Croker’s Call: Miracle achieved, finals footy awaits

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

It’s been a big week with another decent rise in rankings, but more importantly I produced a minor miracle to scrape into the SC Playbook league’s top eight.

A score of 1,296 shot me into 18,529^th place overall, and in the process I knocked off a former winner in Wilfred Zee to finish in eighth place.

This week I take on another heavyweight in the SC Spy, so we’ll see if the upsets keep flowing. Although I can’t really see the Spy knocking me off…

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I captained James Tedesco last week for a mountain of points, while Jazz Tevaga was another highlight with 92 points.

For the second week in a row I left Shaun Johnson in my team when he withdrew late, so I’ve had two pretty dud auto-emergency players to fill the spot.

Having held Payne Haas when suspended means I’m lucky I don’t have to worry about trying to get him back in this week.

Anyway, it’s finals time and I’m fired up and in form.

Let’s take a look at Round 17.

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JAKE TRBOJEVIC to STEPHEN CRICHTON

My forward pack is very strong, while my backline is a little short on quality. As such I have to trade Jake despite doing a great job for a while now.

I’m bringing in Stephen Crichton who is the NRL’s top try-scorer in his rookie season. The kid is a serious talent and is playing in a red hot Penrith team with a nice run of games to come.

Unfortunately he struggled to get in on the scoring against Brisbane, but I’m confident he can repay the faith before the end of the season.

It’ll just be the one trade for me this week as I’m running very short and am happy with my side this week as is.

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CAPTAIN

I couldn’t go past Nathan Cleary this week against the Broncos. Cleary is growing in confidence with every game he plays this season and the men around him are making his job a lot easier.

While maybe not what was expected, he scored pretty well against Brisbane so I’m happy with the decision. A nice little update wouldn’t hurt either.

Hopefully I’m writing next week while still alive in the finals.

Good luck to everyone in Round 17!