Welcome to TCT SuperCoach: Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the Season

(League Code: 704791)

The Cumberland Throw is introducing a brand new weekly SuperCoach segment. So, whether you’re chasing overall glory, bragging rights in your mates’ league, or you’re new to SuperCoach, this column is here to guide you through the chaos of the season.

Each week, I’ll predominantly be covering:

• A rundown of the top SuperCoach performers from the previous round.
• How my selection tips fared.
• Key takeaways from TLT.
• Advice on trades and captaincy options for the next round.

Before we get into it, a quick bit about me.

I’m Adrian, a diehard Parramatta Eels supporter and a serious SuperCoach addict. That often means putting club bias aside and making calls that hurt the heart but help the rankings.

I’ve been playing for over five years, and in the last three I’ve properly dived down the rabbit hole. I finished inside the top 3% last season, so I’m not an out-of-this-world expert, but I know the ins and outs and can more than hold my own.

For anyone new to the game, NRL SuperCoach is a fantasy competition. Ultimately, you start with a set budget to build your squad from real-life NRL players. Those players then score points based on their actual performances each week, and your total score goes up against everyone in your league, and the entire SuperCoach world. You can download the SuperCoach app or play via their website. If you’re new to NRL SuperCoach, I encourage you to give it a crack. Throughout this segment, I’ll try my best to explain any SuperCoach jargon, and I’ll be happy to answer anyone’s questions in the comments. The Vegas games are approaching fast, so if you’re keen, now’s your time to finalise your team. You’ll have unlimited trades right up until the season begins.

The goal of this column is to bring SuperCoach content to the TCT audience in a way that’s honest, practical, and sprinkled with a bit of banter. Whether you’re chasing overall rank or just playing for fun, there’ll be something here for you.

Not that trial games mean too much (unless you’re a Parra fan, in which case I hope you’ve bought your Grand Final tickets), but a few players have caught my eye over the weekend, including:

• Sam Walker (HFB – $683.3k): He impressed me against Parra, tallying up one try and two try assists in limited minutes. The biggest takeaway from a SuperCoach perspective was that DCE took a backseat and played second fiddle. That makes Walker very enticing, and he’s someone I may look to bring in over Jayden Campbell, freeing up almost $30k more to invest elsewhere.

Walker

• Trai Fuller (FLB – $559.4k): This guy is way too good to either be on the bench, or worse, playing reserve grade. He’s a weapon who breaks tackles for fun. Unfortunately, it looks like Dolphins coach, Kristian Woolf, has confirmed Hammer will start at fullback come Round 1. Should this change, Fuller would be a great pick up at sub $560k and would definitely be someone I’d take over Sua Fa’alogo.
• Heamasi Makasini (CTW – $235.6k): Wow, this kid can play! If this star in the making isn’t in the West Tigers’ backline come Round 2 (they have the Round 1 bye), then something has gone seriously wrong at Tigers HQ which, of course, would be completely out of character. Not many people can knock over Dylan Edwards the way this kid did; somewhat reminiscent of Maika Sivo v James Tedesco circa 2020. At $235.6k, this kid is a must have. It’s unfortunate that we won’t know for sure whether Makasini will get the nod straight away due to their Round 1 bye, but I’d lock him in.
• David Fifita (2RF – $485.3k): We all know that David Fifita is a freak; one of the most damaging second rowers in the game, but it’s just about whether he can put it all together. At the Bunnies, on a left edge consisting of Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell, and Alex Johnston, I think David Fifita is clearly in must-have territory at $485.3k. No doubt the SuperCoach community feels similarly, with him being the highest owned 2RF at 57%.
• Cody Walker (5/8 – $399.2k): I’ve been off Cody Walker all season, as I’m not really a fan of him SuperCoach-wise. In my opinion, he has to do a lot to get an excellent SuperCoach score. Not to mention, recently, Cody Walker spends more time in the hospital bed than on the field. There’s also the fear of having too many Bunnies’ players in my team, especially given they have the Round 2 bye, which will test the depth of most of our teams very early on. Irrespective of all this, I’ve become somewhat enticed by Cody after his game against Manly, and also due to how stacked the left edge of the Bunnies truly is. If I go with Cody, I can swing Jaxon Purdue, who is in my team, to CTW thanks to his dual positioning, giving me cover to move him back to 5/8 if Cody underperforms or gets injured.

Key takeaways from TLT (Vegas games only):

• Sandon Smith (HOK/5/8 – $506.2k): Lots of speculation about how the Knights’ spine would look come Round 1, but Sandon has been pushed to jersey number 14. Owners should be making moves immediately.
• Fletcher Sharpe (5/8 – $730.7k): Starting at 5/8 – great news for Fletcher Sharpe stocks! The dude’s a freak, and things seem to just happen when he’s on the field. I wouldn’t knock anyone for starting with Sharpe, but at $730k, you’re paying close to peak price.
• Dylan Brown (HFB – $535.3k): Starting at halfback this weekend, it can be assumed that he won’t be getting dual positioning anytime soon. As much as I love Dylan Brown, there are plenty of better options at halfback, and we are still yet to see him deliver as a halfback. Maybe this will change in a different team…
• Trey Mooney (FRF/2RF – $442k): There was some speculation that Trey Mooney would be on the bench to make way for more experienced players, but that seems to have been put to bed. Starting prop, big motor, good price. Lock and load. If the minutes stick, he could be one of the best early value plays.
• Jaxon Purdue (CTW/5/8 – $557.4k): Starting in the centres, which is ideal from a SuperCoach perspective. He’s currently locked into my side, but a move to the halves would change that quickly. To add to this, Scotty Drinkwater, who is also in my team, seems to score much higher when Purdue isn’t in the halves.

Purdue

• Reed Mahoney (HOK – $418.1k): As expected, Reed has claimed the starting hooker role at the Cowboys. The concern? Soni Luke in the 14 will likely limit his minutes.
• Tom Chester (CTW/FLB – $216.8k): Bottom-dollar starting centre. He’ll be in most teams, including mine. The concern is durability, and with Zac Laybutt returning from suspension soon, job security isn’t guaranteed.
• Jacob Kiraz (CTW – $746.7k): The SuperCoach gun looks to have overcome his injury concerns. I’ll be fading him for now due to his injury history, and with the Bulldogs having the Round 2 bye, I’m happy to wait.
• Setu Tu (CTW – $201.4k): As expected, Setu Tu has won the wing spot at the Dragons. At bottom dollar, he’s close to a free swing if he holds the spot.

Ultimately, my Gameweek 1 captain is Payne Haas. In a sea of unknowns, Haas stands out as a safe and simple play. Last season, he established himself not only as the best front row forward in SuperCoach, but as a stress-free captaincy option who essentially guaranteed 80+ scores weekly.

The Cumberland Throw has its own SuperCoach league (code: 704791). Jump in and see how your squad stacks up against me and the rest of the community!

I’m keen to hear your thoughts and questions – drop them below. See you next week!

SC Adrian

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