NRL SuperCoach R17 preview, top trades & best buys

Round 17 of the 2023 NRL Premiership presents the unique challenge for SuperCoaches of balancing their sides through rounds with three teams on the bye. With popular players Nicho Hynes, Jacob Preston, Jahream Bula, Paul Alamoti and Briton Nikora on the bye, lets see what moves SuperCoaches should be looking to make.

HOLD

JAHREAM BULA (FLB)

Trading Jahream Bula this week should be reserved for multiple reasons. Unless coaches are without 17 players to field for a full side, or cash to make high-profile trades, Bula should be held for one more week. Coaches will have greater opportunities to bring in players like Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, or James Tedesco in a week’s time.

TRADE OUT

JOSH SCHUSTER (5/8/2RF)
Josh Schuster currently sits 4th in ownership for SuperCoach classic at 45% and is a must-trade this week. Some coaches have been brave enough to hold the Sea Eagles 5/8 from round one, earning them some cash along the way. The challenge for young half will be travelling to Melbourne, taking on the Melbourne Storm, possibly without Tom Trbojevic at fullback. The flexibility of being a dual-position player will be a key factor in bring other players into the side.

JACOB PRESTON (2RF)
Jacob Preston has been one of the ultimate cheapie cash-grabs in SuperCoach for 2023. The young backrower has been incredibly impressive for the Canterbury Bulldogs, however; the combination of Matt Burton’s call-ups to Origin and upcoming byes for the Bulldogs makes him a perfect trade option as he appears to have peaked in price.

SONI LUKE (HOK)
Soni Luke has been another headache for SuperCoaches throughout the season. Despite being incredibly talented, Luke has battled various injuries throughout this entire season. With no guarantees of increased minutes on the field in the coming weeks, and no money left to be made, coaches need to move on to a player like Jake Turpin to fill the hooker spot.

MITCHELL MOSES (HFB)
Mitchell Moses’ call up to the Blues for Origin presents several concerns for SuperCoaches. It’s easy to forget his debut match was played out with a broken back, and should he become a target of the Maroons defence again, he risks another injury. Combine this with the possibility of being selected for game three of State of Origin, no guarantees that he will back up for either game and the Eels bye in round 18, now is the time to move on to a different half.

MATT BURTON (HFB/5/8)
Matt Burton has unfortunately become a trade option. A player with one of the highest three-round averages in the halves this season, it remains to be seen if he is a late call-up into the Blues side for games two or three in Origin. Further, the next six weeks for the Bulldogs brings games against the Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, and a round 23 bye. This strong draw and bye make him a brilliant trading option.

TRADE IN

VALYNCE TE WHARE (CTW)
Valynce Te Whare sits in the top 25 most owned players in SuperCoach after earning cult-hero status for his debut performance for the Dolphins against the Sharks in Magic Round this year. Te Whare has been named to replace Brenko Lee in the centres who has been ruled out for an undisclosed period with a leg injury. The former Union players has the potential to score well during a tough draw, a low price tag to free up salary cap space and low break-evens to bring more money into the side.

JAHROME HUGHES (HFB)
Jahrome Hughes shapes as a brilliant point-of-difference option for SuperCoaches with less than 10% of the competition owning him. Hughes has had enormous games over the last fortnight against the Sharks and Tigers, showing owners he can step up to lead the Storm through the representative period. The soft upcoming draw and low break-evens makes him a brilliant target for this middle third of the season.

KEAON KOLOAMATANGI (2RF)
Keaon Koloamatangi is another point-of-difference play with an ownership base lower than 7%. Since returning from injury, in 80 minute games the South Sydney Rabbitohs edge-forward averages 75PPG. The major bonus for potential owners is the return of Rabbitohs middle forwards to the side. This should ensure Koloamatangi plays the entirety of matches on the strong Rabbitohs right edge where his scoring potential is uncapped.

JAKE TURPIN (HOK)
Jake Turpin has emerged as a cheapie option for coaches at the hooker position if they plan to spend the bulk of their salary cap elsewhere in the side. Turpin has played the full 80 minutes in the last two games for the Roosters with a three round rolling average exceed 50PPG. With a low break-evens and matches coming against the Raiders and Sea Eagles, Turpin may prove to be a good cash-grab through this representative period.

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