Spy Talk | NRL Supercoach Plans & Trade Thoughts

Troops,

I really thing this week is a time to hold fire, generally speaking.

It’s not time to get too fancy or over analyse, as a lot can change in 7 days from now with Origin Teams being named and a whole round of footy that may see bye coverage options go down via injury or suspension. 

On the flip side, and going against everything I just said, I think I may make the attacking move of Corey Horsburgh (reduced minutes/Origin chance) for Eli Katoa with his big upside.

This is because Eli Katoa is highly owned, and he scares me, so I’m going to get him now as it makes sense and he is a keeper.

But generally, I believe it’s time to put the feet up and enjoy the footy before trading next week, before the second major bye round.

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The good news is we also get three trades next week if we need them. 

To demonstrate this ,and before I dive into a few things below, let’s run this hypothetical:

• You decide to downgrade Rob Toia to a cheapie now
• You then use that cash to get Jayden Campbell into your side

What if by next Monday night, Toia is dropped from Origin 2 and Jayden Campbell is named on the bench?

Now I’m not saying that this will happen, but it’s possible and you will have used two trades to have gained -1 players for Round 15.

For what is worth, I think Toia is good to go again, but its one of many scenarios that could ensue and with 3 trades next week we will be in a cracking position to make informed decisions and not have to rectify things if we go early and something goes wrong in the next 7 days.

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Round 14 Popular Trade Ins

With all of that being said, I know some of you are going to ignore that and trade anyway!

That may be stubbiness or it may be for good reason but either way I’ve got you covered with my thoughts on the popular trade-ins:

Nathan Lawson – Wait

Unless you are desperate to find something, I’m not sure why you need him this week.

Let’s make sure he holds his spot and go from there next week.

Dragons do miss round 16, but at a basement price, he could be an automatic buy in round 15.

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Lehi Hopoate – Buy/Wait

I’m a bit more torn here.

The pros are that he is a bloody good player with a huge work rate who has the Fullback spot for at least one more week, and any other time, Turbo misses a game or more.

The cons are that he likely goes back to the left wing next week, which could be a little more up and down, and he also missed the tricky round 16.

The other con is that there are so many elite centre options, but I do like him.

A low break-even this round, but against a Newcastle side who have the second best defence in the competition.

I’ll let you decide, I don’t mind either way, to be honest!

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Jayden Campbell – Wait/Buy

If you are getting him for anyone but Munster, then I like it, but if you are selling Munster, then there is no need.

Let’s make sure he is fit and ready to rock for us in round 15 because Munster has a cracking matchup this Friday.

If it’s for a player you don’t want anymore and he will be a big upgrade for whoever else you plan to play in your squad this round, then I’m ok with it.

Points could be vital this round if you need him in your 17/18, but otherwise just sit a week and wait.

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Keaon Koloamatangi – Buy/Wait

He is getting very expensive and will only go further up in price after this week.

Stefano was next man up for Origin 1, so he seems the likely replacement for Mitch Barnett.

With a little bit of nerves, I think he is a buy now and hope he misses Origin.

At worst, he is a season keeper when he returns. But yes, if you want to be attacking by avoiding, then you can do so and hope he gets the Origin nod because that would be a nice leg up on 80% of top coaches.

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Others

I don’t think anyone else needs to be purchased just yet unless you are struggling to fill a quality team this week and need reinforcements.

Other options that will become even more important from next week include Jacob Kiraz (return from injury + high break even, but a sunny day game), Zac Lomax, KL Iro & Tuipulotu, just to name a few.

From a point view, just remember if you buy, say Lomax, and he scores 85, then you are only gaining whatever the difference is from the guy he played in front of.

If that was a 55 from Corey Horsburgh, then it’s 30 points added!

Alternatively, if you bring in someone for a 110 and the other guy would have scored 40 for you, that’s getting into huge upgrade territory.

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Round 14 Popular Trade Outs

Rob Toia – Wait/Sell 

I would just wait a week as mentioned unless you really need to upgrade now.

Even if he was to miss Origin he is probably a sell, so I don’t mind it now but maybe wait a week just to see how everything plays out?

He cant lose money.

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Zac Hosking – Don’t sell!

I think this may prove a mistake if you are selling.

He covers the all important rounds of 16, 18 and I think tries or attacking stats are close again.

54 last week is fine and his role may increase further with Hudson Young and maybe Corey out for Origin.

An easy sell round 19 for a keeper or as part of a downgrade/upgrade double trade.

Corey Horsburgh – Wait/Sell

Well I’m selling him so I guess I pro this but I would only do it for Eli Katoa or a Lomax and it would only be for someone with upside who I also want long term.

Otherwise there is no harm again on waiting.

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Tom Trbojevic – HOLD! 

I know it sucks but you can likely cover him this weekend and have him ready to go next week v the Titans on a major bye week whilst freshened up.

The only way I would want him out is for Tedesco next week if its your only way but you can likely combine the 2 and reassess on Turbo after round 15.

Cameron Munster – WAIT 1 week! 

He is playing North Qld at home.

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Spy’s Supercoach Trade Plans

Trade – Horsburgh > Eli Katoa

VC Papenhuyzen into Skipper Terrell May OR, I may get attacking, but I’m not sure it’s the weekend for it.

Cheers all