NRL SuperCoach R13 preview, top trades & bye tips

Round 13 is the first major bye round that NRL SuperCoaches must navigate this season. Players will need to very cautious with the trades they make, as a few sides — like the Broncos and Panthers — have additional byes coming over the next two months.

Importantly, SuperCoaches can make a total of four trades this week, with a boost, to minimise the impacts of State of Origin call-ups, byes, and injuries. With solid strategy and a bit of luck, coaches should be able to build a side of 13 players for this round and a full 17 going forward.

TRADE OUT

Nathan Cleary (HFB)
He is the second most owned player in SuperCoach, and rightly so, but Nathan Cleary should become one of the first players traded out across the league. The Panthers have two byes coming over the next seven rounds, including a relatively soft upcoming draw against the Dragons, Cowboys and Knights. Cleary could be rested for several, if not all, of these games as the club manages his workloads through the representative period.

Payne Haas (FRF)
With the number of byes the Broncos have coming up, including matches against the struggling Knights and Titans, it makes sense to trade out Payne Haas. Starting against the Warriors this weekend, the Broncos will be looking to improve the depth in their forward pack, which will allow the club to rest Haas during the Origin period. Coaches should be able to flip Haas back into their side at the end of the Origin period by switching out a player like Joseph Tapine, who will play big minutes over the coming weeks.

Brian To’o (CTW)
Like Cleary, Brian To’o will be managed throughout the Origin period to maximise his output potential leading up to finals. The Panthers have been renowned over recent years for developing the best up-and-coming talent in the NRL, so they will no doubt blood some young stars while To’o recovers. This is a must-trade at this stage of the season.

Reece Walsh (FLB)
History shows that Origin debutants often struggle to recapture their prior form when returning to clubland. While there is a chance Reece Walsh could be an exception, there are several choices across the league as trade targets — meaning SuperCoaches do not need to take the punt. Walsh will also be a target of the Blues defence, which increases his likelihood for injury. Although Kalyn Ponga may be recalled to the Maroons side, he is one HIA away from Walsh playing all three games of the series.

Cameron Murray (2RF)
A recent history of concussions and injuries in the Origin arena make Cameron Murray a liability before a ball is kicked in the series. Further, the Rabbitohs have a soft draw coming up with matches against the Titans, Dragons, Cowboys and Warriors, meaning he will likely be managed through the Origin period anyway. The Rabbitohs also have several forwards returning from injury over the coming fortnight, giving coach Jason Demetriou even more reason to rest his club captain.

TRADE IN

Cody Walker (5/8)
Cody Walker could be one of very few must-have players over the next two months. With Latrell Mitchell expected to play all three State of Origin games for New South Wales, most of Souths’ attacking football in that stretch is expected to go through Walker. With Isaiah Tass and Alex Johnston still on his edge, the connections will remain for the Rabbitohs to pile on points.

Scott Drinkwater (FLB)
After a poor start to the 2023 NRL season, Scott Drinkwater’s rolling three-round average of 74.7 makes him an interesting trade option. The Cowboys’ reliance on their gifted fullback will only grow over the coming weeks with Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter all away for Origin. He is a gamble, but it could pay dividends.

Haumole Olakau’atu (2RF)
The Sea Eagles will lose club captain Daly Cherry-Evans for a portion of the representative period. Ideally, the gameplan of expected fill-in halfback Cooper Johns and coach Anthony Siebold will be to get Haumole Olakau’atu early possession to simplify his game and return his form to its damaging best. Should he find that form again, he will pile the points on for those who make the trade.

Kenan Palasia (FRF/2RF)
This is another gamble for SuperCoaches, but it could be worth the punt in the long run. Kenan Palasia showed at the start of the 2022 NRL season that with increased minutes he can average in excess of 40 points per game. The future Titan has an opportunity to show his new employers he can shoulder the responsibility of leading the forward pack at this level, while his potential to rise in value could assist coaches on the other side of this representative period.

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