NRL SuperCoach Round 21 players to watch, match centres, weather and tips
We're now deep into the season and it's getting harder to find a point of difference. Here's some of the players who should be on your radar going to NRL SuperCoach Round 22... if you have trades.
Thursday, July 30
North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Townsville weather - game time: Clear. 0-10% chance of rain.
Player of interest: Is Marky Mark Nawaqanitawase now a mere SuperCoach myth? 4.6% of the top 1% seem to think so, as they're selling him this week after dropping a four-round average of 40. But at a cut price $547k, those who don't own could consider him as a trade in with a traditionally leaky Cowboys on tap. Plenty will be playing him and hoping for a bounce back to his early season base + power form.
Friday, July 31
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Dolphins, WIN Stadium, 6pm
Wollongong weather - game time: Possible shower. 10-25% chance of rain.
Player of interest: The possible return of Isaiya Katoa has SuperCoaches excited for the possibilities around him. Herbie Farnworth shapes as the most popular VC option after the damage done down the Dragons' right edge last week, but Jamayne Isaako could also be a play with goalkicking if Katoa is back and if you believe the Dolphins will explode back to life this week and for their favourable draw rest of season.
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs, AAMI Park, 8pm
Melbourne weather - game time: Clear.
Player of interest: Jacob Kiraz is on the radar of many coaches looking to farewell Dylan Lucas via duals. The winger has strung a few games together, his base + power is back nudging 60 in the past two weeks and the Bulldogs look to have their act together somewhat. Confidence is building around him, especially at a $579k price tag. Projected 80 this week.
Saturday, August 1
Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors, Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm
Gold Coast weather - game time: Shower or two. 25-50% chance of rain.
Player of interest: Another Dylan Lucas replacement could be Beau Fermor, who looks to have hit a similar purple patch to the one that had him playing State of Origin last year. His combo with Jayden Campbell has come alive in recent weeks, helping him to a three-round average of 77, and if you haven't heard, the Titans have all but one of their remaining games taking place during the day, including each of their last four. Only 1.7% if the top 10% own Fermor, who is $618k.
Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders, Glen Willow Stadium, 5.30pm
Mudgee weather - game time: Partly cloudy. No chance of rain.
Player of interest: The last time people were flocking to sell Zac Hosking, he churned out his best ever SuperCoach score - could he soon be punishing sellers again? Maybe not this week against the stingy Panthers, but he still has the runway for an 80-minute edge role. It wasn't how it played out on the weekend, but he was a bit dusty just before he came off with the result beyond doubt, possibly playing into his 57 minutes. He remains a safe hold, as he will have bigger games ahead.
Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights, Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Brisbane weather - game time: Shower or two. 10-25% chance of rain.
Player of interest: Is it as simple as a Knight for Knight replacement? Francis Manuleleua will take up the Dylan Lucas role, which has owners cheering after his breakout last week. If you had a stacked six at 2RF and a handful of trades, you could bank $400k going Lucas to big Francis, who we now know has a beast in him. Last week he had 60 in base + power.
Sunday, August 2
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Ocean Protect Stadium, 2pm AEST
Cronulla weather - game time: Mostly sunny. 0-10% chance of rain.
Player of interest: Blayke Brailey will be the most traded in player this week, but is it a bit vanilla? The Sharks No.9 is behind Oliver Pascoe and Owen Pattie in three-round and five-round averages, and in recent Sharks blowouts, he hasn't been a focal point of the attack, while his base has also been down. Brailey has a projection of 70, but he hasn't hit that in his last seven games, so getting him may not be worth the trade.
Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels, CommBank Stadium, 4.50pm AEST
Parramatta weather - game time: Clear. 0-10% chance of rain.
Player of interest: You cannot touch any Tiger at the moment, but who at the Eels could be relevant enough to take advantage of the matchup. The Tigers seem to have issues on their extreme edges, so maybe a man who has flirted with SuperCoach relevance over the years, Brian Kelly, could be one to watch. Apart from the Round 19 abberation, the Eels winger has had solid base + power all year and could be in for a big one.
Make sure you enjoy every moment of Round 22 thanks to the fantastic in-game experience of the updated Ballr NRL Match Centre, including the My Team feature to follow your scores, key team stats and a match timeline so you don't miss a thing!