NRL SuperCoach Round 24 players to watch, match centres, weather and tips
If you're still in head-to-head finals for NRL SuperCoach, you may need a point of difference to get the W. Here's some of the players who should be on your radar if you want to win your Round 24 matchup.
Thursday, August 13
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters, CommBank Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Parramatta weather - game time: Mostly fine. 95% chance of no rain.
Player of interest: Expect the workload of Lindsay Smith to pick up this week in the absence of Isaah Yeo. The Kangaroos representative has played within himself this year, but we know he's got a big motor, makes plenty of tackles and can be the ball playing middle forward. He had 65 in 70 minutes against the Warriors, so shapes as a great pick-up. But do you really want to make a trade at FRF?
Friday, August 14
Manly Sea Eagles vs Dolphins, 4 Pines Park, 6pm AEST
Sydney weather - game time: Possible shower. 10-25% chance of rain
Player of interest: We've been through the rest of the backline, so maybe now it's Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's turn to break out. Two tries in a 67 last week looks pretty grim, but just the week before that he had a 110 with no tries and only one try assist. The run home looks great too with the Sea Eagles and Eels the next two weeks, then the Titans in Round 27. The Dolphins will be pushing for the top four, so it's hard to see Hammer getting a rest, especially since he had plenty of resting after Origin matches this year.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Accor Stadium, 8pm AEST
Sydney Olympic Park weather - game time: Possible shower. 10-25% chance of rain
Player of interest: We have now seen the two sides of Stephen Crichton - does that mean he's due for a bounce back? An ugly 23 followed his glorious 122, but these are the types of all-or-nothing players you need to take risks on at this time of the year. The Rabbitohs have not exactly been defensive juggernauts of late, so expect there to be plenty of opportunities for Crichton to end up closer to that high mark than the low one.
Saturday, August 15
Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders, Ocean Protect Stadium, 3pm AEST
Cronulla weather - game time: Shower or two. 10-25% chance of rain.
Player of interest: Jesse Ramien’s loss to a pec injury, which should keep him out a few weeks is Mawene Hiroti’s gain and he lands in a great spot, running at the edge of Matt Timoko and Jed Stuart this weekend. Hiroti’s base+power was a solid 63 on Sunday and the Sharks will be eager to bounce back. He’s well priced at 479k making him an easy jump up from the likes of Makasini who is playable every week.
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys, CommBank Stadium, 5.30pm AEST
Parramatta weather - game time: Shower or two. 10-25% chance of rain.
Player of interest: With not too much doing in this game, this might be a good chance to get out the black book for 2027. Te Hurinui Apa Twidle has been named in the No.1 jersey for the Eels this week, which could give us some great insights into his potential with the Perth Bears next year. Twidle burst on the scene earlier this year with 88 in 26 minutes playing on the wing against the Tigers, doing his shoulder while scoring a try on his first touch.
Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors, Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Brisbane weather - game time: Shower or two. 0-10% chance of rain.
Players of interest: The toughest matchup in SuperCoach was child’s play for Luke Metcalf and Leka Halasima behind a powerful forward pack last weekend. The sky is the limit this week for both of them against the Broncos - Metcalf especially with his goalkicking duties, though he does have a low floor. There’s some job security risk going into the last round or two, but he’s a match winner this week. Halasima exploded after a starting at centre against the Panthers with 70 in base+power, so you can see how massive his ceiling is. It’s a risk knowing he has struggled to hold his spot in the past, but it could be a league winning move.
Sunday, August 16
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans, McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm AEST
Newcastle weather - game time: Showers. 25-50% chance of rain.
Player of interest: It seems everyone has picked the wrong Knights winger. Dom Young turned heads scoring 150 in the wet on Sunday following two strong weeks which didn’t reflect his NRL performance. Young is a flat-track bully and the Titans look to be losing motivation fast, so it’s the idea platform. Ballr projection this week is 80
Wests Tigers vs St George-Illawarra Dragons, CommBank Stadium, 4.05pm AEST
Parramatta weather - game time: Showers. 25-50% chance of rain.
Player of interest: It’s a bit wild to consider the speedy Tyrell Sloan, but he’s on a rare run of form, averaging 75 over the past three weeks. He relies on attack but the Dragons have the Tigers, Sea Eagles and Eels among their run home, so one try per game might be his floor. At 458k he’s another easy step up from an AE nightmare, though he arguably is one.
Make sure you enjoy every moment of Round 24 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!