Wenin’s Teams Analysis – Rd 1

It’s definitely been an eventful offseason.

The Raiders got robbed in the 2019 Grand Final. Shakira and J.Lo turned up the heat in SuperBowl LIV. A famous royal couple decides they don’t want to live on government handouts for the rest of their lives. Australian sweeps the Kiwis and Pakistan in a thoroughly borrowing summer of cricket. Martin Scorsese returned with a Netflix movie, but maybe he should have stayed in retirement. Justin Beiber thinks you’re very “yummy.” Baby Yoda entered our lives. Nick leaves NRLSuperCoachTalk.com. Latrell Mitchell leaves the Roosters for the Tigers, then back at the Roosters, only to end up with another unlimited sombrero hero at Souths. Tones and I surprisingly misses out on the top spot in the Triple J Hottest 100, but much to the delight of everyone. Scott Morrison takes a holiday in Hawaii. JT (our own resident cowboy) passes out in the Jade Buddha nightclub again. Heroic firefighters save the lives of thousands and many properties as fires spread uncontrollably across Australia. A strange Korean film about a poor family who schemes to become employed by a wealthy family by infiltrating their household and posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals, only to end up killing some of them, wins the Oscar for best movie. A new pandemic virus is spreading across the world, but Darius Boyd still somehow finds a way to stay in the Broncos squad. Wenin is back, baby.

Ok, with that out of the way, it is nice to be back in 2020. However, it’s not nice to see the complete lack of cheapies in the round 1 teams. With that being said, it’s certainly going to make things a little bit more exciting with plenty of different teams all but guaranteed.

Editors note: This years WTA will be a little bit different, with a few more time constraints, unfortunately, the analysis will be a little bit more summarised, but you guys are the real heroes of the forum anyway with all the comments posted below.

Lastly, a massive shoutout to JT, Stilsey, Lakey and co – you’ve done a ripping job this offseason!

Don’t forget:

• PPG = points per game
• PPM = points per minute
• BPPG = base points per game
• BPPM = base points per minute
• POD = point of difference

Eels v Bulldogs, Thursday night at Bankwest Stadium

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14. Brad Takarangi, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Kane Evans 17. Peni Terepo

Reserves: 18. Will Smith, 19. Ray Stone, 20. Oregon Kaufusi, 21. George Jennings

Ryan Matterson ($626,200) will make his debut for the Eels and despite the heavy price tag, looks an appealing option from round 1 if you can afford him. The Eels have gone with a massive bench, so it will be interesting to see how the forward minutes are split. Maiko Sivo ($547,900) will also take his place after being cleared by the NRL and is a boom or bust option for your round 1 side. The Eels opening fixture features games against the Bulldogs (twice), Titans, Cowboys, Dragons, and the Tigers, with three of those at BankWeth (sic) Stadium, so he could get off to a hot start. For this very reason, including price, I am starting with Mitchell Moses ($579,300) over Nathan Cleary in what is one of the most debated player vs. player decisions for round 1.

Bulldogs: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Christian Crichton, 6. Brandon Wakeham, 7 Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9.Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Joe Stimson, 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Dean Britt, 15. Renouf To’omaga, 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 17. Kerrod Holland

Reserves: 19. Ofahiki Ogden, 20. Jake Averillo, 21. Sione Katoa, 22. Jack Cogger

We have our first cheapie of 2020. Brandon Wakeham ($277,600) will start in the halves for the Bulldogs as a replacement for the injured Keiran Foran. Wakeham played just the three games last year for an average of 43 ppg, but in the two games where he played 80 minutes, he scored 54 and 53 points, with the latter score including a try. Joe Stimson ($343,100) will make his Bulldogs debut alongside Josh Jackson and Adam Elliot in the backrow, which means there is no room for Corey Harawire-Naera. Stimson played three games over 50 minutes last year at the Storm, with scores of 84, 65 and 37 respectively. The two bigger scores included attacking stats, but a base of over 45. He’s one to keep an eye on early in the season.

Raiders v Titans, Friday night at GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1.Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3.Jarrod Croker, 4.Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6.Jack Wighton, 7.George Williams, 8.Josh Papalii, 9.Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Corey Horsburgh, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13.Joe Tapine

Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Iosia Soliola 17.Michael Oldfield

Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie, 19. Sam Williams, 20. Semi Valemei, 21. Tom Starling

Corey Horsburgh ($375,700) and Joseph Tapine ($362,400) both get the start in the Raiders backrow, with Horsburgh the replacement for the injured John Bateman (shoulder, round 6 or 7). I have got both currently in my side at FRF and SRF respectively as both offer value at the price. For those frequent listeners of the SC Report in 2019, you will know how much Tapine burnt me, but at the price and with a bench that includes a hooker in Siliva Havili and an outside back in Michael Oldfield, I am hoping that he gets upwards of 60 minutes early on. He scored 33, 34, 84 and 69 in the four games over 50 minutes last year, with the last three of these played at lock and the round 20 and 21 games with over 60 minutes and a try in round 20. George Williams ($333,800) will make his debut for the Green Machine and starts the season well priced but comes with an element of risk given how poorly the UK backline players have performed over here in recent years. With Josh Hodgson and Jack Wighton running the show, how many opportunities will Williams have to produce SuperCoach points? All is to be revealed. Curtis Scott ($406,300) will also make his Raiders debut after a tumultuous offseason, but is priced a little too high for me. I do, however, like the look of Nick Cotric ($364,400), if I can squeeze him in.

Titans: 1. Phillip Sami, 2. Anthony Don, 3.Kallum Watkins, 4. Tyrone Peachey, 5. Dale Copley, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. Ash Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Sam Lisone, 11.Kevin Proctor, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14.Nathan Peats, 15. Jai Whitbread, 16. Brian Kelly, 17. Jaimin Jolliffe

Reserves: 18 Sam Stone, 19 Jonus Pearson, 20 Moeaki Fotuaika, 21 AJ Brimson

Kallum Watkins ($271,800) will be a popular option now as he has been named in the starting centres alongside Tyrone Peachey. At the price, he’s hard to ignore. He played the final 6 of a possible 7 games last year for an average of 33, which included very minimal attacking statistics. Sam Lisone will make his debut for the Titans and join Jarrod Wallace in the front row but is not SuperCoach relevant. With Nathan Peats and Brian Kelly named on the Titans bench, Jai Arrow ($575,700) should see solid minutes and moves up into calculations for me after this squad announcement. He could easily be the highest averaging 2RF this year if luck rolls his way. Ash Taylor ($329,000) is a player that I am keeping my eye on, given the starting price, but can’t quite fit him into my round 1 squad at the moment. AJ Brimson and Moeaki Fotuaika have been named on an extended bench, while SuperCoach darling, Bryce Cartwright ($397,500) gets his chance once again to start the season in the second row with Ryan James out for the season with an ACL injury.

Cowboys v Broncos, Friday night at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. Ben Hampton, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Michael Morgan, 8. John Asiata, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Reece Robson, 15. Mitchell Dunn, 16. Shane Wright, 17. Francis Molo

Reserves: 18. Corey Jensen, 19. Connelly Lemuelu, 20. Tom Opacic, 21. Jake Clifford

Valentine Holmes ($563,700) will make his Cowboys debut and if he is goal-kicking then he could be legitimate POD option in what is a very hotly contested fullback position. In his final season before his move to the NFL, he averaged 67 ppg. Esan Marsters ($482,900) will also make his Cowboys debut in the centres and after a largely disappointing final season at the Tigers, he starts relatively cheaply priced. Coen Hess ($354,000) was another who disappointed last year and therefore also starts at a discount. If he can play anywhere beyond 55-60 mpg then at the price he should be value. During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, he held a season average of 58 ppg across both years with average mpg of 58 and 73. However, he joins what is becoming a log-jam of mid-priced 2RF options. Jason Taumalolo ($723,000) was my first picked player, despite the hefty price tag.

Broncos: 1 Jack Bird, 2 Corey Oates, 3 Kotoni Staggs, 4 Darius Boyd, 5 Jesse Arthars, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Brodie Croft (c), 8 Tom Flegler, 9 Jake Turpin, 10 Payne Haas, 11 David Fifita, 12 Tevita Pangai Jr, 13 Pat Carrigan (c)

Interchange: 14 Jamayne Isaako, 15 Andrew McCullough, 16 Rhys Kennedy, 17 Jamil Hopoate

Reserves: 18 Xavier Coates, 19 Herbie Farnworth, 20 Tom Dearden, 21 Ethan Bullemor.

I have no idea what to make of this bench, but I hope that Anthony Seibold knows what he is doing… Patrick Carrigan’s ($326,300) SuperCoach credentials went through the roof following the injury to Matt Lodge (knee, indefinite). The club imposed suspension to Joe O also helps. At lock and with the captain armband in the absence of Alex Glenn (hamstring, round 2), Carrigan should rack up the minutes and if he can produce anything like the 1 ppm from last year then he will earn you a tonne of cash over the course of the first few rounds. Payne Haas ($728,200) was my second player picked behind Lolo and I am sure that I was not the only one. With that bench, he should play massive minutes again. David Fifita ($501,900) is in 45% of all teams and for good reason. He starts the season on the edge and should play big minutes. Arguably no one else in in the competition finished the season better than him last year with an average from rounds 19-26 of 79 ppg. Kotoni Staggs ($447,000) is one who I am very keen on but the naming of Jamayne Isaako on the bench scares me off somewhat as Isaako could steal the goal-kicking from Staggs when/if he comes onto the field. Staggs also finished the season off hot with an average from rounds 19-26 of 66 ppg. Jamil Hopoate ($171,900) will make his NRL debut but his place in the side on a long term basis is questionable as Alex Glenn is due back in round 2. Anthony Milford, no thanks.

Knights v Warriors, Saturday afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1.Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Herman Ese’ese

Interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Tim Glasby, 17. Aidan Guerra

Reserves: 18. Pasami Saulo, 19. Starford To’a, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Brodie Jones

You know that it’s a bad year for cheapies when SuperCoaches are considering Gehamat Shibasaki ($286,400) as an option for round 1. He will make his debut for the Knights in the centres but largely failed to impress at the Broncos last year with just two scores over 40 in 12 games. However, he does come in at a discounted price thanks to two games off the bench to finish the 2019 season. Enari Tuala ($285,400) will also make his Knights debut after transferring from the Cowboys and likewise failed to impress at his old club, scoring over 40 just once in seven games. Tautau Moga (hamstring, round 2) and Bradman Best (foot, round 4) are not too far off being available, which makes both the Shibasaki and Tuala selections risky. Kurt Mann ($287,100) has won the race to join Mitchell Pearce in the halves and at the price, plus being dual positioned, should be considered. In the six games last year where he started in the halves, he averaged 42 ppg, which sees him discounted by about $100k to start the season. The potential rival for that halves spot is Phoenix Crossland, who is currently out with a groin injury. Lachlan Fitzgibbon ($443,400) and Herman Ese’ese ($372,300) are both intriguing options for me at the price. Fitzgibbon was priced at gun status last year but had a season to forget, burning all who owned, including me. His average ppg fell from 62 to 48, despite his mpg remaining consistent at 76. The issue was the removal of attacking stats, which he relies on greatly given his bppg of circa 40. Ese’ese is a ppm machine and could be a value SuperCoach selection at under $400k if he can boost his minutes back up to the levels seen in 2018 of 50 mpg. He spent the majority of 2019 coming off the bench, so if he can lock down that starting #13 spot ahead of Tim Glasby and Aiden Guerra, then he’s possibly set for a big year. However, the fact that they are both named on the bench makes him a risky selection.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (capt), 2. Patrick Herbert, 3. David Fusitu’a, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Chanel Haris-Tavita, 7. Blake Green, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9.Wayde Egan, 10. Lachlan Burr, 11. Adam Blair, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 16. Eliesa Katoa, 17. Karl Lawton

Reserves: 18. King Vuniyayawa, 20. Hayze Perham, 21. Leivaha Pulu, 22. Taane Milne

Chanel Haris-Tavita ($384,600) has beaten Kodi Nikorima to the starting halves spot and now comes into contention for round 1 selection in our SuperCoach sides. For me, however, I can’t get too excited despite the lure of goal-kicking duties given the starting price and the fact that Nikorima could be into the run-on side any week. David Fusitua ($345,000) moves into the centres, which could see a boost in his base output, while the Warriors will have two debutants on the bench in Jamayne Taunoa-Brown ($171,900) and Eliesa Katoa ($171,900). Both are cheapie options for your FRF and SRF spots respectively and with Nikorima plus Karl Lawton on the bench, both should see reasonable time on the ground. It should be noted, however, that the likes of Agnastius Pasi (ankle, round 2) and Jazz Tevaga (ankle, round 4) will likely be back in the first-grade side soon.

Rabbitohs v Sharks, Saturday afternoon at ANZ Stadium

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. James Roberts, 4. Braidon Burns, 5.Campbell Graham, 6.Cody Walker, 7.Adam Reynolds, 8.Tevita Tatola, 9.Damien Cook, 10.Thomas Burgess, 11.Jaydn Su’A, 12.Cameron Murray, 13.Liam Knight

Interchange: 14.Mark Nicholls, 15.Ethan Lowe, 16.Hame Sele, 17.Alex Johnston

Reserves: 18.George Williams, 19. Bayley Sironen, 20. Troy Dragan, 21. Keaon Koloamatangi

Latrell Mitchell ($653,100) will make his debut for Souths at fullback but could play reduced game time with Alex Johnston named on the bench. He is a clear stay away for me to start the season and won’t be kicking goals while Adam Reynolds is in the side. Braidon Burns ($454,400) has been named in the centres and shapes as another value option given his form when injury-free last year. In the seven games last year where he played 80 minutes in the centres, he averaged 60 ppg, with an average bppg of 35. This sort of form sees him potentially discounted by up over $100k and a mid-range to gun chance. Jaydn Su’a ($303,600) and Liam Knight ($437,300) are the two new names to the second row and both should be considered given their starting prices. Knight is arguably the more SuperCoach friendly player with a far superior ppm record to Su’a, but also starts over $100k more than his teammate. Cameron Murray ($644,900) could easily play 80 minutes on the edge for Souths and is an absolute gun. I believe that he will go to the next level this year and could become the best player in the game. The positional switch doesn’t deter me that much; it’s more the price and whether I can realistically fit him in with the lack of genuine cheapies this year. Potential cheapie, Keaon Koloamatangi ($171,900), misses out on a debut and has been named in the reserves.

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2.Sione Katoa, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Jack Williams

Interchange: 14. Connor Tracey, 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 16. Tody Rudolf, 17. Scott Sorensen

Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Braydon Trindall, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Jackson Ferris

William Kennedy ($242,600) takes the fullback spot vacated by both the injured Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan. Dugan and Moylan could both be back any round so to select Kennedy does come with some risk. Blayke Brailey ($201,000) gets the nod as starting hooker and will be one of the most selected players in SuperCoach for round 1, but Connor Tracey is lurking on the bench. Tody Rudolf ($171,900) will also be another popular selection and seems to be one of the few genuine cheapie FRF’s available this year. Andrew Fifita ($553,900) gets back his starting spot after finished 2019 from the pine and therefore could be a value selection at the price. He finished the season with an average between rounds 19-26 of 51 compared an average of 67 from rounds 1-10. Jack Williams ($397,200) has won the vacated lock position and is of some interest. With a historic ppm over 1, if he can get minutes upwards of 60+ then he is certainly of some value, but will he?

Panthers v Roosters, Saturday night at Panthers Stadium

Panthers: 1.Caleb Aekins, 2.Josh Mansour, 3.Dean Whare, 4.Brent Naden, 5.Brian To’o, 6.Jarome Luai, 7.Nathan Cleary, 8.James Tamou, 9.Apisai Koroisau, 10.Zane Tetevano, 11.Viliame Kikau, 12.Liam Martin, 13.Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14.Stephen Crichton, 15.James Fisher-Harris, 16.Moses Leota, 17.Jack Hetherington

Reserves: 18.Billy Burns, 19.Matt Burton, 20.Jed Cartwright, 21.Kaide Ellis

Caleb Aekins ($258,100) starts at centre with Dylan Edwards (ankle, round 7) out injured but he is not really SuperCoach relevant given he is only available at fullback. Importantly, Jarome Luai ($257,400) has won the race to James Maloney’s vacated halves spot, which will see him become a popular selection once again and in the four games where he started in the halves for the Panthers last year he averaged 47 ppg. However, Matt Burton has been named in the reserves. Apisai Koroisau ($338,800) has been in my team since almost the start and this won’t change now with the former Sea Eagle named to start at hooker. He could play 80 minutes and that would see him offer fantastic value at the starting price given his historic ppm of circa 0.8. James Fisher-Harris ($615,700) has been named to come off the bench as he returns from a pec injury and is, therefore, one to avoid to start the season.

Roosters: 1.James Tedesco, 2.Daniel Tupou, 3.Angus Crichton, 4.Joseph Manu, 5.Brett Morris, 6.Luke Cleary, 7.Kyle Flanagan, 8.Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9.Jake Friend, 10.Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11.Sitili Tupouniua, 12.Mitchell Aubusson, 13.Victor Radley

Interchange: 14.Sam Verrills, 15.Isaac Liu, 16.Nat Butcher, 17.Lindsay Collins

Reserves: 18.Matt Ikuvalu, 19.Poasa Faamausili, 20.Lachlan Lam, 21.Asu Kepaoa

Kyle Flanagan ($481,200) takes over the halfback role as Cooper Cronk’s replacement and may start the season as one of the genuine pod options if he maintains the goal-kicking duties. He averaged 55 ppg when starting in the halves last year at the Sharks and joins the premiers, who should arguably provide him with more opportunities for goals and attacking statistics. However, he will want to improve his goal-kicking strike rate as he went at close to just 60% last year. Angus Crichton ($530,100) makes his move from the second row to the centres a formality and this all but rules him out of contention this season for SuperCoach given that he is only available in the 2RF position at the moment. However, it will be interesting to see who happens when Josh Morris joins the Roosters from round 2.

Sea Eagles v Storm, Sunday afternoon at Lottoland

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Sean Keppie 16. Morgan Boyle 17. Haumole Olakau’atu

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Tevita Funa 21. Zac Saddler

Jake Trbojevic ($583,900) has made a surprisingly early return from injury and will take his spot in the Sea Eagles back row, while Addin Fonua-Blake ($612,900) is also an earlier than thought inclusion and starts at prop. Their selection dampens somewhat the appeal of Martin Taupau ($571,200), who some were tipping to carry the load while these two were out, including me. The bench includes a few cheapies in Sean Keppie ($201,000), Morgan Boyle ($201,000) and Haumole Olakau’atu ($171,900); however, their long-term spot in the side is questionable with the likes of Taniela Paseka (ankle, round 3) and Jack Gosiewski (infection, indefinite) due back shortly. Danny Levi ($379,400) will make his Sea Eagles debut as the starting hooker but will be sharing minutes with Lachlan Croker, who has been named on the bench.

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

Interchange: 14. Harry Grant 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Max King 17. Tom Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 19. Brenko Lee 20. Ryley Jacks 21. Darryn Schonig

The Brenko Lee dream is over with Marion Seven ($393,400) and Justin Olam ($464,700) named in the centres. Both are too expensive for me to start the season with. Olam’s end to the season average of 52 ppg was inflated by a 122 point performance in round 24. Ryan Papenhuyzen ($508,200) gets the start at fullback with Jahrome Hughes ($524,000) making the predictable move to the halves. Papenhuyzen will no doubt be a very popular selection. Boom youngster, Harry Grant ($184,900) starts from the bench with Brandon Smith (facial fracture, round 4) out injured. His move to the Wests Tigers looks off for at least the immediate future. Nelson Asofa-Solomona ($489,500) has surprisingly been left out of the first-grade squad.

Dragons v Wests Tigers, Sunday night at WIN Stadium

Dragons: 1. Zac Lomax 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Brayden Williame 4. Tim Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Issac Luke 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Blake Lawrie

Interchange: 14. Trent Merrin 15. Tyrell Fuimaono 16. Billy Brittain 17. Jacob Host

Reserves: 18. Jackson Ford 19. Adam Clune 20. Euan Aitken 21. Josh Kerr

Zac Lomax ($324,600) is the new fullback for the Dragons with Gareth Widdop departing the club and with the lack of cheapies this year he is almost a must-have given he will also kick goals. Speaking of cheapies, Brayden Williame ($201,000) has jagged a starting centre spot ahead of Euan Aitken and likewise should be picked in your round 1 side as we are not flush with options this year. Trent Merrin ($408,000) returns to the NRL via the bench and is not an option in that role, while potential cheapie, Tyrell Fuimaono ($201,000) has also been named on the bench. The same can’t be said for Josh Kerr ($233,000) who is not named in the squad but is recovering from a knee injury. Cameron McInnes ($633,200) has not been named despite the rumours and this sees Issac Luke make his debut for the Dragons at hooker.

Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Robert Jennings 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Billy Walters 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14. Thomas Mikaele 15. Josh Reynolds 16. Zane Musgrove 17. Chris Lawrence

Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Oliver Clark 20. Matthew Eisenhuth 21. Paul Momirovski

Adam Doueihi ($343,100) is no longer SuperCoach relevant given he misses out on the starting fullback spot to Corey Thompson. The Leilua brothers will suit up in their debut’s for the Tigers with Joseph Leilua ($465,700) named in the centres and Luciano Leilua ($434,300) named on the edge. Both have a SuperCoach friendly game with Luciano producing an average of 63 ppg in the seven games that he played over 50 minutes at the Dragons last year, while we all know about that lethal Leipana combination over the years at the Raiders. The Tigers draw is also relatively appealing with games against the Dragons, Knights, Bulldogs, Warriors, and the Titans to start the season. Billy Walters ($201,000) has beaten Josh Reynolds to the starting hooking role but minutes will be an issue. However, if he can average between 30-40 ppg then that will result in a cash gain of circa $200k and is too good to pass up. Zane Musgrove ($201,000) is the other Tigers cheapie worth noting and while he starts from the bench he has impressed this offseason during the trials.