Weekly Wrap: Rd 1 highs, lows and shocks

Well I’m back on board for the 2012 Supercoach Wrap ups…

Sorry, hang on.. Are you telling me it’s 2022 NRL Supercoach? Aren’t these scores from 2012?

Yep that’s what it felt like this week.. In fact a solid from 60 from Ryan Hoffman would have been great for me this week.

If these trends continue, these wrap ups will only take up 10 minutes of my time every week!

What a bludger of a weekend to kick things off!!

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I spent far too long listening to the so called “experts” here at SC Playbook and banged out a miserable 787.. I can only blame one person though and that’s the Spy!

One paragraph into the year and I’m already straight to my punching bag.

After the first few games, was anyone else too scared to check their scores? I know I sure was.

In fact today is the first time I have opened the app/website since Friday morning when Tago kicked things off in style for me. From there.. Well as the old saying goes, no news is good news. If I didn’t look I couldn’t see how bad it was.

Aside from the disaster that was Round 1, how good was it to have the footy back!

The reluctance from the referees to blow the six again meant a lot more closer games, but what impact is it going to have on our Supercoach season and scoring wise?

None of the supposed ‘guns’ broke 75 with Fifita, Teddy, Papi and Turbo all failing to match their lofty heights.

The big question is how many trades do you make for Round 2? Or do you scrap week one and start afresh, knowing you’re only 900 or so points behind!

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Panthers v Sea Eagles

With the opening whistle all sides were set and it was now the players turn to show us what they could provide for season 2022.

And if the 80 minutes on Thursday were anything to go by, Penrith will take some stopping this year!

Izack Tago was enormous and a must-have if you don’t already scoring a neat 71, whilst Martin played right into many sides scoring 80 in his 80 minutes which included a late try.

Well done Timmy who spoke highly of him in the pre-season.

For Manly, well I didn’t think we would go through the year undefeated. Turbo was quiet as were the rest of the 17.

Bullemor scored a great try to help his score along to 62, but minutes may be hard to come by once Schuster returns. For a 3-4 week play though I did like his output.

Injuries – Lawton HIA

Judiciary – N/A

Minutes played – JFH 57, Martin 80, Bullemor 80, Olakau’atu 72

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Raiders v Sharks

We got a good look at Tommy Starling here as Hodgson went down with a knee injury.

The bloke is a gun and loves running the footy. With a lack of options at HOK, he might be a good option if you need cash and can’t afford Grant. He will get the nine jersey for a while, however the severity of the knee injury to Hodgo doesn’t look too bad, so Starling might still be an avoid for now.

For the Sharks, I liked what Matt Moylan offered up! He was keen to get his hands on the footy and his partnership with Hynes will only grow.

He knocked out 49, although his ceiling may not be as high as others, he is a safe play knowing the Sharks can score points, provided he stays fit.

Hynes was unlucky not to score more I thought as he finished with 72. I’ll be giving him two more weeks before I pull the trigger, but signs are good!

Injuries – Hodgson, knee

Judiciary – N/A

Minutes played – CHN  57, Young 80, Starling 74, Fifita 25

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Broncos v Rabbitohs

This didn’t go to plan..

Gee the didn’t the Broncos showed up to play here!

For those who went Cody on this matchup they would have been in disbelief as he managed a paltry 27 and now takes on Melbourne, the Roosters and then Penrith in the coming weeks. My thoughts are with you.

Murray and Arrow were busy all night but didn’t really get any attacking stats to their name, although their base was good. As an owner of both I’m happy to sit tight and wait for the attacking stats to come.

And for the Broncs it was a win that might springboard them for the next few weeks.

I thought Staggs was busy looking to get involved despite only scoring 23 points. I’m all in on his outside man Selwyn Cobbo though. He was fast, dangerous and threw away a try and linebreak! He finished with 43 but could have had 70+.

And Haas.. what a mistake it was starting without him! He played 70 minutes and knocked out 91. First one in without a doubt.

Injuries – N/A

Judiciary – N/A

Minutes played – Haas 70, Carrigan 57, Turpin 72, Murray 58, Arrow 71

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Roosters v Knights

Do I have to talk about this game? Walker, Crichton, captain Teddy, Billy Smith.. What went right? I think we can wipe this one from our plates and go again.

Dane Gagai must have had his Queensland AND Bunnies jumper on underneath as he banged out an early season 106 scoring a try and setting another up.

Dom Young will benefit from having Gagai inside him as he notched 81 for a cheap CTW option.

Injuries – Radley HIA, Billy Smith HIA

Judiciary – N/A

Minutes played – B Smith 53, Radley 26, SST 55, Klemmer 46, Mann 61

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Warriors v Dragons

Josh Curran, what a star!

He’s shaping as an early season must-have, he will be one of the most traded in players this week after a scintillating 81 which included setting up a Wayde Egan try from nothing.

He was ably supported by Aitken and AFB who score 58 and 51 respectively with AFB getting through 63 minutes of footy.

It’ll be interesting to see how his minutes are once Lodge comes back next week.

Jack Bird looked at home in the back-row and is available at both CTW and 2RF. Lomax played only 66 minutes but was at his silky best setting up a try for Ravalawa.

Tyrell Sloan look dangerous and will gain further interest at a decent price as dual CTW-FLB.

Injuries – DWZ Thumb

Judiciary – N/A

Minutes played – Curran 66, Aitken 80, AFB 63, Bird 80

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Tigers v Storm

Hands up if you owned Brandon Smith for one week! Me! Ohh what a hammer blow that was in an already dismal week.

The early hand injury has just gotten H Grant owners absolutely ecstatic for the next month while I’m here having to use a trade.

Papi was solid setting up two tries, but he has lost the goal-kicking to Nick Meaney for now who might now take the vacant right wing spot after Jennings went down with an ACL injury. Get on the Meaney train!

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Coates scored a try but only finished with 45 so without it, it’s only 18 points. He will need to find the line more for owners to take advantage.

Tuilagi and Utoikamanu were solid scoring in the mid 40s. The latter though is priced in the mid $400s so he will need to up that to hold his price.

And Josh King looks a good option now with the injury to Welch. He started at lock and will likely stay there now until Smith returns. The rookie scored an impressive 41 in good game time.

Injuries – B Smith, Hand, G Jennings, Knee, Welch, Achilles, Simpkin, Shoulder and Leilua, Calf

Judiciary – Loiero

Minutes played – Tuilagi 70, Twal 47, King 64

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Eels v Titans

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I for one was relieved when Russell went off with busted ribs! As a non-owner it was a tough watch as he had a day out on the left wing for Parra. Jayden Campbell must have also forgotten to pick the winger as he ended his day early with possible broken ribs.

Of course that’s from a SuperCoach perspective, hopefully he’s okay following a nasty looking injury.

It was a try fest for the opening 50 minutes with Moses steering the Parra ship around well.

It’s still very hard to get around him and I will be as stubborn as ever and won’t pick him in my side. His 89 was matched by Phillip Sami.

Fifita and Matterson didn’t quite live up to their hype, scoring 60 and 42. Fifita’s score included a linebreak, but his tackle busting ability was down.

Injuries – Russell, Ribs

Judiciary – N/A

Minutes played – Matterson 53, Paulo 54, Fifita 80, Fa’asuamaleaui 63

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Cowboys v Bulldogs

Should have kept this one on ABC Radio and not subjected us to watching this match.

Not much to report. In fact, MAFS had more linebreaks and better handling last night.

Lolo played 51 minutes, but it was his first hit out in a while in hot conditions, Nanai played the full 80 for his 56 and Thompson continued his 2021 form, getting through a mountain of work for his 64.

Injuries – Nadan, Burns and JMK HIA

Judiciary – N/A

Minutes played – Lolo 51, Nanai 80, Luki 52, King 38, Thompson 63