The Final Word: Round 13 NRL Supercoach Strategy

NRL Supercoach Strategy

Been a couple of weeks away from my SC Playbook Final Word article and the Sunday SC Playbook Weekly Wrap.

In that time, I had a really good score and an average score and currently sit in 28,153^rd place, 1714 points off 1^st place.

Probably out of reach, but you have to dream hey?

Bye rounds a lot of ground can be made up or lost depending on how well you have planned for byes and luck with injuries and players backing up from State of Origin.

I really like the new concept of only the best 13 players scoring.

I think it makes it more manageable for more Supercoaches, so in theory it will hopefully keep more supercoaches competitive for longer.

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I am heading into the round with 12 players named and playing before using any trades.

My trades left for the season sits at 21 with all boosts exhausted.

Forward planning is crucial as the rounds straight after the Origin games can sometimes be equally as challenging to field full squads.

At the moment before trading my numbers look as follows: 

Round 13 – 12 players
Round 14 – 17 players (including 5 players backing up from origin)
Round 15 – 19 players 
Round 16 – 13 players 
Round 17 – 20 players (including 5 players backing up from origin)
Round 18 – 21 players
Round 19 – 9 players
Round 20 – 17 players (including 5 players backing up from origin)

As you can see and you have probably been trying to work out yourself it is a difficult juggling act where you need to maintain the great scoring players but also try to field at least minimum numbers each week.

If you are up there in the rankings or serious about it I would advise setting up a spreadsheet so you can map out your trade plans and keep a good view on players availability from Rounds 13-20. 

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Trade Plans 

As mentioned above, I have 12 players for this weekend but that does include Blaze Talagi and Simi Sasagi who have been named on the bench.

Thankfully they both play prior to the Roosters game which has a few of my potential targets in it.

That way I can see what Talagi scores on Thursday night off the bench and if its really low I’ll look to make those extra few trades so his score drops out.

Similarly, the score of Sasagi will determine most likely whether I use a 2^nd and/or 3^rd trade.

Hopefully both Talagi and Sasagi have 40+ scores and I can save 1 or 2 trades for future weeks. 

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Trade 1: Nathan Cleary OUT – Brad Schneider IN

I can’t justify leaving all that cash of Nathan Cleary’s laying dormant and unused on my bench while he recovers from the hamstring injury.

The status around Hynes is unsure so I will see how that plays out, but Cleary is definitely out until Rd 19 so happy to trade.

Schneider himself returns from injury but he will be the dominant half in a Panthers side that will be without their rep stars.

They play a flaky Saints this week and Schneider likely takes the goalkicking duties I’d say.

Jack Cole his halves partner is a cheaper option I’m considering also. 

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Trade 2  Dylan Edwards OUT – James Tedesco IN

I took the punt and traded in Edwards thinking he would get beaten for the NSW fullback job by Tedesco and it has backfired somewhat.

Can’t complain about the scores of 120 and 113 in consecutive weeks and I’ve fully cashed in by captaining.

Painful to let him go but Origin and Panthers sitting high on the table probably means he doesn’t play a lot of Supercoach scoring games in the next 6-8 weeks.

Tedesco is primed and gets a day game with a potent backline to really turn it on this Sunday. 

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Trade 3: Viliame Fifita OUT – Naufahu Whyte/Euan Aitken/Bryce Cartwright IN

Fifita is really the only other player in my squad I would consider burning a 3^rd trade for, although, he could be a handy nuff for the run home with dual FRF and 2RF status.

Probably the only 2 players I’d consider trading him to are Naufahu Whyte, Euan Aitken and Bryce Cartwright.

Cartwright helps me with numbers for Rounds 14, 17 and 19 but misses Rd 16 due to bye and I’d have to make an early call on it with Parra playing Thursday night vs Sharks.

Whyte and Aitken don’t play next week due to byes. Aitken plays 16 and 19. Whyte plays 16 and has bye in 19.

Like Cartwright the best option long-term and may just have to pull the trigger on 3 trades early in the round in anticipation Talagi or Sasagi go sub 40 points.  

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NRL Supercoach 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 

Jacob Kiraz

Has been really consistent and still under 6% owned.

Tough to get to for some with his price.

Must come into calculations.   

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SuperPODs 

Naufahu Whyte

Less than 1% owned but gets the starting lock spot again this week.

Unsure of minutes moving forward with returning Origin players in the mix and Connor Watson due back in Rd 15.

Great option for this week and with Egan Butcher out for the season and Lindsay Collins and Angus Crichton heavily involved in Origin he has significant upside.

Paul Alamoti

Seemingly has the favour of his coaches for the centre role replacing Taylan May who has now been confirmed out for the season with the no-fault stand-down policy.

Averages 58 with 4 out of 5 scores over 50. 

Victor Radley

Named at 2RF even though Wong and Toupounia are named on the bench.

I like Victor playing on the edge – he runs hard and challenges defensive lines.

Also sure to get some mins in the with that bench.

Nice SuperPOD. 

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CAPTAIN

Tedesco is the obvious choice.

If you are desperate to make up ground on the players ranked ahead of you, I think Dom Young and Joey Manu are probably the risky plays this week.

Love the Roosters day match against an already leaky Cowboys that are Origin-depleted.