Final Word: Key trade + tactical advice Rd 17

• STAT ANALYSIS: Vital numbers to beat the best
• CHAMPION’S ADVICE: Strategy for taking the title

We are well and truly on the home stretch now for 2020 NRL Supercoach with head-to-head finals kicking off this weekend.

Remember to be smart with your head-to-head clashes. Keep an eye on the live scores and how you are tracking against your opponent. 

Sometimes opportunities present to close out the win by matching your opponent’s players. 

It may not necessarily lead to a bigger score, but if it guarantees you the win and another week in the finals it will be well worth it. 

Good luck to all those teams in contention for their head-to-head crowns and of course to my man Timmy Williams who is in 10^th position overall and around 120 points off the lead. Exciting times ….. bring it home Timmy!

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TRADES, TRADES, TRADES

After a tough season, I’ve snuck into a couple of head-to-head finals series in the bottom of the 8, but I’ll need some things to go my way to see it through to next week. 

The good side of it is that trade decisions are easy. Dylan Brown and Latrell Mitchell are out with long-term injuries and in comes Cameron Munster and Brian To’o. 

This leaves me with the bare 17 players for the weekend, so fingers crossed there’s no late team changes that go against me. 

My strategy of nuffing out a lot of players and having minimal depth in order to hopefully utilise the VC Loophole has really backfired this season.

With players set to be rested in the final three weeks dependant on team positions on the ladder it could prove fatal for my SC finals aspirations. 

I reckon Brian To’o is a great trade in this week. Big Tino and Briton Nikora also shape as strong POD trade-ins for the run home. 

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ROUND 17 MATCHUPS 

Matchups are important in SuperCoach. Here’s a few matchups to consider for this weekend’s games. 

• Panthers v Broncos. This should be a bloodbath. The Broncos get Payne Haas back but if the Panthers are on their game they are a 30-40 point better side. 

Virtually the whole backline has great match-ups plus the two back-rowers in Liam Martin and Viliame Kikau. 

I also feel like Api Koroisau will carve up the Broncos middle if he returns early from injury as is tipped. I’m backing Brian To’o to score a hat-trick and Stephen Crichton a double!

• AJ Brimson and Brian Kelly v Bulldogs. The dogs were gallant in the first half against the Raiders but then the second half they just folded. 

I feel like the Titans are building towards next season and look much the better of the cellar dwellars. It’ a 3pm Saturday day game….expect this to be high scoring and entertaining. 

• DCE and Tevita Funa v Tigers. The Tigers are imploding ….. all except for David Nofoaluma who just keeps on keeping on. 

No Reuben Garrick means DCE gets the goal-kicking and I liked the first look at Tevita Funa at fullback last week. 

He had some nice touches and scored 40 SC points in a tough match-up. This is a lot easier so I expect 60+ from him. 

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SUPERPODS

Can you feel your season slipping away from you? Consider these Super Pods – all at less than 1% ownership – to set you apart from the rest. They are risky but the rewards might be there for those that take the risks!

Cade Cust (Sea Eagles – 5/8^th) 

Sure Cust has been a bit down the last few weeks, but he is capable and he’s always taking on the line and testing the defence. He’s always capable of jagging a try here or there. Manly have a soft run home. 

Peta Hiku (Warriors – CTW) 

Hiku is in career best form and if you believe the Warriors can make a run for the finals then you have to believe Peta Hiku and Adam Pompey will score well in SuperCoach. 

Jarrod Wallace (Titans – FRF) 

Wallace appears to have played his way back into the run on side and the favour of the head coach. 

Either that or he’s putting him out in the shop window for other clubs to try to offload him next year. 

Either way if he plays 50+ minutes Wallace is more than capable of putting up good numbers. 

Isaac Lumelume (Storm – CTW) 

I’ve seen some impressive debut games in my time, but this was a ripper. Sure Lumelume didn’t get a try, but he certainly passed the eye test. He has a huge future ahead of him. 

Brian Kelly (Titans – CTW) 

The Titans have a soft draw and Kelly is proven SC performer in the past. He’s a real SuperPOD for the last month of footy. 

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CAPTAIN

Cleary or To’o

It would be a brave man who bets against Cleary as captain against the Broncos. 

Bear in mind though that if the Panthers get out to an unassailable lead Ivan Cleary might give his son a rest and slip Tyrone may into the halves.

Personally I’m tossing up between putting the VC on To’o or Cleary. 

It’s a free shot for me as I only have 17 available players anyway. I don’t think the loop will be needed but if it is that will probably be a good thing for me. 

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DRAFTSTARS TIPS 

If you are having a crack at DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) this weekend consider these players in their matchups: 

Brian To’o & Stephen Crichton v Broncos

Cameron Munster v Rabbitohs

AFB, DCE & Tevita Funa v Tigers

Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Will Hopoate v Titans 

Reuben Cotter & Scott Drinkwater v Dragons