NRL Supercoach mania is back in full swing, and once again is taking hold of its addicts as a wave of unfamiliar faces attempt to break into their respective first grade teams.
I thought I would share my initial squad selection on The Roar in an attempt to gain the necessary insight into achieving a finish within the top 1000.
Hopefully a few folks can clue each other up on the newbies who are likely to score well, as well as value buys and keepers.
Luck plays a huge part for Supercoach participants when a core group of cheapies rise significantly in value without having to burn through your trades. More luck is then needed with a run of players who remain injury free.
Tactics however, and careful planning ultimately sort the men from the boys.
I highly recommend Supercoach to those who’ve been thinking of giving it a crack. It’s free, enjoyable and helps keeps abreast with what’s happening on and off the field throughout the year.
Here’s a link to join up to Supercoach if you’re keen to take part.
Oddly, this year I managed to spend every single dollar of the allotted $7 million salary cap.
There will definitely be changes to this squad prior to kick-off in Round 1 as we get a good look at the pre-season games, the injuries they bring, and whether players are named in starting teams for Round 1.
Have a browse at my team below, and be sure to add your input on how you think that it can be improved.
I will post my final team and thoughts prior to first whistle being blown at 8.30pm on Thursday the second of March.
Good luck to everyone in 2017. Game on!
The team is listed left to right as per the Supercoach image (including the bench) and starts at the top of the page from the position of Hooker. Dual position players have brackets next to their names to indicate an alternate position that they can be placed in.
My Round 1 projected score is 969.
D. Mortimer (HFB) $232,000 M.Ballin $143,600
T.Merrin (2RF) $492,900 G.Burgess $241,800
J.Kerr (2RF) $122,600 B.Gray (2RF) $122,600
P.Gallen (FRF) $503,900 R.James (FRF) $487,400
P.Vaughan (FRF) $341,300 S.Burgess (FRF) $499,300
R.Kostjasyn (HOK) $177,600 J.Stimson $122,600
J.Thurston $467,000 K.Elgey (5/8) $226,700
B.Cartwright (2RF) $497,200 S.Johnson (HFB) $464,300
T.Harris (2RF) $448,100 N.Cotric $122,600
M.Ma’u (2RF) $386,800 B.Kelly $122,600
R.Jennings $143,600 D.Whare $143,600
K. Ponga (FLB) $122,600
J.Hayne (5/8) $244,700 M.Dufty $122,600
andrew
Guest
Thanks Guys, I will check it out
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Heaps of people started Nikorima and Matt Parcell as their hookers. The lucky ones got out of JNiq early and jumped straight on Cam Smith. I had Cook and Garvey, which was a nightmare, especially when their respective coaches barely gave them enough time on the park to break a score of 20. Hopefully at least 2 of the 3 that look likely in this years hooker position (Mortimer, Ballin, and King) make some decent coin and the plan goes to script.
peeeko
Guest
i think nrl and supercoach both now run drafts (it is relatively new) there is also another site called nrlceo
The Barry
Roar Guru
I try and leave a bit in the bank so I've got a bit of flexibility if I need it. Was it last year or the year before where a bunch of guns went down injured in the first couple of rounds? I think it was last year - probably why I got stuck with JNiq...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ouch. Yeah it's easier picking your cows as CTW or 2RF or FRF at a pinch if you can to try and hide them better. I got stuck with Jayden Niqorima at hooker. Looked inspired at the start of the season but he plummeted in value and I couldn't offload him because of trades and cash. Easy game on paper.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Me too. My current theory is to score as many points in the opening 3 rounds before the prices jump. This means leaving the rookies out of the starting 17 and starting with as many guns as possible.
Haradasun
Guest
Also curious if anyone spends the entire cap or leaves a bit in the bank for any rd 1 injuries or mishaps?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
The Saifiti boys made me money last year, but I can't see a repeat with their prices starting at 250k and 298K. Kenny B and Isaac L are definitely on the radar. Both should see a huge increase in minutes, but will their work rates remain on track?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Food for thought. Ma'u was also selected because he plays 2 of the major bye rounds and is not effected by Origin. My first few years of SC were littered with mid-range players who had the potential to bump their scores to lofty heights, but it ended in season finishes that were also mid-range.
souvalis
Guest
Three mid rangers who could earn money with expected extra time given to them by their coaches.. 1 Kenny Bromwich..straight into Proctors role and minutes and..4 pointers. 2. Danny Saifiti..cheaper than Vaughan will do similar things 3. Isaac Lui..coach has him trialing at Prop this week,no SST equals more minutes....
Haradasun
Guest
hmm I think you need wealth creation as well. Wallace could get more minutes at the titans than at the broncos so guessing there could be some upside there. He could take bird's spot and play big minutes in the middle.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I like dual position players in Centre/2RF positions. Harris and Ma’u fit the bill. Solid scorers with the potential to go big. You really need to get off to a flyer points wise if you’re any chance of bringing home the bacon. The Titans have produced a hungry pack with regards to defence, so not sure if Wallace will make the same number of tackles as he did with The Broncs.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Haradasun
Guest
Im not a fan of Mau. He will earn you solid 50 average and wont go up or down in value too much. Vaughan, wallace prior all have capacity to go up in value
Haradasun
Guest
Mortimer Prior Wallace Cordner Siro Tofu Harris Johnson Martin Idris, Turbo, Walker Holmes RTS with teddy on the bench lol. Pending how many rookies get selection will probably change up for more guns and less fringe first graders but yes its a good strategy to get the whole squad earning points from the start. And the feeney failure showed that not every rookie will go up in value!
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I don't follow peeeko. My suggestion is a loophole aimed at winning a grand. Don't worry about the rest of the year, just aim to have the best score in any of the major bye rounds by selecting a starting team of players that won't be called up for Origin. You can keep trading prior to round 12 to ensure that you have the best 17 players available. Many people struggle to put a dozen players on the field during the major byes.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
SC Draft follows the same format as The NFL. What you need though is a group of 10 people who are committed to playing for the bulk of the year in the same league, otherwise it loses all purpose.
andrew
Guest
Peeko; (or anyone else who may know), Is there an option for leagues where a player can only be drafted by one team? Having played American fantasy sport for a decade I can't get into Supercoach where my team and my opponents team can both have the same halfback. To me, it kind of takes away a big chunk of the strategy.
peeeko
Guest
we take those 3 weeks off - not ideal
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
It's always going to be a bit dicey when players return from injury as you don't really know if they're going to see out the season, hobble on one leg for half of it, or lose pace and/or confidence. I'm banking on Roger to return to his SC scores of 2015, but anythings possible when a disinterested Warriors outfit takes to the paddock.