Yes the 2021 Team Picker is live and as work finishes up for the year, and as some of us head off on holidays, now is the perfect time to begin your planning for next season.While I’m positive I will still make many changes as the pre-season progresses I’m happy with the first draft for the Backseat Bandits, and even left myself a bit of cash in the bank for the inevitable edits.
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HOOKER

Apisai Koroisau $587,300 — I was initially very keen to get Damien Cook into my team but was just priced out by my other selections, but I’m still very happy with Api. Starting 2020 at a bargain price of $338,800, Api proved to be one of the best buys of the season with an average of 66 and 75 minutes a game. While his struggles with injury still affected him last season Api only missed three games, so I don’t think you can use it as an excuse to not pick him. Plus with Cameron McInnes, Damien Cook and Harry Grant likely to be popular buys, Koroisau could even end up being something of a POD.
Jake Simpkin $173,700 — With Harry Grant gone the No. 9 jersey is up for grabs at the Tigers, with Simpkin and Jacob Liddle set to battle it out. This is more of a placeholder pick for now, but I’ll probably end up locking whichever of the two ends up winning the job.
Team Picker for the 2020 season of KFCSuperCoach NRL is live – CLICK HERE

FRONT ROW

Payne Haas $668,600 — The Broncos might have stunk in 2020 but Payne Haas certainly didn’t for KFC SuperCoaches! Haas started the season as the most expensive FRF and ended up as the highest averaging prop. I want to lock in at least one of the top options in my front row to start the year, and why not go with the best. I do have some concern over Kevvie potentially cutting his minutes, but fingers crossed he can maintain around 70-80 mins.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui $504,900 — David Fifita may be the Titans new marquee man, but I think Tino could prove to be the more valuable signing for the Gold Coast in 2021. Tino had a breakout year for the Storm, averaging 57 points and 42 minutes, but I expect both his minutes and his output to improve even more in 2021. The dual-position is also handy and at just over $500k his price is also great.
Ben Murdoch-Masila $330,000 — After five seasons in the English Super League, Big Ben finally makes his return to the NRL at a bargain basement price for KFC SuperCoaches. With the likes of Adam Blair, Agnatius Paasi and Lachlan Burr all gone I expect BMM to slot straight into the Warriors starting side and think there is some serious cash to be made here.
Stefano Utoikamanu $186,800 — He failed to live up to the hype in 2020, playing just 3 games and scoring 43 total points in 24 combined minutes. But he could be in line for a bench role at the Tigers in 2021 and should see a decent bump in minutes if he does. He may not be a huge money maker for SuperCoaches but he does look like one of the best cheapies at the position for now.

BACK ROW

Jason Taumalolo $641,700 — This pick needs no explaining. The human wrecking ball has been a SuperCoach gun for years and will be one of the most owned players come Round 1 barring injury.
Jake Trbojevic $582,500 — The model of consistency, Jake Trbojevic had a bit of an off-year in 2020 with brother Tom’s absence really taking away some of his attacking upside. Despite that his average still improved on his 2019 season, and I’m expecting more of the same from Jake in 2021 and really like him at his current price.
David Fifita $569,900 — While I said before that I think Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could be a better buy for the Titans in 2021, I still think David Fifita will still be an incredible purchase for KFC SuperCoaches. While Jake Trbojevic and Jason Taumalolo provide some reliable base with some upside, Fifita has such a high ceiling and could produce some insane scores. While he struggled with injury in 2020 he still managed four games with 75+ points and I want in on his freakish skill.
Siosifa Talakai $485,500 — It’s funny that Talakai makes it into my side and not Rob Sutherland’s, given I fought for him to lose his dual position and Rob wanted it to stay! I initially had Talakai locked into my CTW slot, but I’m not too happy with the mid-range options at 2RF this year and so for now he slots into my backrow. There is still a decent chance that Talakai doesn’t earn a starting edge spot for the Sharks in 2021, so I may yet punt him, but if he does earn the gig he’ll be in my side somewhere.

Shawn Blore $210,500 — A placeholder pick for now but he could be in line for a starting edge spot at the Tigers which would make him an absolute must have cheapie.
Zac Saddler $173,700 — Another placeholder pick. With Joel Thompson leaving Manly there is an edge spot up for grabs, and while I expect it to go to either Jack Gosiewski or Andrew Davey, Saddler could be in line for a bench spot.
MORE SUPERCOACH:

Rob Sutherland reveals his team for 2021

Tom Sangster reveals his team for 2021

KFC SuperCoach NRL 2021 Cheapie Bible

KFC SuperCoach NRL: 21 players set to shine in 2021

SuperCoach club-by-club guide to transfer madness

KFC SuperCoach NRL transfer guide — Part 2

Strength of schedule: SuperCoach draw analysis

HALFBACK

Daly Cherry-Evans $570,500 — As much as I would like Nathan Cleary I think he’s just a bit too expensive for my liking to start the season. That being said I do like Daly Cherry-Evans as a very consistent POD option, even with Manly’s tough start to 2021. With Tom Trbojevic hopefully fit and firing, and DCE set to maintain the goalkicking, I think we can expect Manly’s attack to be much improved next year.
Sam Walker $173,700 — A placeholder for now, but I do expect Sam Walker to start for the Roosters at some point this season, and he could be a great cheapie if he gets consistent game time.

FIVE-EIGHTH

Cody Walker $656,000 — Cody Walker was a mainstay of my KFC SuperCoach side in 2020 and one of my few absolute must have players for 2021. He starts the year as the most expensive 5/8’s after finishing last season with an incredible five rough average of 112, including the SuperCoach point scoring record of 203 in a single game. I’m expecting Cameron Munster to be the most owned 5/8 heading into Round 1 and while he is more consistent, I prefer the upside of Walker. In saying all of that you can probably wait a few weeks for Walker to possibly drop in price and pick him up a bit cheaper.
Josh Schuster $203,100 — Another placeholder pick for now, but I do think Schuster is a genuine chance to earn the starting five-eighth spot at Manly in 2021. While Kieran Foran is returning to the Sea Eagles, there have been reports suggesting Des Hasler plans to use Foz at Hooker with Manase Fainu stood down. I know who I’d pick in the halves of Schuster, Cade Cust and Lachlan Croker!

CENTRE/WING

Valentine Holmes $509,400 — While my faith in Valentine Holmes backfired last year, I do think Val will be good to go in 2021 after a year back in the game after his NFL stint. While the Cowboys toyed with him on the wing after returning from injury, I do think Val will be back at fullback, and with the goalkicking and dual eligibility he was a must have for me at CTW.
Will Hopoate $398,600 — While I’m not sure the Bulldogs’ attack will be elite in 2021, I do think it will be improved with Kyle Flanagan in the halves and Will Hopoate likely at fullback. If you take out an injury affected game in Round 7 2020, Hopoate averaged 51.4 when playing at fullback, including 3 scores above 70. If the Dogs are to score some decent points in 2021 I think Hopoate will play a big part in that and is worth the risk at >$400k.
Charlie Staines $297,700 — While he is far more expensive than I would have hoped I think Charlie Staines is a near-must have given what we saw of him in his two games last year (scores of 158 and 66). While his base stats are nothing special, this guy has shown he is a try-scoring machine with five scored in two games and there is a lot of upside here.
Bailey Simonsson $205,000 — The four other CTW’s are all placeholders for now but of the bunch I think Bailey Simonsson is the most promising, as he will likely nab a starting wing spot at the Raiders. If you take out an injury affected game and the games he played off the bench he averaged paltry 28 points a game, but if he can start regularly there is cash to be made.

Greg Marzhew $173,700 — The player formerly known as Greg Leleisiuao has been a mainstay of the KFC SuperCoach cheapie bible for three years now and is yet to make his debut. It seems unlikely he gets a starting spot straight away but could be in line if injury strikes. Wait and see.
Ben Trbojevic $173,700 — Despite not playing a game in 2020, Burbo ended the season as one of the most owned players in SuperCoach. He also probably won’t start the season for Manly, but he could still be a good one to hold onto, especially given his handy dual position status.
Joseph Suaalii $173,700 — One of the most hyped young stars in the game, Suaalii finds himself at the Roosters after a dramatic exit from Souths. Given the Roosters have Brett Morris, Daniel Tupou starting, and Matt Ikuvalu and Billy Smith as backups, I think it’s pretty unlikely Suaalii gets a start without mass injuries, but he’s worth keeping an eye on.
FULLBACK

Ryan Papenhuyzen $629,000 — Paps had an interesting year for SuperCoaches in 2020, starting off very slow before finishing up on fire, with a final five round average of 86. With five scores under 50 points his floor is pretty disappointing, but his ceiling is simply incredible, with five scores over 100 (second only to James Tedesco’s 6). If I can work out a way to get Teddy into my side I would prefer him, but Paps is a nice discount option.
Tom Trbojevic $593,500 — So good was Tommy Turbo in 2019 that he started the 2020 season off at a lazy $714,800 … and now you can get him at a more than $100k discount. While his hamstrings are obviously a massive concern he’s had a considerable amount of time to try and get them right for the start of the season. It’s risky but being able to get someone with the potential to be the top point scorer on the season this cheap is too good to pass up.



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