Draft Breakdown: Waiver-wire, trade targets, Rd 2

• WEEKLY WRAP: Round 1 highs, lows and shocks
• SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL: Round 2 question and answer podcast

Finding gold from the waiver-wire can be the difference between winning and losing a Draft championship.

Players found on the waiver-wire can often finish the year amongst the top scorers for the season – such as Harry Grant, Daniel Safiti, RFM, Pat Carrigan and Kurt Mann last year.

When looking at the waiver-wire, a general rule of thumb is to look at the minutes played by forwards and if there is potential for more minutes.

And when looking at backs, look at the base stats and potential attacking opportunities.

Let’s look at some of the gold on the waiver-wire for week one.

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WAIVER-WIRE TARGETS

Isaiah Papali’i (FRF/2RF)

Papali’I played 56 minutes off the bench for 64 points and 54 points in base stats.

More importantly, he looked amazing and was essential for the Eels.

The Eels will rely on his impact and should score 50-60 points consistently.

Lindsay Collins (FRF)

Collins played 62 minutes with 61 base points in round 1.

Although the Roosters blew out Manly and may have rested SST and JWH as a result, there are rumours that Collins will play big minutes this season.

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Jake Turpin (HOK)

As long as the Broncos keep a four forward bench, Turpin will be a good option.

He is a running hooker who gets through work and is a key man for the Broncos team.

The only issue is that if the Broncos keep losing, his minutes will be at risk and therefore may not see many scoring opportunities.

Herbie Farnsworth (CTW)

Another Bronco who scored well in round 1, with 37 points in base.

Farnsworth has the talent to be an amazing player, although he doesn’t play for the most potent team.

He is worth a waiver given his base and talent.

Tom Opacic (CTW)

Opacic is another CTW with great base stats, scoring 39 points in pure base in round 1.

Opacic will run hard all day and has the potential to benefit from the Eels strong attack.

He isn’t the most exciting CTW, but with his high base stats he won’t let you down.

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TRADE TARGETS

Trading in draft is about maximising value by trading players that are overperforming and targeting players that are underperforming.

Round 1 saw some SuperCoach guns of the past have some poor starts to the season.

Jason Taumalolo (2RF)

Lolo put up a horrible score of 36 points in 50 minutes for round 1 and got publicly embarrassed by his coach for his efforts.

He is too talented to score this poorly in the future and Payten knows what he is doing.

Lolo will be firing by Round 6 and is a great trade target.

Josh Papalii (FRF)

Like clockwork, Papalii traditionally starts the year slow and builds into bigger scores as the season goes on.

Since 2017, he has averaged 63-66 PPG consistently and if the Raiders are fighting for a top 4 spot, they will need big Papa at his best come the business end of the season.

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Kyle Flanagan (HFB/5-8)

Flanno was doing his best to carry the Dogs, scoring 78 points in wet conditions in a well beaten side.

Any attacking plays are going to have to come through Flanno and although he is in a rubbish team, it can only get better for Flanno.

SUPERCOACH TERMINOLOGY KEY

MPG = Minutes per game

PPG = Points per game

PPM= Points per minute

BPG = Base per game (point accrued in tackles + runs + missed tackles)

POD = Point of difference

3RA = Three round average

5RA = Five round average

BREAKEVEN (B/E) = The score a player must record to earn a price rise.

*Please note all our stats are taken from the geniuses at nrlsupercoachstats.com