Weekly Wrap: Round 13 stars, flops, injuries

Well, that wasn’t so bad now, was it?! All that stressing, second guessing yourself and forcing yourself to ready the Spy’s articles, round 13 was one of the better ones! It seemed all Captain choices from Drinkwater, Garrick, Manu and Crichton all scored well and having that free crack at a loop made it that bit easier.

Hope we can all ride this good form into the coming weeks as we navigate post Origin, resting of players, and another bye in 4 week’s time.

Some sides had 15 to 16 players which is some serious planning, or you’re in deep trouble for Round 17. I’m not sure what par was, very hard to tell this week but I managed a respectable 953 with 13 players. Ranked 1420 heading into the back half of the year

Trades will now become a premium, so don’t go burning them on silly trades like I have done in the past 2 weeks. Just remember come round 24, you don’t want to have to choose between Vailea or Tuilagi for that last bench spot…

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Titans v Cowboys

Well, if we had any wishes for Round 13, they were well and truly granted in the opening game as the Cowboys burst out of the blocks and got most owners off to a cracking start!

Popular buys including Robson, Drinkwater and Hamiso all had absolute blinders, with Drinkwater nearly putting on the performance of the week. He was in everything and whenever he was around the ball, something seemed to happen.

A popular VC choice, his score of 119 had owners pouring and having themselves a nice glass of H2O, smiling as they went to bed knowing updates could only get better.

And how could I not mention Taumalolo! What a game he had! It was like Payten knew how much he needed him and rested him for the past 2 weeks, just to put it all on the table on Thursday! His score of 80 was only his second score over 70 this season but hopefully a sign of things to come.

Minutes played – Fermor 80, Liu 55, Lolo 66, Luki 69, Robson 73

Reported Injuries – Jayden Campbell (Hamstring)

Judiciary – Nil

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Panthers v Bulldogs

Could you imagine what could have happened if Penrith had their full quota? I reckon the Bulldogs are writing a letter to the NRL thanking them for pencilling them to play them when they were missing their Origin stars!

They were in this for longer than I thought but the class and depth were just too good.

May crossed for a try and now leads the top try scorers list with 12, 11 more than Blake Lawrie. He finished with an impressive 73 whilst Tago was unlucky not to bag a try in his 58.

Koroisau was busy for his 57 but only notched a late try assist through a kick but did play the full 80 minutes so pleasing for owners.

Billy Kikau had a blinder finishing with 86 and showed his Bulldogs teammates what they will be getting in a few months’ time.

Max King got through his work finishing with 55. Tricky sell for owners. He has made the cash but if he keeps the minutes up and can pump out scores like this, he surely is a hold.

Minutes played – Sorensen 37, JFH 65, Kikau 80, King 54, RFM 52

Reported Injuries – Luke Thompson (Pregame Concussion)

Judiciary – Kyle Flanagan (Dangerous throw)

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Sea Eagles v Warriors

Are we back? Do I clear my weekends for September? Is Olakau’atu’s fend strong enough to bend steel? Does the transforma ladder have the ability to telescope? So many questions.

The backrower was at his best; shrugging off Warriors players left, right and centre, but mostly right as he owned the right edge and will be on many teams’ tips sheets for weeks and weeks to come! He, like so many other popular round choices, crossed for a try and banged out his second-best score of the year in 86. Copped a knock and only played 60 minutes but all precautionary and will line up next week

Garrick waited until late to turn it on, but he grabbed a double on his way 99 as a popular captaincy or VC choice. He seems to be getting better in that number 1 jersey and will feature heavily in the top sides from here on in. Goalkicking a major upside too

And I dare anyone from Manly giving Koula some early ball! Bloke hasn’t made a line break since he made grade! Just one score over 45 would be nice

There isn’t too much to report from the Warriors as not one player broke 55. Aitken managed 53 and is a sell, Tohu was super quiet for his 47 and Jazz Tevaga would have scored more had he used his name playing scrabble.

Minutes played – Schuster 80, Olakau’atu59, Tohu 74, Tevaga 43

Reported Injuries – Karl Lawton (Knee)

Judiciary – Nil

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Raiders v Roosters

Should I loop this should I loop that or should I just leave it on Joey Manu! These were the questions plaguing most Supercoaches this weekend and judging on the score, I hope you all stuck with your original decision. Joey Manu. The tackle busting and offloading machine! If there wasn’t a bloke named James Tedesco, he could be the best number 1 in the game! His potential is limitless.

He finished with a massive 130 which was made up of 58 points in tackle busts and offloads alone! If he has weeks like that plus a try, could we be looking at 200 from him? Put Teddy in the centres Robbo, for the sake of the Supercoach world!

He wasn’t alone as Tupouniua, Crichton, and to a lesser degree Suaalii and Butcher all scored well for owners

The Raiders now are on some serious form streak, dropping only the 1 game in the past 5. Elliot, Savage and the in-form front rower of the comp in my eyes: Joe Tapine led the way as they held the Chooks out in the final minutes. Tapine had one of the best opening 30 minutes of football; I hope the stats person following him was on double time!

Starlings’ minutes are a huge concern as he only played 32. With Woolford getting the lions share in 48.

Minutes played – Tapine 57, Elliot 65, Starling 32, Butcher 39, Crichton 80, Watson 49

Reported Injuries – Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Pregame hamstring)

Judiciary – Zac Woolford (Crusher tackle), Jordan Rapana (Contrary conduct)