he keeps his spot or not.
Does Ponga get a run in round 15 with Coote maybe moving to 5/8? If yes then he made be a hold?
Scratch that thought. He isn't worth holding three rounds for one "maybe" game. He is gooone & Crichton in.
Yeah give him the flick J.K
Thanks mate.
Tyrell Fuimaono now named at centre!!!!
Rumours are that Fui was going to miss out on the 17 until goodwin got pulled out. Do you think it's worth sacking Fui? Planned on doing the trade to free up coin to get all 3 of Harris, Munster, Lafai over the next couple rounds but if theres risk hes not going to provide bye coverage thinking I should do Talakai–>Brenko instead and cop only getting 2 out of Harris, Munster, Lafai. Thoughts?
Sorry Geoff I've been away for the weekend mate. What did you go with?
went with fui, got robbed on 36 points I reckon but now have coin to get lafai and munst this week and then tofu next week
Looks like James Graham is broken 🙁