Some say that playing SuperCoach adds to their enjoyment of the NRL, whilst others say it is not worth the stress. I guess it depends on how your side is travelling.
For me, it was a mixed bag. I went undefeated in both Zero Tackle Ultimate League competitions I am in, but like most, I suffered after the injury toll took hold of my SuperCoach side.
These weekly columns are meant as a guide only. I am no expert, just a fan playing along. I’m happy to offer advise where possible, and I’ll keep you up to date with the trades I am making, but this is all for fun.
For the record I am not playing for overall glory, just simple bragging rights in private competitions. My plan is to bank as much money as possible by choosing players who I believe are undervalued and due to rise. Then when I can I will cash in and hopefully go undefeated from mid-season onwards.
Although these will touch on Ultimate League, NRL Fantasy and NRLCEO, the focus will be on SuperCoach as it is the one most widely played.
Injury Crisis Is Real
Blake Austin, Paul Gallen, Aidan Sezer, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, Jordan Kahu, Michael Lichaa, James Segeyaro, and Ben Henry are all set for extended stints on the sideline.
I doubt there are too many sides out there unaffected by these injuries.
Paul Gallen is a supercoach staple, while Segeyaro, Lichaa, Austin and Reynolds have also been very popular. Henry looked like a real money maker, while I believe Kahu was undervalued.
I traded Gallen in for Fensom a few minutes before kick off on Thursday night and will now have to burn a trade reverting back to where I started.
Henry is another I will have to trade, as it looks like he will miss the majority of the season, likely for Kyle Turner, should he be named on Tuesday.
Don’t panic too much if you suffered multiple injuries. Gallen may only miss six weeks, while Kahu may only miss a few weeks.
Trades are very valuable, but you do need every player in your squad playing the early rounds to maximise money-making potential.
Round One SuperCoach Studs
Corey Oates (96): Oates was brilliant on Thursday night for the Broncos. Semi and Mansour aside, wingers don’t usually average too high as they aren’t involved as much as the players in the centre, but Oates could be a valuable pick up if he can record another big score this weekend.
James Graham (80): May have played bigger minutes than planned due to injuries but Graham is almost a must have. He works hard, busts tackles and is capable of putting players through gaps.
Shaun Fensom (87): Another almost must-have. Anyone who has Gallen but doesn’t have Fensom will be making this trade this week. Recorded multiple tackle busts and a try to go with his mammoth tackle count. He won’t go huge too often but injury aside, never lets you down.
Shaun Johnson (97): Johnson is the kind of player who can sit around the 30 point mark, but in one play can double his score and then some. He has relinquished the kicking duties which will hurt his score but is an elite playmaker.
Ethan Lowe (109): Lowe often plays second fiddle to Gavin Cooper in terms of SuperCoach attention but he was ruthless on Saturday evening’s win over the Sharks. His late try boosted his stats but he was still on track for a huge score. Could be a vital pick up as not many sides have him.
Jackson Hastings (70): Anyone who doesn’t already have the bargain-prices Hastings in their side needs to jump on board after his round one heroics. The Roosters were awful but the youngster still scored 70. His price will double. Buy buy buy.
Greg Bird (111): The round’s top scorer, Bird topped 100 without scoring a try. He played a massive role in multiple Titans tries and had two try assists to his name. He’s been inconsistent over the past year or so but can go huge on occasion.
Jesse Bromwich (91): Marika Koroibete will attract all the headlines following his two tries but Bromwich was immense. His workload looks like it will rise yet again with the reduction of interchanges which makes him another almost must have.
Round One SuperCoach Duds
Manaia Cherrington (21): The Tigers youngster didn’t get anywhere near the expected minutes and his 21 won’t lead to the price increase I was expecting. I’m holding him to see if he returns a better score next week but if not, he won’t be around too long.
Kade Snowden (18): Without a doubt the biggest shock in round one. Snowden was awful on Sunday evening and may find himself in NSW Cup as a result. Although he had a brilliant year in 2015, at $405,300 there are much better options available. Trade now.
James Roberts (27): Roberts was quiet on his Broncos debut as most of the attack went through Milford and Kahu on the opposite side. Ben Hunt had a shocker, which stifled Roberts. If he’s in your side, I don’t expect Hunt or Roberts to have a second quiet game in a row. Hold.
Nathan Green (26): At only a touch over $150,000 this is not a bad score, however for a starting back rower, this is disappointing to say the least. If he is named again this weekend, avoid selling him, if he can score 40’s over the next fortnight he’ll make some money, then sell.
Michael Morgan (24): I can’t remember the last time Morgan scored so low. Games against the Sharks are usually scrappy affairs so I wouldn’t worry too much if you have the Cowboys half in your side. Wouldn’t even consider selling.
Blake Ferguson (28): The Roosters were terrible on Sunday afternoon. I don’t think they’ll play so badly again this season. Ferguson, at fullback, only scored 28, which is a shock. Give him a few weeks to find his feet in the position before you make a decision on trading him.
Mitch Rein (23): At almost $350,000 and playing in the number nine, you’d expect consistent 40s at least, but Reign was very quiet on Monday Night. Trades can be better used elsewhere as he shouldn’t score that low again any time soon.
Trade Ins This Week
Jackson Hastings should already be in your side. Jayden Nikorima also. If they’re not, bring at least one in this week. They’re the definition of money-makers. Both are coming off big scores in a horribly beaten side, and both are basement value.
Trade Outs This Week
It’s still early so don’t burn through trades unless there are injuries, or it is to get Hastings in. Sutton, Austin, Sezer, Lichaa, Segeyaro and Gallen are all great players but are taking up too much cap space to hold. If you’ve avoided injuries but are carrying Kade Snowden, sell. Even if he has two solid weeks, his price will fall.
Ultimate League/NRLCEO Advice
Don't over react too quickly in trading out star players. If you cut the likes of Segeyaro or Gallen, others will draft them in and bench them until they are fit, and you've lost a round one pick for the sake of a few weeks. Sutton is probably worth releasing, although he is available in the halves on Ultimate League so may be worth holding also.
Shaun Johnson eats up valuable kicking points on NRLCEO but I wouldn't be looking to trade him out just yet. He may start kicking again once he finds his feet, plus he's so lethal it's worth holding him for now.
Those who have suffered injuries in the halves, look to pick up their likely club side replacements, i.e. Croker for Sezer or Austin, and drop a second rower. High scoring halves are much more valuable than second rowers, as there are literally 100 capable of scoring big.
For those fans who enjoy NRL podcasts, I was a guest on the Forty-Twenty podcast in last week's season preview, which can be heard here and will again be a guest on this Thursday's episode. Prad and Shiv host an entertaining show, and I'd ask anyone interested to please check it out.
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