Positional watchlist: Halfback targets for 2025


<p>Halfback is generally a high ceiling position we want to capitalise on.</p>



<p>I agree with the Playbook crew from the recent Podcast that Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes are the standouts this season.</p>



<p>Any Supercoaches of the same view will need to either start with them or have a plan to get them in ASAP.&nbsp;</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Targets:</strong></h2>



<p>Nathan Cleary &#8211; Panthers &#8211; $811.5k</p>



<p>Nicho Hynes &#8211; Sharks &#8211; $735.5k</p>



<p>Dylan Brown &#8211; Eels &#8211; $651.8k (HFB/5-8)</p>



<p>Cody Walker &#8211; Rabbitohs &#8211; $559.8k (HFB/5-8)</p>



<p>Sandon Smith &#8211; Roosters &#8211; $237.6k (HK/HFB)</p>



<p>Cleary is the best option here. Priced at 83 points per game and starting 6 points cheaper than at the beginning of last season. Injury is the only concern I have about starting with him. He only played 10 games last regular season and is reportedly racing the clock to be fit for round one in Vegas. If available, he is locked in my side.  </p>



<p>Nicho Hynes appears to be a polarising choice. There is debate as to whether he’s as effective with Braydon Trindall in the side. However, stats from NRL Physio suggest that Nicho’s regression last season may have been more so due to injury. He averaged 91 over his first 8 games (6 with Trindall), which then dropped to 56 after calf issues and ankle surgery.</p>



<p>How the Sharks attack in 2025 remains to be seen, but I’d be surprised if Nicho didn’t have a prominent role operating on both sides of the field. The Sharks early draw in the first five rounds isn’t ideal, including the Panthers, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs, but he has a good record against the other two weaker sides they play in the Cowboys and Raiders (although both these games are away from home).</p>



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<p>I covered Dylan Brown and Cody Walker in the 5/8’s watchlist, which is where I’d prefer to select them due to the shallowness of that position. Nonetheless, I don’t mind either as a cover option if Cleary isn’t fit to start the season</p>



<p>Sandon Smith has impressed at every opportunity for the Roosters. The possible addition of the goalkicking would make him an easy start in our 17s to start the season.</p>



<p>Sandon’s dual is also a gift that allows our team great flexibility to start the season.</p>



<p>I’ll be keeping an open mind as to how he’s best utilised, including the possibility of starting him on-field.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Job watch:</strong></h2>



<p>Mitch Moses – Eels &#8211; $628.9k</p>



<p>Jayden Sullivan &#8211; Rabbitohs &#8211; $480.9k (HFB/5-8)</p>



<p>Chad Townsend &#8211; Roosters &#8211; $421.9k</p>



<p>Lewis Dodd &#8211; Rabbitohs &#8211; $336k</p>



<p>Tanah Boyd &#8211; Warriors &#8211; $329.6k (HFB/5-8)</p>



<p>Jamie Humphreys &#8211; Rabbitohs &#8211; $305.4k</p>



<p>Ethan Sanders &#8211; Raiders &#8211; $244.7k</p>



<p>Tom Duffy &#8211; Cowboys &#8211; $198.8k</p>



<p>Mitch Moses would need the goalkicking to be Supercoach relevant. If he gets it, he is worth consideration at the peak of his career and as the Eels’ dominant ball player.</p>



<p>I covered Sullivan in the 5/8’s analysis and would be more inclined to consider him there should he find his way into Souths’ best 13. If Dodd gets the starting 7, he represents a solid option, I wouldn’t expect the world though. Bennett will probably have him focus on the fundamentals early, which could limit his attacking upside.</p>



<p>I’d envision around a 40-50 point average for Dodd. This would represent around 5-15 points points of value, probably not enough to justify a starting spot if better cheapies are available. Similar could be said for Jamie Humphreys, although he showed tremendous upside in his 104-point performance on debut last season.</p>



<p>Townsend would only be an option if he gets the goalkicking. Even so, I’d like to see form before investing at that price point.</p>



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<p>If Tanah Boyd starts for the Warriors and gets the goalkicking he holds some appeal. Again, it might be more tempting to select him in the shallow five/eighth spot though.</p>



<p>20-year old Ethan Sanders is a player of immense potential, having starred for NSW U19s. If given a start at 5/8, I think he’s capable of averaging around the 50-point mark that Ethan Strange did in the same position last season.</p>



<p>This would provide around 25-points of value, which would be hard to turn down.</p>



<p>The good news is that with the Raiders playing in Vegas, we’ll know before Nicho locks out as to whether Sanders claims the green machine’s no.6 jersey.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Form watch:</h2>



<p>Jarome Luai &#8211; Tigers &#8211; $582.2k (HFB/5-8)</p>



<p>Lachlan Ilias &#8211; Dragons &#8211; $348.5k</p>



<p>Jahrome Hughes &#8211; Storm &#8211; $805.2k</p>



<p>Luai is another I covered more in depth at the 5/8 watchlist. I’d prefer to wait and see how he settles into the Tigers.</p>



<p>Ilias comes in relatively affordable, priced at around 35 points. I think he’d need to have a prominent role in the Dragons attack to be worth investing in. Wait and see.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Jahrome Hughes was brilliant last season. He starts very expensive this season and the round 2 bye, followed by Penrith is a little off-putting. With his ability though you can&#8217;t entirely rule him out despite the high price to begin. &nbsp;</p>


Positional watchlist: Halfback targets for 2025

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