Check out our team list analysis for Round 16!
Wests Tigers vs Raiders – Friday 8:00PM (AEDT) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Wests Tigers
Fonua Pole returns from a knee injury in the front row, seeing Siona Fainu move back to the bench. Alex Twal starts at lock as he returns from concussion protocols. Tallyn Da Silva comes onto the bench, which also includes Latu Fainu.
Raiders
Jed Stuart is set to make his NRL debut for the Raiders, coming in for the injured Savelio Tamale on the wing. Hudson Young has been named to back up.
SuperCoach Analysis
I think it is only a matter of time until Latu Fainu is starting at the Tigers full time so might be a good stash option in draft competitions. We could even see Luai rested with the short turn around, which would see Fainu promoted to the starting side. Api Korisau’s golden run as an 80 min hooker looks set to come to an end, reducing his appeal.
I would expect to see Hudson Young back up, barring extended minutes on Wednesday night (through HIA/injury) Hosking, Tapine & Horsburgh will provide a lot of Supercoaches a valuable number this week.
Warriors vs Panthers – Saturday 3:00PM (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium
Warriors
Moala Graham-Tafua comes into the backline, replacing Kurt Capewell who has been rested after Origin selection. This sees 5 of the back 6 Warriors boast a double barrel surname, which I am sure is an NRL first. Wayde Egan returns at hooker which sees the impressive Sam Healey move to 18th man.
Panthers
Origin stars Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin & Brian To’o have all been rested after Origin II. This sees a host of changes, including Daine Laurie at fullback, Paul Alamoti on the wing, Brad Schneider at halfback, Matt Eisenhuth at lock and Isaiah Papali’i in the back row. Liam Henry returns from suspension on the bench.
SuperCoach Analysis
The Warriors are more or less at full strength this week, only missing Kurt Capewell. With this also being a Warriors home game, I would expect them to perform well against a Penrith side lacking its experienced core and underperforming. There is an argument that Egan is one of the premier hookers in the competition when playing 80 mins as you’d expect him to this week. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is also a good POD option, being owned by only 4% of teams and averaging 62.4. The Warriors play the Tigers, Newcastle, Dragons, Parramatta and the Titans twice on the run home which is definitely appealing.
No real interest in Penrith players this round, with many likely to lose their place again next week. If you have held onto Tom “Milky” Jenkins, enjoy the cash and the extra number this week.
Dolphins vs Knights – Saturday 5:30PM (AEDT) at HBF Park
Dolphins
Hamiso Tabui-Fidow has been named to back up, which sees Jake Averillo shift back to centre. Mark Nicholls starts at prop, and Harrison Graham comes onto the bench. Felise Kaufusi is out suspended.
Knights
Dom Young and Bradman Best come into the side, significantly strengthening Newcastle’s backline. Kalyn Ponga has been named to back up from Origin 2, which sees the ever impressive Fletcher Sharpe return to his familiar #6 jersey. Tyson Frizell returns from concussion in the front row.
SuperCoach Analysis
The Dolphins are putting on some insane amount of points over the last few weeks, and have another desirable fixture this week. Main interest here as always is Herbie Farnworth, who has now scored in 8 consecutive games thanks to some selflessness from Kodi Nikorima last week. Both Isaako and Jeremy Marshall-King are viable options for the run home, however the Dolphins do not cover the last major bye in Round 18. Francis Molo looks to have been an astute signing considering all the injuries the Phins are dealing with in the forwards. Could be a sneaky draft pick up.
Greg Marzhew has been named despite picking up an injury last week, so I would be cautious and watch final team lists to make sure he takes the field. Dylan Lucas is a gun, and should be owned by all teams. With the Knights missing Round 18, there are no other players that I am keen on at this stage. Phoenix Crossland looms as a low end draft pickup after being named at lock again.
Rabbitohs vs Storm – Saturday 7:35PM (AEDT) at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs
Latrell Mitchell has been named to back up from Origin II. Cody Walker, Campbell Graham and Keaon Koloamatangi have all been named on the extended bench, so it is very hard to tell what the final 17 will be on gameday. Davvy Moale has been named to start, with Sean Keppie coming onto the bench. Lewis Dodd comes in at halfback.
Storm
Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Trent Loiero, Xavier Coates and Stefano Utoikamanu have all been named to back up from Origin II. Bronson Garlick replaces Ativalu Lisati.
SuperCoach Analysis
At this stage, I am looking to hold Koloamatangi until we get some more definitive news around his expected recovery time frame. I hold some interest in Latrell Mitchell for the run home, however wouldn’t look to make this trade until after the Origin series. Aitken is a low end option for coverage as the dual is handy.
I am skeptical about all Origin stars backing up, and would expect Grant & Munster to be the two most likely to get rested. Obvious interest here in Hughes, Papenhuyzen and Katoa who are all highly owned and not effected by Origin selection.
Broncos vs Sharks – Sunday 2:00PM (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos
Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas have been named to back up from Origin II. Jack Gosiewski returns from injury on the bench, while Selwyn Cobbo (dropped) and Ben Hunt (injury) remain out of the 17.
Sharks
Talakai has been named to start at centre, replacing Mawene Hiroti who is expected to be sidelined for 6 weeks. Daniel Atkinson comes onto the bench.
SuperCoach Analysis
Reece Walsh is very cheap, and one of the best options at fullback that offers Round 18 coverage. Outside of that, I am only interested in Payne Haas from the Broncos.
I am very interested in Talakai this week for a few reasons. He has form as a former Supercoach gun of the past, but also because he is 300k and has the same dual as Dylan Lucas (so therefore you can switch him between 2RF & CTW if set up correctly) Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora also hold some appeal, however the Sharks do not play Round 18 and therefore they are hard to target this week.
Roosters vs Cowboys – Sunday 4:05PM (AEDT) at Allianz Stadium
Roosters
All 5 Origin representing Roosters have been named to back up from Origin II. Mark Nawaqanitawase is pushed to the wing again with Dom Young having now left to join the Knights. Egan Butcher and Victor Radley are out due to concussion protocols.
Cowboys
Viliami Vailea returns from suspension, pushing Braidon Burns out of the 17. John Bateman returns in the back row after missing the Cowboys last fixture. Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai & Reuben Cotter have all been named to back up from Origin II. Jason Taumololo is out with a calf injury.
Supercoach Analysis
James Tedesco is the best fullback in Supercoach, however if you don’t own I would wait until Round 18 to buy, considering the Roosters have the bye next week.
Scott Drinkwater remains a premium option at fullback despite some recent poor scores. Jeremiah Nanai is a decent POD option to consider post origin for the run home.
Eels vs Titans – Sunday 6:15PM (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Eels
The loss of Mitch Moses for the Eels cannot be understated, as we have seen the difference in the Parramatta side when he is fit. Dylan Brown is also suspended, meaning we will see Dean Hawkins and Joash Papali’i form a new look halves pairing this week. Zac Lomax has been named to back up from Origin II. Wiremu Greig comes onto the bench.
Titans
Both Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika have been named on the bench to back up from Origin II, however Tino is nursing a sternum injury so it wouldn’t surprise me if he were to be rested. Jojo Fifita comes into the centres, pushing Brian Kelly out of the 17. David Fifita has been named 18th man and is a chance to return should either Origin representative not back up.
Supercoach Analysis
The Eels should struggle with the loss of Moses, which drastically reduces their players appeal. I am still interested in Zac Lomax due to his insane work rate, however preference would be to buy after Origin unless you need to move someone on this week.
Jayden Campbell is target #1 at the Titans, and I expect to see him in a lot of teams for the run home. If Fifita were to make his way back into the starting side, I am keen on him.
