Spy Talk: The Fullback Debate

3 Elite Fullbacks or 2 Elite Fullbacks + Iongi

That’s the question that has been dominating my thinking when it comes to Supercoach squad prep.

I have managed to get it to a position where the squad is set so that this decision only impacts 1 or 2 other players. For context I can either run with Reece Walsh and Duffy or Hynes and Iongi. There is also the option to spend less money in multiple position in order to get Walsh in. Whatever option we opt for we need to try and figure out the pros and cons of each.

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3 Gun Fullbacks

For me this would be Trbojevic & Ponga plus a 3^rd gun option.

Ok so the obvious thing here is that you are maximising point scoring potential at FB across the opening month or so of footy. The other factor is that for someone like Reece Walsh his draw is pretty soft. This doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything but I wouldn’t even consider it if he ran into say Penrith & Melbourne in the first month of action. 

On the flipside Iongi plays against Melbourne (notorious Round 1 battlefield areas) and the defensive minded Bulldogs in Round 3. It is noted that he has an opportunity against the Tigers in round 2 but we don’t know how they will look with their new additions. 

Either way there is a chance to anti-pod Iongi early and jump on him in round 4 or 5 if he is as good as I expect him to be. The downside here is pre booking a trade and costing yourself in other areas of your squad but what it does do (shoutout to SC Krupt for the chat) is gives you a heap of flexibility to basically do whatever you want with that cash after evaluating a month of footy. 

The flipside to this is Iongi owners may want to make some moves/upgrades but will need to determine who to trade out of there side as there may not be a clear downgrade option available.

It is also noted the likes of the Melbourne Storm & GC Titans will have had their bye, both of who may have some red hot options in for 2025. Us triple gun FB owners will be able to pick up who we want here given the flexibility provided by the Iongi downgrade.

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2 Gun Fullbacks + Iongi

As per the line above about being able to choose basically whoever we want in round 4 or 5 the case can be made that starting with Iongi means you will already have a strong side with the money saved and spread across the squad so you won’t need to make these trades.

This is good news and will give the opportunity to maximise point scoring in a different way (better options throughout your squad). On the contrary if we do get to round 4/5 and there are moves to be made you will need to figure out where this cash comes from.

Basically you will start with a stronger squad across the park but lack some flexibility approximately 1 month into the season unless you have a clear downgrade option. Therefore it could be beneficial to have someone at a higher price who ca be moved on and not just a heap of mid rangers. 

Will the stronger squad make up for the possible discrepancy in scoring between a Reece Walsh and Iongi and how will things look for trade option comes rounds 4 and 5. Those are the million dollar questions.

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To summarise the above:

1. Walsh (or other gun FB) as a third option will give you a chance at an additional big ceiling. Walsh draw means big scoring potential.
2. Iongi will give you the opportunity to make up those points across the rest of your squad AND set up the squad so that hopefully less trades are needed for round 3 and 4. Noted that the Iongi draw is tougher for the first 3 rounds as a whole.
3. Walsh (or other gun FB) gives you the opportunity to downgrade a month into the season and free up bulk cash in order to go on a 2 or 3 trade spending spree to upgrade to the in form keepers of the competition.
4. The Iongi option would hopefully mean your squad is more settled and you can simply look to upgrade Iongi to compliment your squad and therefore using less trades. However with Melbourne and the Titans on early byes you may find that you want some of their guns/other performing guns who have started the year well and will need to figure out who to drop down in order to facilitate these trades. Check your side to see if there is someone who that may be.
5. Like always this may end up being quite close come round 5 but it has potential to go either way. Try not to be overly biased to what you have already chosen and see if you can figure out which option is best for your team.

Let me know your thoughts because it’s bloody interesting!

Cheers,
Spy