Weekly Wrap: Highs, lows and shocks, Rd 13

Well that was bye planning for 2021! How did we all go?

Scores were pretty spread this week with some breaking the 1,000 mark whilst others really struggled to get more than 600.

Bye planning is never easy and it can all be thrown back in your face when you trade a guy like Tom Eisenhuth for specifically Rounds 12 and 13 and he proceeds to get knocked out in Round 12 and not play round 13. Great move Nick!

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While those who moved on to a guy who I described as the Wish version of Tommy Turbo – Clint Gutherson – were rewarded with a huge 121. I couldn’t bring myself to have him in my side. At least get a haircut first.

Round 14 will be interesting to see how many of our Origin stars back up. With trades at a premium I’ll be hoping Tommy Turbo gets a spell on Wednesday night after about 15 minutes so he is fresh to take on the Cowboys on Friday night…

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Too fast! Matt Dufty wins our play of the week 🔥 #redv pic.twitter.com/vczShdt8p9

— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) June 5, 2021

Dragons v Broncos

The first match of the shortened round certainly kicked off proceedings with Matt Dufty going huge!

He notched up a season high of 156 which included two tries and five try-assists! It’s surreal to think that the Dragons don’t want him. He’ll be picked up for sure by a club out there, in fact I’d say Brisbane may have wanted him by the second half.  

Jack Bird was huge on the edge for the Dragons and comes in at a nice price of around $440k.

He has dual position in both the second-row and centre and if he stays on that edge, he becomes a near must. But keep that to yourself. As an owner I was thrilled when he scored that try. He is about as quick as me these days but 93 in a bye round is huge.

For the Broncos, things just keep getting worse, and I’m not talking about the form of poor Jamayne Isaako. An absolute bludger of a match where he ended up getting hooked with about 15 minutes to go. Bad luck for any out there who brought in the Brisbane Fullback as he finished his poor showing with only 16 points.

Minute watch – Lodge 59, Palasia 30, TC Robati 46, JDB 26

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Tigers v Panthers

There aren’t too many better blessings when the draw gets released than taking on the Panthers when they are missing what seems like 15 Origin stars. It’s as good as it gets and the Tigers took full advantage.

Supercoach scores didn’t reflect the result however with popular players such as Nofoaluma, Crichton and Staines all bombing in the Friday night fixture. Nofoaluma was again starved of the ball as he finished with 28 along with Crichton, while everyone’s Supercoach thorn in their side Staines somehow updated to 26. He was on about 8 with five minutes to go, so unless he was given 2 points for every handshake after the game, he has been blessed by the update Gods.

Those who patiently held Stefano Utoikamanu were rewarded as the big fella crossed for a junktime try to deliver a very valuable 71 points for owners.

Matty Burton sliced his way through the line to score a much needed try for anyone who jumped on eyeing this matchup. He scored 65 and is set to make owners around $60k. A good player to have in your side during the Origin period.

Minute Watch – Liddle 80, Twal, 76, Blore 27, JFH 66, Leniu 33

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Storm v Titans

In one of the better games of footy over the weekend, Melbourne just did enough to hold out a fast finishing Titans side who were missing almost as many Origin stars as Penrith.

It wasn’t the heights of previous outings for Nicho Hynes, but he was still able to notch up 73 making owners a further $23k as his worth now just tips over the $900k mark! A great buy for all those who jumped on in the past few weeks as they can move him onto Papenhuyzen when he returns.

Brandon Smith barged over for another try and was awarded a linebreak assist. He has been superb since modelling his body for Budgy Smugglers. He must have trained the house down in the weeks prior to getting his kit off to market his new swimmers and it’s paid off.

He will cost you a tick over $630k now, but with the dearth of hookers this year scoring well he shapes as a near must-have.

Unknown cheapie Greg Marzhew who was former popular cheapie Greg Leleisiuao was big in his debut match. He had massive wraps on him coming in and judging on his size, he has massive numbers in the gym too. If he can hold a spot down he will be an interesting watch after his 83 on Saturday night.

Minute Watch – B Smith 69, NAS 55, Peachy 53

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Knights v Eels

Well I’m glad Round 13 is over so I can move on some of the Knights dead wood I have hanging around my side.

A player like Mitch Barnett was massive in the opening rounds, only to succumb to Newcastle’s poor form.

He could however bounce back once the likes of Ponga and Pearce return and get some games under their belts. I don’t really want to hold him, but has he lost too much money to be able to move him onto another gun? He finished with 43 which brings his five round average down to 50. A far cry from his opening six weeks.

Three players from the Eels notched up 100+ scores with Maika Sivo scoring two tries to finish with 124 for the afternoon. Well done to any owners who might have had him. Enjoy the next three weeks of mediocre scores.

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As I mentioned earlier, well done to any of those who recruited Clint Gutherson as he banged out 121, his fourth 100+ score of the year.

He has a very favourable draw including the Tigers in the coming week. I’m happy to never win Supercoach if it means never owning the self-appointed King.

Reed Mahoney was another Eel who was instrumental in this side’s win, only to unfortunately succumb to a shoulder injury which is set to rule him out for the upcoming two weeks. Not great for anyone who brought him in last week! I’m guessing he may not play now until Round 18, so he’s likely a sell if you own him pending further news this week on his injury.

Minute watch – Barnett 54, Fitzgibbon 64, Watson 60, Matterson 70, Papali’i 57