NRL Supercoach 2019: Who to buy, hold, sell and watch - Round 5

Michael Di Lonardo

NRL Supercoach 2019: Who to buy, hold, sell and watch - Round 5 image

30,933.

That's the number of keen Supercoaches who have picked up Jayden Okunbor with eyes locked on his -101 breakeven.

A number of base-price bargains have surfaced, but don't pull the trigger on your existing cheapies just yet. Squeeze everything you can.

Also, we're at the awkward stage where you need to start thinking about bye coverage, however with an eight-week gap it gives you some time to plan.

Scroll down to see what moves you need to make this round. Judge us on our assessment from last round.

WHO TO BUY IN SUPERCOACH

Corey Harawira-Naera CTW 2RF - $445,300

Round 4 score: 78

Average: 56

Breakeven:  6

Why: Dean Pay's mass changes have worked wonders for Harawira-Naera, handing him a full-time job on the edge in a back-row hogging up minutes. Despite two HIA assessments in consecutive weeks, the former Panther has averaged 72 points since his promotion and appears likely to play 80 minutes if he can stay fit. His base stat numbers have been decent, averaging 44 while starting, but it's his offloading which is really putting the points on the board, averaging five in the past two games. A workhorse forward with attacking stats, dual-positioning at CTW and first round bye coverage, Harawira-Naera is almost impossible to look past.

Angus Crichton 2RF - $577,600

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Round 4 score: 85

Average: 52

Breakeven: 47

Why: Keeping Angus Crichton on the bench is like buying a brand new video game and not playing it. The Roosters splashed cash on their new recruit but off-season shoulder surgery meant Trent Robinson had to ease Crichton back. Named on the interchange for the past month, Crichton has still managed to play 80 minutes in the last three weeks although he has been finally named to start on team list Tuesday, reassuring concerned Supercoaches. Priced at $577,600, it's the cheapest rate you'll get the NSW forward at all year.

Rhyse Martin 2RF - $634,300

Round 4 score: 70

Average: 68

Breakeven: 78

Why: Hailed as the next Supercoach God in the pre-season, Martin's exclusion from the round one team lists came as a shock to all - but we all knew it was never going to last. What we couldn't predict was that the goal-kicking weapon would slot straight in as an 80-minute lock - only the second kind next to Canberra's John Bateman who is currently filling gaps in the second-row. Working in the middle limits his try-scoring potential, but he will be helped by consistent base stat numbers while his goal-kicking is an added bonus. Also has bye coverage.

Ryan Matterson 2RF - $550,600

Round 4 score: 80

Average: 68

Breakeven: 34

Why: Matterson has slipped under the radar but is working magic for the 8.4% of Supercoaches that own him with a healthy combination of base and attacking stats. Finally on the scorers board with a try against Penrith, the Tigers are willing to give Matterson plenty of ball as a go-to attacking threat and there have been a number of moments where he has popped his head through the line. Averaging 68 early on, the ex-Rooster is bordering keeper status and still has POD value.

Kalyn Ponga FLB - $542,200

Round 4 score:  99

Average: 53

Breakeven: 71

Why: As much as 32.3% of Supercoaches can ignore this one, but for those non-Ponga owners it's time to get on the bus. And for those that have him, Nathan Brown's Ben Creagh-style back-pedal was an answered prayer, resulting in his highest score of the year with 88 points off two cracking try assists. The run ahead includes games against Manly, Gold Coast, Parramatta, New Zealand and Canterbury. Tasty.

Jayden Okunbor CTW 2RF - $168,100

Round 4 score: 102

Average: 79

Breakeven: -101

Why: Okunbor was on our buy list last week so we hope you cleaned up on that mouth-watering century. This serves as a reminder to bring in the most bought player of the round who boasts a breakeven of -101.

 

Our buy selections from last week that paid off: Tevita Pangai Jnr (57 points), Junior Paulo ($40K price rise, 50 points), Jayden Okunbor (102 points, -101 breakeven)

Our buy selections from last week that hurt: Mitch Rein (44 points), Isaiah Papali’i (45 points), Bryce Cartwright (34 points)

WHO TO HOLD IN SUPERCOACH

Dylan Napa FRF - $408,300

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Round 4 score: 10

Average: 54

Breakeven: 44

Why: A hold on Napa is certainly controversial, given 7353 people have booted him, but hear us out. A best case scenario is a return date in round 10 with an expected five to six week lay-off - two rounds before State of Origin selection. Will he have enough time to prove his fitness? Kevin Walters can call on Jai Arrow, Josh Papalii, Matt Scott, Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace ahead of the injured Napa. With bye coverage in round 12, uncertainty around his Origin selection and more potential for earning, keep Napa locked away until we get further clarity on where Walters' head is at.

Shaun Lane 2RF FRF - $498,400

Round 4 score: 36

Average: 56

Breakeven: 90

Why: Two great scores cancelled out by two sub-par scores have Supercoaches nervous. Lane travels in Lachlan Fitzgibbon-type waves, reliant on attacking stats to generate some decent points. But he's exactly the breed of player that can go BIG. Give him one more week and let his round five score determine your decision.

Tevita Pangai Jnr 2RF FRF - $530,900

Round 4 score: 57

Average: 63

Breakeven: 53

Why: When will he be suspended next or will he do a hammy at any point? It's the two questions anxious owners have been asking themselves, but there's no denying a controlled, fully fit Pangai Junior is one of the premier FRF options out there. A two-week suspension isn't long enough to show him the door, let's just hope he has his head screwed on.

Jacob Host 2RF FRF - $267,600

Round 4 score: 25

Average: 40

Breakeven: 0

Why: Tyson Frizell's return has equalled a demotion for Host, although a breakeven of 0 means he's certain to make money the second he gets on the field. Probably a week or two away from a sell.

Reuben Garrick CTW - $280,100

Round 4 score: 17

Average: 42

Breakeven: 16

Why: There have been 4049 people who have had enough of Garrick, probably keen to bring Bronson Xerri on board, but he still hasn't reached his ceiling and the Sharks youngster can wait another week. Squeeze as much as you can out of him, unless you need Xerri in your 17.

 

Our hold selections from last week that paid off:  Nathan Cleary (54 points)

Our hold selections from last week that hurt:  Adam Keighran (DNP)

WHO TO SELL IN SUPERCOACH

Tom Trbojevic FLB - $691,200

Tom Trbojevic

Round 3 score: 57

Average: 103

Breakeven: 23

Why: One of the most purchased players last week, Trbojevic put a dagger through the hearts of devastated owners with a reoccurrence of his hamstring injury. The Manly fullback will miss six to nine weeks and the looming Origin series puts him in the no-go zone.

Te Maire Martin FLB 5/8 - $304,000

Round 3 score: 28

Average: 40

Breakeven:  46

Why: I'm a massive fan of Martin as a money-maker at five-eighth, but I can't stand him at fullback. Repeating the same trends as last year, Martin's base stats fall off a cliff, averaging 14.5 the past two weeks compare to 30.5 in the halves. He's a historically poor performer when out of position and really needs to be next to Michael Morgan to be worth considering.

 

Our sell selections from last week that paid off: Josh Hodgson (33 points), Matt Moylan (DNP), Braidon Burns (DNP)

Our sell selections from last week that hurt: Tui Kamikamica (61 points)

WHO TO WATCH IN SUPERCOACH

Payne Haas FRF - $181,100

Round 4 score: N/A

Average: N/A

Breakeven: N/A

Why: Confirmed to return from a four-week suspension. Haas was one of the most popular picks in first team selections and it will be interesting to see how many minutes Anthony Seibold rewards him.

Jordan Rapana CTW - $503,200

Round 4 score: 114

Average: 61

Breakeven: 14

Why: We might be living in the past, but when Jordan Rapana goes large it's always worth taking note. Started the year off slowly from shoulder surgery but a triple-figure score in round five, including two tries and a try assist, should keep you on your toes. Was one of the premier CTW's between 2016-17 and is slightly discounted after a disappointing 2018.

Michael Di Lonardo

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