Weekly Wrap: Highs, lows and shocks, Rd 11

The Supercoach scoring beast just rolls on! Last week we saw some massive scores, but I think we might have eclipsed that this week.

Turbo and Cleary are just on another level, whilst players like Burton, Hynes, Holmes, To’o and TPJ all went large.

If you listened to all the sage advice and kept the C on Cleary you would be flying high, unfortunately I went the Teddy v the Broncos option which backfired. Surreal to think a captain scoring 97 is a failure, but that’s the Supercoach world we are living in right now.

We can plan for trades all we want, but the end say will now come down to the Match Review Panel!

A massive 29 charges from the weekend, we now have to consider players may be missing for weeks with suspensions. So far players such as Crichton, Capewell, RCG, Radley, Taumalolo and Lodge are all looking at bans. Incredibly, TPJ has yet to be suspended. I’m giving him 3 more weeks before he gets an NRL imposed holiday.

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Cowboys v Knights

I’m not sure what’s going on with the minutes that both Barnett and Watson are getting, but they may not last until round 13!

Both only played 42 and 41 minutes respectively and managed 44 points each. It’s a far cry from early rounds when Barnett was the most popular trade target. The obvious return of Fitzgibbon is playing a part, but holding for Round 13 has backfired spectacularly for the pair.

Val Holmes put on another clinic and averages a tick over 85 when playing at home. A massive POD play for the post Origin period. He had a field day sweeping out the back on a shoddy Knights defence.

Taumalolo has a date with the judiciary unfortunately for any owners with the lock set to spend a week on the sidelines if he takes the early plea. He fell back to his old ways with only 42 points after a couple big weeks. There’s much better options out there at this stage of the year.

Minute watch: Taumalolo 60 (sin-bin), Klemmer 40, Fitzgibbon 63, Watson 41, Barnett 42

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Warriors v Tigers

I’m already stressing about next year and trying to fit Turbo, Teddy, Papi, Ponga and now Reece Walsh into my two fullback spots!! What a star he is. He’s a good looking rooster with a great salad, he will be the face of the game in years to come.

He banged out a monster 129 points but I doubt many reading this would have him in their sides. He could shape as a massive play over the Origin period.

71 points for Mr Consistency Tohu Harris. His lowest score this year has been 66 which he has scored on two occasions. Apart from that, not one score under 72. I’ll be a happy man when I am able to move Barnett onto Harris.

Adam Doueihi was kept quiet which wasn’t in the plans for owners. He knocked out only 45 points, despite scoring 20 of those points in goal kicks. He takes on the Panthers in Round 13 which would have owners very worried.

Minute watch: Tohu 80, Blore 15, Simpkin 19, Liddle 61

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Sharks v Dragons

The NRL must have been working closely with Service NSW to get more people out and about using their Dine and Discover vouchers after deciding to put this match on at 8pm on Friday night.

An overcooked steak paid for by Gladys would have been better than sitting through this one.

There weren’t too many Supercoach relevant players running around but yours truly pulled the trigger on Jack Bird as a POD play with the dual position making for an enticing trade. He has repaid me with scores of 40 and 39. Might need to get Brand Power on board as a consultant to help me buy better.

Minute watch: Faamausili 48

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Titans v Bulldogs

An AJ Brimson masterclass was enough for the Titans to hold off a fast-finishing Bulldogs outfit who, if you ask their fans, are happy they scored 20 points. It’s the little wins.

Brimson was superb for the Titans finishing with 90, as was Fotuaika who notched up 102 with a try-assist.

Brian Kelly too finally repaid owner’s faith with 93, his first score of 73 this year. He plays Melbourne in round 13, but his attacking ability is as good as any centre in the competition.

For the Bulldogs, Luke Thompson continues to show massive promise with a try and 92 points. He is available in both FRF and 2RF and will play Round 17. I’d be wary chasing his points but having him in your NPRs would be a bonus.

Minute watch: Fotuaika 60, Fa’asuamaleaui 65, Thompson 45

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Roosters v Broncos

I’m not sure what was in Victor Radley’s Gatorade before he ran out on Saturday night, but a sip of that on a slow Monday might just be the tonic to get through. He spent more time talking to the referee than playing it seems and now will likely spend time on the sidelines.

It was a massive boilover that made a huge difference to the weekend’s Supercoach scores. Sam Walker was near non-existent scoring only 11 with some putting the captaincy on him which means big dirty red arrows I’d be guessing.

James Tedesco went 97 in a well beaten side and is starting to show that form of early rounds. He will now play Origin, so I’m guessing they may rest him for a match or 2.

Owners of both Crichton and Tupou would have thought 100+ scores at a minimum, but Brisbane turned up to play. Crichton finished with 87 but has been charged and may miss the next 2 weeks. If he is unsuccessful he is a sell.

For the Broncos, TPJ was huge and relished the opportunity to take it to the Roosters pack. He bounced back with 93 to inspire his side to victory. He plays the Dragons in round 13 which just warms the heart of owners.

Minute watch: Crichton 80, Tupouniua 66 (HIA), Radley 57 (2x sin-bin), Taukeiaho 46, Lodge 50 (sin-bin), Haas 62, TPJ 80, Flegler 38, Palasia 80

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Raiders v Storm

Nicho Hynes, what can’t the man do? There’s a very happy author of this article after I traded in the Melbourne utility for the matchup.

A massive 138 points with a three round average of 138. He will cost you a pretty penny to bring in – $725k – but he does have a negative 16 breakeven. These new rules are made for ball playing fullbacks. Brett Stewart would be worth 1.2 million if he was playing today.

Brandon Smith was also huge through the middle, showing the rest of the hookers in the competition how to run the ball and set tries up. In a position that has been very underwhelming, Smith has been one of the pick of the hookers. He knocked out a season high 106.

CHN has shown what a good pickup he has been for owners with 69 points. He’s very consistent and seems to have now locked down the back-row spot for the Raiders.

Minute watch: Harawira-Naera 80, James 29, B.Smith 60, Welch 51

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Rabbitohs v Panthers

A sunny afternoon in Dubbo, a wet Sunday afternoon or a dewy Thursday night, Nathan Cleary can do it anywhere. He could even do it on a frosty Tuesday night down at the Cooma Showground.

I’m one of those doubters who thought surely he can’t score huge against the Rabbitohs, but this Penrith side and Cleary are on another level.

He becomes the first ever million dollar man of Supercoach, costing $1,008,800 and has a negative breakeven. Although Origin is looming, if you get rid of him, you may need to visit a mortgage broker to get him back in.

What his electric form has done over the past fortnight though has taken a fair bit of ball away from Luai. The form five-eighth three weeks ago, he has been starved of the footy and Sunday showed with a score of only 41. He now has only one score over 65 in the past five weeks.

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Whilst I have an audience, in addition to trading Hynes in I also traded Burton in, so I’m telling anyone that will listen what a good week of trades I had. The local lad Burton had a day out scoring three tries finishing the day with 123. He will play halfback in Round 13 so he looks a great move. Just ask me…

As for the Rabbitohs, they are just holding onto that top four spot before Manly get there. Even with Latrell back they seemed well out of sorts. Cody Walker top scored with 52 but he won’t play Round 13 and hasn’t showed the form of 2020. Surely a sell for owners? The Bunnies do have a great run post Origin though.

The real sad show was the form drop of Damien Cook. Nowhere near the former Supercoach gun he was two years back and now could be picked up for $445k. He scored 36 and didn’t run the footy once. A massive concern two weeks out from Origin. Well Lachlan Croker is a New South Welshman so it’s not all bad news.

Minute watch: Arrow 31, Capewell 80, Martin 48, Fisher-Harris 47, Leniu 26

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Eels v Sea Eagles

What more can we say about the great man? Has not put a foot wrong since his return and in six games has 15 Dally M points and sits second. No I’m not talking about Moses Suli. 

If you like myself picked Turbo up for $593k when he returned hats off to you. That’s a Brand Power move. The new rules suit him more than any other fullback in the comp.

Maybe Papi, but Papi has to stay fit and on the field for him to score points. He tore the Eels apart but it’s his runs from his own half that are impressing me. Manly take on Newcastle next week and Cleary takes on the Bulldogs. One of them will score 200.

For the pretenders.. Sorry the Eels they were bashed, beaten and embarrassed at home. Despite the scoreline, Isaiah Papali’i did Papali’i things and banged out 98 points with a try-assist.

It might be time for me to bring him in. He will play left edge for the remainder of the year and I’ll just be a happier man with him in my side.

Minute watch: Paulo 62, Papali’i 69, Mahoney 69, Matterson 59