NRL SuperCoach R20 preview & trade tips

The SuperCoach competition is heating up in round 20 of the 2023 NRL Premiership. This is the last major bye round of the season, with representative duties also ending for some of the league’s top talents.

NRL SuperCoach players should be looking to free up salary cap space to make big trades starting in round 21. Let’s look at the players that coaches should avoid trading in, as well as those that should be moved on.

WAIT/HOLD

Nathan Cleary (HFB) currently sits in the 10 most traded-in players for SuperCoach. However, this trade should be avoided until at least Saturday afternoon, when the Penrith Panthers squad is confirmed for Sunday’s match. If Cleary isn’t included in the 19-man squad, coaches risk being unable to reverse their trade and will have limited options to select someone else.

Valynce Te Whare (CTW) has been traded out by 5% of SuperCoaches this week. On Tuesday afternoon, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett named Te Whare in his extended reserves, triggering players to make early moves. The former rugby union player could be a late inclusion if Bennett makes a late decision to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback or rest him after State of Origin. Even if Te Whare does not take the field this Sunday, coaches should consider waiting another week before moving him unless there are urgent changes needed.

TRADE OUT

Maika Sivo (CTW) may only be owned by less that 5% of players in SuperCoach, but there are several reasons he should be traded out or avoided. With teammates Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses in the New South Wales Blues side, there is no guarantee they will back-up for the Parramatta Eels this weekend. Even if they do, their fatigue could limit Sivo’s scoring opportunities. Sivo’s three-round scoring average is below 20 points per game, which is well below his best form. The upcoming draw, with two of his next four matches away from Sydney, may also hinder his scoring ability.

Pasami Saulo (2RF, FRF) is owned by almost 13% of SuperCoaches and should be another player that gets moved. Canberra Raiders enforcer Josh Papalii is expected to return from a hamstring injury in round 21. Meanwhile, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart typically increases the playing minutes of Joseph Tapine towards the end of the season. Both Papalii and Tapine will take away playing minutes from Saulo.

Harrison Edwards (2RF, FRF) and Paul Alamoti (CTW) have been fantastic for coaches, earning close to $200k towards their salary cap. However, both appear to have fallen behind players like Jackson Topine, Jeral Skelton, and Ethan Quai-Ward at the Canterbury Bulldogs, with Viliame Kikau yet to return from injury. Considering Edwards and Alamoti are at almost 10% and 18% ownership respectively, it is time for both players to be moved on.

TRADE IN

Kalyn Ponga (5/8, FLB) is the third-most traded-in player this week and has become a must-have for the Knights’ run home. After his enormous 180-point performance against the Bulldogs in round 18, Ponga’s upcoming breakevens have plummeted. Ponga will take on the Tigers, Dolphins and Bulldogs in the coming weeks, meaning he should score 100+ points per game again.

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