Sit v start: Who to play in your final 17, Rd 14?

And so the dark age of the bye period is upon us! When depth is tested, late mail is our best friend and nerves of steel are needed.

Start/sit has a key role to play this time of year. Here are my thoughts for this week, with plays listed in priority order.

Thanks as always to the legendary nrlsupercoachstats.com, whose website I’ve utilised for position vs team analysis and various stats breakdowns.

A general note to keep an eye on the weather leading into the round and across the weekend. For rain affected matches I’d slightly favour forwards over backs.

PRICE DROP! Our subscription package is down to $20 for the remainder of the season. Support the site, and more importantly your SuperCoach side’s title bid, with extra premium articles, access to our Whatsapp group chat with exclusive insights and feedback. SIGN UP HERE!

Embed from Getty Images

Start

Ranking	Player	Vs	Matchup	Avg	3RA	Base + Power – Negs	Avg Minutes
1	May	Knights (A)	1st	70	60	38	80
2	Tago	Knights (A)	1st	60	57	37	80
3	Aitken	Sharks (H)	13th	60	53	52	78

No need to get cute here. Lock in the Panthers young guns vs the Knights.

Aitken’s been one of the Warriors best this season. Easy play as long as he continues playing 80 mins in the back-row.

Consider

Ranking	Player	Vs	Matchup	Avg	3RA	Base + Power – Negs	Avg Minutes
4	Penisini	Bulldogs (A)	10th	55	64	43	79
5	Arrow	Titans (A)	15th	53	55	52	66
6	Mam	Raiders (H)	11th	85	0	39	80
7	Savage	Broncos (A)	9th	32	60	20	55
8	Kiraz	Eels (H)	4th	50	48	40	77
9	King (J)	Roosters (H)	1st	54	41	48	62
10	Butcher	Storm (H)	13th	52	64	45	58
11	Tuipulotu	Tigers (A)	4th	49	48	33	80
12	King (M)	Eels (H)	9th	47	51	47	41
13	Coates	Roosters (H)	13th	50	20	20	80
14	Koula	Tigers (A)	4th	33	37	28	67
15	Ilias	Titans (A)	4th	36	35	17	80
16	Martin (T)	Raiders (H)	7th	39	43	18	79
17	Suaalii	Storm (A)	13th	48	30	30	77

I’m always fond of Penisini with his high floor. He has a nice matchup vs the Dogs too, albeit they’ve conceded less than you’d think to CTWs this season.

Arrow I like this week, with the prospect of extra mins, due to Souths’ players backing up from Origin. He’s followed by Mam, who’d be an exciting play to say the least. My only reservation with Ezra is the Raiders’ recent form turnaround.

Savage is another exciting option. Although I have him below Mam due to a lower floor.

Kiraz has slowed up over the last two weeks. However, the Eels have been surprisingly leaky to CTWs this season, making him a sneaky play option.

Need extra cash to help buy a new car or take your business to the next level? Whatever the goal, Pat and George from Mortgage choice are here to help you know your numbers.  Message them via Instagram ‘Pat and George Mortgage Choice’ or give them a call on (02) 9521 1611. Mention ‘SC PLAYBOOK’ for your FREE numbers consult. 

Josh King is another who’s slowed up of late. Can be played if needed. I’ve got Butcher below him, based on the eratic minutes last week for the Roosters’ lock.

Tuipulotu is one who I’d be prepared to give another chance this week if you need. Nice matchup vs the Tigers.

Max King was solid last week at lock. Just keep an eye on the final team though. If TPJ lands on the bench, it’ll affect Ming’s output.

Coates has shown his low floor again in recent weeks. He can bust out a tonne at anytime though.

Embed from Getty Images

I’m still hoping that Koula breaks out at some stage. I think you’d want to see it first, before starting him though.

Ilias has a nice matchup vs the Titans. Hard to play him based on the season to date though.

TMM I have a way down the rankings based on floor and matchup. Suaalii could come back from Origin camp beaming with confidence. Safest to avoid vs the Storm though.

Sit

Ranking	Player	Vs	Matchup	Avg	3RA	Base + Power – Negs	Avg Minutes
18	Randall	Panthers (H)	15th	46	36	43	66

Randall has been hard to catch this season. I couldn’t play him with any confidence unless he gets his minutes back up to 70-80 mins which is possible with Crossland out of the team, but let’s see it play out first.