Tim Williams
SC Playbook founder, 2nd NRL overall 2020
Final Word: Trades, tactics, weather, RD 12
We have the final say on the major Round 12 plays, including weather reports, super PODs, trades and more.
Final Word
January 22, 2021
- GUN SHOW: Last year’s champ ranks the top 10 targets for the run home
- SC PLAYBOOK PODCAST: Every team analysed for the run home
The rounds are beginning at a rapid rate, with the last two rounds being played over just two days each.
That’s an enormous amount of cricket in just a couple of days, and with a heat wave coming I’m not complaining, perfect conditions!
The Cooma Stallions bounced back in Round 10 with 1,274 for a round rank of 481, moving me into 1,402 overall.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn Round 11 I managed 747 points to move into 1,191 overall thanks to tons from Alex Carey and Alex Hales, unfortunately I’m a round late on Jhye Richardson, but not to worry!
The injury to Daniel Sams has opened up SuperCoach big time with the star all-rounder set to miss the remainder of the regular season.
It takes away a very popular trade target and frees up plenty of cash to look elsewhere, exciting stuff.
Let’s take a look at SuperCoach Round 12.
Embed from Getty ImagesWEATHER WATCH
All weather is courtesy of the Bureau of Meteorology as of Saturday, 11am. All times are in AEDT. Forecasts are subject to change.
SATURDAY
4:05PM: Renegades v Heat, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
7:15PM: Stars v Scorchers, MCG, Melbourne
Forecast: Sunny, 27 degrees, 0% chance of rain.
SUNDAY
4:05PM: Thunder v Strikers, Adelaide Oval
Forecast: Very hot, partly cloudy, 41 degrees, 0% chance of rain.
7:15PM: Sixers v Hurricanes, MCG, Melbourne
Forecast: Mostly sunny, 34 degrees, 5% chance of rain.
Embed from Getty ImagesSUPER PODS
Each week one of our contributors will provide a full analysis on the point of difference (POD) players to consider.
In the Final Word, we’ll look at the super POD options, the players at under 5% ownership (or around about) that could send you soaring (or falling) up the overall ranks.
They come with big risk, but the reward is immense if it comes off.
In last round’s article, Zahir Khan was solid with 43 points and will see a mammoth price rise, while Morne Morkel was subbed off and scored a duck egg, savage.
As tends to be the case, my picks from the round earlier have gone bonkers, while the most recent picks struggle.
In the article prior, I had Wes Agar and Phil Salt as super POD picks who scored 108 and 66 respectively, much better lads!
Mitchell Swepson
Swepson won’t be in super POD territory for long having concluded Australian duties, but we can grab him this week and hope he goes off.
He went wicketless in his first outing for the Heat this season and was also expensive.
However, he’s got the class to bounce back immediately, particularly given he hasn’t played in a while.
At around $100k with 4.8% ownership at the time of writing, I think he’s an exceptional option with big upside.
Sean Abbott
Like Swepson, you can guarantee Abbott will be out of super POD range in a flash.
He’s a genuine SuperCoach gun which is well reflected in his $220k price tag.
Having not yet played he’s owned by just 3% of SuperCoaches at the time of writing.
He averaged a ridiculous 85.3 points last tournament with four tons in seven games, including a 174 and 180.
The beauty of going early on a high priced player is that if they go large their price tag can get out of range very quickly.
Embed from Getty ImagesTRADES/SKIPPERS
Marnus Labuschagne is basically a must-have at around $77.5k, although not necessarily a must play in your team.
His first game of the tournament was irresistible to SuperCoaches, opening the batting for the Heat and bowling two overs which included two wickets.
Furthermore, the Heat play in the first and second game of the next two rounds, so he’s perfect to utilise for the auto-emergency loophole.
He may not necessarily score as well as many expect off the back of his Test heroics, but with the AE loop it gives us a free crack.
I backflipped on Jhye Richardson last round at the last minute, and it hurt me with his enormous Round 11 score. I was hoping for a price drop which I didn’t get, lesson learned, get the guns no matter what the breakeven!
With Sams now not an option I’ll have plenty of money to recruit the Scorchers gun.
For my final trade I’m eyeing off a few PODS, with one obvious option pending funds.
If I can afford it, Nathan Coulter-Nile at just 8.3% ownership is a superb option.
He returned from injury with 79 points from three wickets.
He’ll cost you an arm and a leg at around $200k, but there’s huge POD potential there if you can fit him in.
He’s played just four games this tournament, and he opened his account with 169 points in Round 1!
It’ll probably be either him or Abbott at this stage.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe return of NCN and the bowling return of Marcus Stoinis seemingly hampered Glenn Maxwell who didn’t bowl against the Renegades which was surprising following his relative success with the ball throughout the tournament.
He was a lock vice-captain for me, but I can’t risk it if not rolling the arm over.
The Stars play in the second game of the round, so I’ll look to VC Marcus Stoinis who bowled three overs in the Gades clash, lovely!
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Hi lads – I went Lynn last round. Is Hales a must have at Adelaide Oval (short boundaries) or am I chasing? Considering one of Hales/Carey/Agar/Siddle
Hey Richo, not I don’t think he’s a must-have. I don’t think any batters only are must-haves. It’s a bit of an anti-POD play not owning popular options like Hales because if they’re out cheaply it’s next to no points. Obviously he’s a great target though and no it’s not chasing as such.
Captain and VC options?