Spy Talk | NRL Supercoach finals week two team reveal

G’day legends,

Finals week 2 brings just the two clashes which means far less options are on the table.

To help navigate this I’m going to talk you through my team and why I am taking each player.

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Hooker

Blayke Brailey

He has been one of the form players of the comp over the final months of the season.

Whilst finals footy is different (tougher/more intense) his game is built around a million tackles and with his running game you get the added stats which raises both his floor and his ceiling. Plus he is quite simply a bloody good player!

POD Pick: Tom Starling

Starling should see big minutes as Ricky Stuart clearly trusts him, anywhere from 65-80 is my guess. There is the risk of 50 though.

He is a decent POD play but has a lower floor – maybe if he goes low he drops out as we do lose our lowest score – it’s still Brailey for me, but Starlo could outscore him if the Raiders boys can put on a show.

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Front-row Forward

Joe Tapine

He will be locked in for a monster game with big minutes and looks a rock solid option! Can run, tackle, offload and attack.

POD Pick: Addin Fonua-Blake

Definitely Fonua-Blake here. He has try-scoring potential and will be looking to repay the faith Cronulla showed by signing him to help get them across the line in finals footy.

If he was to jag a try he will score very well and the tipping point may be if the Canberra boys are cruising on the scoreboard which may see AFB play bigger minutes chasing the win, while Tapine couler sit longer or rest earlier.

More then likely though it’ll be the opposite with regards to minutes or at the very least equal which is why I lean to Tapine at the moment as he scores well even without linebreaks.

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Second-row Forward

Hudson Young

He is in prime touch and should be somewhat fresh after multiple byes and a rest (not withstanding huge minutes last week). Locked in!

POD Pick: Isaah Yeo

Yeo is someone who will get through plenty of work and is a chance at grabbing some attacking stats. He is pretty solid but lacks Hudson’s upside on most days.

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Halfback

Nathan Cleary

While he doesn’t seem to quite be able to get it done for the Blues on a consistent basis (no I’m not bitter at all), but when it comes to club finals footy in September it’s the Nathan Cleary show.

He should have a huge floor given he is in everything. If they lose he will chase the game hard and if they win he kicks goals and accumulates.

He also has the best upside out of probably anyone. Hard to leave out, though don’t get me wrong he could still score 40-60 while one of the boys below tons up. That’s sport so you never know, but it’s risky leaving him out on a two game week with triple captaincy points at play.

POD Pick: Nicho Hynes or Jamal Fogarty

Hynes or Fogarty could both score well. Hynes has upside but it’s hard to say how he goes in a big finals game against a fired up Canberra outfit. I think he scores okay though whilst Fogarty all depends on how the game goes. He would be my last choice this week of the three.

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Five-eighth

Blaize Talagi

He is the kind of guy who could go on a little tear at any stage. Day footy should suit his game and I think I might back him in over Strange this week.

Other option: Ethan Strange.

I’m still undecided but the Sharks do seem stingy in terms of conceeding Supercoach points. I could see a Strange 25 pointer this week, though he could also ton up! Very similar to Talagi in fact. Which one will it be?

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Centre-wing

KL Iro

This is a bloke I’ll always struggle to leave out of any Supercoach side due to his workrate and try-scoring ability.

On top of this he gets the weakest part of the Raiders defence to line up against.

Close call: Jacob Kiraz

Kiraz of course. He is going in my flex! Will Penrith handle him or can he free the arm and busts tackles like usual? Either way he should have about 25 runs!

I also love Casey McLean, especially if Crichton is out for Canterbury, whilst Mulitalo we know is capable and gets the best wing to score on this week. Brian To’o picks himself any day of the week! Stud.

Basically take your pick at centre as it’s wide open! Maybe two with the flex as an option as I’ve done?

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Fullback 

Dylan Edwards

I think I’ll back in workrate this round and see if Dylan can repay me for the last round of the regular season.

He is potentially running on empty but he is a super competitor and I don’t love the other options. Also can grab attacking stats as we know.

POD Pick: Kaeo Weekes

Weekes has the upside but a very tough fullback matchup v Cronulla. Major risk v reward if he can break free with ball in hand. But major risk is key here.

Flex: Jacob Kiraz

I can’t leave out Kiraz just because he is my boy. But you can choose anyone you want! Whoever you most want out of the players you couldn’t fit in, simply do that. If i didn’t crush on Kiraz like I do i would maybe lean towards To’o or McLean pending Crichton’s availability.

Captains

Captain Cleary, while my vice-captain is up in the air. Edwards or Hudson….

Cheers!