Round 22 NRL SuperCoach Positional Averages & Matchups

By Alex Christie - @SuperCoachRealm

How it works

Positional points conceded data is a key SuperCoach tool, but raw averages can be misleading. Goalkicking, HIAs, sin bins, injuries and mid-game role changes can all shift where points are scored.

To make this more accurate, every average in this article has been manually tracked and adjusted to better show where teams are conceding points.

This article looks at season averages, while also using the last three-round average (3RA) and last five-round average (5RA) to highlight current trends.

Front Row Forward has been excluded due to middle-forward rotations making it difficult to accurately assign points conceded.

Colour guide

• Blue – elite
• Green – good
• Yellow – okay
• Orange – not good
• Red – terrible

Team Overview

Parramatta remain at the top of the overall rankings with an average of 67.2 points conceded per position. The Dragons have closed the gap after rising from 66.8 to 67.1, while the Tigers hold 3rd at 66.7. The Cowboys dropped by 0.6 to 64.5 and are now level with the Storm, who increased slightly from 64.4.

The biggest rise came from the Sea Eagles, jumping from 58.2 to 59.5. That moved them from 14th to 12th. The Rabbitohs made the largest climb up the rankings, moving from 11th to 8th after their average increased from 59.8 to 60.3. Canberra recorded the largest drop of the week, falling by 0.7 to 62.5, while the Cowboys and Titans both dropped by 0.6.

The directional splits again tell a more useful story than the overall rankings alone. The Tigers have taken over as the highest-ranked right-side matchup at 67.8, followed by the Dragons at 65.8. Parramatta remain well clear on the left at 70.6, with the Titans next at 67.0 and Melbourne at 65.3.

At the bottom, the Panthers remain the most restrictive team overall despite increasing from 55.3 to 55.7. The Roosters sit just above them at 56.0 and have the lowest RS average in the competition at 51.0. Penrith also have the lowest LS average at 51.7, making them the toughest team across both the overall and left-side rankings.

Fullback

Reece Walsh has the standout fullback matchup against Newcastle. The Knights concede 76.1 across the season, which has surged to 104.7 over the past three rounds and 79.0 across five. Will Kennedy also deserves attention against South Sydney. The Rabbitohs have climbed to 93.7 across three rounds and a competition-high 82.0 across five. James Tedesco rounds out the leading matchups against a Cowboys side conceding 81.7 across three and 73.6 across five.

Connor Tracey is another player in a strong spot against Melbourne, whose recent averages sit at 79.0 and 70.6. Kaeo Weekes also gets an interesting Panthers matchup that has risen to 78.0 across three rounds and 69.8 across five.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow faces the league-high season average against the Dragons at 77.6, although their recent numbers have dropped to 63.3 across three and 58.6 across five. Kalyn Ponga’s Brisbane matchup sits closer to the middle at 65.2 for the season, 60.0 across three and 63.8 across five.

Scott Drinkwater has the toughest matchup against the Roosters, who concede a league-low 57.2 across the season and just 42.6 across five. Sua Fa’alogo also runs into a difficult Bulldogs matchup, particularly their competition-low 41.3 three-round average. Clint Gutherson faces a Dolphins side conceding only 59.6 for the season and 50.8 across five, placing him firmly among the other difficult matchups.

Right wing

With Manly out of play this week, Dominic Young has the clear standout right-wing matchup against Brisbane. The Broncos concede only 56.3 across the season, but that has exploded to a competition-high 100.3 over the past three rounds and 76.6 across five. Jamayne Isaako faces the highest-ranked active season matchup against the Dragons at 68.3, although their recent averages have dropped to 51.3 across three and 54.4 across five.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak gets a Titans side conceding 61.0 across three rounds and 61.6 across five. Mark Nawaqanitawase also has a solid matchup against the Cowboys, whose numbers sit at 60.4 for the season, 62.3 across three and 59.2 across five. Jacob Kiraz faces a Melbourne side conceding 52.8 across the season, though that has lifted slightly to 59.0 across three rounds and 54.0 across five.

At the bottom, Braidon Burns, who has been in hot form, faces a Roosters side conceding only 45.0 across the season, 28.7 across three rounds and 35.2 across five. Sunia Turuva also has a difficult matchup against Parramatta, who sit at 48.1 for the season and 43.6 across five.

Brian To’o and Campbell Graham also run into concerning recent numbers. Canberra have dropped to 40.0 across three rounds, while Cronulla sit at just 32.3. Tu technically faces the lowest season average against the Dolphins at 42.1, but their recent numbers have risen to 63.3 across three and 53.4 across five, making that matchup less restrictive than the season figure suggests.

Right centre

Will Penisini has the standout right centre matchup against the Tigers. Their 66.3 season average ranks 2nd behind only the Titans, while recent numbers of 92.0 across three rounds and 76.6 across five are both the highest among teams playing this week. Ali Leiataua faces the league-high season average against Gold Coast at 69.9, although their five-round figure has dropped to 54.6.

Jesse Ramien has the strongest matchup among the main SuperCoach options. South Sydney rank 3rd for the season at 62.4 and have climbed to 65.3 across three rounds and 68.6 across five. Jack Bostock’s matchup against the Dragons sits closer to the middle at 59.2 for the season, 54.0 across three and 59.6 across five.

Simi Sasagi faces a Panthers side conceding 56.7 across the season. Their recent numbers have been mixed at 61.0 across three rounds and 54.0 across five. Robert Toia has a tougher assignment against the Cowboys, whose five round average has fallen to 44.8 despite a healthier 60.5 season figure.

Tom Chester has the toughest right centre matchup against the Roosters. They rank last for the season at 46.9 and sit at 47.7 across three rounds and 43.2 across five. Paul Alamoti also runs into a highly restrictive Canberra edge conceding only 34.0 across three and a competition-low 28.8 across five. Jack Wighton faces similarly poor recent numbers against Cronulla, who sit at 32.7 across three rounds and 43.6 across five.

Right half

Mitchell Moses has the standout recent matchup at right half. The Tigers have jumped to 99.7 across three rounds and 75.0 across five ahead of his matchup. Daniel Atkinson also appears to have a strong matchup against the Dolphins at 96.7 across three and 78.8 across five. Those numbers are heavily inflated by Nicho Hynes’ monster score against them a few weeks ago though. Atkinson should face a much tougher matchup than the raw averages suggest.

Adam Doueihi gets the best season matchup against Parramatta at 69.8. Their recent numbers are less extreme but remain solid at 61.0 across three rounds and 61.2 across five. Nicho Hynes faces a South Sydney side ranked near the bottom for the season at 53.7, but that has climbed sharply to 81.3 across three rounds and 63.6 across five.

Nathan Cleary’s matchup against Canberra looks tougher. The Raiders concede 61.3 across the season but have dropped to 51.3 across three rounds and 50.6 across five. Ethan Sanders faces a Panthers side sitting at 54.0 for the season. Their three round average is only 50.3, although the five round figure is healthier at 60.2.

Jaxon Purdue and Te Maire Martin land among the most difficult matchups. The Roosters concede 50.3 across the season and 48.8 across five ahead of Purdue’s matchup. Martin faces the lowest ranked right half matchup against the Titans at 46.9, backed by recent averages of 44.7 and 49.4. Adam Reynolds also deserves caution against Newcastle, whose 40.7 across three rounds and 41.2 across five are both the lowest in the competition. Jahrome Hughes faces another poor matchup against the Bulldogs at 48.4 for the season and 43.4 across five.

Right second row

Ata Mariota has the standout statistical matchup against Penrith. The Panthers concede 75.4 across the season and have climbed to 98.0 across three rounds and 89.4 across five. Those numbers need context though. The player directly responsible for much of that weakness has been dropped to NSW Cup, with Penrith naming a stronger defender to plug the gap. Mariota’s matchup should be tougher than the raw averages suggest. McEwen also gets a strong matchup against Brisbane at 72.8 for the season, 75.7 across three and 75.4 across five.

Jacob Preston faces the highest season average against Melbourne at 79.3. Their three round figure has dropped to 63.3 but the five round average remains strong at 71.0. Briton Nikora gets another favourable matchup against South Sydney. The Rabbitohs sit at 66.6 for the season but have risen to 78.0 across three rounds and 77.0 across five.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki’s matchup against the Dragons is much harder to judge. Their 74.3 season average ranks 4th, but recent numbers of 47.7 and 55.0 are the lowest in the competition. Oryn Keeley has a steadier matchup against the Bulldogs at 64.4 for the season, 66.3 across three and 68.6 across five.

Keaon Koloamatangi faces a Sharks side conceding 65.1 across the season. That has fallen to 59.0 across three rounds and 57.8 across five. Heilum Luki gets the toughest season matchup against the Roosters at 61.6. Their recent numbers remain restrictive at 63.3 across three and 61.0 across five. Liam Martin is another player in a strong spot with Canberra climbing to 80.7 across three rounds and 71.8 across five.

Left wing

Josh Addo-Carr has the standout left wing matchup against the Tigers. They concede 67.7 across the season and have climbed to a competition high 84.0 across three rounds and 87.2 across five. Tupou also gets a strong matchup against Parramatta. The Eels rank 1st for the season at 71.7 and sit at 83.3 across their past three.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira faces a steady matchup against his former club on the Gold Coast. The Titans concede 62.3 across the season, 61.7 across three rounds and 68.8 across five. Tom Jenkins lands closer to the middle against Canberra at 62.2 for the season. Their recent averages have dropped slightly to 55.3 and 58.6.

Greg Marzhew’s Brisbane matchup is difficult to assess. The Broncos have fallen to 45.0 across their past three rounds but still carry a 75.0 five round average. Ronaldo Mulitalo faces a South Sydney side conceding only 57.6 across the season and 53.0 across three. Their five round figure is slightly better at 61.4.

Phillip Sami has the toughest matchup against the Warriors. They concede a competition-low 44.4 across the season, 28.7 across three rounds and 42.2 across five. Murray Taulagi also faces a highly restrictive Roosters edge sitting at 50.8 for the season and 39.4 across five. Selwyn Cobbo’s 70.8 season matchup against the Dragons looks strong on paper, but recent averages of 52.7 and 43.2 make it far less appealing.

Left centre

Matt Burton has the standout left centre matchup against Melbourne. The Storm concede a competition-high 79.8 across the season and remain at 69.7 across three rounds and 80.4 across five. Samrani is another player in a strong spot against the Tigers, who have climbed to 80.0 across three rounds and 75.4 across five.

Makasini faces an Eels side ranked 2nd for the season at 70.3. Their recent numbers remain just as appealing at 73.7 across three rounds and 73.4 across five. It is the strongest matchup among the main SuperCoach options.

Herbie Farnworth also has a favourable season matchup against the Dragons at 67.8. Their recent numbers have cooled to 55.0 across three rounds and 56.6 across five though, making it less attractive than the overall figure suggests.

KL Iro faces a South Sydney side conceding 57.5 across the season. That has dropped to only 40.7 across three rounds and 47.2 across five. Valentine Holmes also has a tough matchup against the Dolphins, who sit at 53.1 for the season, 49.0 across three and 48.0 across five. Bradman Best and AJ Brimson face similarly difficult recent matchups. Brisbane concede just 36.3 across three rounds, while the Warriors sit at 37.0 across three and 49.0 across five.

Left half

Chanel Harris-Tavita has the standout left half matchup against Gold Coast. The Titans concede a competition high 71.3 across the season and remain at 66.0 across three rounds and 71.4 across five. Jarome Luai also gets a strong matchup against Parramatta at 67.9 for the season and 67.2 across five. Braydon Trindall faces a South Sydney side that has climbed to 72.3 across its past three rounds.

Sam Walker has the best matchup among the main SuperCoach options against the Cowboys. Their 59.1 season average has risen to 65.3 across three rounds, although the five round figure sits lower at 54.0. Jake Clifford’s Roosters matchup is less appealing at 53.4 for the season, 53.7 across three and 51.8 across five.

Fletcher Sharpe faces a Brisbane side conceding 51.2 across the season. Their recent numbers are volatile with a low 40.7 across three rounds but a much healthier 59.4 across five. Cody Walker also has a difficult matchup against Cronulla at 47.2 for the season and 49.4 across five.

Jayden Campbell faces one of the toughest matchups on the slate. The Warriors concede only 46.1 across the season and have dropped to 39.3 across three rounds and 47.4 across five. Ezra Mam also runs into a highly restrictive Newcastle defence sitting at 37.6 across five rounds. Ethan Strange faces the lowest season average against Penrith at just 42.3.

Left second row

Beau Fermor has the standout left second row matchup against the Warriors. Their 69.9 season average is already strong and has climbed to a competition-high 85.0 across three rounds and 82.2 across five. Kurt Capewell also gets a favourable matchup against the Titans at 70.8 for the season, 73.7 across three and 80.0 across five.

Hamish Stewart faces the highest season average against the Dolphins at 72.6. Their recent numbers remain strong at 67.0 across three rounds and 71.8 across five. Isaiah Papali’i is in a similarly favourable position against Canberra. The Raiders concede 72.4 across the season, 72.0 across three and 74.0 across five.

Teig Wilton deserves attention against South Sydney. The Rabbitohs sit at 71.0 for the season and have risen to 79.3 across three rounds and 75.4 across five. Jeremiah Nanai also gets a positive Roosters matchup that has climbed to 75.0 across three and 77.6 across five.

Xavier Willison has one of the toughest matchups against Newcastle. The Knights concede only 58.1 across the season and have dropped to 56.7 across three rounds and 54.2 across five. Zac Hosking faces the lowest season average against Penrith at 57.3, while Euan Aitken runs into the lowest five round average against Cronulla at 53.4. Manuleleua also faces a restrictive Brisbane edge sitting at 59.1 for the season and 55.0 across three.

Hooker

Jeremy Marshall-King has the standout hooker matchup against the Dragons. They concede a competition-high 73.0 across the season and remain at 73.7 across three rounds and 74.2 across five. Tallyn Da Silva also gets a strong matchup against the Tigers at 71.2 for the season, 69.3 across three and 70.6 across five.

Blayke Brailey faces a South Sydney side sitting at only 62.6 for the season. Their recent numbers have climbed sharply though, reaching 74.3 across three rounds and 68.2 across five. Bailey Hayward also deserves attention against Melbourne. The Storm concede only 62.1 across the season but have risen to 74.0 across three rounds and a competition-high 79.0 across five.

Brandon Smith’s matchup against Cronulla looks strong through their 67.1 season average. Their recent numbers have been much tougher at 52.0 across three rounds and 60.6 across five. Owen Pattie and Tom Starling face a steady but restrictive Panthers defence conceding 60.7 for the season, 60.3 across three and 59.4 across five.

Oliver Pascoe and Sam Verrills have the toughest season matchup against the Warriors at 57.2. Their recent averages remain low at 55.0 across three rounds and 60.0 across five. Phoenix Crossland also runs into a difficult Brisbane matchup. The Broncos have dropped to a competition-low 41.0 across three rounds and 50.8 across five.

Don't miss a moment this weekend in the supercharged Ballr NRL Match Centres - now showing live team stats, match timelines and score summary alongside NRL SuperCoach statistics. Enjoy the round!