Predicted Line Up
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Marion Seve, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tui Kamikamica, 16. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 17. Max King.
Relevant Injury/Team news
Christian Welch is recovery well from an ACL injury but no exact return date has been confirmed yet.
Cameron Smith will reportedly spend time at first receiver this season, allowing Brandon Smith to play minutes at hooker.
The loan signing of Paul Momirovski has hit a snag. If the move goes through, Momirovski will most likely slot in at centre at the expense of Marion Seve.
Reports are that Cooper Johns has been training well in pre-season and could start at #7 this season. Although it seems unlikely, this move would have huge SuperCoach implications. Not only would Johns be a great cheapie, but Jahrome Hughes would move to the bench, pushing a bench forward out of the side, resulting in increased minutes for Brandon Smith and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Goal Kickers
1. Cameron Smith, 2. Cameron Munster
The Guns
Cameron Smith ($684,600 | HOK) – He’s the G.O.A.T SuperCoach hooker. Although his base is low, he kicks goals and is a chief creator at the Storm, still managing to score 60+ points in 16/24 games and ton up 6 times.
Cameron Munster ($644,400 | 5/8) – Munster is an interesting SuperCoach player. He has more low games in him than other 5/8s, but his low games are not as low as those other players. For example, Shaun Johnson and Cody Walker score 60+ points in 53% and 64% of their games last season, while Munster scored 60+ points in 43% of his games. However, Johnson and Walker both had a few games in the 20s and 30s last season, whereas Munster’s lowest score was 40. Yet, when he goes big, he goes bigger than the others. For example, in games where he scored 60+ points, Munster averaged 100, while Johnson and Walker only averaged 85.7 and 81.4 respectively. Thus, Munster is an absolute gun, but you will have to accept both his low scores and his mammoth returns.
The PODs
Jahrome Hughes ($524,000 | HFB/FLB) – Hughes played 5 games in the halves last year and looked very comfortable, averaging 79.6 PPG. In these games, he averaged 27 PPG in pure base, 31 PPG in creative stats and 17 PPG in evasive stats. Playing in the halves in the best attacking team in the competition, Hughes could be a sneaky option at only 1% ownership.
Dale Finucane ($522,500 | 2RF) – Finucane was back to his best last season. He made 31 tackles and 14 hit ups (70% of which were 8m+) per game, which saw him average 52 PPG in pure base. Throw in an occasional offload or tackle break, and Finucane will give you a safe 55-60 PPG depending on his minutes (he played 65+ minutes 9 times last season, but then <55 minutes 5 times).
Josh Addo Carr ($490,700 | CTW) – JAC has a low base, but he has pretty good upside. He has a favourable draw and impressive history against his opening 6 opponents (Sea Eagles, Sharks, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Titans, Cowboys). If he fires in the first few rounds you’ll shoot up the rankings, but you’ll plummet if he doesn’t.
The Players of Interest
Ryan Papenhuyzen ($508,200 | FLB) – As a starting fullback last season, Papenhuyzen averaged 95.3 PPG. He scored 40 PPG from hit ups alone, and an additional 29 PPG from tackle breaks, offloads and line breaks. His average was boosted by the fact that he scored 5 tries in his 6 starts which is probably unsustainable, but expect similar numbers in terms of base and evasiveness from Papenhuyzen this season.
Nelson Asofa Solomona ($489,500 | FRF) – If Bellamy runs with a 3 forward bench, Asofa Solomona could jump to around 45 MPG, making him 60 PPG averaging FRF.
The Cheapies
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui ($217,500 | 2RF) – Operating at 1.04 PPM last season, Tino’s PPM is solid but he may not receive enough minutes to be a great cheapie.
Tui Kamikamica ($295,800 | FRF) – We could see an increase in Kamikamica’s minutes this season given the absence of Christian Welch, but he won’t earn enough cash to be a relevant cheapie given his price tag.
Max King (Not yet in SuperCoach) – For some reason, King is not yet in SuperCoach. But, he could be a solid cheapie. He scored at a PPM of 1.1 last season and if he plays between 30-35 MPG, he could make some cash.
Thomas Eisenhuth ($184,900 | 2RF/CTW) – He’s dual 2RF/CTW which is handy, and will obviously be in most teams if he can earn a spot on the bench.
Cooper Johns ($171,900 | HFB) – A bottom dollar cheapie half in the best attacking team in the NRL. If he starts, he’ll be one of the most popular players.
Avoid/Be wary of
Jesse Bromwich ($454,200 | FRF) – J Brom’s time as a SuperCoach gun is over. His PPM is still good, but he now played <50 MPG and no longer offloads like he did during his best SuperCoach seasons.
Kenny Bromwich ($594,800 | 2RF) – K Brom has been a 45-50 PPG averaging starting player throughout his career, but averaged a huge 64 PPG last season thanks to 5 tries and 12 try assists. It is unknown whether he can repeat that output this season.
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