CHEAPIE WATCH
1 Kaeo Weekes (FLB/5-8 $273,400)
Jack Wighton’s five-eighth spot is open at the Raiders and Weekes is the favourite. Weekes showed flashes of brilliance at the Sea Eagles last season – including 68 in 27 minutes against the Knights – but comes in well-underpriced after averaging just 45 minutes per game.
2 Ethan Strange (5-8/CTW, $238,900)
The Canberra young gun looks a huge chance to win either the five-eighth spot of Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs) or centre spot of Jarrod Croker (retired). Scored a hat trick for NSW under-19s last year and was named player of the match.
3 Samuela Fainu (2RF $263,000)
While his younger brother (below) is creating plenty of buzz, the older Fainu put together a solid five games for the Sea Eagles last season mainly as an edge backrower. He starts in cheapie range due to limited minutes, but as
Paul Crawley writes in his best 17 story, Samuela is such a talent that it wouldn’t surprise to see John Bateman shift to lock to accommodate him in the starting side, especially if Shawn Blore is forced out of the club.
A word of warning though, Fainu’s PPM of 0.6 is far from elite. Although he did spend some time at centre last year so coming up with a proper read is difficult.
4 Sua Faalogo (FLB/CTW, $339,000)
Ryan Papenhuyzen will score the round one fullback spot at the Storm if fit and is no doubt a SuperCoach bargain buy at $645,600, but definitely not a cheapie. However, Pap’s injury history is long and storied and if he misses the start of the season there is a youngster snapping at his heels.
Faalogo produced a brilliant debut in round 27 and went on to star in two Tests for Samoa. While he starts a fair way above bottom dollar, he still represents serious value given his billing as a generational player.
5&6 Fletcher Baker (FRF $320,000) and Xavier Willison (FRF $265,200)
The Broncos have lost some serious middle power in Thomas Flegler (Dolphins) and Keenan Palasia (Titans). Kurt Capewell (Warriors) has also left the club and while not a middle-man his exit could have a flow-on effect if Pat Carrigan moves wider. There are two potential winners here in young guns Fletcher Baker and Xavier Willison.
Baker is the more recognised after playing 45 NRL matches for the Roosters and therefore
scores a starting spot in our best 17. He was limited to just 29 minutes at Bondi but could up that considerably as a starter, which will translate to a decent price rise given his handy PPM of 1.05.
Willison is a big man with a bright future – and a horrible history with injuries. If he can stay healthy he should challenge Baker for the extra minutes. His PPM of 1.53 is basically unheard of so hopefully he can keep up somewhere near that rate even with the increased workload.
7 Tallis Duncan (2RF $321,600)
The kid named after Gorden Tallis is one of the most talented young forwards in the NRL and made a serious mark in seven games last season. Yet he still starts in relative cheapie range after averaging just 29 minutes. His SuperCoach output in that limited time was phenomenal, scoring at an elite 1.21 PPM. Minutes remain the biggest problem given Souths’ stacked pack, but the departures of Jed Cartwright (Knights), Liam Knight (Bulldogs) and Hame Sele (Dragons) should at the very least create a regular bench spot. That’s probably not enough for big SuperCoach price rises, but he could be in for a big bump if a Rabbitohs’ starter goes down. Especially Cameron Murray, who Duncan has been compared to in style.
8 Jayden Brailey (HOK $330,000)
The Newcastle rake starts at borderline cheapie price after a season ruined by an ACL injury, the second of his career. We eagerly await news on how Brailey’s recovery is tracking but there’s huge potential there given he was a picture of consistency over his last three seasons prior to last year’s aberration, averaging 58, 59 and 58. That said, Phoenix Crossland was strong in Brailey’s absence last year and Brailey may therefore struggle for minutes early.
9 Latu Fainu (5/8 $204,300)
All the current talk at the Tigers is about Jarome Luai, but he doesn’t arrive until next season so former Manly young gun Fainu is being backed to play plenty of NRL in 2024. The exit of Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles) leaves a big gap at the Tigers and Latu is being backed by many to earn a spot in round one, although he must fight off more experienced recruits Aidan Sezer (Leeds Rhinos) and Jayden Sullivan (Dragons).
The 18-year-old is one of the sport’s most talented playmakers and it would not shock to see this teenager to become one of the elite NRL players of the next decade. Base price in SuperCoach given he is yet to debut.
10 Josh Feledy (CTW $238,900)
Another Tigers young gun predicted to start in round one. Feledy is yet another ex-Manly player and he thrived outside Latu Fainu when the two played SG Ball for the Sea Eagles. Handed his NRL debut in round 27 (against Manly — it’s all rather incestuous between the two clubs of late), Feledy did not look out of place despite his team getting pumped 54-12. The departure of Tommy Talau certainly creates opportunity.
11 Kade Dykes (FLB, $219,900)
The Cronulla excitement machine is capable of playing fullback, centre or in the halves, and his return from injury is going to keep the entire backline on their toes. Will Kennedy looks safest at fullback but Dykes could easily challenge for Siosifa Talakai’s starting centre spot. Braydon Trindall also needs a big start or he could come under pressure from Dykes.
12 Jack Bostock (CTW $314,500)
The Dolphins have recruited well in the centres with Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo. But wing spots are open and Bostock is favoured to score a role for round one. The former Dragon starts cheap after just four NRL appearances in 2023 but will push for a permanent spot in 2024. Great athleticism and his height (194cm) is a key advantage.
