Check out our team list analysis for Round 14!
Knights vs Sea Eagles – Thursday 7:50PM (AEDT) at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights
Ponga returns for the Knight, taking the fullback spot which sees Fletcher Sharpe return to the halves. Leo Thompson is out due to suspension for 4 weeks. Greg Marzhew is on the extended bench and is a chance to return this week. If he is fit, you would expect Fletcher Hunt to make way.
Sea Eagles
Jake Trbojevic returns to the starting lineup at lock, which sees Jazz Tevaga move to the bench. Josh Aloiai is out with a shoulder injury, which sees Toa Sipley come into the front row.
SuperCoach Analysis
Greg Marzhew has plenty of Supercoach relevance, however I never like buying a player straight after a return from injury. Kalyn Ponga needs to show a lot more before I can recommend him as a buy option. Mat Croker looks to be the beneficiary of the Leo Thompson suspension, and could be a handy pickup in Supercoach draft.
Lehi Hopoate continues to impress regardless of where he is named. He has a 3RA of 98.7 and has been named at fullback again against a Knights team who are struggling for form. Priced at $676,000 with a BE of 16, he is a buy this week as he also covers the origin effected Round 15 bye. Jazz Tevaga moving back to the bench kills of his few weeks of Supercoach relevance.
Storm vs Cowboys – Friday 6:00PM (AEDT) at AAMI Park
Storm
Xavier Coates & Harry Grant return to the starting side after being late scratchings in Round 13. This sees Bronson Garlick move to the bench and Faalogo miss selection.
Cowboys
Cowboys are 1-17 again with no changes to the side that beat the Tigers in Round 13.
SuperCoach Analysis
A lot of relevance at Melbourne, especially with them being back to full strength. A few underwhelming performances in Round 13 from a Supercoach perspective hasn’t turned me off them. Papenhuyzen, Coates, Munster, Hughes, Grant & Katoa are all viable options in Supercoach sides – though I would wait until post Origin for those effected.
Laybutt has looked good on his return from injury on their dominant left edge. Tom Dearden looks better and better with each passing week, with his scores reflecting that. I really like Nanai as a POD option, however the smart play is to wait until post origin. Jaxon Purdue was good in the 6 and should pick up dual status in the Round 18 update.
Dolphins vs Dragons – Friday 8:00PM (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns at fullback for the Dolphins, with Averillo moving back to centre. Jeremy Marshall-King and Max Plath have both been named among the reserves, so keep an eye on gameday team lists to see if they are late inclusions.
Dragons
Few injuries at the Dragons has forced a bit of a reshuffle. Luciano Leilua starts on the edge with Toby Couchman, due to recent injuries to Su’a & Egan. Christian Tuipulotu returns on their dominant left wing. Tyrell Sloan has been dropped, with Sevens star Nathan Lawson maintaining his spot on the right wing.
SuperCoach Analysis
Not much Supercoach relevance to chat about at the Dolphins outside of Herbie Farnworth. As always, buy him if you don’t already own.
Christian Tuipulotu returns on the favoured left edge where he averaged 85.8 across the opening rounds. You’d be a brave coach to buy on his first week back, but he is a Supercoach weapon so plenty of interest there. King-Togia is priced at $267,900 and is still a reasonable buy if you need bye coverage and are still holding the likes of Tom Duffy. If Leilua locks down the edge role and manages to play 80 mins (big if) he could be a sneaky lower end option at sub 400k in Classic and almost definitely a free agent in draft. I am going early on Nathan Lawson as I expect him to play both big bye rounds with Val Holmes on origin duty. It goes against everything I believe in (not waiting until third game for a cheapie) though I don’t mind if he becomes a nuff in this case.
Sharks vs Warriors – Saturday 5:30PM (AEDT) at Sharks Stadium
Sharks
Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended, however Sione Katoa returns from injury which will be a welcome addition for the Sharks. Teig Wilton is also set to make his first appearance since Round 7, as he returns from a shoulder injury.
Warriors
Jackson Ford has been named to start after Mitch Barnett is confirmed to have ruptured his ACL – he will miss the rest of the season. Leka Halasima has been promoted back to the starting lineup on the edge, with Kurt Capewell again moving to centre to cover Rocco Berry.
SuperCoach Analysis
KL Iro, Addin Fonua-Blake, Nicho Hynes & Cameron McInnes are the main relevant options at the Sharks and can be brought into sides now to coverage next weeks bye round.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is quietly going about his business and is now averaging 62. Luke Metcalf continues to put up unreal numbers in the halves, however it is hard to recommend him as a purchase with plenty of other good options in the halves. James Fisher-Harris & Jackson Ford should both have an increase in minutes and scoring with the Barnett injury. If Jackson Ford is a free agent in your draft comp, I’d consider picking him up.
Broncos vs Titans – Saturday 7:35PM (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos
Reece Walsh returns at fullback for the Broncos, with sees both Arthars and Cobbo return to their usual positions. Deine Mariner makes way. Pat Carrigan has moved to the lock position, seeing Kobe Hetherington move to the bench and opening up a spot for Corey Jensen to partner Payne Haas in the front row. Brendan Piakura starts in the back row, with Xavier Willison returning to the bench.
Titans
AJ Brimson has been named at 18th man as he looks to recover from concussion symptoms. Allan Fitzgibbon has been named on the wing, seeing Phillip Sami move to the centre position vacated by Jojo Fifita – who has been ruled out with a broken hand. Sam Verrills has also broken his hand and has been replaced by Sean Mullany.
SuperCoach Analysis
No real Supercoach interest at the Broncos outside of Payne Haas.
Jayden Campbell playing fullback is always exciting and I love him as a buy, especially as he covers the Round 15 bye. Phillip Sami keeps putting up good scores, however he is more of an option in Draft than classic. Both Fermor & Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are relevant options, however as they are both playing Origin I would wait until the series is finished if you don’t already own them.
Raiders vs Rabbitohs – Sunday 2:00PM (AEDT) at GIO Stadium
Raiders
Corey Horsburgh has been named at lock, with Josh Papalii due to start in his 319th game. Morgan Smithies moves to the bench. Jamal Fogarty has been named to return after missing last week, however I am told he is still in some doubt and will need to prove his fitness later in the week. If he is ruled out, Ethan Sanders would come in again.
Rabbitohs
Cody Walker & Jack Wighton both return for South Sydney. Isaiah Tass shifts to the wing and Jayden Sullivan moves to the bench to accommodate these changes.
Supercoach Analysis
Savelio Tamale continues to get the job done and is an easy hold. He has scored under 55 just once in his last 7 games and has a 5RA of 70. Hosking & Horsburgh have been solid of late while not been outstanding.
Latrell Mitchell injected himself wonderfully in last weeks game against the Warriors. It is familiar feedback, but with him playing Origin he is very hard to recommend as a buy. In saying that, I will be keeping a very close eye on him with a view to purchasing after the series ends. Keaon Koloamatangi goes from strength to strength each week and is an absolute must have. He should be replacing Mitch Barnett for Origin 2, however Daley’s comments lead me to believe he is behind Stefano Utoikamanu.
Wests Tigers vs Panthers – Sunday 4:05PM (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Wests Tigers
Latu Fainu has been named on the bench as he returns from a thumb injury, though I expect him to be starting in the next week or two. Jeral Skelton returns from a hamstring injury suffered in Round 5. Alex Twal is out due to concussion protocols, which sees Alex Seyfarth move to lock and Tony Sukkar come into the back row.
Panthers
Panthers are 1-17, though both Luke Garner and Isaiah Papali’i are listed among the reserves and could be late inclusions.
Supercoach Analysis
Jeral Skelton & Latu Fainu are decent draft pick ups if you can get them this week. Api Koroisau is enjoying a resurgence in Supercoach in the absence of Talyn Da Silva, however there is a chance that he loses minutes to Fainu so watch this space. Everyone should already own Terrell May so no commentary required there.
The only players I am interested in at Penrith are all part of their Origin contingent, so we are looking elsewhere for now.
Bulldogs vs Eels – Sunday 4:00PM (AEDT) at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs
Lachlan Galvin has arrived, however has only been named in the extended squad. Jacob Kiraz has been named a few weeks early (as he is making a bit of a habit of) which is terrible news for my Eels. Crichton, King & Mann have all been named for their first game since Origin 1.
Eels
Will Penisini returns from concussion protocols, seeing Jordan Samrani moving to the bench.
Supercoach Analysis
Jacob Kiraz is a must have in Supercoach and I am going early on him due to his favourable fixture this week and elite bye coverage.
Zac Lomax is an elite CTW option, however we will need to wait until post Origin to buy.
