Bye targets: Ranking the top Rd 13 players in each position

Below are my top round 13 players ranked 1-3 based on position.

The list will focus on pure point scoring potential for the round, though I will still rank holdable/keeper players and cash generating cheapies accordingly.

Players with ownership over 25% (i.e.Taylan May) and players likely for Origin births (i.e. Reuben Cotter) will not be included in this list.

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Hooker

1. Reece Robson – Robson has been super impressive to start the season and is one that has slipped under the radar of many experienced Supercoaches over the opening three months. Averaging 70pts in 80mins, however the obviously concern is that he doesn’t stay on 80 with Granville lurking on the bench. We should know this week whether his minutes will be reduced, though if not, then Robson will comfortably be the third highest scoring hooker for the season behind Cook and Grant.
2. Jazz Tevaga – With Lodge and AFB gone it will be up to Tevaga to lead this Warriors pack alongside Tohu Harris. Provided he continues 55-60mins Tevaga is a guaranteed 1PPM player and has an enormous work rate in defence. Throw in his astonishing ability to find an offload and bounce around tackles up the ruck/burrow over the try line from close range and you have yourself a serious Supercoach asset.
3. Apisai Koroisau – Api just edges Tom Starling for the last spot purely due to the team he plays for. Penrith will need Api to step up and lead from the front over the bye period given that they will almost certainly be losing all their chief playmakers to Origin duty.  

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FRF

1. Tevita Pangai – TPJ hasn’t set the competition alight just yet, but he is certainly showing glimpses with a vintage try-assist last week against the Tigers. Coming off the bench seems to suit his powerful running and offloading game and thus shouldn’t deter people who are sitting on the fence about grabbing him.  
2. Joseph Tapine – Tapine has been running the ball destructively for the Raiders despite the team’s poor form over the opening two months of the season. With Papalii out on Origin duty, expect to see Tapine’s minutes increase in the bye round which should bring hope to owners that he might jag an attacking stat or two against an Origin star depleted Roosters down in Canberra.
3. Sio Siua Taukeiaho – A former Supercoach gun back when he had the goalkicking duties, however, is still producing a cheeky 55 average on inconsistent minutes. Tough draw for the Roosters but TKO has shown over the years that he is relatively fixture proof and should continue knocking out 50s and 60s as the Roosters look to wrestle back some momentum to their season.

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2RF

1. Tohu Harris – Tohu is the only player in these rankings that I can say is an out and out keeper with any certainty. He’s returning from an ACL injury, but has looked the goods in his return games so far and shouldn’t be any cause for concern for potential buyers. Expect Tohu to average 70 from now until the end of the season – set and forget.
2. Haumole Olakau’atu – An argument could probably be made for this man to get keeper status aswell considering how dangerous a ball runner he is. Ola indeed averages 10-15pts higher without Turbo in the team over a large enough sample size now – so if DCE stays fit and healthy then there is next to no risk getting him in.
3. Viliame Kikau – Looks to be in career best form and has a 65+ average to prove it. Big Kiks has four tries and seven try assists so far this season, to put this into perspective Luai has five tries and eight try-assists (and has been in form!). Obviously Kiks will be without Luai and Cleary over Origin which may somewhat inhibit his upside potential.

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HFB – 5/8

1. Scott Drinkwater – The average of 75 speaks for itself when it comes to assessing Scott Drinkwater.  Drinky has been all over teams like a rash and just seems to have that extra time he needs to create chances thanks to good service from Dearden and Townsend in attacking territory. He also has that crucial fullback dual status for those in need.
2. Sam Walker – It’s been a slow start to the season for Walker, but he has become a bit more consistent over the last three games and is potentially just a game or two away from a big breakout score like we saw he was capable of last season. We know the Roosters have a tough draw, but I still think Walker is one to watch and may step up to the plate and take the line on himself a bit more.
3. Thomas Dearden – Much like the other Cowboys players on this list, Dearen is as solid as a rock. You know what you’re getting from Dearden – and that’s an in-form player who is finding the try line every second week by backing his own ability to break the line.

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CTW / FLB

1. Joseph Manu – Manu is in career best tackle busting form for mine and has been causing headaches for even the best goal line defences (118 against the Cowboys). Bypass Manu at your own peril, he is a keeper and likely goes extra-large once given the fullback jersey in round 13.
2. Reuben Garrick – In the same boat as Manu for mine, absolutely a keeper and should still score very well playing fullback for the remainder of the season. Still managed to score 60 odd last night in a tough loss at the hands of a red-hot Cameron Munster. Furthermore, I can only see Garrick’s positional play at fullback improving over the second half of the season which should go hand in hand with more try-assists to the young guns out wide.
3. Jacob Kiraz – Straight up could be a CTW keeper. Shades of Nofo from a few years back, playing in a bottom four team, but still able to accumulate Supercoach points through tackle busts and offloads out of his own end.

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