Final Word: Trades, tactics, tips, Round 18

2019 runner-up Walson Carlos has the final say on the major Round 18 plays, including PODs, skippers, trades and more.

NRL

The second bye round was definitely a moving round for Supercoaches. 

In fact both of the bye rounds have been very kind to the Supercoach world this year. 

I’m really interested to see if the Supercoaches that have loaded up on their team for the second bye will be able to maintain the ground they’ve made up over the next 8 weeks. 

Embed from Getty Images

My initial feel is that unless they have been very smart with their trades, those coaches that made huge moves in Rd 17 will have to give up some ground on the run home. 

The State of Origin-3 game was an outstanding spectacle of rugby league with so much passion and such a high level of athleticism and competitiveness in a high pressure environment. 

From a Supercoach point of view it is going to be very interesting what the residual effect of the Origin decider is. 

Not just injuries and restings, but also what, if any boost the QLD players will get out of it and what if any psychological scarring the NSW players may have that seeps into their weekly club play. 

Strategy 

I have a feeling it’s going to be a long eight weeks to manoeuvre our way through as Supercoaches. 

COVID is creeping back in and becoming more prevalent and we are starting to see that on a week-to-week basis it is affecting NRL team lists. 

Add that to the usual end of season post Origin restings and injuries and suspensions and depth and available trades will be tested. 

It’s certainly made me think twice with my trade plans. I am now going to be very circumspect with my trading moving forward whilst working towards my top 20 players. 

The great thing about this Supercoach season is there are plenty of viable options for us to differentiate with. 

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. 

The 2RF and CTW positions have huge variables and options and choosing the right players could well be the difference between cracking the top 1,000, winning your head-to-head comp, maybe even making the top 100 or winning the big one overall. 

Depth in the spine is critical just like in the NRL . You most likely need some combination of 7 or 8 of the following:

Papenhuyzen, Tedesco, Mitchell 

Munster, D Brown, Drinkwater 

Cleary, Hynes, Hughes

Cook, Grant, Robson

Embed from Getty Images

My Trades 

This week my trades are going to be purely focussed on my head-to-head cash league as that is where my focus is sitting in 10th currently and needing to win at least two out of the next three games to sneak into the top 8. 

The most pressing players to get back into my side are Cam Munster and Harry Grant. 

If there isn’t a Melbourne Storm bounceback this week with them being back at home with the cavalry returning the rugby league world as we know it will no longer be as we have known it for so long. 

Third and fourth on my most urgent to trade in is Joseph Tapine and David Fifita, the ultimate POD for the run home. 

Embed from Getty Images

PODs

Here’s the players I’ve identified as PODs (Point of Difference players – less than 10% owned) that should be on your radar. 

I’ve listed them in ranking order of who I believe is the best to take the risk on: 

PODs (My top-4 ranked) 

1.    David Fifita – undeniable upside but comes with some risk with the way under pressure coach Holbrook likes to change up his start-sit roles on a weekly basis. Might just be a risk worth taking in an interesting 2RF position. 

2.   Nick Meaney – normally bringing in Storm wingers is a solid no for me, but for a short-term stint for eight weeks with the Storm tightening the screws for a title tilt Meaney looks a good POD option. 

3.   Shaun Lane –  a bit unlucky to have his first try disallowed last weekend, however Lane is a very reliable 2RF option and a nice play when teaming up with Dylan Brown as often points are related with these two. 

4.   Maika Sivo – Sivo may not be a lock in play every week, but there is no question given the right game script he can go very big. 

CAPTAIN

In my opinion it’s so hard to not have the C on Papenhuyzen this week. Back at home and a massive bounceback factor for the Storm. 

James Tedesco, Joey Manu, Reuben Garrick and Isaiah Papali’i should all be solid considerations for the VC, but they’d have to be scoring 140+ to even seriously consider taking off Papi. 

FOLLOW EXCLUSIVE SC PLAYBOOK MARKETS! The crew at Topsport are offering markets picked out by our team of experts, with added value on top every single round. Check them out, and use the code ‘SCPLAYBOOK’ when signing up.

TOPSPORT BETs of the WEEK

Please Gamble Responsibly, 18+ only.

2022 – Starting with $1000 bank  

Current Balance – $694 (-$306)

Round-17 Recap

No good last week with the Bets. Sivo and Mam crossed the line but the Cheese wasn’t on his game costing us the tryscorer after the fourth leg in Alex Johnston was a late pull out. 

Round-18 Best Bets (Odds courtesy of TopSport) 

Total Bets $100

Tryscorer

Joseph Suaali 3+ tries @ $11 x $40

Multi

Roosters -8.5/Sea Eagles -8.5/Storm -12 @ $6.94 (TopUp) x $40

To score a try Multi’s 

S Lane/R Papenhuyzen/J Suaalii/H Olakuatu @ $32.63 (TopUp) x $20

Leave a Reply