Croker’s Call: Stockmen fire on NRL’s return

• FINAL WORD: Key trade advice + tactics for Round 4
• CHAMPION PODS: Unique players to help you find an edge

Croker’s Stockmen have bounced back from a slow start to produce a score of 1223 last round.

A sincere thank you to my skipper Tom Trbojevic who managed 304 points for my side.

Tommy has done plenty of damage to the Raiders over the years, so it’s nice to see his freakish ability benefit me for once.

Luke Keary came good for me as a low-ownership trade in last week, while Josh Mansour managed some big numbers in the golden point draw with the Knights.

Onto my Round 4 trades…

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GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI – ISAAH YEO

After a reasonable start Shibasaki was dropped from the Knights for Bradman Best, which clearly paid off. Fortunately I already owned Best so it worked out okay. Shibasaki has to go, and in comes Isaah Yeo who is cranking out big scores in serious game time.

He’s made the move to the middle of the field this season and it’s paying off. With more agility than many other middles, he’ll benefit from the quicker ruck under the new rules and should continue to score well. I’m stunned he’s available at centre, welcome to the Stockmen.

ZANE MUSGROVE – JAMIL HOPOATE

A pretty straight forward trade here. Musgrove dropped out of the Tigers 17 on return and has to be moved on from my squad. As a result of injuries up in Brisbane, Hopoate has earned a starting role on an edge.

Until the likes of Tevita Pangai Jnr and David Fifita return he looks fairly set for an 80 minute role. Let’s hope he’s made enough cash by then to warrant the trade.

CAPTAIN

Payne Haas appears to be the obvious choice as skipper, but following my success with Tom Trbojevic last week I think I’ll stray away from the crowd once again.

I’m going to take a little punt on Api Koroisau who is thriving back at Manly. He’s another guy who the new rules are tailor made to suit.

The Warriors were brilliant last week against the Dragons with a huge completion rate. The worry is that they back it up and starve Penrith, and Api, of good ball.

Anyway, I’ll have a crack and hope he can cut through a couple of their bigger middles, hopefully to link up with Yeo for a try or two.

Good luck in Round 4!