Join Lachlan Baxter each week as he takes a RLW lens to NRL SuperCoach, including a Player in Focus, POD Hits & Misses and more.
Team List Carnage.
Origin, injuries and byes have decimated NRL SuperCoach teams and pre-planning for the weeks ahead as well as a pinch of luck are proving very valuable during this moving period. Popular players such as Nathan Cleary, David Fifita, Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Brown have left coaches scrambling and the correct POD could prove invaluable as there is only 1000pts between 1st and 2000th.
Player in Focus – John Bateman
This year has centered around player availability, and squads that have strong 21-22 man squads come the end of the season will be much better off than NRL SuperCoaches looking to stack an elite 17-18 man squad padded with nuffs.
John Bateman has eased into the 2023 NRL season but he is shaping up as a perfect 3rd or 4th option second row forward.
As the Tigers have slowly improved so too has the Englishman. Averaging 65pts for the season with only two tries is fantastic, with Bateman’s strong work rate reflected in his base average of 47pts. It gets even better when looking at Bateman’s last three games with improved match fitness returned and while the Tigers have begun to score points. His base average rises to 54pts, and his rolling five game average boosts to 83pts (72pts if you exclude his points for tries scored).
Bateman is not the disciplined, line running second rower who can execute set plays meticulously and always hit his spots. Where he excels is with early, clean receipts of the ball and a license to roam, jink and fend across the defensive line. Recents reports of a move into the No.13 jumper lend itself to Bateman’s preferred style of play.
Bateman’s resurgence in 2023 has corresponded with the arrival of Brandon Wakeham to the five eighth position and Jahream Bula at fullback.
When Adam Doueihi was playing earlier in the season, Bateman received limited ball as Doueihi was a run first operator with a fantastic face ball to his right-side winger. With Wakeham replacing Doueihi, Bateman’s running game has become the weapon for the Tiger’s right-hand side. Whilst not a rookie, Wakeham is a more junior squad member at the Tiger’s and has epitomized doing his job and letting the guns in the side play their style.
To ensure Bateman has the room to move, Bula has been outstanding at fullback.
Jahream has linked beautifully with the Tiger’s right hand side and the quick ball movement between hooker, five eighth and fullback was pivotal to the Tiger’s putting a cricket score on a very sorry Cowboys outfit in R12. Bula’s work rate is outstanding for a fullback and his constant runs have worn down defensive teams and Bateman is ending up the beneficiary.
From an NRL Supercoach perspective, Bateman will cash in on tackle breaks and line break involvements as the combinations continue to improve and his defensive work rate has always been solid.
The Tigers – whilst improving – are unlikely to provide the attacking flair for numerous tries to fall Bateman’s way but his ability to maintain an average above 65pts for the rest of the season is very achievable.
The Tigers have already played two of their three byes and play in the remaining two major bye rounds. At a breakeven of 11pts, this is the week to jump on Bateman and his bye in R17 will be easy to manage. He is a player who can be held for the remainder of the season, provide a safe floor of points and make the most of attacking opportunities in an improving squad.
Hits and Misses
Hits: My top five POD targets for the next few weeks.
Ray Stone – The Dolphins cannot catch a break with injury and suspension decimating their squad. Stone, however, will be the big winner as he is now in the box seat to take Tom Gilbert’s role at lock. In games where Stone plays greater then 55 minutes he is averaging 62pt. His dual positioning across 2RF and hooker is also extremely useful.
Jahrome Hughes – Whilst the scramble to replace Cleary is underway, Hughes is flying under the radar as a fantastic POD option. Melbourne have already played two of their byes and no Craig Bellamy side will cruise into the finals period. With Cameron Munster away for Origin and likely to be rested in the coming weeks, it all spells more opportunity for Hughes. His connection with Eli Katoa has looked dangerous all year and could become a feature for Melbourne’s attack in the backend of the season. Currently owned by less the 3% of teams, Hughes is a very affordable POD who has the ability to score tons.
Nick Meaney – Another Melbourne Storm option who has shed some cash and is ready to pick up and solidfy the CTW postion. The goal kicking fullback has a fantastic base and work rate who has scored under 60pts on only three occasions this year. Ryan Papenhuyzen is a long-term risk but as we hear less from the Victorian side I am doubting if we will see Papi at all in 2023.
Jack Cogger – For sides who have missed earlier cash cows and are hurting more then Cleary’s hamstring, Cogger is a cheap option in an elite side. Cogger doesn’t have to do much to unlock the attacking weapons surrounding him and will rise in value just by spending time in first-grade.
Kalyn Ponga – It’s a pick for the brave but at the end of the day, a fit Ponga is an elite player and a genuine NRL SuperCoach gun. With a tough draw against weakened sides during this Origin period, the Knights could surprise and Ponga will have a direct hand in any points so long as he is on the field.
Misses: My top five avoids.
Luke Metcalf – Metcalf has been solid but at close to bottom dollar is a popular cheapie option NRL SuperCoaches are turning to following the news regarding Dylan Brown. The red flag for Metcalf is his job security. With Te Maire Martin due back R17 and the favourite to claim the half position beside Shaun Johnson, Metcalf will potentially only see one good price rise. Even if Metcalf wins a spot on the bench, he has no massive scores in his rolling average and will become an AE nightmare.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – The ninth-most traded in player this week and I struggle to understand any reason why. At $769k and a BE of 31pts, Tino won’t lose any cash this week but that is where the positives end. Whilst playing against the Tigers is a traditional NRL SuperCoach goldmine, this year the Tigers have conceded the second least points to players in the middle third at an average of 54pts. Tino will miss R16, be rested in R17 (likely), miss R19 and again likely rested in R20. Avoid.
Keaon Koloamatangi – Another popular trade in option this week but one who is every chance to join the NSW squad for Origin II. He is definitely bottom dollar but even if your crystal ball says he won’t play for NSW, the Rabbitohs are on the bye in R16 and therefore a crucial missing number.
Nicho Hynes – Hynes is someone I would avoid selling for this week despite the tough matchup against the Storm and pending Origin selections. Fittler is not opposed to huge team changes for the second game of a series and if you currently are holding Hynes his cover for this week and potential ability to stay ahead of the pack if he misses Origin selection next week will be invaluable. It’s a punt but waiting a week has no real negative other than a potential small loss of cash this week.
Jacob Kiraz – Kiraz started the year fantastically but recent injuries have really stunted his scoring for the Bulldogs. If he returns to his base stats at the start of the season, there is no question that Kiraz should be in your team but I think you can wait. He has not replicated that work rate as of yet and until I see that he won’t sky rocket in price and become unattainable again. Not a bad player, but the hype is exaggerated.
Written by Lachlan Baxter for Rugby League Writers