Final Word: Rd 10, key trade + tactical advice

• BYE GUIDE: Who to target in make-or-break rounds
• STAT ANALYSIS: Vital numbers to beat the best

Magic Round hasn’t been too kind so far to Supercoaches in the lead up with some massive outs for the weekends games. 

Given the two weeks out of David Fifita and his current price he is almost certainly one trade that almost all Supercoaches will be making. 

I’ve been considering this relevant question all week. Who scores the most points for the rest of the year out of Isaiah Papali’i, Ryan Matterson and Tohu Harris? Because that’s who I want to bring in. 

I’m leaning towards Tohu even though the other two players play the first bye round in Round 13. 

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Munster, Ponga and Grant are also huge outs and coupled with Adam Doueihi being named at centre it makes for some pontification from Supercoaches. I have Ponga so it’s an easy decision to go from him straight to Tommy Turbo. 

Match-ups in this Magic Round are very interesting. The Panthers have a juicy match up against the Fifita-less Titans, however other top of the table teams like the heavily depleted Storm and Eels have tricky match-ups v St. George and Warriors respectively. 

Probably more so than any other week the choice of captain and team selection could be absolutely critical in differentiating yourself from the pack. Good luck to all Supercoaches and enjoy a great round of attacking footy and big Supercoach scoring hopefully!

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PODs & Super PODS 

After nine rounds here’s the players I’ve identified as PODs (Point of Difference players – less than 10% owned) and Super PODS (less than 2% owned) that should be on your radar. 

I’ve listed them in ranking order of who I believe is the best to take the risk on: 

PODs (My top 5 ranked) 

1. Jahrome Hughes – In fifth last week in my POD rankings, Hughes has rocketed into first on the back of his third score of 100+ in the last four weeks. His 4-week average is 106. With no Munster, Grant, Cheese and possibly Papi where else do Storm find points from? Surely a good buy this week and plays Round 13 bye round.  

2. Jason Taumololo – Maybe a little high up the rankings after his start to the season and Todd Payton’s comments about limiting his minutes. Or maybe Payton has realised Lolo wins games when he plays big minutes. A repeat of the 71 minutes and the big man will be quickly out of POD territory. Get in early I say. 

3. Ryan Matterson – I feel like most Supercoaches would have him first in their rankings and will be very heavily traded in this week. Back-to-back 80 minute performances for 60 and 85 is a decent indication Matto is back to the player we know and love. 

4. Tyson Gamble – I’m not sure I’m overly high on Gamble, but scores of 60 and 55 are solid. I’m not certain he has much more than that, but certainly if he can keep those scores up he will probably make owners significant amounts of cash.  

5. Luke Thompson – A model of consistency scoring 83, 65, 65, 55 and 66 in his five games so far this year. A shining light for the Bulldogs this year and their only Supercoach relevant player.  

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Super PODs (My top 5 ranked)

1. Liam Martin – It’s a bit left field but in the same vein as the Nicho Hynes play about three weeks ago and hasn’t that paid off. Coming off 2 x 70’s and with a BE of -8 the best Super POD on the board for mine. He gets the start at 2RF this week with Capewell out and is definitely a play this week. Even if Capewell returns you can sit him on the bench the next two games if you have depth in 2RF and then play him in Round 13. 

2. Adam Doueihi – Surely he plays five-eighth and not centre? Time will tell.  

3. Herbie Farnworth – The Broncos outside backs haven’t really interested me this year even though Isaako would’ve been a superb buy if you bought and held. Farnworth looks a serious player and I like his base and potential upside.

4. Thomas Flegler – 57 SC points from 45 minutes last week. All minutes dependant for Flegler because we know he is a high PPM player. IF Walters commits to him for a 50+ minute stint then he is almost a must. Big IF.    

5. Phoenix Crossland – Want to zig when everyone else is zagging? Lots of Supercoaches will be bringing in Gamble this week downgrading from maybe a Munster, Schuster or Watson. I would argue that Crossland is a better proposition with way more upside with the Knights upcoming draw. Surely he keeps his spot over Blake Green? 

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CLOSE WATCH

New segment listing the players to keep a close watch on over the next month for their Supercoach prospects:

1. Api Koroisau – Not quite a trade-in yet, but Api is definitely a close watch given his form on return and the Panthers favourable draw. Api is going to come under serious consideration as a trade in over the next few weeks for the Round 13 bye. 

ROUND 10 MATCH-UPS 

Suncorp is notorious for providing a dry track perfect for expansive attacking footy and some of these match ups this weekend have huge Supercoach scores written all over them. The players I think matchup well Supercoach wise are: 

Bradman Best v the Tigers frail right hand side defence.

Bailey Simmonsson gets a crack at the Bulldogs who look like they’ve just about had enough already this year. The left wing is the Raiders go-to side. 

The buy of the year Isaiah Papali’i gets a revenge game against his old club the Warriors and looks set to be running at Kodi Nikorima. Surely they swap Niko and CHT sides in defence. 

I could name just about the whole Panthers team coming up against the Titans Sunday night to round out the Magic Round. It is such a juicy match up against the most porous defence of the Titans. Cleary, Luai, Martin, Kikau, Burton, Staines, To’o, Crichton, Api, JFH could all be in for huge games. 

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CAPTAIN

I’m pretty sure the go-to play this week now that Ponga is out will be for owners to VC Turbo and then C on Cleary. Cover yourself against a Turbo onslaught and wait the whole weekend for Cleary to bring it home for you. If you’re chasing the pack and want to play it risky then Cody Walker, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes, Brian To’o and Jarome Luai are all left field options. 

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TOPSPORT BETs of the WEEK

2021 – ROI (Return on Investment) = +14% 

• • 2021 Results based on $10 per bet. $400 bet. $456.10 return. 

$56.10 profit. 

Round 9 Punting Recap 

After two weeks in a row of no wins, the pressure was on and the try to Josh Curran @ $4.50 made sure the weekend was salvaged. The Tigersdismal effort cost us the last leg of the multi paying just over $9 and whilst Coates and Feldt did the job getting over thetryline but TPJ again left us one leg short. 

Round 10 Best Bets (Odds courtesy of TopSport) 

Multi – Storm win/Roosters win/Warriors +7.5/Panthers -20 @ $5.28

Alternate Handicap Bet – Panthers -37.5 @ $6

Margin Bet – Panthers by 51+ points @ $29 

To score a try multi – B Simonsson/D Tupou/J Hughes/L Martin @ $35

Gamble responsibly.

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