Another NRL season brings with it a fresh batch of young hopefuls and undervalued campaigners looking to make their mark.
For NRL Supercoach players, this means there's plenty of opportunity to scoop up cheapies to fill their sides ahead of what's sure to be another entertaining year.
The Sporting News provides a breakdown on the best NRL Supercoach cheapies available for 2024.
MORE: NRL Supercoach 2024 - Ultimate guide ahead of new season | Position by position breakdown for Supercoaches
NRL Supercoach 2024: Cheapies to buy this season
Ben Trbojevic - Manly Sea Eagles - CTW/2RF ($277,400)
Trbojevic has rocketed up the ranking to become arguably the best cheapie in the game given his place in an attacking Manly outfit.
A CTW option playing in the backrow for long minutes is worth its weight in gold, which has resulted in a 49 per cent ownership for the young gun.
However, it isn’t all roses with Josh Schuster’s looming return after he endured an injury-plagued pre-season means Trbojevic’s job security isn’t great beyond the opening rounds.
In 12 matches last season, he notched a 27.2PPG average in limited minutes, with a top score of 65 and three scores in the 40’s.
If he is able to lock down the spot for an extended period of time, expect these scores to rise considerably as he will be playing alongside his brother Tom on the left edge while getting big minutes.
Samuel Hughes - Canterbury Bulldogs - FRF ($238,900)
The Bulldogs are light in their forward stocks which has given Hughes a huge opportunity to break into the engine room and pick up decent minutes while at bottom dollar in 2024.
The prop was only handed limited minutes during his five appearances last season, but that could change after he inked an extension and produced some eye-catching displays in the trials.
Liam Knight, who was priced at $332,800, was an early favourite in the pre-season although his poor display in the first trial has resulted in his stocks falling at the Dogs.
Jack Bostock - Dolphins - CTW ($314,500)
The Dolphins have made two big signings in their backline with Jake Averillo and Herbie Farnworth joining. The chance to play outside this duo is still up in the air though, with Bostock believed to be in the box seat to start the season.
The tall winger debuted in 2023 and made four appearances with a top score of 87 in the final round of the season.
In an improved team, this bodes well for the former Dragons junior who could nail down a permanent spot if Wayne Bennett's men make an impressive start to the campaign like they did last season.
Morgan Smithies - Canberra Raiders - 2RF ($345,000) & Trey Mooney - 2RF ($238,900)
The hard-working Englishman Morgan Smithies carved a reputation out as an all-action Warrior in Wigan, so is an appealing option at 2RF.
He started at lock in Canberra’s final trial of the Pre-Season Challenge, however he was too quiet for Supercoach making just three runs and 20 tackles.
Corey Horsburgh made the No.13 jersey his own last season as he surged into Origin contention, so he will likely return to the position after he has served the remaining games of his suspension.
The less popular option from the nation’s capital is Trey Mooney who could be in for a big year in Canberra if he manages to bag a regular spot in the side.
The forward, who has captained NSW through the youth ranks, showcased his all-action style in the final trial when he made 23 tackles and more runs than any other forward during their loss to the Cowboys.
Kane Bradley - Melbourne Storm - CTW ($238,900)
Bradley has emerged as a cheapie option out of nowhere as he is reportedly close to bagging a starting spot on the edge at the Storm.
If he is named to start by Craig Bellamy next week for their opening round clash against Penrith, the backrower will be a must-have at bottom dollar as he will also pick up dual status at 2RF.
Xavier Willison - Brisbane Broncos - FRF ($265,200)
Following the departures of Tom Flegler, Keenan Palasia and Kurt Capewell from last year's pack, it is clear to see the club have put their faith in their youngsters to make the step up.
Fletcher Baker has arrived from the Roosters and will likely be in the 17 throughout the season, but Willison offers the more tempting purchase due to his massive upshot.
The man mountain played just seven games in the NRL last year, but with limited opportunities showed what he could do in the future with a high score of 64 alongside a half-century in consecutive games.
Since debuting in 2021, he has always scored at over 1PPM, so with his injury issues behind him and with the chance of more game time, he is definitely one to keep an eye on after being named on the bench for Round 1.
Ethan Strange - Canberra Raiders - CTW/5-8 ($238,900)
Strange enjoyed a meteoric rise last year as he progressed through the reserve grades to eventually debut in the NRL, while starring for the New South Wales under-19s side with a hat-trick.
Strange is believed to be in the mix for a starting spot, either in the centres - where he debuted - or at his preferred position in the halves.
However, at five-eighth he faces stiff competition from Kaeo Weekes - who is currently one of the most popular picks in Supercoach.
Strange impressed in both trials while in the halves but will have to be monitored ahead of Ricky Stuart naming his first team of the season.
Bronson Xerri - Canterbury Bulldogs - CTW ($345,100) & Drew Hutchison -HFB/CTW ($354,900)
Xerri has put himself in the frame to start the season in the centres after strong trials form while Connor Tracey has been sidelined.
At the very limit of the 'cheapie' price, if he gets the nod in the opening round, it could be a bold play to bring in Xerri who is currently sitting at 35 per cent ownership.
However, for just under 10k more, Hutchison stands as the better option at the Dogs after appearing to lock down the halfback slot alongside Matt Burton.
The former Rooster has always recorded strong base points and could be in for some decent attacking numbers while slotting into the CTW slots.
NRL Supercoach cheapies to watch for 2024
Jayden Brailey - Newcastle Knights - HOK ($330,000)
After a nightmare time with injuries in recent years, Brailey is back in the frame and will reclaim the No.9 jersey in the Hunter.
He played just five matches in 2023, eight in 2022 and two in 2020 as long-term issues have sidelined him for extended periods. Therefore, he represents a significant risk.
Yet if Brailey can get back on the field and get some consistent time playing, he is a guaranteed money-maker.
The hooker averaged 59.2 points in 2021 when he made 22 appearances, while clocking 45.7 points in 2019 from 23 matches.
However, Brailey didn't feature in either of the trials after suffering a hamstring issue so is one to watch on Team List Tuesday.
Sua Fa'alogo - Melbourne Storm - FLB/CTW ($339,000)
Fa'alogo burst onto the scene at Suncorp against Brisbane in the final game of the regular season with a double on debut to post a score of 83.
The flyer was so highly thought of, he was immediately elevated into Samoa's Pacific Championships squad, where he once again showcased his lighting pace and ability to brush off tackles at will.
Fa'alogo dovetailed perfectly with Ryan Papenhuyzen in the match against the Broncos, but with the Storm star set to revert to his favoured No.1 spot in 2024, Fa'alogo will have to bide his time.
This is far from ideal, as Fa'alogo doesn't exactly start at bottom dollar but it's hard to look past the excitement machine not making an impact for the Storm at some stage this season.
Tallis Duncan - South Sydney Rabbitohs - 2RF ($321,600)
Duncan debuted last year and looked right at home off the bench for the Bunnies as he got through plenty of work each and every time during some eye-catching displays.
The forward averaged 1.21 points per minute (PPM) across his seven appearances and could see more game time given the exits of a number of players out of the Bunnies pack, including Jed Cartwright and Hame Sele.
The youngster still faces plenty of competition in Souths pack but having already shown his attacking capabilities with a four-pointer and 22 points in tackle busts last year, Duncan is a tempting pick.
However, the young gun missed the cut for the Rabbitohs' season opener against the Sea Eagles in Vegas.
Viliami Fifita - St George Illawarra Dragons - 2RF/FRF ($204,300)
A new era will begin under Shane Flanagan at the Dragons, with no one exactly sure of the make-up of his side heading into Round 1.
Their hot pursuit of Addin Fonua-Blake in the off-season shows they feel they need a lot more from their forward pack, which struggled badly last season.
Fifita was signed from Manly but failed to break into the side - this could change in 2024 though with the big forward able to offer plenty of punch in his carries.
The basement price coupled with his dual status also makes him a popular pick in Supercoach with his ownership hovering around 30 per cent to start the season.
Kaeo Weekes - Canberra Raiders - FLB/5-8 ($273,400)
Stuart will be backing the Green Machine's youth system this season after the exit of Jack Wighton and the retirement of Jarrod Croker.
Other than Matt Timoko, Jordan Rapana and Jamal Fogarty, you get the feeling there are places up for grabs in Canberra's backline.
Weekes is the hot favourite to take Jack Wighton's No.6 jersey, after he joined the Raiders from Manly.
Th 21-year-old had a tough final season with the Sea Eagles, making just nine appearances in the first half of the year before being left out.
His top score of 68 proves he's got potential points in him, although if he fails to nail down a regular starting spot his average of around 20 points off the bench won't be enough to make money.
NRL Supercoach cheapies to avoid for now
Jesse McLean - Penrith Panthers - CTW ($245,000)
The Penrith machine just keeps on rolling on and picking up premierships, as the Panthers enter into the new campaign gunning to make it four-straight.
Yet with success comes the inevitable departures of key players as rivals pick them off due to salary cap constraints.
Stephen Crichton has been an ever-present in the backline during their reign at the top but has left to join the Bulldogs, while Taylan May is coming off a season-long absence from an ACL injury.
Jesse McLean is a long-term prospect for the club but will fancy his chances of breaking into the NRL after making his debut at the end of 2023.
In nine games in NSW Cup last year, he scored six tries and laid on four assists to showcase his attacking ability.
Gordon Chan Kum Tong - Manly Sea Eagles - HOK ($238,900)
Chan Kum Tong cracked first grade at the end of last season, showing glimpses of his running ability out of dummy-half that is coupled with a strong work rate in defence.
His path is blocked at hooker by club stalwart Lachlan Croker for the time being, but the Samoan international is good enough to pick up minutes off the pine.
Another upside is the 22-year-old could be part of an attacking side for the Sea Eagles who will be expected to post plenty of points this year with the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks to call upon.
Blake Mozer - Brisbane Broncos - HOK ($238,900)
Blake Mozer has been the name on everyone's lips at Red Hill for some time now, with the hooker seemingly edging ever closer to establishing himself in the NRL.
The Queensland Cup star made his first-grade debut in the final game of the regular season for the Broncos in 2023 and could force his way into calculations amongst Billy Walters and Tyson Smoothy.
Mozer got through his defensive duties without showing any kind of flair in his brief cameo last year, but those attacking stats are there given he scored seven tries and provided nine assists in reserve grade.
Kayal Iro - Cronulla Sharks - FLB/CTW ($219,900)
Iro has been expected to make the jump from reserve grade to the NRL for a few years now, but this season looks as if it could be his best opportunity to date with 40 per cent ownership already.
Connor Tracey was always the first cab off the rank as the backline replacement, yet he has now left to join Canterbury. Sifa Talakai's disappointing campaign in the centres also could open a spot for Iro if the Sharks struggle early.
Although Kade Dykes (FLB) is back on deck after missing the entirety of last year through injury and could also force his way into the Cronulla backline somewhere.
Chevy Stewart - Canberra Raiders - FLB/CTW ($204,300)
Stewart lit up the NSW Cup last year after dislodging Xavier Savage from the fullback spot but looks like he has fallen short of making the side for Round 1.
The fullback was deadly in reserve grade as he constantly carved up defences with his elusive running style on the way to scoring nine tries and providing eight assists.
At 30 per cent ownership at one point, he was one of the most popular CTW picks at a basement price.
NRL Supercoach Ultimate Guide For 2024
- NRL Supercoach 2024: Cheapies to watch for new season
- NRL Supercoach 2024: Most expensive players in the game
- NRL Supercoach 2024: Comprehensive guide on how to play, how to score points, strategies and more
- NRL Supercoach 2024: Who to buy in the hooker position
- NRL Supercoach 2024: Who to buy in the halfback position
- NRL Supercoach 2024: Who to buy in the fullback position
