We love looking for a good deal.
But you don't have to look far to find a cheap price in 2024.
There is an exciting range of beginners on the market, making it easier than ever to splash out some money on the big players.
News Corp journalist Pamela Wylie shares her Supercoach team, spending money on the best in the game without compromising on quality and balance across the pitch.
Prostitutes
Harry Grant Hawke $750,000, Jayden Brayley $330,000
Melbourne hooker Harry Grant is almost a must if you want to score big on a regular basis. It's expensive, but it's worth it. Jayden Brayley is expected to return to dummy-half for the Knights and is an 80-minute player, so he should be a consistent contributor as a group and forget the bench option.
Front row
Payne Haas FRF $750,400, Robin Cotter FRF/2RF $542,700, Ethan Roberts FRF/2RF $204,300, Jesse Colquhoun FRF/2RF $238,900
Payne Haas is another player you should own. His work rate and consistency means that even with its hefty price tag, you get the quality you need in this valuable position. Robin Cotter's versatility and work ethic make him capable of delivering big results but also a differentiator, while Ethan Roberts (Roosters) and Jesse Colquhoun (Sharks) are highly rated rookies who have every chance of playing first grade this year.
Second row
Tino Fa'asumaleaui FRF/2RF US$791,500, Sean Bloor 2RF US$445,800, Jeremiah Nanai 2RF US$583,500, Samuela Fainu 2RF US$263,000, Kay Pierce Paul 2RF US$345,000, Miles Martin 2RF/FRF US$204,300
Tino's dual position allows you to squeeze him and Haas – the two best strikers in the game – into one team without overloading on cheap players in one class. Blore's move to Melbourne bears all the hallmarks of a Craig Bellamy strike, but his numbers were already solid for the Tigers last year. Nanai has missed a lot of action in 2023, but if he stays fit he can go big. For the Cheaps, Samuela Finu is a rising star who is certain to get game time, while Englishman Kai Pierce-Ball will be important for the Knights when he returns from injury. Myles Martin is a young player with a lot of potential, who can sneak in some games.
Half back
Nathan Cleary HFB $912,500, Chanel Harris Taffeta HFB $238,900
After his grand final performance, Nathan Cleary should be the first player selected in any team. Real or imaginary? Chanel Harris-Tavita returns to the Warriors after a season spent on the sidelines, but if he can find his way into the Top 17, he has a chance to rediscover his best self.
Five eighths
Luke Brooks 5/8/HFB $560,300, Kayo Weekes 5/8/FLB $273,400
Daly Cherry-Evans is the man who has freed up Luke Brooks to play his best and we could see the best of him in 2024 at Manly. With money being spent elsewhere on the game's best players, Brooks is a mid-range option with plenty of potential to make money during the season. Weekes, who is expected to feature in the halves in Canberra, is another value-for-money pick with a price bump or two in him.
Centre/Wing
Roger Tuivasa Schick CTW $539,600, Tolutau Koula FLB $581,400, Taylan May CTW $458,800, Sua Faalogo FLB/CTW $339,000, Jesse McLean CTW $245,000, Josh Felidi $238,900, Ethan Strange CTW/5/ 8 238,900 USD
He won a Dally M Medal with the Warriors at fullback, but even if he moves to midfield as expected, there is plenty of ground in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. It's one of the most exciting players to ever lace up the shoe, and its mid-range price makes it a great choice for big points in the CTW category. Tolutau Koula has a hefty price tag, but big things are expected from Manly's young star this year, while Taylan May (Panthers) and Sua Faalogo (Storm) have every chance of earning starting spots and lighting up the competition.
The linebacker
Kalen Ponga FLB $892,800 USD, Ryan Papenhuizen FLB $645,600 USD
If Nathan Cleary is selected first, Kalen Ponga is second. The Newcastle full-back was the player of the season in 2023, and if he can repeat that form throughout the entire year this year, he will be worth every cent of his high price. There are question marks over Ryan Papenhausen this season, but he is worth the risk in case he gets a change of fortune and returns to his best.
Originally published as Pam Whaley's NRL SuperCoach squad reveals: benefit from Storm recruit Shawn Blore
