NRL SuperCoach off-season study guide: Wayne Bennett yet again provides few opportunities Danny Buderus (R) has retired. IT'S ironic that the man labelled the "SuperCoach" produces sides that are notoriously horrible for SuperCoach. It's probably testament to Wayne Bennett's success as a coach that the load and talent in his teams are spread so evenly. But that's exactly what SuperCoaches shy away from, with dominant players all the rage. Further, Bennett's tactic of blooding youngsters slowly and generally later than other coaches (especially forwards), means quality cheapies rarely emerge from Bennett-coached sides. Even so, late-blooming winger Josh Mantellato could emerge as one of the cheapies of the year, but only if the Knights suffer backline injuries. In: Clint Newton (Panthers), Russell Packer (Warriors), Michael Dobson (Hull KR) Out: Danny Buderus (retired), Neville Costigan (Hull KR), Siuatonga Likiliki (Titans), Peter Mata'utia (Dragons), Kevin Naiqama (Panthers), Will Smith (Panthers) New contracts: Akuila Uate (2017), Robbie Rochow (2016), Korbin Sims (2015), Timana Tahu (2014), Adam Clydsdale (2016), David Fa'alogo (2014), Dane Gagai (2015), Matt Hilder (2014), Josh Mantellato (2014), James McManus (2016), Chanel Mata'utia (2014), Pat Mata'utia (2015), Sione Mata'utia (2015), Anthony Quinn (2014), Zane Tetevano (2015) Future to be decided: Mitchell Frei, Craig Gower, Rodney Mason, Chris Adams, Ryan Stig The race is on to replace veteran hooker Danny Buderus. And while competition will be fierce, SuperCoach opportunities are very unlikely to arise. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, Bennett tends to favour a two-hooker format these days, which does not provide enough game time for either No. 9 to match it with SuperCoach guns Cameron Smith, Robbie Farah and co, who play 80 minutes. Bench hookers are therefore SuperCoach suicide unless they produce a great point per minute rate - like James Segeyaro. The other reason is the limited SuperCoach credentials of contenders themselves. Lets' take a look: Kurt Gidley will be Bennett's first choice (if fit), but is not a SuperCoach option given injury history; Matt Hilder will start relatively cheap at approx $140,000. But he averaged 47 minutes last year, which leaves very little room for improvement given Bennett's two-hooker system; Adam Clydesdale has been labelled a young Cameron Smith and SuperCoaches will be crossing their fingers Bennett gives him a solid run. He'll start at a bargain basement price (probably $102,500), which will only go up. But even so, it's hard to see him making huge amounts of cash given the two hooker format and Bennett's insistence on blooding youngsters slowly; Craig Gower is battling a serious neck injury and likely to retire. In any case, he's not a SuperCoach factor; Travis Waddell will start at approx $135,000 and is therefore not a genuine cheapie. Further, he averaged 40 minutes in 10 games last year, which doesn't leave room for price rises. Josh Mantellato on debut. Josh Mantellato: Judging on his one NRL performance last year and a few great showings in the Rugby League World Cup for Italy, this bloke can seriously play. His single top grade match last season (when he scored 59) won't incur a price rise, meaning he'll start at bottom dollar. Named in the 2013 NSW Cup Team of the Year and rated one of the best goalkickers in the country, Mantellato will be an instant SuperCoach hit ... if he gets an extended run in the top grade. And while the 25-year-old wouldn't make a very-settled best 17 at this stage (see below), he only needs one top grade player to go down before he earns a call-up, with perennial Newcastle back-up Kevin Naiqama (Panthers) having left the club. That said, veterans Timana Tahu and Anthony Quinn, who both spent most of last year injured or in NSW Cup, may come into contention. Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joseph Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley, Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Matt Hilder, Russell Packer, Chris Houston, Alex McKinnon Beau Scott. Beau Scott: The tough forward has been a SuperCoach performer in the past given his dual backline/backrow status. But given injuries, ailing work rate and the switch to an attack-oriented points system, Scott is no longer a SuperCoach buy. Predicted start price: $160,000. 2013 average: 39. Kurt Gidley: Plenty of SuperCoaches got sucked in by the Newcastle veteran last year. And fair enough, if you take a look at his stats. In 2008, he averaged 90 (2nd in the comp). In 2009, he averaged 82 (7th in the comp). In 2010, he averaged 87 (4th in the comp). In 2011, he averaged 77 (9th in the comp). But in the last two seasons he's played just 19 games at an average in the mid-40s. That is unlikely to improve following his move to hooker. There is also the possibility he relinquishes the kicking duties to Tyrone Roberts or Mantellato. Predicted start price: $195,000. Predicted 2014 average: 42. Kurt Gidley has a long injury history.