The new NRL season is right around the corner which means SuperCoach players are about to be busy scouring the market for the best buys to slot into their teams.
Not all the squad can be filled with star names though, with plenty of smart and cheap options required to build the best roster possible.
The Sporting News takes a look at some of the best 'cheapie' options available in NRL SuperCoach 2025.
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NRL SuperCoach 2025: Assessing the best cheapies to buy
Isaiah Iongi (Parramatta Eels) - FLB - $232,600
Isaiah Iongi is currently the consensus favourite cheapie option in SC.
The young gun, who moved from Penrith to Parramatta in the off-season, looks set for a run at fullback while being at a basement price.
In his only NRL appearance to date, the 21-year-old showcased a high work-rate as he clocked over 250 run metres from 19 carries for the Panthers.
However, there is a major downside to his acquisition as he is only available at FLB.
In the most stacked and important position in SC, that means players will have to go down one of two routes.
They either buy Iongi and use him as a cash cow to generate money, or they opt for three gun fullbacks thanks to the new 'Flex' spot and target points instead.
Savelio Tamale (Canberra Raiders) - CTW - $232,600
Savelio Tamale has been making a name for himself in reserve grade for the past few years, before uprooting himself from the Dragons and moving to Canberra in the off-season.
The 20-year-old led the NSW Cup last season for run metres, tackle busts and linebreaks which is exactly what is needed in SC.
The Raiders have lost a number of backline players with Jordan Rapana, Nick Cotric and James Schiller leaving the nation's capital.
If Tamale can grab a spot on either the wing or in the centres, he will be pretty hard to pass up to start the campaign at a basement price.
Demitric Vaimauga (New Zealand Warriors) - 2RF - $232,600
New Zealand were rocked just two months out from the start of the season with veteran and skipper Tohu Harris announcing his retirement.
Dylan Walker and Erin Clark are set to be the major winners from that, with one of them set to be handed the No.13 jersey.
However, his departure will also open the door for more opportunities off the bench at the Warriors, with Demitric Vaimauga set to be handed more minutes this season.
The boom backrower, who has made seven appearances across the past two years, could be about to enjoy a breakout season.
The 20-year-old notched scores of 39, 20, 48 and 8 last year after mostly appearing off the bench and receiving limited chances.
Sandon Smith (Sydney Roosters) - HFB/HOK - $237,600
The Roosters are strapped for options at the start of the year in the halves with veteran recruit Chad Townsend set to be paired alongside Sandon Smith.
The 22-year-old played just 14 games last season but his path to the starting side is now clear following Luke Keary’s exit and Sam Walker’s knee injury.
The sustained run before Walker’s return means Smith should be afforded a massive chance to stamp his authority on the team.
Smith started only a handful of games for the Chooks last season, with all of his other appearances coming via the bench.
Although when he did start, the playmaker showcased an ability to notch scores as he averaged 54.8 points per game (PPG) during his 80-minute matches.
Coupled with the chance of him taking over as the first-choice goal-kicker and the ability to utilise him in the HOK position as well and Smith suddenly becomes a must-have.
Jaxon Purdue (North Queensland Cowboys) - CTW - $257,000
North Queensland’s attack will have a different look to it this year following the exits of Kyle Feldt and Valentine Holmes.
The two mainstays will need to be replaced and Jaxon Purdue could be a young gun ready to step up.
The teenager played eight games during his maiden campaign in the NRL last year, with the majority of those coming off the bench.
In three games where he was handed extended minutes, Purdue notched scores of 60, 60 and 49 which makes him an enticing option if he is selected to start the season.
Peter Mamouzelos (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - HOK - $302,900
Damien Cook's departure has opened up the door for someone to grab his No.9 jersey.
Peter Mamouzelos is the obvious candidate after playing second fiddle to the veteran throughout much of last season.
The 24-year-old has been in the frame since making his debut for the Rabbitohs back in 2021, but his 18 appearances last season was more than he had managed to accumulate in the three previous years combined.
A contract extension was promptly handed out with the Greek international secured at Redfern until 2027.
He averaged 30.9PPG last season after mainly being utilised off the bench, but could experience a big boost to his minutes and attacking numbers - he recorded four try assists in 2024 - if Wayne Bennett selects him to be his first-choice hooker.
Blake Mozer (Brisbane Broncos) - HOK - $312,000
Which way will Michael Maguire lean when selecting his starting dummy-half to start the season?
Billy Walters has held the jersey for the past two years but he now faces a serious challenge from Blake Mozer, who just started to alert everyone to his potential late last year.
The youngster's scores were nothing to write home about due to limited minutes, but his ability to operate at around one point per minute is enticing if he manages to grab the No.9 jersey.
Mozer showcased a high work-rate through the middle in defence which is necessary for the HOK position, while there was also plenty of attacking upside as he registered one try, two assists, one try contribution, a linebreak and two linebreak assists.
Billy Smith (Sydney Roosters) - CTW - $317,200
Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu’s exits mean two spots in the backline have opened up at the Roosters, with Billy Smith and Robert Toia ($198,800) possibly major beneficiaries from the rebuild in Bondi.
Smith has been one of Trent Robinson’s favourites for years but has been struck down by injury after injury to see his career stall.
The talented 25-year-old has managed just 27 games in the NRL since making his debut for the Chooks in 2019.
He missed the entirety of last season but is now back on deck and could finally be set to make good on his potential.
The centre averaged 54PPG back in 2023 when he played 15 matches. Five of those games yielded scores of 70 points or more, hinting at his ability to go big at times.
NRL SuperCoach 2025: Watchlist for cheapie options
Loko Pasifiki-Tonga (St George Illawarra Dragons) - FRF - $198,800
It's no secret that St George Illawarra have limited options up front with prospect Loko Pasifiki-Tonga a possible long-term hold.
The big forward, who was part of the club's drought-breaking SG Ball-winning side, was handed a contract extension in the off-season with Shane Flanagan singing his praises.
"He’s big and mobile but he also does all the little things well," the coach said. "He’s got a good attitude, he trains hard and he’s a very focused individual."
The FRF position is a notoriously difficult spot to fill but Pasifiki-Tonga could present as one of the better cheapie options if the Dragons start to struggle through the middle.
Jesse McLean (Penrith Panthers) - CTW - $234,900
Jesse McLean looked set to be next in line for a spot on the wing late last year before injury ruled him out of the campaign. His younger brother, Casey, promptly grabbed the opportunity and ran with it at Penrith.
Casey bagged three tries in seven games, while catapulting himself onto the international scene with a four-try haul on his debut for the Kiwis.
The teenager has been priced accordingly at $443,000 but would represent a risk if he fails to take over from Sunia Turuva on the wing.
Therefore, Jesse McLean could be a watch and act to see if the 20-year-old is able to grab the vacant spot in the backline ahead of his brother.
Josh Schuster (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - 2RF - $265,100
Josh Schuster was the talk of the town in SC last year as his discounted price represented a prime cheapie opportunity. Yet the 23-year-old failed to make an appearance for Manly, before being released from his long-term deal.
South Sydney eventually took a chance on Schuster with Wayne Bennett backing himself to get the best out of the talented Samoan international.
However, after being a letdown in SC after previously scaling the heights in 2021 while playing on an edge for the Sea Eagles, he remains one to monitor for now.