NRL Round 12: Teams and SuperCoach trade tips

News.com.au

20-05-2025

Bye rounds are moving rounds in SuperCoach; with those prepared to burn trades now in order to maximise their overall score climbing the ranks and those conserving trades due to a head-to-head focus dropping away somewhat.
Or at least that used to be the case back when there was still a top-17 scoring system in place during the major bye rounds.
Now that we're playing a 'best-13' scoring system the 'need' to trade is somewhat diminished - but not the 'want'.
The SuperCoach gods have bestowed upon us a bonus trade this week and I want to use all three (and possibly a boost) as I reshape my centres, add a third keeper FRF to my team and pick up the 2RF POD I think too many are ignoring in favour of the flavour of the month.
BUY/SELL ANALYSIS
I usually start with the buys but this week thought I would mix things up and start with a look at the most popular sells.
I'll start with some CTW players as I feel this is the week to rejig at the position.
Robert Toia - The young Rooster is the most owned CTW in the game so his surprise selection by the Maroons is a bit of a kick in the proverbial for the 90,000+ SuperCoaches who own him. Roosters who are not picked for Origin are bye round gold playing every major bye. Rooster who are picked for Origin will miss five of the next seven games (Rd 12 (Origin), Rd 14 (bye), Rd 15 (Origin), Rd 17 (bye) and Rd 18 (Origin) and so should probably be sold. Or so goes the common narrative. But does that apply here? Toia is currently rocking a BE of -19 and is averaging close to 60PPG so those who are selling are walking away from an easy $50K profit if they just wait a week. Toia is also arguably a beneficiary of the injuries to Maroons veterans Selwyn Cobbo and Murray Taulagi (both wingers and their absence has seen Val Holmes move out to the wing and Toia win a debut). Leaving aside the mythical Maroons love of picking and sticking, it's distinctly possible that come Origin II the veterans return and Toia is dropped thus becoming a valuable bye round piece. So my advice here is hold Toia, at least for a week and if possible right up until teams are named for Origin II.
Dylan Egan - a tough break (ACL) for the Dragons rookie and he has to go.
Kalyn Ponga - his Maroons selection should be the catalyst you require to rip off the bandaid and sell the underperforming fullback.
Jacob Kiraz - It really hurts to sell a CTW who is averaging 81PPG and plays for a team which covers the round 12, 15 and 18 byes but the word from Belmore is that Kiraz will miss four, and possibly six, weeks. A reluctant sell with a note in the mind bank that money and trades will be required to bring him back when available.
Beau Fermor - Another top CTW performer, Fermor's Origin selection does not make him an automatic sell as he should still be available for rounds 13, 14, 16 and 17. However, there is a strong argument for cashing him in at $700K and using the money elsewhere keeping in mind that Fermor has just the 14th best average for any centre at the moment but has the sixth highest price at the position.
Dylan Lucas - Another 2RF available at CTW, Lucas started the season on fire averaging close to 60PPG in base around which he was adding quality attacking and power stats. The Knights have a good draw and cover the next six games. But there's an argument to sell. Lucas injured his shoulder last week and while the club insists he is healthy and available to play Brien Seeney (aka NRL Physio) notes that there is now an increased chance of re-injury.
On top of the injury uncertainty, the Knights are stretched very thin in the outside backs at the moment and Lucas looks set to spend a few weeks in the centres. If you hold him throughout that period you should expect lower scores due to less defensive work and so there's a strong temptation to take use his value elsewhere.
Dylan Lucas came off late in the game with what appeared to be a shoulder issue.
Looked to suffer the injury early in the game & played through - video brings concern for shoulder instability (eg subluxation) landing on outstretched arm. If so could still play next week - pic.twitter.com/5ZmFD7UKhE
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 16, 2025
Nathan Cleary - a popular sell but as I mentioned last week I believe he should be held through at least Origin I as if he does backup (which barring injury I expect him to) then he should reward those who show patience in SuperCoach positive match-ups against the Eels (Rd 13) and Wests Tigers (Rd 14).
Payne Haas - Heads into Origin camp under a minor injury cloud but is expected to play for the Blues. There is some chance that Haas is rested by the Broncos over the Origin period, but with his team sitting outside the top eight (and Haas being so clearly a must at his position) I'm leaning to holding the big man throughout the period. Especially seeing as how so many of us have cover for him currently via the likes of Joe Tapine, Terrell May and Addin Fonua-Blake.
Now for some popular buys:
James Tedesco - Teddy's Origin snub makes him close to a bye round must. The short term draw (Sharks into Raiders in rounds 12 and 13) is not great. But while Tedesco is not 'match-up proof' he's one of those players who can score 100+ on any opposition.
Zac Hosking - I was not a huge fan of Hosking last week and despite him scoring 77 points last week my doubts remain. Hosking has a good workrate (he recorded 50 points in base last week which is good for an edge) and he runs a good line. But without a try he's a 50-55 point guy as he is not a big tackle buster/offloader. I much prefer the next person on my list.
Viliame Kikau - Big Billy is not a 'workhorse' but he does average 39PPG in base. And unlike Hosking around that base he puts elite power numbers averaging 11.5PPG in tackle breaks and offloads combined. Canterbury has been funnelling a lot of its attack down Kikau's left edge and the big man is averaging an anomalous 16.6PPG in try assist/linebreak assists combined. That is an area I expect some regression which suggests Kikau is not a keeper. But he and the Dogs cover all three of the major byes and I see Kikau as a useful bye round piece with more upside than Hosking.
Addin Fonua-Blake - The most dangerous FRF in the game, AFB has barged over for tries in each of the past two games and has a very positive matchup this week against a severely depleted Roosters side. Covers the first two byes of the season and well worth locking in at his current price.
Joe Tapine - Traditionally a late season bloomer, Tapine caught fire early this year and has already punched out five scores of 85+ this season. Lacks some of Fonua-Blake's upside but has a lower ownership and covers the tricky round 18 bye. A good buy.
Herbie Farnworth - Scoring tries for fun. Farnworth will fail to cross the stripe eventually but even then should score well thanks to his phenomenal tackle bust numbers and offload game. Covers the first two byes.
Mark Nawaqanitawase - Roosters right side attack is the place to be and Nawaqanitawase is loving life there at the moment with five tries in the past three weeks. As per Teddy above the short term draw is not great, but matchups with the Knights, Cowboys and Wests Tigers after that appeal.
Kayal Iro - Has scored a try (and two in round two) in every game he has played this year and history suggests that is unsustainable. However, the Sharks have lost no players to Origin and would be looking forward to their early bye round matchups against the Roosters (Rd 12) and Dragons (Rd 15). Good buy.
Xavier Savage - Not a fan of this move. Savage is the ultimate rocks and diamonds guy. And yes, last week's 124 points against the Titans was sparkly. And yes he has a BE of -27. But keep in mind that in round seven when the Raiders scored 30 points against the Titans Savage scored just 17 SC points. The following week when the Raiders put 40 on the Dolphins Savage scored just 12 SC points. You've been warned.