Final Word: Key trade + tactical advice Rd 16

• CHAMPION PODS: Unique players to find an edge
• STAT ANALYSIS: Vital numbers to beat the best

We’re one week away from locking in head-to-head finals fixtures.

Everyone will be approaching this weekend’s matches differently as some hunt for a top four lifeline, and others throw a Hail Mary at reaching the top eight.

There’s some spectacularly one-sided match ups across the round, so there’s plenty of opportunity to make ground on rivals via POD trades or captaincy options.

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Weather

Forecasts suggest it’s sunny across the both NSW and QLD all weekend. We should have plenty of dry weather footy which is magnificent for SuperCoach scoring and makes all our lives a little easier.

Trades, trades, trades

With Api Koroisau out, Cam Smith will be a particularly popular trade in option this week.

Many SuperCoaches, myself included will be running Cam McInnes at hooker, so there’s a perfect avenue to Smith even if you don’t own Koroisau.

Personally, I’ll be moving on Luciano Leilua for the Storm skipper for that seriously enticing match up with the Sea Eagles on the Sunshine Coast.

It’s easy to say Smith is a must-have, as is teammate Cam Munster, but take a look at some of the priority targets this week to replace the likes of Jason Taumalolo and Koroisau all while Payne Haas remains sidelined.

Ryan Matterson has a breakeven of 32 so he’ll begin to make cash after dropping significantly. Many sold when he missed weeks and will be scrambling to recruit him.

John Bateman has another nice match up against the Bulldogs, while David Fifita is teasing at a big score soon, although the Roosters won’t make that easy.

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Basically, there may be a bit more PODworthiness to these guys than you think, so what’s the preferential order?

If you didn’t own any, I’d narrowly prioritise Munster first, followed by Smith. They have significantly higher breakevens than Matterson, but teams should be stacked enough that money shouldn’t be a huge issue.

Their ceiling, particularly Munster, looks very large this weekend.

South Sydney present a tough match up for Matterson, although with his base he is fixture proof.

I’m fortunate enough to own the lot (after recruiting Smith this week), so I’ll be getting Fifita for Taumalolo.

Prior to Round 16 kick off, Fifita is owned by just 10% of the top 100 and 19% of the top 20,000.

He’s returned in beastly form and can go very large. The Broncos throw their entire attack at Fifita and Kotoni Staggs on the right edge, so I’m hoping he jags some big numbers to make up for his base which is below the elite 2RFs.

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Round 16 match ups

I won’t specify teams as there’s plenty of lopsided match ups this week. The Roosters, Raiders, Panthers, Storm and Sharks all start as raging hot favourites.

Outside of the glaringly obvious Tedesco/Cleary types, guys like Brett Morris, Kyle Flanagan, Josh Mansour, Stephen Crichton and Ronaldo Mulitalo could all go large.

If Brett Morris is ruled out I’m seriously considering starting Ryan Hall in my CTW over David Nofoaluma. It seems like madness, but the Roosters could obliterate the Broncos, and Nofa may not get many opportunities against the Panthers.

Jack Gosiewski is currently named at centre for Manly. If he remains there, I assume on the right (unconfirmed though), Cam Munster and Josh Addo-Carr could have a field day.

However I think it’s more likely Albert Hopoate plays fullback and Tevita Funa returns to centre.

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Super PODs

Brett Morris

The obvious one of the week, owned by 1% of the top 100 all the way through to the top 20,000.

I had him locked in as a trade this week, before news surfaced he’s in doubt with a hip injury.

This news will likely keep others off though which is big should he actually play. He could notch his fifth ton in 12 games this week with ease.

The Roosters have tough games against the Raiders and Knights the next two weeks, so if you’re in a position to do so it may even be worth trading in for one week.

I considered this option with David Nofoaluma who plays the Sea Eagles next week, but the injury has scared me off.

Fellow Roosters winger Daniel Tupou is another enormous option for the same reasons listed above.

Brian To’o

I won’t go into detail as Dez Creek elaborates in his Champion PODs column, but the right edge for Penrith is a gold mine and To’o has next to no ownership due to his injury, along with a reassuring base of 30 per game.

Brent Naden

Everyone is looking at Mansour, Crichton and To’o, but what about Brent Naden? His base of 25 per game is only okay, but he boasts a respectable average of 53 points this season.

Penrith have a dream run home, and he’s already notched nine tries in 11 games.

He’s at very low ownership and plays on Cleary’s right edge, surely he’s worth a thought?

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Captains

I took control of the captain’s article this week with regular columnist Steve Heavener on a well earned rest, so check out my full thoughts there.

I’ll be locking in Teddy who I think will comfortably score 100+ against Brisbane.

Many will get close to a free shot at the vice-captain loophole this week, and what a week to have it!

VC Teddy, then skipper Cleary. Stacks won’t have that luxury and will go straight on Teddy, so it will make Cleary a relatively low selected skipper for that reason.

If you’re behind in your head-to-head clash and need a miracle, the Warriors have conceded the most SuperCoach points this season to centres.

Kalyn Ponga could shred their edges and go big, despite likely losing the kicking duties to Mason Lino.

He averages 72PPG this season with kicking taken out.

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Draftstars targets

The following players have altered roles in their sides for different reasons and should outscore their value as a result.

Jacob Host v Titans

Ryan Hall (if Morris is out) v Broncos

Mason Lino v Warriors

Briton Nikora v Cowboys

Josh McGuire v Sharks

Tom Eisenhuth v Sea Eagles