Our NRL SuperCoach Round 8 team analysis breaks down team list changes, cash cows, trade targets and key insights for every game.
Tigers vs Raiders – Thursday 7:50PM at Leichhardt Oval
Wests Tigers
Starford To’a returns for the Tigers, as does Luke Laulilii. Makasini has been dropped and Patrick Herbert moves to the extended bench.
Raiders
Noah Martin will start on the edge again with Hudson Young facing a two game suspension. Josh Papalii is expected to miss around 6 weeks with a calf injury.
SuperCoach Analysis
The Tigers are pretty Supercoach relevant this season so I do have some interest. Turuva, Doueihi, May, Pearce-Paul and Twal can all be targets here. Twal in particular is averaging a whopping 66 per game in pure base alone. If his minutes continue, he could average 75+.
Noah Martin owners can hold for another few weeks with his starting spot safe over the next fortnight. Sasagi continues to get the job done and is a must have on current form if he keeps his current role as expected.
Cowboys vs Sharks – Friday 6:00PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys
Jeremiah Nanai returns for his first game of the year, named to start in the back row. Mahoney and Taulagi also return to the side.
Sharks
Cameron McInnes has been named to return from his ACL injury earlier than anticipated, however will do so from the bench. Talakai moves into the starting side, while Hiroti moves to the wing – replacing Sione Katoa.
SuperCoach Analysis
Nanai is one to keep an eye on to see if he can rediscover form that has made him relevant in the past. Tom Chester was very involved last week despite plenty of errors and is putting up really solid base numbers. Outside this, Purdue, Drinkwater & Luki are your realistic options.
Talakai could be relevant, but is a wait and see at this point due to job security concerns. Hynes is a top 3 HLF option again. Fonua-Blake has been poor from an output perspective, but is very cheap at 539k and has the pedigree. Brailey is one of 2 standout options at hooker.
Broncos vs Bulldogs – Friday 8:00PM at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos
Payne Haas is injured and is expected to miss anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Pat Carrigan is still suspended and Corey Jensen is also sidelined due to a pulmonary embolism, meaning there are a host of changes up front for the Broncos. Talty and Gosiewski have been named at prop, with the impressive Xavier Willison at lock. Cory Paix returns at hooker.
Bulldogs
Stephen Crichton returns at centre, with Curran moving to the bench. Kiraz has succumbed to a knee injury sustained last weekend and will be replaced by Jonathan Sua.
SuperCoach Analysis
Willison is a player I like, especially in big minutes. Last week he produced 98 points in base power in 72 minutes. He has shown in the past he can get through a ton of work and with Haas out, he should be relied upon. Ben Talty runs a cracker line and could make some cash over the coming weeks if he retains a starting role.
Matt Burton continues to put up great scores in a problem position, however there are still a few options that I prefer. Preston and Kikau are still great options.
Dragons vs Roosters – Saturday 4:00PM at Allianz Stadium
Dragons
Kade Reed has been named at halfback, with Kyle Flanagan dropping to the extended bench. Moses Suli returns, pushing Mat Feagai to the wing with David Fale dropping out. Jaydn Su’A is suspended for 3 games, which sees Ryan Couchman come into the starting side.
Roosters
Billy Smith has been added to the extended bench.
SuperCoach Analysis
Ryan Couchman has a negative BE, is starting, and has a SC friendly game. If you need a downgrade target, he is your man. I will be holding Val Holmes for now. I don’t expect him to play origin and he is still averaging above 60 despite the Dragons being winless. Toby Couchman is a weapon and is starting to put up elite base power numbers.
Tedesco, Nawaqanitawase and Walker should all be considerations with the Roosters soft upcoming run. Angus Crichton has been poor by his standards, however isn’t the worst punt at $544k if you’re backing him to rediscover previous form.
Warriors vs Dolphins – Saturday 6:00PM at Hnry Stadium
Warriors
Taine Tuaupiki returns to fullback, which Nicoll-Klokstad suffering a neck injury.
Dolphins
Kodi Nikorima is suspended, which sees Brad Schneider start in the #6. Trai Fuller moves into the 17 (from 19) and will be a gameday decision.
SuperCoach Analysis
Jackson Ford is shaping up to be the top dog in the Warriors pack, playing huge minutes often. He is basing 69 points per game this season which is at the upper end of elite. On top of this, he has 3 tries in 7 games so has an eye for a 4 pointer.
Tabui-Fidow is having a good season, however Origin is looming and there are plenty of great fullback options to choose from. I could go on and on about Herbie Farnworth like most weeks – and I will. Averaging 90.7 with a whopping 72 coming from base power, he is the very definition of safe as houses. Plays all 3 major bye rounds. You should already own him, but if you don’t – fix that immediately. Averillo is also putting up great numbers and from a Rugby League perspective, seems to grow with every season. Finefeuiaki is getting close to must have territory, averaging 63 in pure base which is insane for someone not playing through the middle. He has based between 50-75 points in all games this season – an amazing scoring floor.
Storm vs Rabbitohs – Saturday 8:10PM at AAMI Park
Storm
Storm are 1-19 despite a few injury niggles.
Rabbitohs
Bronson Garlick has been named in the back row, with Brandon Smith named on the edge. Euan Aitken comes onto the 6 man bench.
Supercoach Analysis
Faalogo answered doubters with another strong performance last week, though is under an injury cloud despite being named. The Storm are in horrible form so am uninterested in many others at this point – though I know some are very tempted by Jahrome Hughes. Grant is still a premium hooker option.
Latrell Mitchell is cutting teams to shreds at centre. He is averaging 109.2 and is racking up points for fun. Get him immediately. Brandon Smith is set to make some good cash for owners with a BE of -29. Cody Walker will be ripe for a sale in the coming weeks, so start looking at other 5/8 options. Tallis Duncan passes the eye test for me and is a great POD at 7% ownership.
Knights vs Panthers – Sunday 2:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights
Greg Marzhew failed a HIA so will miss out this week, with James Schiller coming in on the wing. Francis Manuleleua will again start in the back row.
Panthers
Casey McLean returns from suspension, pushing Izack Tago back to the bench. Mitch Kenny is expected to miss around 8 weeks due to a leg fracture, which sees Freddy Lussick come in at hooker.
Supercoach Analysis
Trey Mooney will be a sell option very soon. His minutes (and therefore output) has been lower than expected and has had his scores propped up by some very fortunate tries. Fletcher Sharpe has a BE of 116 and looks to be a great option to buy next week.
I am jealous of the Tom Jenkins owners. He is averaging over 100 and is almost $900k. McLean, Yeo and Papali’i are all great options. Lussick can be considered for cash generation. Nathan Cleary is a must own at halfback.
Sea Eagles vs Eels – Sunday 4:05PM at 4Pines Park
Sea Eagles
Tom Trbojevic is out with a hamstring injury, which sees Tolutau Koula move to fullback. Clayton Faulalo comes in at centre.
Eels
Sean Russell (centre) and Kelma Tuilagi (extended bench) have been named to return.
Supercoach Analysis
Koula is interesting at fullback. In 3 games at fullback in 2024, he scored 79, 83 and 78. He is also a much improved player from then too. Lehi Hopoate is $655k and boasts a 3RA of 88.3. Olakau’atu is still a premium back row option, though will be in contention for a NSW jersey in a few weeks. Ben Trbojevic has improved his base output and is now a low end option.
The likes of Papalii and Volkman are set to make some cash. Jack Williams is a decent option, averaging 62 across the opening rounds without any attacking stats.
