Weekly Wrap: Round 8 highs, lows and shocks

Send offs, sin-bins and a SuperCoach Bankwest stunner, the weekend had everything.

After a couple of poor showings we were treated to a Thursday night special, then watched on as Maika Sivo and Clint Gutherson tore apart the Cowboys right edge.

It was looking like a weekend of huge scores until Sunday rolled around and the likes of Ponga, Best and AFB hit the skids.

With less injuries this week, compared to the last couple, trades this week might be made based on choice, rather than forced moves.

Tune into this week’s SC Playbook podcast too as you will hear The Spy give yours truly a shout out.

He bravely bet against me and said he would have the higher score than me come the end of Round 8.

I had a 100 point start on him and ended 297 points clear. Unless the guy counting Tedesco’s Round 8 score can help, I’m a clear winner.

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Storm v Roosters

Where do we start with that game? One of the best of the last 20 years without doubt.

We put SuperCoach thoughts aside and just enjoyed what a spectacular game of rugby league that was.

Until the computers at Fox Lab had a mini meltdown and upgraded Tedesco from 70 to 108!?

Even as an owner I’m perplexed as to how on earth Teddy updated to over 108.

Crichton just keeps improving on the right edge but might be too expensive now at just over 700k.

If anyone picked him up in Round 3 at 530k well done, and can you DM me some other guns that may explode of the next few weeks?

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Raiders v Dragons

Much like the game itself, it didn’t have much going for it SuperCoach wise.

Cam McInnes banged out another 70+ score and currently sits in 3rd spot in averages for 2RF for the year.

Lomax owners were again rewarded with another try and 76 points.

He now has a three game average of 77 but has scored in each of those games.

With his price now at 500k it’s a tough call for owners. Take the cash and downgrade or ride it out and hope he continues to score tries?

Papalii may now be worth serious consideration with injuries to Soliola and Guler with the forward stocks wearing a bit thin in the nation’s capital.

He only scored 48, but that could be set to jump if Sticky can’t convince a couple of security guards at Mooseheads to play front-row.

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Eels v Cowboys

An absolute explosion of points here from both Maika Sivo and Clint Gutherson scoring 166 and 145 respectively.

I death rode Gutherson early in the year, describing him as the worst best player in the comp.

But the Eels look a serious team, even without Moses – and he is a huge part of that.

The added responsibility of goal-kicking sees him become a serious POD in the fullback position over the likes of Latrell and Holmes.

Sivo banged out a quiet 146 scoring four tries with his opposing winger Kyle Feldt taking social distancing to a new level as he stayed well away from the Fijian powerhouse.

He will go up in price significantly, but is still a serious thought moving forward.

Matterson, much like the Israelites in the early days of Judaism, looks like he needs Moses as he had one of his quietest games of the year managing only 64 points.

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Titans v Sharks

All those who rushed to get SJ in weren’t all that disappointed as he set up two tries and kicked 6/7 to finish with 78.

Blake Brailey outscored SJ though and continues to make money for owners who have stuck solid.

A quick well done to John Morris who seems to have gotten the best out of Andrew Fifita.

He looks back to his 2016 offloading, tackle breaking best, albeit in a bit bigger jumper.

He is currently at $444k which is about what the Sharks spend on rehab for Matt Moylan’s hamstring.

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Warriors v Broncos

Payne Haas, thank you! After a quiet couple of weeks he was back to his best, banging out 90 without an attacking stat!

Carrigan’s little holiday didn’t seem to slow him down as he tackled his way to 75.

In a side that has lacked any attacking flair most of the year, Ken Maumalo went over for two tries to notch his first 100+ score of the year whilst Tohu Harris makes things interesting in the 2RF stakes averaging over 70 and is another POD option.

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Panthers v Tigers

Didn’t this game have some feeling! I was expecting a high-scoring, free flowing game, and it looked that way four minutes in.

But unfortunately for me and a lot of others, the wrong half did all the playmaking with Jarome Luai racking up 81 on a very dominant left edge for Penrith whilst Cleary became a spectator. Not great as a captain option either!!

I’m not sure whether we could call what Joey Leilua did a brain fade because that would imply he would have a brain to begin with.

Joey’s little spell might actually be good news for Nofoaluma owners as he will likely see a lot more ball!

He finished the night with 40 but had to do it all himself as Joey dummied and shimmied his way back infield away from Nofo.

Api Koroisau won the battle of the hookers, edging out Grant by 14 points and might still be in final 17s come season’s end.

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Sea Eagles v Knights

The less said about this game the better! As a Manly tragic it was tough viewing. As a Best and Ponga owner it was even worse.

Best just didn’t get too many chances out wide and for some reason, Ponga isn’t injecting himself into the game as much.

His night was cut short due to a HIA but even prior to that he barely looked threatening.

AFB did his best to out dumb Leilua, kindly telling the referee he got the last decision wrong and was subsequently sent off after the full time siren.

Bulldogs v Rabbitohs

Another Sunday night, another Bulldogs game. Most sides had wrapped up scoring by the time this match rolled around.

I flirted with the decision to bring in Latrell for this matchup but thankfully I put the beer down and didn’t go ahead with that trade.

I went with Cook over Api and boy did that hurt. He looks a shadow of his former running self and barely looks threatening around the ruck.

If he can stick to making the 40 odd tackles a game and incorporate an attacking play into his game he is well worth it.

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