Check out our team list analysis for Round 23! Some Head to Head comps start this week so we will be having a look at finals strength of schedule within the analysis. Credit to NRLSupercoachStats for the draw images – check them out if you have not already.
Storm vs Broncos – Thursday 7.50PM at AAMI Park
Storm
Trent Loiero returns for Melbourne, which sees Ativalu Lisati move back to the bench.
Broncos
Payne Haas has recovered from his infection, and will take his place in the front row. Xavier Willison has fractured his arm and will miss the next month at least. Corey Paix is a chance to return from injury, however has been named outside the 17 for now.
SuperCoach Analysis
Papenhuyzen might have lost the goalkicking after his horror night with the boot last weekend. Bellamy spoke this week about Nick Meaney potentially taking over, however we do not have confirmation at this point. Usual suspects here still appeal, with the likes of Wishart and Coates being options pending your finals matchups. Melbourne’s run is a bit tougher than the graph suggests, with both the Broncos and Panthers performing better of late.
Brisbane are coming off a massive win against a decimated Rabbitohs side, however now is the time for the likes of Walsh and Reynolds to step up against better opposition. Walsh, Carrigan and Cobbo shape to be decent PODs over the next few weeks.
Knights vs Panthers – Friday 6.00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights
Bradman Best has been named to return after missing the last few weeks with a knee injury. Jake Arthur makes his Newcastle debut, with both Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings dropping out of the 17. Thomas Cant and Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana come onto the bench.
Panthers
Isaah Yeo has succumbed to the shoulder injury sustained in the game vs Titans last week, however scans were reportedly positive so he may not be out for as long as first feared. Mr Fix It Isaiah Papali’i moves to lock, with Liam Martin coming into the starting side in the back row. Scott Sorensen returns on the bench.
SuperCoach Analysis
Dane Gagai is a man reborn in the fullback jersey, and I couldn’t blame anyone for wanting to bring him in. Since the move, he has scored 93 and 92, with roughly half of this coming in base power. Outside of this, I have some interest in Best, Marzhew & Kai Pearce-Paul, however there are a lot of good options at CTW & 2RF so it will depend on individual team makeup – though all are below 5% ownership.
Plenty of Supercoach interest at the Panthers, as usual. I am less keen on Edwards now that he is not goal kicking, however he is still a good option at fullback. McLean (3.4%), Jenkins (10.1%), Talagi (4.4%) and To’o (4.6%) are all viable options to run due to their strong scoring potential in such a good side. Brian To’o has been poor considering his own lofty standards, however he is available for sub 500k and is a POD against 95% of teams.
Raiders vs Sea Eagles – Friday 8.00PM at GIO Stadium
Raiders
Raiders are 1-17.
Sea Eagles
Lehi Hopoate is out with a shoulder injury, moving Tom Trbojevic back to fullback. Tommy Talau comes into the centres. Michael Chee Kam starts in the back row with Ben Trbojevic missing the game due to concussion.
SuperCoach Analysis
Appeal at the Raiders is softening as their form looks to be dipping, and they have the bye next week. The scoring output from both Hudson Young and Jamal Fogarty has dropped, and I would be looking to avoid bringing in any more players from the Nations capital. The 4 peat champions and the bye are 2 of their next 3 fixtures.
Tom Trbojevic is starting to look good again, however I am still warning people off him unless you have 6+ trades left and can afford to move him on if he gets injured again. Upcoming games against the Tigers, Dolphins and Dragons all appeal. Reuben Garrick is still a Supercoach stud.
Dragons vs Sharks – Saturday 3.00PM (AEST) at Jubilee Stadium
Dragons
Dragons are 1-17.
Sharks
Toby Rudolf rejoins the bench, returning from a recent concussion. Jesse Colquhoun is suspended, with Billy Burns in jersey number 18.
SuperCoach Analysis
Clint Gutherson emerges as an interesting POD option. He is owned by 0.5% of the top 10%, and has upcoming fixtures against the Sharks, Warriors, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles. If you are trying to zig while others zag, King Gutho could be your man. Mathew Feagai is quietly going about his business in the left centre spot vacated by Val Holmes.
Ronaldo Mulitalo is owned by just 7% of the top 10% of Supercoaches, and has the Dragons, Titans, Bye and Knights to come. If you can cover him over the bye, he could be a fantastic POD. Outside this, Hynes, Fonua-Blake, Brailey, Nikora and Talakai all have Supercoach relevance. Just don’t load up on too many as you’ll have an issue in Round 25.
Dolphins vs Roosters – Saturday 5.30PM at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins
My main man Herbie Farnworth has succumbed to a hamstring injury, after putting on a whopping 70 points in 11 minutes last week. Tevita Naufahu comes one spot in (to centre after previously playing on the wing). Mark Nicholls will start in the front row after Felise Kaufusi has been suspended. Finefeuiaki has returned from injury, but via the bench after the strong recent form of Lemuelu and Keeley.
Roosters
Roosters are 1-17.
SuperCoach Analysis
A favourable upcoming run for the Phins, along with a Grand Final match against the Titans in Round 26 has me interested. Donoghoe (3%), Katoa (5%), Marshall-King (1.5%) and Tabui-Fidow (1.4%) all have crazy low ownership across the top 10% of coaches so can be considered for the run home.
James Tedesco has been below par of late scoring wise and is owned by 92% of the top 10%. You’d have to have nerves of steel to sell him, however if you do and get it right you’ll have a leg up over the whole competition. Watson, Nawaqanitawase, Crichton are all highly owned, however I don’t mind looking at Daniel Tupou (1.7%) or Sam Walker (1%) at low ownership.
Bulldogs vs Warriors – Saturday 7.35PM at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs
Bulldogs are 1-17 despite losing to the Tigers.
Warriors
Harris-Tavita returns at five-eighth, moving Te Maire Martin back to the bench. Demetric Vaimagua is back on the bench after missing last week, while Wayde Egan and Laban are out medium term due to injuries. James Fisher-Harris has been named in the extended squad as he looks to return from a calf injury.
Supercoach Analysis
A less than desirable run home has me not overly interested in Bulldogs players, though I wouldn’t sell any if you already own. The exception to this is Jacob Kiraz obviously, who is the #1 CTW in Supercoach with Herbie Farnworth getting injured.
The Warriors have a great run home after this week, so I do have some interest there. Tuivasa-Sheck (7/2%), Erin Clark (51.7%) & Leka Halasima (2.9%) are my picks here, with their respective top 10 ownership in brackets.
Titans vs Rabbitohs – Sunday 2.00PM at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans
Khan-Pereira comes in on the wing, replacing Phil Sami who is out due to concussion protocols. Chris Randall returns from concussion, with Jacob Alick-Wiencke returning to the bench.
Rabbitohs
Latrell Mitchell is listed in the extended squad as he looks to make an early return from a quad injury. Brandon Smith is on the bench, with Jamie Humphreys and Peter Mamouzelos coming in at halfback and hooker respectively.
Supercoach Analysis
The Titans have the best fixture possible this week, and then average fixtures to come. Jayden Campbell is my only interest here.
I cannot recommend any Souths players with their current injury list and therefore, terrible form.
Eels vs Cowboys – Sunday 4.05PM at CommBank Stadium
Eels
Kelma Tailagi returns to the bench. Jordan Samrani comes into the centres after Sean Russell was ruled out due to a broken hand. Dylan Walker will start at lock, with Luca Moretti dropping to the bench. The impressive Sam Tuivaiti will miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee in last weeks loss to Melbourne.
Cowboys
Plenty of changes at the Cowboys. Taumalolo, Clifford, Vailea and Mikaele are all back. Zac Laybutt moves to the wing to replace the injured Robert Derby. Jeremiah Nanai is back in the back row, while Jaxon Purdue moves back to the centres.
Supercoach Analysis
The Eels have a reasonable run home, and always look much better with Moses running the side. Winnable games against the Cowboys and Rabbitohs to come can set you up nicely across the finals if you pick the right Eels asset. Moses and Lomax are the obvious options, however Josh Addo-Carr can be considered at low ownership due to their strength of schedule.
Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai are the targets at the Cowboys.
