Players of Interest – Joe Ofahengaue
30, 41 and 51. No, that’s not the average scores of the Australian top order during this summer’s series against India. It’s the progression of Joe Ofahengaue’s ($481,300, FRF/2RF) (“Joe O”) SuperCoach average over the past three years.
With Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Korbin Sims all leaving Brisbane, plus the injury concerns facing Tevita Pangai Junior and Matt Gillett, the time is right for Joe O to take his rightful place as the leader of the Broncos pack.
Recent Statistics:
2018 – Games: 23, PPG: 51, MPG: 50, PPM: 1.02
2017 – Games: 13, PPG: 41, MPG: 33, PPG: 1.25
Check out our other pre-season content below:
2019 Players of Interest: Read all of these here
2019 SuperCoach Club Previews: Read all of these here
A historically strong PPM has supported Joe O’s rise in the SuperCoach world as his MPG have increased over the years. In 2018, we saw the biggest spike with a massive increase of 20 MPG, but thankfully his PPM didn’t diminish too much with the middle-forward maintaining a strong rate over 1.
It wasn’t full steam ahead for the entire 2018 season with Joe O averaging just 43 PPG over the first ten weeks whilst he was coming off the bench at an average of just 43 MPG. However, from that point onwards the season turned around for him as he started in all but five of the remaining 12 matches at an average of 56 PPG at 1 PPM.
What I am most excited about is his production in games where he played over 50 minutes. In those nine games during the 2018 season, he averaged a massive 63 PPG, reflecting a 12 PPG increase on what he is priced at to start the 2019 season.
Some have highlighted that there were attacking statistics in these games (with two tries), but perhaps they’ve also overlooked the fact that his base was strong at an average of 57 BPPG.
Whilst I am not suggesting that he will match the likes of Andrew Fifita and probably even Martin Taupau (depending on the Des factor), he certainly has the realistic possibility of increasing his value to around $550k or a 60 PPG average mark. This would make him a borderline keeper for your FRF, and If he can average more than 55 MPG in 2019 he would (based on his 2018 output) produce an average BPPG of 58.
Jake Trbojevic averaged 59 BBPG in 2018. Let that sink in.
If there’s a catch, and well there’s always a catch… In the games where he started at prop last year (Rounds 19, 20 and 23) he averaged just 46 PPG at under 1 PPM. However, the Broncos pack in those games featured Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire and Korbin Sims and those boys aren’t there in 2019. Also, in two of those games (Rounds 19 and 23) the Broncos got smashed.
A straight swap for TPJ? And let’s not forget that he’s a DPP…
Check out the rest of our Players of Interest articles below:
Yep, TPJ out and either Joe O or Fifita in at this stage.
There’s been a discussion on here that Ofa might move back to the bench. I think I’ll be avoiding all Broncos forwards until I know what’s going on. Far too many conflicting POVs around who’s starting, who’s a middle/edge etc.
I couldn’t possibly see Joe O starting from the bench, he is too good. But, I guess it’s a wait and see.
He has been on my radar before the injuries and it makes him more enticing now .
There’s no reason why he can’t play 60 mins , he has a big motor and can switch to lock .
At this stage it is hard to go past Fifi and kapow though.
I’m running all three myself
Can’t go wrong with all three imo , im waiting to see if players like twal,Lawrie and fotu get a starting gig and tatola too. Might well be an option to play kapow at second row , maybe today’s tlt gave give us more clarity
I think A LOT can go wrong with all three – we don’t know how many minutes they’ll all play, there’s a major injury-risk with TPJ, and we don’t even know if DFif will start.
When they say running all 3, think they mean AFifita, Taupau, Joe O. Not much risk with the first 2.
You’re right. I was reading on phone and thought the conversation was in response to the first two comments.
Although I could make an argument for taking all 3 Broncs too lol
My plan is to drop Surgess out for Twal or Fotu if either one starts, and use the extra money elsewhere
Yeah running tapow/fifi and Surgess in frf atm if this trial shows anything set in concrete will move jo or Dfaf in. Tapow could easily play 2rf if he plays like the other night.
Potentially a perfect wait and see option especially if TPJ is lining up for Rd 1
Need to get a good gauge on his actual mins before he was locked in any sides. The talent and potential is certainly there though
You could almost make a case for any of the Broncos forwards, except I guess Glenn. Based on their prices it seems like every one has upside and I’ve seen good cases made for all of TPJ (obviously), Ofa, Lodge, Fifita, Gillett, Su’a and for different reasons Haas. I’m starting to worry now though whether any of them can be consistent performers when the depth is so good (or if there’ll be kind of a rotation from game to game for who’s “on” that week). It’s not like their individual upside can magically create extra tackles and runs per game… Read more »
Great write up Wenin. The Aussie top order wish they could reach those figures.
I’ve been trying to squeeze JOfa in for weeks because I see his value but squeezing him in is the problem.
Thanks mate.
Will be watching this trial for sure Dfaf on an edge if he plays close to 80 should be a lock in, has had two trials now and impressed in both (all star).
I feel Gillet could play middle just if his body is up to it this early in the season. TPJ off the bench would be great for team, not sc. But then experience in Fensom/TPJ/Hass/Stagg bench eventually syua pushing glen out of side.
id rather him at lock. avg 63 MPG in 3 games there as opposed to 49 MPG in 3 games at prop. Same role of sorts but the mins make a massive difference. if TPJ hammy doesn’t hold I would grab him but I really need a guarantee he’s playing 55 min otherwise I’ll have to pass
I see Ofa as TPJ (lite) but significantly, without the ham-string issues. I couldn’t talk anyone out of him but I would rather risk young Fifi as he looks a more dynamic player that given an opportunity will grab it with both hands! As for TPJ, I can’t have him now, IIRC he had hammy issues in junior rep’s at the Knights and they appear to be a chronic condition for him. Of course medical treatment is always on the improve but I can seem a game or three where a twinge occurs and they whip him off the field… Read more »
Round 19 the Broncos flogged Panthers 50-18 and Round 23, the Broncos flogged the Bunnies 38-18 haha. When I mentioned blow out games in our chat, I didn’t mention which team won so it’s funny to see where your mind went! Hahahaha
JoeO in, TPJ in as a gamble and DFifita into my watch list for R3.