Clem’s Captains: Round 23 NRL SuperCoach Skippers

And let the mind games begin…

Because just like that, the H2H finals have begun, and we are into the pointy end of the season!

Disclaimer: I am not a H2H player.

The second year I played SuperCoach, my only goal at the start of the season was to not get beaten by the boys every week in the boys’ league.

And I bombed out first round. TKO. Annihilated. Thanks for coming.

I did come 6^th overall that year though, but H2H, she’s a different beast and I am not built for these mind games.

Now onto last week. And we did it!

It only took around 22 weeks, which is quite a nice statistic, but we finally chose the Captain of the Round!

And Reece Walsh take a bow sir! 134 points.

I’m surprised I didn’t receive a noise complaint, I was screaming so loud!

I apologise to all my neighbours. I looped. It was lovely.

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And what about some of those games on the weekend! The rain!

It was an organic-wet haired Nicho lover’s dream!

And when I came to work on Monday, I set about doing SLSA’s media monitoring, and our feed was full of the victory:

‘Sharks Feast on Drowned Cowboys’ was my fave, and so we came up with another one:

‘Sink or Swim: land-locked Raiders no match for Dragons at new Wollongong ocean-side pool’ 

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And let’s get into the Captains, and I’ll start off by saying, if you have a feeling – JUST DO IT!

Especially if you have some rogue pod that could go massive.

At least give them the VC.

Kotoni Staggs scored a 115 on the weekend, Timoko whacked out a casual 111. 

So on that note, lets play it safe with the safest VC choice you could make on a Friday night:

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Nathan Cleary

The Panthers might’ve played with an extra man on the field last Sunday, but Nathan Cleary’s 2-pointer to even up the game was nothing short of spectacular.

Playing Friday’s first game vs the Knights, here we have the most likely of VCs (or Captain if you want to go early except then you miss out on all the glorious Sunday action to be discussed later, and if you’re a H2H player you’re not going to be able to play Captaincy mind-games with your opponent all weekend either).

A 3-round average of 102, including tons in his last two games – Nathan Cleary is a safe VC or Captain most rounds – nothing further.

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Nicho Hynes

It might rain on Saturday arvo. 

If it does, we have an organic wet-haired Nicho.

Vs the Dragons.

No V05 Wet Look Hair Gel required.

VC. Maybe.

That is all.

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James Tedesco

It’s no revelation that since Sammy Walker has returned, Teddy’s scores have dropped dramatically.

And a 3-round average of 48 doesn’t exactly scream ‘Captain Me!’ 

But let us look on the bright side – the Roosters are playing the Dolphins.

The Dolphins don’t have Herbie (may he have a speedy recovery).

The Dolphins have leaked 78 points to fullbacks in their last four games.

Last time Teddy played the Dolphins in Round 9, he scored a 130.

I may have Teddy-bias, but you may consider a VC. 

P.S – if you have Marky Mark, play him for this game.

He can’t be left out in Siberia catching a cold forever, and the Dolphins don’t have Herbie.

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Jayden Campbell OR AJ Brimson

The Titans are not the wooden spoon – and this is not a drill.

They are, in fact, the Captains of Round 23.

Because what an absolute performance they put in last round, almost beating the Panthers who played with an extra man on the field!

Playing the Bunnies – who literally have no players left and who might have to recruit Spy from the Forestville Ferrets soon – you’d take a punt on the ton-up twins, JC and Brimmo, to go back-to-back! 

Last round, JC scored a casual 112 – AGAINST THE PANTHERS. The Bunnies have leaked an average of 73 points to the last four halfbacks they’ve faced. Captain.

Last round, Brimmo scored a casual 117 – AGAINST THE PANTHERS.

Reece Walsh scored 134 points vs them last week. Captain.

Or consider a VC if the GC weather forecast scares you off and you have this next guy:

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Zac Lomax

As somebody who has not owned Zac Lomax while he’s casually scored a bunch of 80s and 90s, I breathed the biggest sigh of relief last round when he went 41.

But I can tell you right now – this is not the weekend to deathride him from behind the couch, it’s never fun, it won’t be fun vs the Cowboys, and so it’s Herbie to Lomax this week for me. 

The Cowboys leak. It’s as simple as that.

The Sharks put 32 points on them last round, the Dragons managed 32, the week before that?

The Dolphins went on a try scoring frenzy vs them – NINE tries.

There’s even talk the Bye Round put tries on them.

And Lomax can score tries – five in his last five games – so if you’re looking to ride the Captaincy ‘til the last game of the round, Lomax is your man.

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Verdict 

Give Nath the VC, and then a Sunday Captaincy is where it’s at!

I’m eyeing up JC or Zac – to be determined!

Let it rain tons this Sunday! (except let it not rain tons here in Manly… my shoes have been soaked all week).

And on that note, I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

I hope your opponent’s Captain fails and your H2H mind games reign supreme.

I hope your Captain tons up and you go soaring up the rankings!

Oh, and – Up the Wahs! 

Clementine xx