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19
Sep
Round 1 Scout
SuperCoach NBL: Who to Buy, Hold, Sell & Captain in Round 1
SuperCoach NBL – Buy I Hold I Sell I Captain
Featured
Only two clubs play twice in Round 1, and that one fact has shaped almost every squad in the game.
- Only New Zealand and South East Melbourne play twice in Round 1
- Josiah-Jordan James is the must-sell after a hamstring injury
- First lockout is 7.30pm AEST Saturday, September 19, 2026
Red Alert: Nathan Sobey ($379,600) will miss South East Melbourne Phoenix's clash against the Perth Wildcats on Saturday, September 19 (tonight). His status for the second of the Phoenix's round 1 double-header is now uncertain.
The 36-year-old shooting guard averaged 36.6 SuperCoach points last season and was projected to hit 63 points.
He is now a must-sell for all SuperCoaches that have him in the line-up. But it opens up more minutes for NBL Next Star Dash Daniels ($115,000), who is now owned by more than 40% of SuperCoaches (for good reason).
INJURY NEWS
- @brentcostelloeIn is reporting Josh Bannan ($317,500) and Anthony Drmic ($97,800) are likely to be game-time decisions for Monday’s season opener against South East Melbourne while Ben Ayre ($117,700) a few weeks away from returning.
- @WillCrouch9 is reporting both Isaac Humphries ($265,300) (Knee) and John Jenkins ($152,100) (Back) will not play in Saturday night's season opener against Melbourne United.
- @OlgunUluc is reporting Nathan Sobey ($379,600) (back) is out for the SEM Phoenix vs the Perth Wildcats. Brandon Knight ($277,000) and Jaron Rillie ($177,100)(lower leg) are both out for the Wildcats.
- @NBLPleb is reporting Cheapie Daniel Grida ($92,300) is out with a calf injury and won't play in Round 1.
Every SuperCoach as a strategy – Day Trader, Hedger and Holder – and it shapes the first edition of Buy I Hold I Sell I Captain of SuperCoach NBL Classic ahead of the first lock out of NBL27.
The Round 1 Double-Headers have shaped the "Buys" with New Zealand Breakers stars Sam Mennenga ($303,100) and Parker Jackson-Cartwright ($405,200) two of the most owned players. The Breakers have Illawarra on Sunday and the Bullets on Tuesday.
More than four in 10 SuperCoaches have picked up Cheapie dual position FWD / CTR Hunter Goodrick ($69,000) given South East Melbourne Phoenix twice in round 1: Perth on Saturday and Tasmania on Monday
BUY
Players to bring inBuy in Round 1 is dependent on your strategy. Below is the list of the most owned players ahead of Round 1's lockout. Eight (in bold) of the Top 15 play double-headers in Round 1 so the strategy is clear for a bulk of SuperCoaches.
- Sam Mennenga ($303,100) - 51.1%
- Hunter Goodrick ($69,000) - 43.9%
- Parker Jackson-Cartwright ($405,200) - 35.8%
- Dash Daniels ($115,000) - 35.2%
- Anthony Dell'Orso ($100,000) - 31.3%
- Akech Aliir ($125,300) - 28.3%
- Ben Gold ($69,000) - 27.5%
- Sunday Dech ($69,000) - 27.0%
- Luke Travers ($292,900) - 23.2%
- Bryce Cotton ($473,900) - 21.4%
- Skylar Mays ($277,000) - 21.0%
- Cole Anthony ($300,000) - 21.0%
- Sam Froling ($228,200) - 20.3%
- Tanner Krebs ($150,300) - 19.2%
- Reuben Te Rangi ($97,100) - 19.1%
Word on the street is hardcore players are focused on PJC and Mennenga for round 1 before selling PJC into six-time MVP Bryce Cotton ($473,900).
The 36ers have three straight double headers – Round 2, 3, and 4 – but you'll need money in the bank given the near $68K price difference.
HOLD
Players to keepCash Cows with double-headers are the sweet spot for "Hold" as SuperCoaches prepare for Head to Head leagues with momentum.
- Milton Doyle $274,700 (Illawarra) – Four doubles, Rounds 2, 3, 4 and 6.
- Josh Oduro $277,000 (Melbourne United) – Three doubles, Rounds 3, 4 and 6.
- Nick Rakocevic $188,400 (Adelaide) – Three doubles, Rounds 2, 3 and 4.
- Arnas Velicka $277,000 (Brisbane) – Two doubles, Rounds 3 and 6.
- Max Mackinnon $200,000 (Brisbane) – Two doubles, Rounds 3 and 6.
- Elijah Pepper $202,700 (Perth) – One double, Round 2.
Doyle is going to be the primary option for Hawks and his price will surely go up while Josh Oduro will require some patience given Melbourne United don't double up until Round 3 but his price is unders.
SELL
Players to move onJosiah-Jordan James ($277,000) is a must sell if you have him your team. The New Zealand Breakers forward has a hamstring injury and is out four to six weeks at a minimum.
The NBL Injury Tracker is the perfect resource ahead of lockout. Do not have any of these players in your team if you've hit Buy. They're heading into Round 1 under injury clouds, are out or done for the season.
- Adelaide 36ers: Matt Kenyon ($69,000) I Bul Kuol ($156,100)
- Brisbane Bullets: Sam McDaniel ($127,600) I Taine Murray ($99,700)
- Cairns Taipans: Jaylin Galloway ($196,400) I Kyrin Galloway ($176,000) I Luke Paul ($115,000)
- Illawarra Hawks: Daniel Grida ($92,300) is out with a calf injury and won't play in Round 1.
- Melbourne United: Shea Ili ($175,300) I Sean Macdonald ($159,500)
- New Zealand Breakers: Josiah-Jordan James ($277,000)
- Perth Wildcats: Jaron Rillie ($177,100) I Marley Sam ($58,500)
- South East Melbourne Phoenix: Nathan Sobey ($379,600) I Daniel Foster ($75,600)
- Sydney Kings: Keli Leaupepe ($145,200)
- Tasmania JackJumpers: Ben Ayre ($117,700) I Bryce Hamilton ($293,100) I While Josh Bannan and Anthony Drmic are likely to be game-time decisions for Monday’s season opener against South East Melbourne
CAPTAIN
Armband candidatesThe tribe has spoken and SuperCoaches are going with what they know: Parker Jackson-Cartwright ($405,200) is the go-with-what-you-know option. But Phoenix point guard Skylar Mays ($277,000) is flying under the radar. He's almost a Point of Difference (POD) choice before the first jump ball of the season.
Mays played both Phoenix games at the NBL27 Blitz – 28 and 29 – so 57 across the two, averaging 28.5 in just under 26 minutes per game. The $128K price difference, and hedge on Bryce Cotton ($473,900) heading into Round 2 is a solid option if you don't own PJC.
Mays is also a potential Cash Cow at the entry-level import price. The Phoenix have double-headers in alternate rounds to start the season: Round 1; Round 3; and Round 5.
Given more than five in 10 coaches own Sam Mennenga ($303,100) there is a solid chance he'll be a choice of captain for scores of SuperCoaches.
These are three obvious candidates to start your campaign with a solid score.
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