The Final Word: Round 5 Trades, Captains & POD Plays

The Supercoach universe seemed to correct itself on the weekend with bounce-back performances from two of the biggest stars, Kalyn Ponga and Nicho Hynes.

Unfortunately, I’ve made a mess of my team and trades the first few weeks and the recovery mission starts in Round 5.

Currently, I’m placed in 76,181^st place after a horrendous weekly score of 837.

I am exactly 900 points off the 1^st placed Supercoach and have the time to claw my way back into it as long as my mistakes are corrected and don’t continue.

Supercoaches need to remember that even if you’ve had a bad start to the season all hope is not lost.

I remember when Timmy Williams of SC Playbook fame came from the clouds to finish 2^nd in 2020. 

SUBSCRIBE TO SC PLAYBOOK IN 2024! Access extra premium articles every round of the season, access our subscriber-only Whatsapp group with contributor feedback, late mail and other threads, our major unlimited group prize and plenty more. SIGN UP HERE!

Embed from Getty Images

Strategy 

After over-prioritising cash generation in the first few weeks, I am getting back on the balanced path with my trades and looking to pick and stick with players I feel have shown me they can produce consistently over the season.

I may burn one of my boosts which could hurt later on, but I think Blaize Talagi is almost a must for cash generation and I want to bring in a couple of big guns as well. 

Trade Plans 

Trade 1: Ben Trbojevic OUT – Blaize Talagi IN

It is too hard to ignore the massive breakeven and cash generation possibilities. Hoping he has job security though with Daejarn Asi lingering in reserves. 

Trade 2: Tom Trbojevic OUT – Kalyn Ponga IN

While it is possible Turbo rebounds in a day game against Panthers at 4 Pines Park, I am getting back to my core belief from the start of the year which is KP will be the highest-scoring player in Supercoach this year.

He’s back in and there to stay. 

Trade 3: Joey Lussick OUT – Harry Grant IN

This trade could possibly wait a week and, if I was a little further up the rankings, I may wait a week, but I want to post a good score this week and I believe Harry can help me do that against the Broncos at home fresh off the bye.

Plus Lussick with a BE of 58 is going to leak some cash if I keep him so I’ll likely pull the trigger. 

Best Value Propositions 

Lachlan Galvin – I’ve had him from the start and just got lucky I guess. If you haven’t got him you must get him. At worst, he’s a cash generator. At best, he’s a keeper and solid play each week. 

Samuela Fainu – Another money maker who has the faith of his coach and is getting the minutes to show. 

Jack Bostock – I probably won’t get him but I can see why teams would as he should make some decent cash for owners. 

Embed from Getty Images

PODs and SuperPODs

Here are the players I’ve identified as PODs (Point of Difference players – less than 10% owned) and SuperPODS (less than 2% owned) that should be on your radar: 

PODs 

Justin Olam – 84 and 81 is not a bad start for your Supercoach season with a new club. Can he continue his golden run? With Starford Toa out for a while, he definitely commands the ball as the Tigers’ strike centre.    

Dylan Edwards – 2x 100+ scores in the first 4 weeks is very promising. He’s going to be a POD for a while before people catch on if he goes on a tear. 

Scott Drinkwater – warming into this season SC scoring-wise and gets the juicy match of Titans at Cowboys home ground this weekend in a day game. That is enticing. 

SuperPODs 

Angus Crichton

You can wait a week if you want to see for yourself, but based on what I saw coming off the bench Crichton could be set to become very Supercoach relevant again.

Tupouniua does linger on the bench which is a concern but Angus looks the goods as a SUPERPod and I don’t know if you’ll get him much cheaper than this week or next. 

Clint Gutherson

Under 2% owned, Gutherson provides a left-field option with very little downside if you believe Parramatta will go well over the next 6-8 weeks.

The draw is pretty good and he picks up the goalkicking and a heap more attacking involvement with Moses out. 

Close Watch 

Jayden Brailey

He’s posted an 18 and a 19 supercoach score in his two return matches and has a BE of 61.

However, Brailey now gets the start and Crossland will start to feature as a ball-playing lock.

The closer Brailey gets to 80mins the better SC proposition he is.

Adam O’Brien will know that a fit and firing Brailey playing 70-80 minutes will help the Knights get back to the finals in 2024.   

Embed from Getty Images

CAPTAIN

Plenty of good options this week. Kalyn Ponga is back at home vs Dragons, Tedesco vs Bulldogs, Drinkwater, or Val Holmes in a home day game vs Titans.

Close weather watch.

Do you ever feel uneasy with how much you’re gambling with? You’re not alone, sport fans love a punt, but sometimes it can get a bit out of control. There’s help available with Gareth Wyatt and the team at CECAL. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, so make the call and get in contact here: https://bit.ly/3L2yG1W

BETTING PLAYS

Please gamble responsibly. 18+ only. What are you really gambling with? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858.

$100 to bet with a week. 3 from 3 with the Locks to start the year.

Big sweat with the Raiders collapsing in the last leg of the multi but happy I took the +14.5 alternate line. A bit unlucky with Cobbo having a couple of near misses. 

Week 2: $44.30 profit 

Week 3: $111.25 profit 

Week 4: $72.90 profit

2024 Stats:  +$228.45 profit
ROI = +76.15%

Week 5 bets 

Lock ($65) 

Multi – Storm +8.5/Roosters win/Knights win/Warriors +8.5 @ $3

Plays ($15 each)

Scott Drinkwater/Kyle Feldt/Valentine Holmes 4+ tries combined @ $5

SYDvBUL under38.5/NEWvSTG under38.5/MANvPEN under40.5 @ $7.37

Hail Mary ($5) 

Moeaki Fotuaika -1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd Tryscorer @ $23