Final word: Strategy, skippers, trades, Round 15

After what seemed like an eternity of no rankings movements, Turbo Irvo finally landed the big score we’ve been looking for to move up to 1116^th overall and we look well set for a top 500 push over the next mont!.

The troops managed a big score of 1327 thanks to a very timely David Fifita to John Bateman trade and a late decision to loop AJ instead of follow the masses on Cleary.

It’s seemingly been these sort of 50/50 decisions that you need to get lucky on if you want to see big green arrows this season, so many thanks go to the footy gods this week. However, as an avid NSW supporter, screw you footy gods.  

Sign up to SC Playbook in 2023! Gain access to stacks of additional premium articles every week during the season, our major subscriber prize, our Whatsapp community featuring Qnas with our team of contributors, and plenty of other bonus features. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Embed from Getty Images

The spanners have come hard, and they’ve come fast – Cleary, Fifita, Brown, Latrell, Murray and now rumours Cody Walker could be on the injury list. Now I don’t want to fearmonger, actually who am kidding, of course I do! This is the time of year where everyone is in the pressure cooker and mistakes will be made, make less mistakes than the rest and you’ll go up the leader board.

On the surface this week shapes as a perfect week to use a trade boost (if you have any left) given the carnage that we are watching unfold. However, I also think Nathan Cleary owners don’t need to necessarily rush him out just yet. Yes, he is absolutely a sell given the 6 week recovery timeline, however you can afford to wait a week to see who Freddy throws in at Halfback. Mitchell Moses is my ideal replacement, but he may get the Origin call up, you never know.

Normally there would be a segment for PODs and SuperPODs here, but instead I’m just going to list my top 10 trade-ins this week regardless of ownership. After all, sometimes you just have to get the best man for the job, regardless of how many other people have him under contract.

NRL Fantasy betting? Yep, you heard that right! In honour of the milestone man, this week for our betr SC Playbook multi, we’ve got Jarrod Croker to score a try AND rack up 40+ NRL Fantasy points FOLLOW HERE

John Bateman – Supercoach gun, 60 base, upside 100+

Jamayne Isaako – Top scoring CTW for the season, enough said. Fuming I don’t own.

Keaon Koloamatangi – Capable of holding 70+ average for run home, dream matchup against Dragons.

Isaiah Papali’i – You won’t get ipap under 550k ever again. Get him while he’s cold!

Mitchell Moses – Provided he doesn’t play origin he’s your man at halfback over the next 6 weeks. Good matchup against Bulldogs.

Briton Nikora – Massive potential to slap up some big tons as the Sharks draw opens up

Embed from Getty Images

Ronaldo Mulitalo – Never seen a man bomb so many tries as he did last week. Patience will be rewarded for owners, can’t hold back Ronnie for long.

Shaun Johnson – The resurgence of the century from SJ, you love to see it. Accumulating nice numbers and no risk of Origin selection. The safe play if you need to sell Cleary ASAP.

Alex Johnston – The tries are coming and they wont stop coming. Still relatively cheap.

Kalyn Ponga – Ride or die. You know the risks and you know the reward.

Embed from Getty Images

Captains

Tom Trbojevic – If you still own Turbo, I would absolutely be captaining him in this game. Had a quiet game in Origin before getting the head knock, the extra time off should do him well. Scored 165 against the Raiders and could easily score the same against an average dolphins defence. Lock and load.

Cody Walker – Walker continues to produce, seriously, what a rich vein of form he is in right now. This is one of the first seasons I’ve ever chosen to antiPOD this man and he’s making me burn at the stake for it. What he’s lacking in explosiveness as he gets older, he makes up for in game sense and being in the right place at the right time. Safe 90+ against the Dragons.

Reece Walsh – You would have to say Walsh is due a massive 150 type score sooner rather than later. If you still own, then I’d say this is the week to have a crack and roll the dice with the captaincy badge on him against the Knights at Suncorp.  

Embed from Getty Images

Trades

It’s time to continue stacking up my 2RF.  I really like this strategy of going for safe consistent 60-70pt scorers through this tricky bye period, especially under-priced keepers who you’ll never have to worry about trading out.

Sean Keppie -> Keaon Koloamatangi

Dylan Brown -> Isaiah Papali’

Over the next 12 months an estimated 60% of all fixed rate mortgages are going to expire. Patty and George from Mortgage Choice SCW can get you the best rate possible. It’s a super easy process, so flick them a message. Save $129 by mentioning SC Playbook for a FREE CONSULT!

My Captains

VC Alex Johnston (good matchup against dragons)

C Nicho Hynes (Origin audition against old club)