Final word: Captains, weather forecast, POD watch Rd 9

We’ve arrived at the final round of the Supercoach Big Bash season!

In a few day’s time we’ll have a new Supercoach BBL champion, I’d assume, unless last year’s winner is humming along in the top 10 at the moment.

Head-to-head leagues will be decided, bragging rights will be cemented and cashies will be paid out.

It’s been an extremely enjoyable year, as enjoyable as I can remember in the Big Bash, granted I’ve aged about 10 years watching on at times riding my players and death-riding others.

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The Cooma Stallions have had a strong year, sitting in 146^th overall heading into the final round.

My best finish is 40^th overall so I’d love to pull off a miracle and beat that, but it’ll take an almighty round.

As such, I’ll be attacking some super POD options this week along with a few left-field captaincy plays.

While I touched on it during this week’s podcast, thanks again to all of the wonderful Supercoach community and in particular SC Playbook community who have made putting the content together with our team a blast.

For the last time in BBL14, let’s take a look at the Final Word for SuperCoach Round 9.

Weather Watch

All weather is courtesy of the Bureau of Meteorology as of Thursday, 6PM. All times are in AEDT. Forecasts are subject to change.

Note, the Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder forecast hasn’t changed as of Friday morning at 10am.

Conditions are very bleak and the game looks under major threat.

Monitor closer to the first ball, but trading out players from these teams may be the play with sunny forecasts for the remaining three games.

At the very least, make sure your Sydney players are auto-emergencies in case it does get wet and shortened.

Looking ahead

There’s not too far to look ahead to at this stage, on account of it being the final round of the season and all.

All you need to know is that there’s no teams on the double, and no teams on the bye, so it’s a pretty easy round to navigate in that regard.

Super PODs

In the Final Word, we’ll look at the super POD options, the players at under 5% ownership (among the top 1% ranked coaches) that could send you soaring (or falling) up the overall ranks.

They come with big risk, but the reward is immense if it comes off.

Last week, Aaron Hardie managed 37 points and unfortunately didn’t bowl. If he rolls the arm over, which remains a chance, it’s a game-changer for his Supercoach credentials.

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Xavier Bartlett – $140,100 – 10% ownership

Bartlett is a bit above super POD range being at 10%, but I feel he’s worth noting as a major trade target.

He dropped a whopping $30k this week ahead of a fixture on a very bowler friendly Marvel Stadium wicket.

He bowls key overs as we know, and with wickets likely to tumble he’s also capable of some late order hitting which he should get a chance to do.

The Renegades batting line-up is explosive, which also means it’s very hit and miss and therefore enticing for opposition bowlers.

Bartlett topped the wicket charts in the BBL last season and has a big ceiling on him.

I feel bowlers from the Renegades v Heat game are the best targets this week.

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Lance Morris – $181,200 – 6% ownership

Morris is another terrific target, and his expensive $181k price tag may not be such a bad thing.

The reason for that is that it’ll likely keep plenty of potential buyers away.

He’s scored 50+ in six of his seven rounds this Supercoach season, and he’s scored 65+ in his last four games.

He averages an outstanding 65.4 Supercoach points at Optus Stadium in Perth.

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Captains

With no teams on the double there’s a vast amount of captaincy options available this round.

I’d entirely avoid a vice-captaincy play on the Sixers v Thunder game due to the weather.

As there are so many options, I’ll work through a few of the most captained players among the top 10% ranked Supercoaches overall.

Mitch Owen has shot to number one following his double tonne in round 8.

I don’t love it, based on the fact it’s at MCG which is mixed for batting.

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Chris Jordan likely being back won’t help his potential overs, granted he may still get a couple.

Glenn Maxwell is number two, I also don’t like it.

He’s a freak, we know that, but his Supercoach role is still ordinary.

He’s batting at number six and not bowling, you normally wouldn’t touch a player with that role in a million years let alone captain them.

It’s Maxy, we know he doesn’t need much time at the crease to make an impact, but I genuinely feel there are players with far better prospects this week.

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Matt Short is number three and for good reason, he’s back bowling.

The Scorchers bowling attack is a daunting prospect, but he’s an exceptional talent and looks a great prospect now that he’s rolling the arm over again.

With Jamie Overton not playing this week it only enhances his chances of bowling.

Tim David is fourth, I dislike this for many reasons.

I think Beau Webster owners have a great play with him, a Test calibre batsman, batting at three and bowling three to four overs.

I like him as a captaincy option at the MCG, just be wary that the potential return of Tom Curran could impact his overs, and Marcus Stoinis’, so keep that in mind.

Will Sutherland is surprisingly only at 7% vice-captain and 2% captain, he has the role, the form and the venue all in his favour this week.

Good luck to all in the final round of action!