The ultimate SuperCoach NRL Draft squad for finals

All year through our Waiver Wire articles we’ve stressed the importance of match-ups to help you win your Draft league.

To bring this to life, we’ve done a deep dive through the stats to build the best 13-man SuperCoach team to illustrate just where you should be looking for an advantage in your Draft league.

This is the All Upside Draft Team.

A 13-man squad that you definitely would love to own but hate to face in your NRL SuperCoach finals.

Of course it’s great news if you see a player you have mentioned - it bodes well for your chances of taking home your title.

But equally if you see a trend in the teams and opponents mentioned, keep that in mind as you trade and waiver over the next period as you might find some gems.

Now we know each Draft League is different and finals systems too so we will be focusing our attention on the Rounds 23 - 26 system given that it is the most popular.

Let’s jump in!

Hooker

In a position in which there’s been no consistent standout this year, the best option for finals is a player whose durability can never be questioned.

Best finals option: Blayke Brailey (Sharks, 56.5 avg, 87.6 per cent owned)

- One of the few 80-minute hookers and has not missed a minute of First Grade in 2024

- Softest draw coming up compared with competitors, with games against the Titans, Knights, Dragons and Warriors. All four could be out of the race for the Top 8 by Round 23.

- Has an opportunity to add to his attacking stats with Nicho Hynes unavailable

Other contenders: Harry Grant, Reed Mahoney, Connor Watson

Front Row Forward

Not always the most glamorous of positions, the scarcity of attacking upside available at Front Row can make those gems a real game changer.

Best FRF1: Mitch Barnett (Warriors, 71.1 avg, 97.7 per cent owned)

- Attacking upside with three tries in his last five games

- Consistently playing huge minutes and accruing big base stats highlighted by 90 base stats in round 18

- Invaluable dual position and playable at both FRF and 2RF

- Solid draw against Dolphins, Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and Sharks.

Best FRF2: Josh Curran (Bulldogs, 58.4 avg, 80 per cent owned)

- Elevated his workrate this season and scoring consistently well despite playing mostly off the bench

- Will continue to get huge minutes at FRF due to the injury to fellow prop Max King

- Can find attacking stats with three tries to his name in 2024

- Good draw against the Dragons, Dolphins, Warriors and Sea Eagles

Other contenders: Addin Fonua-Blake, Jack de Belin, Terrell May, Payne Haas

Second Row

The position where most experienced SuperCoach Draft players will try to stack. Second-row is always crucial for success given its unique ability to mix high workrate with attacking potential.

Best 2RF1: Briton Nikora (Sharks, 66 avg, 94 per cent owned)

- Has found his attacking mojo after a slow start to the season and boasts a 5RA of 89

- Blends a decent base of attacks and runs with great attacking upside

- Soft draw coming up against the Titans, Knights, Dragons and Warriors. Should see the attack continue to come for him

Best 2RF2: Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles, 70.5 avg, 97.1 per cent owned)

- Has flown under the radar with injury, Origin and now suspension keeping him off the park, but his 70 average puts him in the elite category at the position

- Very winnable games upcoming against Raiders, Warriors, Tigers and Bulldogs. Only the Bulldogs of that list are noted for their defence.

- Manly right-edge is the equal second highest scoring edge for SuperCoach, narrowly behind the Sharks right edge

Best 2RF3: Angus Crichton (Roosters, 77.9 avg, 89.7 per cent owned)

- Even with a bye in Round 23, Angus’ attacking upside at 2RF is hard to overlook

- After the bye has games against Eels, Titans and Raiders. Their minds could all be on their end of season trip

- Narrowly behind David Fifita for best average at second-row but could overtake him with a big end to the season

Other contenders: David Fifita, Isaiah Yeo, Jacob Preston, Teig Wilton

Halfback

In years gone past this has been the domain of highest scorer in SuperCoach, but the injury to Nicho Hynes has opened the door for someone else to step through.

Best HFB: Nathan Cleary (Panthers, 69.5 avg, 98.2 per cent owned)

- What you’d expect from a guy consistently taken in the Top 3 picks on Draft night

- Returned with a ton after missing nine rounds with a hamstring injury

- Aside from a tough matchup against the Storm in Round 24, gets to play the Eels, Rabbitohs and Raiders which could all be cricket scores

Other contenders: Daly Cherry-Evans, Jahrome Hughes

Five-eighth

A strangely difficult position to project this season. Again, injury to Cam Munster and the Eels poor form has thrown out the traditional thinking of who’s the best available option.

Best Five-Eighth: Matt Burton (Bulldogs, 65.7 avg, 95.2 per cent owned)

- Goal-kicking half in a side with plenty to fight for as they push for finals football. Handy dual position as well adds to his value

- Games against the Dragons, Dolphins, Warriors and Sea Eagles. Only the Sea Eagles aren’t in the bottom 8 with respect to SuperCoach points conceded per game

- The Bulldogs side continues to grow in confidence which should mean more attacking stats to come

Other contenders: Jarome Luai, Jayden Campbell, Cameron Munster, Daine Laurie

Centre/Wing

Arguably the most important position in SuperCoach with respect to the importance of match-ups. Nailing the right combination of players and teams to target could be the difference between you winning or losing your league.

Best CTW1: Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles, 72.9 avg, 99 per cent owned)

- Combining breathtaking attacking prowess with base stats and goal kicking this year to be the obvious best at position in 2024

- Very winnable games upcoming against Raiders, Warriors, Tigers and Bulldogs. Only the Bulldogs of that list are noted for their defence

- Benefiting from the return of Tommy Turbo to help put teams to the sword and increase his volume of goal kicks

Best CTW2: Joey Manu (Roosters, 75.4 avg, 94.5 per cent owned)

- Currently injured and has a bye in round 23 but his draw afterwards of Eels, Titans and Raiders is simply too good to ignore

- Combines good base stats with exceptional attacking upside and should match or surpass his average on the way home with that draw

- May be available for trade if the current owner is desperate to chase wins and cannot afford for him to be injured

Best CTW3: Jesse Ramien (Sharks, 65.2 avg, 77.2 per cent owned)

- Has flown under the radar but is playing exceptional football this season to the point where his name was mentioned consistently in Origin talks

- Soft draw coming up against the Titans, Knights, Dragons and Warriors. All four could be out of the race for the Top 8 by Round 23

- Due to his excellent base stats, rarely has a bad game. A 3RA of 81 shows his potential, especially considering he’s only had one try in that time

Best CTW4: Dane Gagai (Knights, 67.3 avg, 93.1 per cent owned)

- A perennial quiet achiever who is there or thereabouts among the elites at the position

- Huge base scoring again this season, and coupled with the return of Kalyn Ponga, owners will be confident he can outperform his average on the way home

- Very soft draw against the Tigers, Sharks, Rabbitohs and Titans. Only the Sharks should pose a defensive challenge for the Knights on the run home

Other contenders: Dominic Young, Jacob Kiraz, Brian To’o, Sunia Turuva, Greg Marzhew

Fullback

This is where the Ferraris are. With some many contenders to the crown of best at position, draw and availability are weighing heavily on this choice.

Best FLB: Kalyn Ponga (Knights, 71.1 avg - 95.3 per cent owned)

- A popular draft pick and this finals strength of schedule was a key factor in that

- Knights take on the Tigers, Sharks, Rabbitohs and Titans. Only the Sharks should pose a defensive challenge for the Knights on the run home

- If he can retain the kicking duties, he has the potential to average close to 100 for these all important games

Other contenders: Dylan Edwards, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Reece Walsh