Roosters vs Broncos
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher
Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Siua Wong 16. Blake Steep 17. Salesi Foketi
Reserves: 18. Hugo Savala 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Ethan King 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Winners
Nat Butcher has won the starting lock spot, with Trent Robinson opting to continue playing Victor Radley on the edge as he often did in 2024. Butcher will get through his work which will be necessary with Leniu out for a few weeks.
Popular mid-ranger Naufahu Whyte is starting at prop which is good news for owners. We can expect solid output for the short term at least.
Losers
Dreamyourz’ very own heartthrob Siua Wong has unfortunately missed selection in the 13, being named on the bench for the Broncos clash. Fans who were hoping to “rock the partay” with Suia will have to put those plans on ice. Avoid
UPDATE: Nat Butcher has been ruled out which sees Wong move into the starting side. I still don’t love his minutes so will continue to avoid.
Watchlist
Connor Watson is a supercoach weapon, however it remains to be seen how many minutes he will now command with Zach Dockar-Clay named in the 14 jersey. We want to see Watson getting 70+ for him to be worth the punt at current pricing.
Brisbane Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington
Bench: 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura
Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Martin Taupau 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Winners
Gehamat Shibasaki ($232,000) has secured the centre spot, with Kotoni Staggs out injured. It looks like a straight shootout between Shibasaki and Deine Mariner for who might keep the spot after 4 weeks when Staggs returns. The Broncos should be a strong attacking outfit in 2025, so lock him into your CTW.
Selwyn Cobbo has been named on the wing as expected, which is great news for his potential output. Cobbo only scored 6 tries in 2024, averaging a respectable 56.3, and should be able to eclipse those numbers with a position change and a Broncos side expected to fare considerably better in 2025. At $550,800, only 5% ownership and no bye until Round 12, he could be a great option for those POD hunters among us.
Losers
Going against the grain here, but Jack Gosiewski has lost his appeal after teams dropped this afternoon. Brendan Piakura has been named on the bench so we can expect a minutes share in the back row between the two. Historically speaking, Gosiewski has a PPM of around .65 and therefore needs 80 mins to be relevant.
Popular cheapie Benjamin Te Kuta has missed selection and therefore should be dropped from teams.
Watchlist
None.
Wests Tigers vs Knights
Wests Tigers
1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal
Bench: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu
Reserves: 18. Latu Fainu 19. Charlie Staines 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Reuben Porter
Winners
Alex Seyfarth has been named to start on an edge, with a good looking bench for him. He could be a decent mid-range option if he plays 80 as expected.
Terrell May is a supercoach weapon and could go to another level at the Tigers in 2025. With a hooker and Jack Bird named on the bench, we can expect big minutes and therefore huge output from the former Sydney Rooster. Lock him into your sides.
Losers
Royce Hunt has missed selection in the starting side, being named in the 15 jersey. You’d be brave to start with him, though he is cheap enough to take the punt if you think the minutes are there.
Watchlist
Jeral Skelton has a very supercoach friendly game, having averaged 64 across 4 games in his debut season at the Bulldogs. With 35 of this coming in pure base (the same number as Brian Toó) he has the potential to go to another level in 2025 with a wing spot that he can make his own. At 9.3% ownership, he is still a POD but a few good games could see that number increase sharply.
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell
Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker
Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Adam Elliott
Winners
Dylan Lucas is the major winner in the Knights Round 1 lineup, winning an edge spot with Tyson Frizell moving to the 13 jumper. With great pure base (48) due to his work rate and an ability to find the line, I expect this to be a breakout year for Lucas. The dual flexibility makes him even more appealing and I can see him finishing the season as an elite option in both positions, provided he gets 80 each week.
Losers
Jayden Brailey & Phoenix Crossland look set to share the hooking duties, reducing the appeal of both.
Watchlist
With a 4 man bench, it is quite hard to predict the minutes of the Knights pack. Will be keeping a close eye on this over the first few rounds.
Dolphins vs Souths
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert
Bench: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone
Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Josh Kerr 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai
Winners
Max Plath has been named on an edge for Round 1 which is very interesting. With his HOK/2RF dual flexibility, he could be an option to park in your back row in case you have issues with either of your hookers. There are whispers that he may spend 20-30 minutes in the middle with Lemuelu coming onto the edge.
Tom Gilbert has been named to start at lock. He may be a slow burn coming back from injury but we can expect him to build up to bigger minutes in the future and be a play option in your Supercoach teams.
Losers
Jeremy Marshall-King is unlikely to get 80 mins with Kurt Donoghoe named on the bench. I would still expect him to get 65-70 minutes though.
Watchlist
None.
Souths
1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner
Bench: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola
Reserves: 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata
Winners
Lachlan Hubner has been named to start at lock which is great news for Supercoach Classic players. At $232,000 we can lock him into teams.
Losers
Tallis Duncan has missed out on a starting spot despite the long term injury to Cam Murray. I start to wonder just what he has to do to secure a starting spot in the Rabbitohs pack. I would expect both Koloamatangi & Arrow to both play 80 minutes or close to, so am unsure where Duncan fits into the rotation. Rival clubs should be swooping as he can’t keep coming off the bench forever.
Watchlist
Jamie Humphreys passed the eye test in the few games he has played. Worth a watch in the coming weeks as he could keep Dodd out of the team with a strong performance in Round 1. Consider him for your draft teams.
Dragons vs Bulldogs
Dragons
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin
Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart
Reserves: 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Tom Eisenhuth
Winners
Christian Tuipulotu has been named to start on the wing despite being injured for majority of preseason. I expect him to play on the Dragons left edge, which should well and truly be their dominant side in 2025 with the signings of Val Holmes & Clint Gutherson. Gutho heavily favours passing right to left and will constantly put both Holmes & Tuipulotu into space. Definitely one to consider for the POD Hunters. If he is available in your draft league he is definitely worth a pick up.
Toby Couchman has been named to start at prop. He produced a mammoth 1.31 PPM in 2024 in an average of 38 minutes. WIth an uptick of 10 minutes, I think he can increase his 2024 average of 49 to the 56-60 mark in 2025. Another one to pick up if he is a free agent in your draft competitions or if you are looking for a slow burn FRF that will make you some cash.
Losers
None.
Watchlist
Damien Cook is a wait and see until we see his minutes as Jacob Liddle has been named on the bench. Liddle was outstanding for the Dragons in 2024 and I expect him to see decent minutes. It remains to be seen if Cook rotates through the middle as expected or if Liddle is there to spell him.
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann
Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jaeman Salmon
Reserves: 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Luke Smith 23. Ratu Rinakama
Winners
None.
Losers
None.
Watchlist
The Bulldogs lineup is as expected so no real winners or losers. A few things to keep an eye on are:
– Minutes for Kikau & Preston
– Where Josh Curran fits into the side when he returns in Round 2
Sea Eagles vs Cowboys
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley
Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Dean Matterson 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jakob Arthur 22. Josh Aloiai
Winners
Lehi Hopoate has won the wing spot at Manly, however is on the pricier side at $589,000. Manly do have plenty of points in them though so could potentially be an option.
Losers
Tommy Talau has not been named in the squad.
Watchlist
Taukeiaho is back in Australia and has been named in the starting side for his return to the NRL. A former Supercoach gun, he is priced at $453,000 following on from his Super League stint. Minutes might be an issue so he is a wait and see for now.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter
Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess
Reserves: 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Jake Clifford 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo
Winners
Braidon Burns has won the wing spot vacated by Kyle Feldt. Burns has had flashes of Supercoach relevance previously but has been very unfortunate with injuries. If he can produce try scoring numbers similar to Kyle Feldt then he could be in for a big year.
Tom Duffy has won selection at halfback. At rookie price, we can lock him into our sides! If the trials are anything to go by, he is also set to be their 1st choice goalkicker in 2025.
Cheapie Jaxon Purdue ($257,000) has been named at Centre.
Losers
None.
Watchlist
Minute rotation in the Cowboys forward pack is anyone’s guess at the moment. Wait and see
Storm vs Eels
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero
Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu
Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Kane Bradley
Winners
Ryan Papenhuyzen has overcome soreness to be named in Melbourne’s #1 jersey. If he can stay fit, I have no doubt he can eclipse his 2024 average of 63.
Cameron Munster could be in for a bounceback year after struggling with injury in 2024. The talismanic Queenslander is underpriced following a down year and should make cash and provide keeper scoring in the 5/8 spot for teams – just make sure you can cover him in Round 2 when they have the bye.
Losers
None.
Watchlist
None.
Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood
Bench: 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Charlie Guymer
Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Toni Mataele 21. Sam Tuivaiti 22. Joey Lussick
Winners
As expected, cheapie option Isaiah Iongi has been named to start the year at fullback for my beloved Eels. Unfortunately, I think we are in for a torrid opening to the season so I would lower expectations for the young fullback while Ryles looks to stamp his authority on the side. Priced at $232,600 he is very likely to make cash and has looked very good with ball in hand in trials. Lock him into your side.
J’maine Hopgood looks set for extended minutes in the middle with a utility and back rower named on the bench. With a career PPM of 1.1, we can expect an average in the 65-70 range.
Losers
Mitch Moses is unfortunately out for 6 weeks.
There is no sign of Bryce Cartwright despite the Eels being incredibly week on the edges.
Watchlist
Ryan Matterson has been named on the bench, however we have previously seen he can be relevant off the bench if he can get the minutes through the middle and get his offload out. Wait and see
