Captain's Challenge: Who to skipper in Round 9?

After taking a hiatus early in the year, our dedicated captaincy column returned last week for the remainder of the season.



So far we’ve had Walson Carlos giving some insight into the weekly options, now we have the returning Captain’s Challenge article back to dig a little deeper into the vital decision of who to give the armband to each round.



Earlier in the season it looked as though it’d be James Tedesco as just about a set-and-forget skipper with the odd Nathan Cleary choice, but in little time the fullback position, and therefore captaincy decision, has been blown wide open.



This was evidenced so clearly last week by Clint Gutherson who went huge as a POD skipper for those brave enough to give him the armband, while another selection in Kalyn Ponga failed miserably.



37% of the top 100 ranked teams skippered Gutho last week to rise dramatically.



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Meanwhile, Nathan Cleary and David Fifita flopped by their standards at 23% and 36% respectively.



Those three players made up the vast majority of skipper selections last week.



Be wary that rain is predicted for Sydney on Thursday and potentially Friday before clearing up.



Thanks to nrlstats.com.au for their stats on points conceded v position.



Let’s get stuck into the options to consider ahead of Round 9.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Safety first</h2>



David Fifita



Fifita struggled last week by his standards, yet still produced 66 points pretty well all in base, including tacklebreaks and offloads.



He failed to record a major attacking stat for the first time this season, and the Titans failed to inject him into the game properly.



It was pretty bemusing, but after carrying them in the early stages of the season maybe he decided he wanted to share the load, nice fella. He had just 13 runs for the match.



What this shows though is that 60-70 points is pretty well his floor in SuperCoach which is very reassuring for anyone wanting to skipper him.



The Tigers concede the eighth most points to second-rowers. Fifita will be running at Luke Garner and Adam Doueihi’s edge, I’d be more excited if it were Luciano Leilua and Luke Brooks, but let’s face it, it’s Fifi so it doesn’t really matter.



Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai



Against any team outside of the top four these pair are always excellent options.



They’re hard to split, I think Luai’s ceiling is closing in on Cleary big time with Penrith’s tendency to significantly favour the left edge.



However, Cleary’s incredible ability to accumulate points across the board along with goal-kicking duties does make him the safer option.



Cronulla defend halves fairly well, conceding the 14th least points to 5/8s and the 7th least to 5/8s.



Furthermore, despite being well beaten by the Storm last week they did limit Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes’ scoring relatively well.



There’s potential rain around in Sydney on Friday which should be noted.



I actually don’t mind Cronulla defensively so I’d prefer opt for a VC option on either of this pair, but they remain quality skipper options that we know can go huge.



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Harry Grant



Grant will be so appealing for new owners. Don’t let the fact he plays game one of the round scare you off.



I see that as an opportunity to elect a POD skipper as owners will be more likely to give him the VC.



He tonned up in his first starting game of the season last week. It is meant to be wet in Sydney on Thursday, which means Melbourne are far more likely to play centrally off Grant rather than laterally via Munster/Hughes.



The Rabbitohs concede the 14th least points to hookers which is a concern, but Grant is a different breed.



At 5% ownership he is a massive play, and despite the tough opposition, he’s a huge chance to play 80 minutes.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Risk it for the biscuit</h2>



Tom Trbojevic



Turbo is such a huge play this week if you can stomach the injury risk.



He showed he’s fairly bulletproof in regards to opposition with 68 against the Panthers last week.



He’s three games back from injury which allays some concerns over his fitness.



Manly have been terrific since he returned and they now face a semi unrecognisable Warriors outfit (mainly backline), in a day game at Brookvale Oval in what should be dry conditions.



He’s averaging 101 points per game this season and his ceiling is enormous.



The Warriors concede the 7th most points to fullbacks. I can see Turbo steamrolling some of these inexperienced outside backs close to the line.



It’ll be a nervous watch, but the reward is immense.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Avoid</h2>



Clint Gutherson



Gutho has been supremely consistent this season. Aside from his 32 against Melbourne, his lowest score all year is 74 and he’s coming off a trifecta of tons.



However, the Roosters are a different kettle of fish defensively even with masses of injuries.



They concede the 13th least points in SuperCoach to fullbacks, and kept Kalyn Ponga to just 40 last week.



It’s not so much that Gutho won’t score well, I just think his ceiling is also limited significantly against the Chooks.



James Tedesco



You’d be mad to skipper a bloke coming fresh off a head knock, despite the temptation of a POD skipper who was the undisputed king of SuperCoach just over a month ago.



Let’s see if he gets through this week okay, then lock him in over the next fortnight against the Cowboys and Broncos.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Verdict</h2>



Historically I’m probably one to take a safer approach to SuperCoach than most, particularly when it comes to injury risk, but gee Tommy Turbo looks good on Sunday.



I don’t like that Manly are missing some key cattle up front, but the Warriors are too.



I can see him going 150+ in this. He’s dusted off any cobwebs he may have had from the injury layoff, and surely the three games back should instil some confidence in his body.



If you follow my advice, you’re taking the injury risk with me, and it’s very real, be warned. So don’t whinge if he does go down with a dreaded hammy injury. If he does, we’ll go commiserate together over a schooner.



On the safer side of the spectrum, Nathan Cleary is a rock solid option as always, along with David Fifita who could trounce the Tigers. For the few that do own Harry Grant I’d be ultra tempted to just lock him in on Thursday night, however rain and tough opposition are a concern.



I’ll also be targeting either of that pair (Cleary/Fifita) as my vice-captain for the week.



For a rundown of last week’s captaincy choices&nbsp;see Adam Driussi’s stats&nbsp;below.



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Captain’s Challenge: Who to skipper in Round 9?

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