Our NRL SuperCoach Round 3 team analysis breaks down team list changes, cash cows, trade targets and key insights for every game.
Raiders vs Bulldogs – Thursday 8:00PM at GIO Stadium
Raiders
Josh Papalii returns to the starting size after missing out recently with concussion. Morgan Smithies moves to the bench.
Bulldogs
Tuala comes in for Bronson Xerri, who appears to be on the outer at Belmore. Sean O’Sullivan comes onto the extended bench.
SuperCoach Analysis
Martin is projected to make a whopping 180k over the next two weeks, so is a must have if you don’t already own. Sanders has a BE of -55 and is projected to make 100k across the next fortnight. Usual suspects appeal here outside of your cash cows.
The Dogs had the bye in Round 2, and therefore we get to have another look at their assets before any price changes. Preston, Kikau, Crichton and Kiraz are all on the watch list.
Roosters vs Panthers – Friday 6:00PM at Allianz Stadium
Roosters
The NRLs preferential treatment for the Broncos shows no sign of slowing up, with the game of the round scheduled in the worst time slot to accommodate the Broncos need to play Friday nights….
Reece Robson has been named to make an early return from a thumb injury, shifting Ioelu to the extended bench.
Panthers
Liam Martin has recovered and takes his place in the back row. Isaiah Papali’i has retained his spot on the edge which is big SC news, pushing Garner to the bench. Watch out for final team lists to make sure there is no late swap in the back row. Freddy Lussick comes onto the bench, replacing Cogger who has entered concussion protocols following a nasty head knock in Round 2.
SuperCoach Analysis
Crichton has been underwhelming, and hasn’t looked to get through his usual amount of work. I prefer a hold at his price and pedigree, however can get on board with a sale if you have nobody else to sell to bring in the likes of Lisati, Couchman and Martin. Sam Walker has started the season poorly from a SC perspective, with Cherry-Evans looking to stamp his authority on the side close to the line. Tedesco and Nawaqanitawase are guns.
Isaiah Papali’i seems to have won the edge spot, which is huge news. He has previously averaged 78 & 79 in 2021 and 2022 playing in this role. Nathan Cleary knocked out a ton with relative ease and will again be the best halfback in Supercoach. Yeo has been underwhelming after plenty of pre season hype. If he isnt getting 70+ minutes, I prefer to look elsewhere.
Storm vs Broncos – Friday 8:00PM at AAMI Park
Storm
Trent Loiero returns from suspension, but has only been named on the bench. Keep an eye on final teams, as I expect he might be a late swap for Tui Kamikamica at lock. Alec MacDonald has been named part of the extended squad as he looks to return from his Round 1 concussion. Mixed reports on Shawn Blore (some reporting a 4-6 week injury, others reporting no injury), with Lisati and Chan holding their spots in the back row. Stefano Utoikamanu has kicked on from an impressive end to 2025, starting this season with an average of 73. At 515k, he is definitely an option at FRF. Harry Grant looks unstoppable with the new rule changes, and you can expect a lot of attacking stats each week.
Broncos
Grant Anderson has been named to make his debut at the Broncos, with Shibasaki the man to make way after a horror opening two rounds. Deine Mariner moves to centre. Adam Reynolds is good to go after an injury scare last week. Willison replaces Jack Gosiewski on the edge, who is out with concussion.
SuperCoach Analysis
Faalogo is a must buy if you do not own him. Priced at 511k, he is expected to make 270k across the next 2 weeks thanks to the huge score in Round 2. Find a way to get him as this is too much cash to pass up this early in the season. Moses Leo (BE -69) and Ativalu Lisati (BE -80) are expected to make 110k and 160k respectively across the next fortnight, and are both good buys this round. I especially like Lisati as I think he holds the spot over Joe Chan when Blore returns and boasts a whopping 65 average in pure base across the first few rounds. This is gun territory and makes him a no brainer play in your 17 each week.
Walsh, Haas & Carrigan are the players to consider at the Broncos.
Knights vs Warriors- Saturday 3:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights
The Knights had a horror opening rounds with injury, losing arguably their best 3 players. Sharpe has been named to return, but Dylan Brown (4 weeks) and Kalyn Ponga (6-8 weeks) will both be missing for a while. Fletcher Hunt will play fullback, while Sandon Smith retains his halfback spot.
Warriors
Leka Halasima has finally been named to start, with Kurt Capewell missing due to a calf strain. Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad are both entering concussion protocols, which sees Taine Tuaupiki and Luke Hanson come in at fullback and 5/8 respectively. Marata Niukore has been named on the bench, with NSW origin forward Mitch Barnett on the extended bench as he looks to return from the ACL injury suffered last season.
SuperCoach Analysis
Mooney & Lucas are the obvious targets at the Knights. Sharpe is tempting, though I expect Newcastle to have a reasonable performance drop while missing Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga.
Tanah Boyd can be considered for quick cash generation, though I prefer prioritising trades elsewhere.
Sharks vs Dolphins – Saturday 5:30PM at Ocean Protect Stadium
Sharks
No changes from Round 2. Teig Wilton is part of the extended squad.
Dolphins
No changes from Round 2.
SuperCoach Analysis
Iro, Hynes, Brailey, Nikora & Fonua-Blake are the considerations here.
Herbie Farnworth is the only Dolphin I am interested in.
Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers – Saturday 7:35PM at Polytec Stadium
Rabbitohs
Jamie Humphreys returns at halfback from suspension, moving Sullivan to the bench. Tallis Duncan will start on the edge, with Euan Aitken off the bench.
Wests Tigers
Taylan May is out with a shoulder injury, which sees Jeral Skelton start at centre.
Supercoach Analysis
With a Round 4 bye, I won’t be looking at buying any Bunnies this week. However, the players I own already or are on my watch list are Mitchell, Walker, Koloamatangi, Fifita & Duncan.
Pearce-Paul, Doueihi and Makasini should be considered in SC teams. Terrell May may drop a touch in price and will be ripe for the picking soon.
Eels vs Dragons – Sunday 4:05PM at CommBank Stadium
Eels
Hopgood returns from suspension, which sees de Belin move to the bench and Jack Williams move to lock.
Dragons
Liddle has been named to return at #14. Flanagan and Atkinson have overcome niggles to be named in the run on side.
Supercoach Analysis
Hopgood and Pezet (due to price) have the most SC relevance at this point for me.
Atkinson (BE -17), Tu (BE -26) and Ryan Couchman (BE -65) are all set to make money. Couchman has been incredibly impressive, though there has been injuries which have meddled with planned rotations in both of the Dragons opening games. In saying that, he is absolutely passing the eye test and could be a bolter for the starting side soon. If you already own the likes of Faalogo, Lisati & Martin then I love a buy for Couchman this week. Val Holmes is still a gun!
Cowboys vs Titans – Sunday 6:15PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys
Reuben Cotter returns at lock after missing last week. Laybutt is listed in jersey #18.
Titans
Jayden Campbell has been named on the extended bench as he looks to return from his hamstring injury.
Supercoach Analysis
Chester has exceeded expectations and looks a good buy this week. He is expected to make 140k over the next fortnight. Luki (BE -25) looks good and will make cash, though I do have concerns around his injury history. The Cowboys look really poor and I will be avoiding their players until I see more.
Tino looks like a potential sell this week to fit in some of the boom forward cheapies. I think he will come good at some point but won’t be watching his value plummet while I wait. The low minutes are really puzzling for me. Hau (BE -38) and Faeamani (BE -35) will both make good cash and can be brought in this week if you don’t already own. Fermor & Campbell are on my watchlist.
