Burton open to taking a punt on NFL ‘down the track’
FIVE-EIGHTH
KAEO WEEKES FLB/5-8 $273K: This is the position I’m most worried about given it goes against conventional wisdom to pick two cheapies in a position with only one back up player. However, the cheapie crop here is particularly good, so here’s hoping these two fellas can get me through the opening rounds before an upgrade in round five or so. Weekes is favourite for vacated Jack Wighton’s five-eighth spot at the Raiders, where he would up his game time from 45 minutes as a bench utility at the Sea Eagles to 80 minutes.
LATU FAINU 5-8 $204K: 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, regarded as a generational player, 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).
Bulldogs star Matt Burton has no immediate plans on joining the NFL but says a move to the States could happen “down the track” after his agent revealed back in 2022 that scouts had approached him to take part in the combine as a punter.
The 23-year-old is locked in at Canterbury until the end of the 2027 season and is the guy they hope to build around as
CENTRE/WING
TAYLAN MAY CTW $458K: Stephen Crichton is a huge loss for the Panthers and May is heavily backed to take his centre spot or even jag a start on the wing. May had a stunning debut season in 2022, scoring 16 tries in 21 games and averaging 64 for SuperCoach. But he has been priced on a $200,000 discount after missing the entirety of last season with an ACL injury. Put simply, backline players at the allconquering Panthers are always good SuperCoach options, especially those who come at a discount. SUA FAALOGO FLB/CTW $339K: Looks like genuine superstar and is backed to start at fullback for round one at the Storm if Ryan Papenhuyzen doesn’t get up. Even if Pap plays, fingers crossed Faalogo can be blooded from the bench or, even better, on the wing. Produced a brilliant debut in round 27 and went on to star in two Tests for Samoa. 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 they look to end drought.
But Burton hasn’t ruled out a potential move to the NFL when his NRL career ends, with his booming boot already catching the eye of talent scouts who are impressed by his hang time and ability to belt the ball out of trouble.
Australian punters have done well in the NFL, with Mitch Wishnowsky getting ready to play for San Francisco their
favoured to score a role for round one. If so, he’s a serious option at the price.
ETHAN STRANGE 5-8/CTW $238K: The young gun looks a huge chance to play round one at the Raiders either in the five-eighth spot of Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs) or centre spot of Jarrod Croker (retired). A SuperCoach must-have if named in either position.
JOSH FELEDY CTW $238K: The departure of Tommy Talau (Manly) creates an opportunity at the Tigers and Feledy is a huge chance to step up. Pencilled in to our best 17 and would be impossible to ignore if the prediction comes true. KAYAL IRO CTW/FLB $219,900
The backline is far from settled at the Sharks with Kade Dykes and Iro snapping at the heels of Siosifa Talakai and Braydon Trindall in particular, while Connor Tracey has left the club. Iro has only played one NRL game so far but will add to that tally in 2024. KRYSTIAN MAPAPALANGI CTW $219K: A bit of a hitand-hope at this stage. The backline spot of Dominic Young (Roosters) is open finals and Mapapalangi is a chance after sitting out most of last year with a serious shoulder injury. That said, recruit Thomas Jenkins is most likely to score the spot at this stage but he’s way overpriced at $602,800 after some brilliant displays for the Panthers last year.
FULLBACK
KALYN PONGA FLB $892K: Lost dual position status but I don’t care. The Newcastle superstar finished with the Dally M and while his 2023 season will be hard to match, there is still an argument he’s underpriced. His worth is based on a season average of 87.44 but he averaged 105 once moving to fullback, his season average dragged down by an average of just 52 over the opening rounds at five-eighth and on the bench.
RYAN PAPENHUYZEN FLB $645K: Very hard to ignore at the price. Will get first dibs at the fullback role if fit. Produced one of the great SuperCoach seasons in 2022 and therefore started last year at a massive $950,000. But he’s scored a discount of over $300,000 this season after playing just two regular season games – one off the bench for 18 minutes and the other starting for 78 minutes. in the NFC Conference Championship for a spot in the Super Bowl.
“Maybe down the track,” Burton told the Lets Trot podcast.
“You never know.
“It’d be a mad job to go over there, kick the footy and get paid a motza.
“I’m a bit young now and it’s a big move. I don’t know.”
Burton has the boot to make it in the NFL, and his agent
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David Riolo revealed had noticed him.
“Look, that is not on our radar at this stage. He has been approached by scouts to do stuff like that (the NFL combine) and kick,” Riolo said on The Bye Round with James Graham back in 2022.
“He could do it tomorrow the way he kicks a ball, but he wants to play footy and he is only young and has goals.”
While his kicking game scouts is
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While Burton and Reed Mahoney are locked in, the spine will look very different with the likes of Blake Taaffe and Stephen Crichton fighting for the fullback spot, while there are several options to play halfback. “It’s obviously good having a lot of depth,” Burton said.