The Final Word: Round 8 Trades, Captains & POD plays

Strategy 

The Kalyn Ponga injury opens up some different options for owners. Drinkwater is not ideal this week with high BE and playing the Panthers.

However, after that the draw really opens up for some Drinky free-flowing, high-scoring play.

With Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow out for a stint Trai Fuller grabbed his opportunity with both hands and could be a great cash cow for owners.

Most won’t want to risk it but Fuller does have a supercoach friendly game.

I think Supercoaches need to have Tom Trbojevic for the next month, but I could make a fair argument for Scott Drinkwater, Trai Fuller, CNK, Dyl Edwards and even James Tedesco as a FLB partner.

Personally, I’ve got CNK and Tommy Turbo. 

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Trade Plans 

Trade-1  Kalyn Ponga OUT – Tommy Turbo IN

Trying to fix up my self-made mess from earlier rounds by bringing Turbo back in.

Even though Trbojevic has NSW state of origin duties looming he’s a must for the next month with games at 4 pines park against enticing match-ups in Eels and Raiders.

Those 2 games are followed by two Suncorp Stadium games vs Dolphins and Broncos, followed by a match-up vs Storm in Round 12 at 4 Pines Park. 

Trade-2  James Schiller OUT – Zac Lomax IN

Lomax is almost becoming match-up proof.

As far as CTW’s go in 2024, Zac Lomax, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Joey Manu and Val Holmes have gapped the field in the first 7 rounds.

It’s time to cash in the money made on Schiller as he’s likely peaked and may not even be in the 17 this week come game time. 

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PODs & SuperPODS

Here’s 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 

Zac Lomax

Still in POD category despite his consistent scoring and great play.  

Dylan Edwards

Expensive? Yes.

Elite consistency in supercoach scoring? Absolutely.

Hard to knock if you have the cash.  

Samuela Fainu

After a few rounds, one of Timmy Williams’ questions to me on the Weekly Wrap podcast was who will be Cheapie of the Year.

Being so early in the year it was highly speculative but I tipped Iro, Fainu and Ali Leiataua (yet to play this year).

Important to note that Fainu’s promotion to starting 2RF for the Tigers is not influenced by injury.

Benji believes in him and he has won that spot, with Bateman moving to lock forward.    

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SuperPODs 

Jason Saab

You hear commentators talk about how Walsh and Billy Slater play with no memory.

They don’t carry their divots with them, instead just forgetting their mistakes and attacking the game.

You would have to be the Supercoach version of Walsh and Slater in this instance because in the past Saab has had the capacity to go very low and be very inconsistent.

I definitely wouldn’t see him as a long-term play but if you are willing to take a risk he could pay off. Proceed with caution.  

Close Watch 

Dominic Young

I’m very confident that Dom Young becomes Supercoach relevant again.

I like him as a buy once the -15 score drops out of his rolling average.

He might bottom out pricewise at around $500k.

That is cheap for a player who I think will make a late run for season top tryscorer.  

Alexander Brimson

Unlikely to play Origin and Titans are improving, at least attack-wise.

This might be as cheap as Brimson gets and he’s available at CTW. Take on trust.  

CAPTAIN

Tom Trbojevic. Full stop. 

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Shocker last week with all the upsets didn’t even get close

Week 2 $44.30 profit 
Week 3 $111.25 profit 
Week 4 $72.90 profit
Week 5 $100 loss
Week 6 $100 loss
Week 7 $100 loss

2024 Stats  -$71.55 loss ROI = -11.93%

Week 8 bets 

Lock ($65) 

Multi – Roosters win/Storm win/Manly win @ $2.33

Plays ($15 each)

Manly -9.5/Panthers win/Knights win @ $7.10

1^st,2^nd or 3^rd tryscorer Moses Leota @ $16 

Hail Mary ($5) 

Anytime Tryscorers Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo @ $24.25