Croker’s Call: Axe sharpens after rough week

• SQUAD BREAKDOWN: Round 6 team insights
• DRAFT PICK UPS: Round 6 waiver-wire options

Thankfully the Raiders bagged a win in Round 5 because copping a loss alongside my SuperCoach score would’ve made for a tough weekend.

The boys scored just 988 points and sit in 43,906^th place. It’s fair to say there’s scope for improvement.

Croker’s Stockmen weren’t given many favours from the rugby league Gods with new recruit Kurt Capewell going down with injury in the opening minutes against the Eels.

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While Luke Keary, my star of the week prior, managed just 19 despite the Roosters putting a score on the Bulldogs.

Waqa Blake scored well for me with 88 points. It’s a shame he wasn’t in my starting 17…

Tom Trbojevic was okay with 72 points as my captain, but I want more after seeing his fullback competition going large.

Ah well, onto Round 6.

Unfortunately I don’t own Kalyn Ponga or James Tedesco which is a concern, and upgrading Ryan Papenhuyzen to either would cost me $270k+ and tear my side apart, so I’m sticking strong. I’ve got issues to deal with elsewhere.

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SCOTT DRINKWATER – JAKE AVERILLO

I started the year with Drinkwater and he’s done a reasonable job for me, but it’s time to part ways after making some cash.

Losing halves partner Michael Morgan has heaped additional pressure on the young playmaker which has forced him to focus his attention on getting his side around the park, rather than focusing on his strength which is of course running the ball.

In comes promising Bulldogs rookie Jake Averillo who has added spark to their attack playing in the outside backs. At $203k he gives me a stack of coin to spend elsewhere.

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KURT CAPEWELL – RYAN MATTERSON

Goodbye Kurt, it was a short stint and the Stockmen would love to see you back in the future.

I need to strengthen my 17, and I’m pretty happy with my backline, so in comes Ryan Matterson.

Matto looks to be one of the safest SuperCoach scorers this season and narrowly edges Cam McInnes for me this week.

He has plenty of class about him and is an attacking threat at all times. He’s awkward to tackle and has both a very good offload and ball-playing game for a big man as we’ve seen in the time he’s spent in the halves in the past.

Big scores should continue despite a difficult few weeks coming up for the Eels.

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CAPTAIN

Payne Haas

After an off week I’ll be playing it safe and running with Payne Haas. Playing 80 minutes he eats through a truckload of work, and he’s not far off adding a meat pie to his score. I’m hoping this is the week he does so and goes 100+ for me.

Good luck to everyone in Round 6!