Croker’s Call: SuperCoach first for patient Stockmen

• STAT ANALYSIS: Vital numbers to beat the best
• SPY TALK: Answering the week’s big questions

It was another average week for the Stockmen as we held fairly steady once again in the overall rankings.

A slightly underwhelming score of 1,249 saw my boys drop to just outside the top 5,000 overall, so they’ll need to lift to rectify a mini slide.

On a positive note, I secured a win in the SC Playbook league over a past winner of SuperCoach in Declan Creek.

It was a gritty 8 point margin, and one that I’ll certainly take against one of the game’s heavy-hitters.

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A hammer blow for my side was benching Daine Laurie for his big century last week. I had quite a strong centre set up for the week and left him out, not good.

This week I’m doing a SuperCoach first for the Stockmen, not making any trades!

I’ve been told time and time again by those far more in the know than me that saving trades is pivotal in this game.

I’m pretty trigger happy, so I’m going to suck it up and hold fire this week.

I’ll be down in the wonderful country town of Wagga for the weekend, so hopefully I’m too busy to consider backflipping on this.

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I’m happy with my 17 this week, so much so that I benched Reimis Smith for his clash with South Sydney.

I already own popular cheap stock in Josh Curran and Jake Simpkin so I feel I’m well placed to save a few.

Sam Walker is reportedly in some doubt which would leave me a touch short if ruled out.

I also have Ryan Papenhuyzen waiting in the wings who hopefully returns next week.

The patience will hopefully set me up for a few big trades in Round 10.

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At this stage I’m looking at recruiting star hooker Harry Grant at Melbourne.

I don’t know who I’d sell out of Josh Schuster, Jayden Brailey and Connor Watson, so those three are on notice and are fighting for survival in my team.

For the Raiders’ sake, let’s hope it’s one of the Knights pair who underperform.

Here’s hoping the cautious approach pays off and I get through the week okay.

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CAPTAINS

I’m thinking I’ll captain the bruising David Fifita who matches up well against the Tigers.

He had somewhat of a low week just gone by his outrageous standards set this season.

He’s been in sensational try-scoring form this year and will be hungry for more after going without last week.

My vice-captain will be Nathan Cleary who lines up against the Sharks.

We know Cleary can go very large on his day, so if his does I’ll lock in his double score.

Good luck to everyone in Round 9!