Raiders vs Sharks – Thursday 8:00PM (AEDT) at GIO Stadium
Raiders
Morgan Smithies returns to the bench, with Josh Papali’i coming into the starting 13. After this week, the Raiders draw opens up a bit with games against the Eels, Titans & Dolphins. This is good news for popular cheapie Savelio Tamale, who will be a hold throughout this period in the hope he can jag some attacking stats against weaker opposition. Tom Starling & Matty Nicholson can be moved on for other targets if required as they have peaked in price. Corey Horsburgh continues to get the job done with another 65 points in Round 4.
Sharks
Hiroti comes in for Kayal Iro who is out with a hamstring injury. Tom Hazelton has recovered from a back injury to take a spot on the bench. UPDATE: Teig Wilton has been ruled out, with Billy Burns replacing him in the back row. Cameron McInnes is a base stat machine and can be considered in the Hooker spot this season considering the lack of premium options there. Addin Fonua-Blake played mammoth minutes (71) in Round 4 and looks to be a season long keeper again in 2025.
Panthers vs Cowboys – Friday 6:00PM (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Panthers
Nathan Cleary returns from concussion protocols, while Casey McLean is back in the side replacing the injured Brian To’o. He is expected to miss up to a month of footy. Scott Sorensen misses the game due to concussion, with Isaiah Papali’i getting his chance in the back row. Lindsay Smith is starting, and has been excellent so far in 2025. Possible origin bolter? Tom ‘Milky’ Jenkins plays his 3rd game this week and is an absolute must purchase considering his strong short to medium term job security and BE of -94. He is expected to make almost 200k over the coming weeks and is also a viable play option in your 17 each week.
Cowboys
Cowboys are 1-17 after their first win of the season last week against Canberra. Jaxson Purdue still has a little bit of cash to make so can be held, however I wouldn’t begrudge anyone moving him onto Tom Jenkins this week if you have no obvious sells. Nanai is still on the bench and will have bottomed out nicely by the time he is back into the starting side.
Rabbitohs vs Roosters – Friday 8:00PM (AEDT) at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs
In news that I thought was an April Fools joke until well after 12pm… Jye Gray has held the fullback spot with Latrell Mitchell returning from his hamstring injury in the centre position. Isaiah Tass has moved to the wing to replace the injured Alex Johnston, while Lachlan Hubner comes straight back into the starting side following his suspension. We have a good few weeks now to take a look at Latrell Mitchell before bringing him into our sides.
Roosters
Connor Watson returns from concussion which sees the impressive Zach Dockar-Clay return to the bench. Lindsay Collins has been named to start in the front row, with Spencer Leniu coming off the bench. Victor Radley misses this one through injury, with Nat Butcher playing lock. Naufahu Whyte continues to exceed expectations averaging a whopping 66, which will see him continue to make some more cash for owners. Toia & Smith are holds at this stage.
Eels vs Dragons – Saturday 3:00PM (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Eels
Joey Lussick is out injured and is set to miss the next 6-8 weeks. This sees Ryley Smith named at #9 with only Dylan Walker on the bench to take minutes off him. We can expect 60-65+ mins, meaning he potentially looms as a low end Hooker buy to free up cash from Smith, Paix or Mamouzelos. Bailey Simonsson is named on the reserves list as he edges closer to a return. Zac Lomax is trying super hard and filling the stat sheets but the Eels attack looks too clunky for me to consider going there as things stand.
Dragons
Toby Couchman starts, replacing Emre Guler who misses 3 games through suspension. I expect both Clint Gutherson and Christian Tuipulotu to hit back with big scores after quieter games respectively in the wet vs Melbourne last weekend. Dylan Egan is one to watch next week as he was impressive on debut, scoring 47 with 41 of this coming in base.
Tigers vs Dolphins – Saturday 5:30PM (AEDT) at CBus Super Stadium
Titans
Jaimin Jolliffe returns from injury and has been named on the bench. Chris Randall starts at hooker, replacing Sam Verrills who is out with a hip injury. David Fifita is still on the bench and will have bottomed out nicely by the time he is back starting (which surely can’t be far away..) Jaylan De Groot is expected to get dual status in Round 6, when he also plays his 3rd game and will be a trade in target for most.
Dolphins
Max Plath moves to lock, replacing the suspended Tom Gilbert with Connelly Lemuelu named in the second row. Herbie Farnworth is a beast and I just love watching the man play footy. Last week against the Broncos he scored 38 in hit ups, 8 in offloads, 18 in tackle busts and 11 in tackles – a whopping 75 in base power. If he manages to find some attacking stats to go with such an elite floor, he could be the best CTW in SC. His base average genuinely rivals a lot of NRL forwards. Hamiso Tabui-Fidow will be nice and cheap in the coming weeks, however until I see more involvement I am not interested.
Broncos vs Wests Tigers – Saturday 7:35PM (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos
Brendan Piakura moves into the starting side, replacing the suspended Jordan Riki. Jaiyden Hunt has been named on the bench. Gehamat Shibasaki has exceeded not only our expectations but also our wildest dreams. The man has made his owners a tidy 175k and has a BE of -50, meaning there is still plenty of cash to be made. He is not only scoring well, but also passing the eye test and looks every bit a dominant NRL centre. Jesse Arthars can be sold if you have other trade targets, though the Broncos do have a softer run coming up and is a viable play option if required. Reece Walsh is $606,000, having lost $131,000 already and is primed for a big game against the Tigers. Combinations haven’t quite looked sharp enough yet but I expect that to continually improve. I am buying this week!
Wests Tigers
Latu Fainu comes in for the suspended Jarome Luai. Adam Doueihi has been named to play after being a late withdrawal last week.
Sea Eagles vs Storm – 4:05PM (AEDT) at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles
Tom Trbojevic has again been injured, devastating Supercoaches and footy fans all over! The poor bloke just cannot catch a break. Lehi Hopoate has been named at fullback, with Faulalo coming in on the wing. Josh Aloiai is out with a shoulder injury, which sees Nathan Brown starting. The Manly right edge goes to another level with Turbo out, so expect solid scoring from the likes of DCE, Garrick & Olakau’atu in the short term.
Storm
Jahrome Hughes has been listed among the reserves and is a chance to be a late inclusion. This would see Tyran Wishart drop out of the starting side and likely ends in Ryan Papenhuyzen back kicking goals – nice! Marion Seve drops out with Lazarus Vaalepu coming onto the bench.
Bulldogs vs Knights – Sunday 6:15pm (AEDT) at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs
Sitili Tupouniua serves a 1 week suspension, with Kurtis Morrin replacing him on the bench. Jacob Kiraz is listed among the reserves, however you would assume the Bulldogs will not risk him given they have the bye in Round 6. Bronson Xerri seems to have gone to another level and has been delivering on the field for the Belmore faithful.
Knights
Leo Thompson returns from a knee injury, with Brodie Jones out of the 17. Bradman Best looks like a man with a point to prove this season, with his base numbers off the charts.
