The Final Word | Round 18 NRL Supercoach Trades plans and strategy

The Final Word

The 3^rd and final major bye round has arrived, where only 13 scoring players from our squads will count.

Then it’s back to one more tricky round next week, where we will need to field a full squad post-Origin with 3 teams on the bye, before the official run home begins with 8 normal rounds featuring just one team on the bye and no Origin interruptions.

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Strategy

This week is all about getting together 13 decent scorers and even trying to nail down the couple of big scores that are bound to happen. 

You will find that a lot of the highly traded-in players like Nawaqanitawase, Kikau & Preston are still under 50% ownership, which is exciting because it means you’re not just buying someone that the whole comp also owns.

I think it’s critical when trading to look ahead to next week and the weeks after this.

The Bulldogs get the Cowboys up North next week, so there should be points on offer, whilst the Chooks get St George, who appear to be a dream match-up for Nawaqanitawase.

Perhaps it may be hard to make up serious ground this weekend but if you can nail one or two guys who go large and are under 50% owned, then that’s a jump on over half the field which is why I’ll be looking to get in two of the above most traded in options.

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Tactically, there are 2 important facets this round:

First is number of players.

I currently have 12 and will definitely trade for a 13^th.

Come Sunday afternoon, if all of my guys have done well to that point, I will have a question as to whether or not Nawaqanitawase comes in.

If my lowest score is say 45 then he in theory wont even start scoring points for my side until he gets to 46 given he would be my 14^th player after coming in.

Conversely, if one of my top 13 has scored a sub-20 or sub-10 then he becomes more valuable as points will count from much earlier.

A score of 60, if my lowest score is 45, nets me 15 points for the trade, whereas a score of 110, if my lowest score was 10, gives me 100 points.

Something to consider there.

VC and Captaincy are the other big ones.

The obvious play is one of Papenhuyzen, Hughes or Drinkwater from the Melbourne v Cowboys clash on Saturday into Tedesco Sunday afternoon.

If you are brave enough, however, then you could VC Tedesco and in the event of a low score or, god forbid, an early failed HIA, then you have a chance to put serious points on the field by then captaining someone from the Manly v Souths game at 4pm that arvo.

The risk of this is missing out on a 125+ looping option from the Saturday game, so there is certainly risk v reward here but again, something to be considered.

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Which cheapie?

I have the cheapies this week ordered as below:

Kane Bradley

He will either start for Melbourne in games or not play at all, so not AE issues.

The dual is super useful and his scoring potential is really good in a quality team, providing you can deal with a non-player more often than not.

Tom Rodwell

Again, he should only start when he plays and not come off the bench and has a chance to score for you this weekend.

Basement price meant maximise use of your cap space and on a good attacking side.

Minimal AE issues envisioned.

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Jed Stuart

He is also at basement price and set to make money, but his point scoring potential is a little capped and could also be an AE issue for you moving forward.

Making money doesn’t help, as it is unlikely to be bulk coin, and we probably don’t have the trades remaining to buy him and then flip him again later on.

Still and ok option, but Bradley looks the play to me unless you need someone to add playing depth to your squad, in which case Stuart is ok.

Current Trade Plans

• Isaako/Holmes > Kikau
• Isaako/Holmes > Nawaqanitawase

I will stay flexible over the weekend and need to decide for sure who to trade out, but I think 14 players looks the goods, and Nawaqanitawase could go big next weekend if not this one.

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NRL SuperCoach PODs and SuperPODs

Figures drawn from the Top 10% of coaches

Latu Fainu – 6.4%

From last week’s article, “This kid is a genuine star from what I have seen and appears to have a reasonably friendly SC game.

He can find an injury, but is the perfect downgrade at backup 5/8th if that suits your team makeup.

Plays the major bye also.”

As an update to this, he scored 43 in a side easily beaten last week.

This included no attack, so I’d be confident in him as my backup 5/8th if it suits your plans and he frees up decent $$$.

Matt Burton – 5.8%

Burto is running the ball well and has scores in him.

Should goalkick this week and is capable of taking it back, although I think Crichton keeps it long term.

The issue is, do you want to spend $580K in the 5/8^th position?

On paper, he could score well over in the next 2 weeks.

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Connor Tracey – 4.5%

He is heating up again and has a great short-term run.

He could really deliver for you if you could find a spot in your team.

I think I’m in the camp of ‘enjoy if you already own’, but maybe not worth chasing given the upside of others in the position.

As a 2-3 week play, though, I like him and he’s a good option for those with plenty of trades left.

Ethan Strange – 3.4%

Be aware he has the bye next week, but he is playing well and capable of a big bye score.

Long term, though, he’s not really a week-to-week play.

Salesi Foketi – 3.2%

$380k makes him a little awkward, but he can play footy and, when given minutes, can score well.

Could have a big week in him! Blake Steep is a similar type in terms of SC.

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Tallis Duncan – 2.7%

From last week’s article, “I spoke about him recently, and he did well again last week.

An option for those looking to plug someone in at a decent price, who can sit at 4^th or 5^th 2FR for the run home.

Does miss rounds 19 and 26 but plays the major bye next weekend.”

And he delivered 134 for owners! In form if you like him and scoring well, but expensive now and 2x byes to come.

But an option, no doubt.

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Kaeo Weekes – 2.5%

$460k backup 5/8^th that has proven he has tons in him with three in the past 2 months.

However, he can also score 20 just as easily.

Good matchup this week and in form!

It’s a decent bulk of coin to spend on a backup, but he could fly if you want to take a swing.

Daniel Tupou – 0.9%

$550k and a cracking matchup this weekend against the Tigers right edge.

Averaging 60PPG and could steam home.

A play most weeks.

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My Captains

Option 1 – Papi/Hughes VC into Tedesco 

Option 2 – Tedesco VC into Hopoate

To be determined…

Cheers all