Croker’s Call: Top score gives hope for finals footy

• CHAMPION PODS: Unique players to find an edge
• FINAL WORD: Key trade and tactical advice

After a lean few weeks, Croker’s Stockmen hit back in big fashion in Round 15.

We notched one of our best rounds of the year with 1,329 points, earning me a win over the SC Spy and keeping my top eight bid alive.

It sent my rank up to 20,446, so I’m on the verge of cracking the top 20k.

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I had the top score of the round in the SC Playbook league, so there’s vast improvement from the fellas.

I’m sitting in 9^th, right on the verge of the eight, but an ordinary for-and-against isn’t in my favour.

I need a big win over Catfish, apparently another former SuperCoach winner, to get me into the eight, so hopefully I can produce another big upset.

Last week I had Cook 93, Mansour 118, Luai 110, Matterson 115 and Cleary 99 all hit their straps for me.

Unfortunately I played new recruit Starford To’a who copped a HIA and missed the majority of the match for 7 points.

I also produced a fairly rookie move by failing to bench Shaun Johnson when he was ruled out late which didn’t help.

Onto Round 16.

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LUKE KEARY to CAMERON MUNSTER

Keary was injured a few weeks back and needs to be moved on from my side. Cam Munster is a pretty fair replacement I’d have to say.

Melbourne welcome back Cam Smith, Jahrome Hughes and their livewire five-eighth. After a few weeks out he’ll be buzzing to get back on the park.

A day game in Queensland against an injury hit Manly points to a day out for Munster. Hopefully he fires up for his debut for the Stockmen.

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JASON TAUMALOLO to NATHAN BROWN

Unfortunately big JT went down and is out for a while. It gives me plenty of money to play with for this week. In comes Parramatta wrecking ball Nathan Brown who has put a troubled run of injuries and suspensions behind him for the time being and is looking in terrific form.

He’s getting strong minutes in an already stacked pack in a show of Brad Arthur’s belief in him.

I’m backing him to come in and continue that run of form and help get me into finals footy in my debut SuperCoach season.

CAPTAINS

My captain will be James Tedesco this week who is due for a high score. He gets key men back from injury this week and will thrive as a result.

Brisbane’s off-field woes may have a big impact on field, and the ruthless Roosters are a side who won’t take much pity as they look to play themselves back into form.

We saw what they did against the Tigers last week with men out.

My vice-captain will be Cameron McInnes who will do his usual in regards to a high work rate, but hopefully this is the week he finds his way to a try to boost his score beyond 100.

Good luck to everyone in Round 16!