NRL SuperCoach Round 7 preview & top trades
Round seven of the 2023 NRL Premiership kicks off on Thursday and there are several key plays SuperCoaches should be looking to make for the long-term stability of their sides. Player price rises are beginning to reach their peak, providing opportunities across the park for teams to be improved. Let’s take a look at the possible trade-ins and trade-outs for round seven.
TRADE OUT
Tom Trbojevic (FLB)
Tom Trbojevic is one of the best SuperCoach players the game has ever seen, and while his return from injury excited almost 60% of the league enough to trade him in, he is fast becoming a liability for owners. The fact the Manly fullback needed pain killing injections to finish their round six match against the Panthers should be enough to scare SuperCoaches off. Add into the equation the loss of Reuben Garrick who often boosts the point scoring potential of Trbojevic and a round seven clash with the Storm and a high break-even, coaches should be looking to trade ‘Turbo’ out of their side before he loses all his value.
J’maine Hopgood (2RF)
Hopgood has been arguably the best buy to start the 2023 NRL season, earning SuperCoaches almost $250k towards their salary cap to build squad value for the season. The largest concern for Hopgood is the return of Junior Paulo to the starting side for the Eels. A big-minute forward, Hopgood has even less likelihood of playing big minutes for the Eels. Bryce Cartwright has also established he is an 80-minute second rower with Shaun Lane, and a big three-forward for the bench will likely see Hopgood’s minutes decline. Coaches need to quit while they’re ahead with Hopgood.
Paul Alamoti (CTW)
The recent news of winger Josh Addo-Carr and Viliame Kikau facing extended periods on the sidelines for their respective injuries will greatly diminish the value of Alamoti. The focus on that edge for the Bulldogs attack likely shifts to Matt Burton solely, while the team will likely shift to the other side and attack with Jake Averillo and Jacob Kiraz. Having made over $160k for SuperCoaches, Alamoti should be one of the first trades made this week.
TRADE IN
Jacob Host (2RF)
Jacob Host should be beneficial for SuperCoaches in the weeks to come for several reasons. Jai Arrow has been named to make his return for the side in the front row, and with Tevita Tatola, Siliva Havili, Liam Knight and Shaquai Mitchell all out for indefinite periods of time, Arrow will not be moving into the back row position any time soon. Further, the bench named for the Rabbitohs on the week features only middle forwards, suggesting Host will be playing the full 80 minutes for at least a few weeks to come. Finally, a low break-even should see his value increase sharply if he continues to perform the way he did against the Bulldogs. Host is a brilliant down-grade option from a player like Hopgood who will only increase in value.
Nicho Hynes (HFB)
Nicho Hynes’ return from a calf injury could not have been scripted better with the superstar Dally M Medal winner scoring 180 points and 102 points respectively prior to the bye. A low break-even for round seven will see his already high value sky rocket, and while SuperCoaches would be smart to keep Hynes in their sides, they could not be blamed for using the Sharks halfback as a ‘cash-grab’ to further build their 25-man squad. Upcoming matches against the Bulldogs and Cowboys should see Hynes continue to score well and he is a must-have, at least for a short period of time.
Cody Walker (5/8)
Cody Walker has fast become an option for SuperCoaches in the very skinny five-eighth position. Beside players like Dylan Brown and Matt Burton who are elite attacking halves, and Cameron Munster who will be missing in the upcoming State of Origin series, Walker is looking like a great option. Averaging 96 in his last three matches, he is again becoming the focal point of the Rabbitoh attack. The only concern for Walker is upcoming matches against the Panthers, Broncos and Storm. However, if SuperCoaches take the ‘punt’ on Walker now, it could prove a very smart long-term play.
