Draft Breakdown: Round 7, waiver-wire, trade targets

I lost a few of my matchups last week by single digit figures… ouch.

I deserve it though, I broke an unspoken rule of SuperCoach and started to get ahead of myself and the SuperCoach Gods punished me for my arrogance.

Last week I also didn’t have any standout calls with Taaffe, Sims and Naiqama all doing okay, but nothing huge.

My value pickup for Milne didn’t pay off last week, but he will come good this week or next, especially now Tass isn’t on the bench.

The Broncos vs Bulldogs and Titans vs Cowboys are good matchups to target this weekend given the wet weather in Sydney.

Every week I will be looking at players still available in 65% of leagues. Here are some options for this week.

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Top priority waivers

Heilum Luki

Luki has finally got the 80 minute edge role for the Cowboys after signing long-term with the club in the pre-season.

Luki looked a bit rusty to start but ironed out the kinks in the second half where he scored a great hard-line running try to get 90 points for the round.

His score also included 57 points in base stats, which is great numbers if he can continue to maintain it.

Obviously, there is a risk he could lose the 80 minute role, but if he manages to hold it he will be a great 2RF option.

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Hayze Perham

Perham will line up on the Eels left wing and from the 12 minutes of game time he played last week, he looks comfortable there.

I remember a few years ago when Perham was playing at the Warriors and he was showing some great form in reserve great but the small chances he got in the NRL never amounted to anything.

He is very talented, but don’t expect high base stats from him.

His position on the Eels left wing is what makes him such a great waiver option and he will have plenty of chances with the Eels relatively soft draw.

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Value waivers

Te Maire Martin

With Tesi Niu suffering a hamstring injury until round 17, Te Maire Martin (or TMM) will step up in the Broncos fullback role.

TMM averaged 50 and 49 PPG when playing in the halves for the Cowboys in 2016 and 2017.

He looked so good when he played for the Panthers and part of me thinks he had a certain role to play in Paul Green’s Cowboys side which limited his ball-playing ability.

He showed glimpses of his skill in the trials this year before he got injured, but I am not expecting him to walk back into NRL and kill it straight away.

He is on the list because he is playing fullback for the Broncos who will come up against a depleted Bulldogs team on a dry Suncorp track.

I expect to see him create opportunities for his outside man, especially if the Bulldogs have a few rookies in the backline.

Cory Paix

Paix has shown glimpses of being a good attacking hooker for the last few years.

Whilst he won’t play 80 minutes with Walters on the bench, he will scoot from dummy half and generate good SuperCoach points with his running game.

Importantly available at HFB for those that need a solid option in a weaker position or even someone that can cover both HOK and HFB on your bench.

Max King

I know I’ve mentioned Max King before, but it’s worth mentioning again given his lower ownership and the fact the Bulldogs could be without key players this weekend.

He is averaging 48 PPG in 36 MPG, which is an unbelievable work rate.

He may be forced to play bigger minutes this weekend and he can do it with his motor, so I wouldn’t expect a big drop off in workrate if he gets the opportunity for more minutes.

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Trade In targets

These are the underperforming players you may be able to pick up in a trade cheaply due to a lapse in form. or sell while peaking in SuperCoach form.

Cody Walker

The great Cody Walker is averaging 35 PPG across six rounds for 2022.

Most of us expected a drop off from last year’s form, but a 35 PPG average is far below anyone’s expectations.

Walker looked back to his old self last week and was unlucky to only score 44 points given he created about four try scoring opportunities.

Whilst he may not reach the heights of 2021, I’m very confident he will be a 60 PPG average 5/8 by the end of the year.

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Trade out targets

These are the overperforming players you may be able to sell at enhanced value while peaking in SuperCoach form.

David Nofoaluma

Nofa has been a great SuperCoach option in the past scoring 65 and 76 PPG in 2019 and 2020.

After a poor 53 PPG season last year, I am sure a lot of people picked this year hoping for a bounce back year.

The thing that made him great at SuperCoach was his huge work ethic and being one of the original base stat kings.

Unfortunately, he is only averaging 23 in base points this year which is worse than most wingers.

After a big score of 89 points, now is the time to try and move him on and get the most value you can out of him.

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Tom Starling

Over the last two weeks Starling has played for 80 minutes and shown glimpses of brilliance in both games.

The issue is that the Raiders look ordinary and I fear Ricky will continue to tinker with the side for the entire year.

This isn’t a Starling issue, it’s a Raiders and Ricky issue. Unless the Raiders find some form, which looks doubtful, then he won’t be an 80 minute hooker for every game this season. Sell Starling by focusing on the last two games