Weekly wrap: Round 6 winners, losers, injuries

2021 6th overall Clem Cassidy recaps every game from Round 6, eyeing the Supercoach studs and duds.

NRL

So.

Firstly.

The craving for getting long, wet locks surgically attached to one’s head has finally hit one of our nearest and dearest.

It was inevitable. I mean it’s trending in the world of surgical enhancements right now, so it was bound to take the fancy of one of the Playbook group sooner or later.

So whilst Nick’s getting Prince Nicho-inspired locks surgically attached to his head, I have been left to my own devices, to run solo and a little bit wild in the recaps.

Which meant this weekend I studiously watched every game, noted down every key stat, and tried to think of cunning Nick-like jokes so as not to let the team down.

And what a round we had!

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Four days of footy. Monday arvo footy. Blow out games between the Panthers and Manly and the Bunnies and Bulldogs. The Dragons literally getting pipped at the post by the Titans. The Broncos copping their first loss of the season at the hand of the Raiders. A complete try scoring bonanza that saw Campbell Graham run in 3 tries in the last 12 minutes…

…and the emergence of so many Gods that my living room cannot fit all the altars I have built for them, and therefore I must find a bigger house for me and all my Gods to live in.

Because despite starting the season on some sort of slow and leisurely Sunday pub crawl, Friday Beers is definitely on the up. A fairly decent score of 1296 helped along by a couple of saviours in the form of Charnze, Gilbert, and Cleary has seen us rise to 19,383 place. Which is an achievement in our slightly slow season.

But best of all – we literally won 9/10 H2Hs this week which is a record for us, and the celebrations will go all week, and then we will hopefully be able to back it up this round and do it all over again.

Because this round we’re playing Nick’s Philly Hamstrings, who scored a very decent 1194 with a Captaincy on Reece Walsh. And if only Walsh hadn’t flicked that pass to Cobbo and had just literally scored himself…you were over the line sir! That try was begging to be scored by you! Right there!

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Storm vs Roosters

Say the line, Bart!

“Victor Radley on report and 10 in the bin.”

And in that 10-minutes, the Storm, who already looked to have the upper hand in the match, ran in 2 tries to go 18 – 8 into the break. A lead that the Roosters couldn’t come back from with their lack of field position, errors, and ill-discipline, with the game finishing with a resounding victory to the Storm at 28 – 8.

We feel so very pleased for Bellamy’s voice box at this time. It must feel as smooth as silk right now from the lack of yelling.

Munster, the big game player, put on an absolute masterclass which saw him literally everywhere, finishing on 114 points including a try, 2 assists, a line break, and a line break assist – and surely he’s the ultimate prize 5/8 for the season, and must be at least a consideration for people looking to trade out Doueihi this week.

Meaney punished those who traded him out, enjoying a try and a couple of assists himself to finish on 96 points, and Xavier scored his 4th career hat-trick to finish on 76 points.

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Those who brought in Joey Manu for the high-roller price of 800k would be disappointed with his 49 points. But please, can we take a minute to spare a thought for those risk-takers who Sir Captained him. We love a risk, but our hearts absolutely go out to you. Truly.

With a BE of 144 vs the Sharks, I would not be rushing to bring him in this week, despite his 85k price drop.

Harry the Wizard won the hyped-up battle of the hookers. The busy man finished on 65 points including a 40/20, outclassing the block of not-so-vintage-looking Cheese, who only managed a 40 in his 63 minutes.

Katoa on 70 points continues to tackle bust and line break and do all sorts of lovely things for his owners, whilst Welch on 50 points is a hold in that tricky FRF spot if you have him.

And Warbrick. 16-point Warbrick. You’ve made us a lot of lovely cash – 189k in fact. But your BE is now 48, and thank you for your services. Because maybe, just maybe, it’s almost your time to go.

Injuries: Nil

Judiciary: Victor Radley (Grade 1 Dangerous Contact)

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Bulldogs vs Bunnies

It was Latrell’s 150th game, and by God did he celebrate in style. Because when that man kicks into action he goes places! Like over the line. THREE times.

An absolute Good Friday thrashing of the Bulldogs. 50 – 16 to the Bunnies.

And it was a holy trinity of Bunnies, who really put on a show with lots and lots of tries. Latrell and Cody and Campbell Graham.

Latrell top scored for the game with 146 SuperCoach points. He literally scored 26 points of the Bunnies 50. And when Latrell clicks into gear, he has no mercy and you will want need him in your team.

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Cody Walker doled out try assists, and contributions, and line break assists, and scored a try and did all sort of point-scoring magic to finish on 132 points. An 80, 76, and 132 in his last 3 games and you could potentially eye him up for that tricky 5/8 spot.

And Campbell Graham jumped on the wing for an injured Thompson, and it was a try scoring bonanza down that right side with him scoring about a thousand tries in 10 minutes to end up on 145 points.

He is an elite in that wing position.

Thompson himself, scored a decent 50 pre-injury. And I feel gutted for him for his injury, and wish him a good recovery. Depending on how long he’s out for, he’s likely a trade out for me.

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And from a SuperCoach perspective, it was also a double whammy for me, with my other player, Preston, unfortunately causing the injury, sinbinning himself in the process.

And Moale. Well Moale did consistent Moale things, finishing on a consistently consistent 25 points. And as he sits stagnating consistently on most people’s FRF bench, we can at least take great comfort in the fact that his absolute consistency means we can just leave him be and we don’t need to go through the rollercoaster stress of a ‘do we or don’t we play you’ moments like we go through when considering a cheapie like AKP.

Unless of course you do find yourself having to play him over the next 2 weeks, due to your two FRFs being on a bye one after another, and your other backup FRF is in the form of one such as Pele.

Use a trade – please. I beg you. I’ll gift you one.

For the Bulldogs, Preston owners fell back to earth with his 34 points. BUT this included the aforementioned sin bin, and the man made 40 tackles, and I think he only had 9 workable fingers, and the Bulldogs got smashed. So, I think we can very much forgive and forget in this case.

Burton managed 57 points which included 2 tries, and Kiraz came back to the pack a bit in this game, finishing on 51 points. But again, let us consider the score and the fact that he still scored that – and yes, you are still a God Kiraz, and should be in everybody’s teams.

Alamoti jumped on the wing for an injured JAC, and only finished on 11 points and lost a bunch of cash – $26k in fact. I think he was a trade out the round just been, but if you still have him – a trade should certainly still be considered for you considering his BE this week vs the Eels is 64.

Injuries: Josh Addo-Carr (ankle/knee), Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson (leg), Tevita Tatola (knee)

Judiciary: Nil.

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Cowboys vs Dolphins

Well. Well. Well

Wayne is clearly a God. As we all knew. But out of this game we gained several new Gods including, Hammer, Isaako, and our new ultimate God, Tommy Gilbert.

And Nick and I will also be holding a Support/Celebration Group at the Community Hall on Tuesday for everybody who traded out/held these Gods.

Apologies in advance that Timmy McGuire didn’t give us enough budget to separate out the groups, but we do ask that the Support Group members keep their tears to the minimum whilst Mariah sings Hero to our heroes. You may, of course, wail as much as you like when she sings her special version of We Belong Together:

“I didn’t mean it when I said I didn’t love you so

I should’ve held on tight, I never shoulda let you go…

Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have your points still in my side

Right here, ‘cause *insert one Hammer, Isaako, Gilbert* (we belong together)”

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So. The Dolphins came to play. And the Cowboys came to play sporadically during the game and especially for a period when the Dolphins forgot how to play, but then the Dolphins started to play again and Val thought ‘f*!k it! I’m just going to play by myself’ and then the whistle blew and the Dolphins had won and Gilbert ascended into heaven on a dolphin to take his place on a heavenly throne where he so rightly belongs.

Or something like that.

Now let’s start with Gilbert.

And I am very guilty of declaring to several people during last week that I had a not very glorious FRF going on, and it must be fixed urgently, and I apologise profusely to the good Sir Gilbert and offer sacrifices of all my favourite lipsticks for not believing in you.

A try, a try assist, a line break, a line break assist, 5 million other things and 106 points! ONE HUNDRED AND SIX! We give you all the thanks Gilbert Sir.

Stop, Hammer Time! It’s kind of like that movie Groundhog Day, but a way more fun and electric version of Groundhog Day. Because it’s Hammer Time every round, and it was twice this round for the man who over 15,000 people traded out.

Top scoring for the game with 120 points, scoring tries, and assists, and line breaks, and line break assists, and tackle busting – he was just involved in everything, and those who kept him rejoiced, and those who gave him the flick…well join us at the Support Group Tuesday…we’ll have plenty of whiskey for you.

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And Isaako. Isaako is a gun. 118 points including THREE tries. And may I direct your attention to this year’s first recap article, where Nick declared him as a possible must have. And this THIS is the kind of pressure I am under this weekend trying to live up to the standards set by that great man Moon.

Katoa managed 34 points. And it might just potentially be time to start planning how you’ll upgrade him in the future.

For the Cowboys, Val managed 88 points. And we’ve only been waiting 5 rounds and 68 years minutes for him to finally do something to push his points past a reasonable 60, and he did it! He scored a try which was quite nice for all of us who held. He does look much better with Scotty D back in the team, so he’s still a hold for me.

Cotter came back from injury with 48 points. Not the worst score, but also when there’s guys like Haas and our new god Gilbert making millions of points in that FRF position, I don’t think you’d jump back on Cotter just yet. I still regret starting with him.

Injuries: Jarrod Wallace (head knock), Jesse Bromwich (illness)

Judiciary: Coen Hess (Grade 1 Dangerous Contact), Peta Hiku (Grade 1 High Tackle – Careless), Kodi Nikorima (Grade 1 Dangerous Throw), Brenko Lee (Grade 1 Crusher Tackle)

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Panthers vs Manly

Dylan. Edwards.

4 tries. 3 line-breaks. 13 tackle busts. Hundreds of running meters.

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE SuperCoach points.

What. A. Guy.

And only 3% of SuperCoachers own him.

It was all the Panthers in this 44 – 12 total annihilation. Although Manly must be congratulated for not just lying down and continuing to put up a fight in the second half with a couple of tries.

SuperCoach-wise it was all about the Panthers too, with plenty of players putting up big scores to go with Edwards 163.

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Cleary Captainers rejoiced, with a try, 3 assists, 4 line-break assists, and a bunch of kicking points giving us 264 glorious Sir Captain points. He’s surely a Captaincy consideration every week, and just like last year, despite a slower start he’s starting to absolutely perform with a 3-round average of 120 points. If you don’t have him – he’s a must.

Brian To’o owners finally got their pay day with 112 points. Massive base AND attacking stats – the man is simply a god amongst CTWs. On the other side, Tago continued to rack up the points with a 76, however Turuva on his outside only managed a 44 – but that’s because there was no tries for him…this time.

Those who brought in Zac Hoskings enjoyed 61 points – nowhere near his first two weeks, but still delicious considering his mid-range price and the fact that he is an offloading, tackling, hit-up machine with a 3-round average of 86 and a BE of 33, and should continue to make lovely bunches of cash and lots of lovely points too.

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At $271k, Soni Luke is a cheapie that must be considered – the man is so SO busy! 59 points in 55 minutes, including 2 try assists. He outclassed the Cheese.

For Manly, we really must talk about Tommy T. He was not looking his best self on the field, and his 26 points included a try, which reflects this. I’m at a loss what to do here, as if he’s not at his best he’s a possible trade for me. He lost 26k and his BE is now 81.

Reuban Garrick left the field with an HIA and didn’t return, earning just 8 points, which hurt many a SuperCoacher. He’s just lost 70k, his BE is now 130, and he will be so much cheaper in a couple of weeks, so jump on then if you don’t already own.

Injuries: Reuben Garrick (head knock), Karl Lawton (shoulder)

Judiciary: Mitch Kenny (Grade 1 High Tackle – Careless)

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Broncos vs Raiders

It took 6 rounds, but the Raiders have handed the Broncos their very first loss of the season.

And it only took 13 years. But the Raiders have also enjoyed their first win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

The Raiders came in this ready to fight, putting in a massive defensive effort, and whilst the Broncos fought back all the way to the very end, the Raiders fought just that bit harder to take the win 14 – 20.

Walsh top-scored for the Broncos with 86 points. Which could have been more if only he’d scored that try instead of throwing a completely unnecessary pass to Cobbo when he was already over the line about to score the try.  And whyyyyy sir??? The only thing I can think of is that he has Cobbo in his SuperCoach team and needed the 17 points desperately to win his H2H.

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Walsh should be somewhat pleased then, as Cobbo scored 76 points including a freakish try in the 16th minute. Why do I finish every round wondering if I should put Cobbo in my team? I shouldn’t… should I?

Payne Hass continues to be the most consistently good scorer for the FRF position with 79 points in 60 minutes. His base is so good and his PPM are so good. He has a 3-round average of 83. I am so sad I can’t afford him at his hefty $760k price tag.

For the Raiders, Rapana top scored with 89 points. But despite the win, the only Raider I’m really interested in at this point is Tapine after their bye in round 8, and he was out for this game for the birth of his little one. Congratulations to you!

Injuries: Thomas Flegler (head knock), Jordan Rapana (head cut)

Judiciary: Nil.

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Titans vs Dragons

Pipped at the post. Those poor Dragons.

It was a close match which saw the scores locked up at 14 all with 10 minutes to go, with bombed tries on both sides. Then Ben Hunt scored what looked to be the match winner with 7 minutes to go, before Toby Sexton broke the Dragons hearts, crossing the line with just 3 minutes to go.

And then absolute heartbreak anew! Ben Hunt dropped the ball on the buzzer and the Titans definitively claimed the win.

And despite that error, Ben Hunt finished on 88 SuperCoach points and was so busy and was ultra-involved in everything, and if you were going to consider a Dragons player it might be him. But I just can’t get excited about any of the Dragons players SuperCoach-wise just yet, so let’s talk about the Titans instead.

And Toby Sexton made his mark in a comeback game after being dropped. A try assist, a line break, 2 line break assists, off-loading, a bunch of tackles – all culminating in the pièce de resistance – scoring THAT winning try.

95 SuperCoach points if you please. That’s how you show them what they’re missing out on!

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David Fifita continues to rack up points out of nowhere, tackle busting and tackling and off-loading his way to 76 points. And should he have got the couple of non-allowed try assists and the bombed try in there too – well, the absolute point-scoring potential. He’s an absolute complete hold for me.

And AKP. So many played him.

16 points.

I benched Ford for him. He is LITERALLY the hardest cheapie to get right – but had those 2 tries not being bombed, we’d be singing a completely different tune. And for a guy who’s already made $241k and has a BE of 5 going into the next round – he’s a definite hold for me.

Injuries: Nil.

Judiciary: Francis Molo (Grade 2 High Tackle – Careless), Jaydn Su’A (Grade 1 Dangerous Contact)

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Knights vs Warriors

Down 24 – 6 at the break to a Knights side who had absolutely came to play, the Warriors tried to repeat their comeback fight from last round, getting to within 4 points of the Knights.

But it was too little too late this time, with those resilient, tough Knights taking the win 34 – 24.

What an absolute team they are!

However.

The Warriors are my first team always, so I would like to take this time to acknowledge my new God.

Who is called Charnze. And I have built an altar to him in my living room. Alongside my altars for Prince Nicho and Gilbert. Now a story if you will.

On Friday morning a nice man named @Tradewithmekeefer contacted me on Instagram asking me if I needed financial help, ma’am.

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And after disclosing to the good sir that my team was in a bit of financial stress after spending all our money chasing wet-haired Princes, and I wasn’t sure how I could afford the round’s favourite trades – Hoskings and Marzhew – he came to the solution that perhaps I just go for Hoskings, and declared that he himself could help me fund this trade if I would just answer his calls and give him some simple bank details and things like that.

Well, luckily for Mr Tradewithmekeefer’s wallet, after taking his advice to just go for Hoskings, I had just enough funds in my SuperCoach bank account, so I felt quite good about not having to take his hard-earned cash, and I thanked him for his suggestion, ignored all his calls, and then took another good sir’s advice.

And that sir was of course SC Spy, who declared on the SC Hub poddy we were on together, that I should consider Charnze for my team.

And so Charnze came into my team and what a glorious watch he gave his new owner (me!) on Sunday night, where he equaled the financially unreachable Marzhew with 92 glorious points!

And he was in everything, and it could have been more points had his try not been disallowed, because 2km away from where the try was scored, Hastings was obstructed.

And I would like you to consider him for your team please. Bye coverage, price rises, CTW/FLB dual flexibility, only $459k – if you need any more reasons to consider him, just hit me up:

1300CNKSHYPEGIRL

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Now SJ. That Kiwi God. Another 85 SuperCoach points for him if you please. Also kicking his 1000th point for the Warriors in this game. He just looks so good and in form! If you owned him, you’d be sorely tempted to keep him for the bye coverage with his 97-point 3 round average and his incoming cash rises.

Jackson Ford scored a try off a Charnze assist to finish on 75 points (which I left on the bench because of course, I chose AKP’s 16 points instead). If you don’t have Ford in your team and you need cash, he’s a viable option. He has a 3-round average of 63, is getting 80 minutes, is a great bye number, and should continue to make cash too.

Greg Marzhew that attacking, tackle busting, try scoring KING, rewarded his new owners with 92 points. They are all his hype girls this week. Gun. ABSOLUTE GUN! He has a 3-round average of 105. He’s also just made lucky owners $115k. I want him so badly, but alas – he is now priced too high for me…thank god I have Charnze in my CTW at this difficult time.

Lachie Miller enjoyed 77 points. Also a gun. He has a 3-round average of 91. He’s very exy at 781k and has a BE of 72 vs the Panthers this week, so I probably wouldn’t jump on just now though. Watch this space.

Injuries: Jayden Brailey (knee), Mat Croker (leg), Te Maire Martin (leg), Wayde Egan (head knock)

Judiciary: Nil. 

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Tigers vs Eels

Could you imagine the pressure of being Api Koroisau kicking from the sideline to level the score to 22 all with just 7 minutes to go.

The guy hasn’t kicked for conversion in 5 million years.  

I sympathise. I imagine it feels kind of like how I feel when my nephew gets me to play kicks with him back in NZ, and after I get hit in the head 50 times trying to catch all of his bombs, he then lets me have a turn at the kicking, and the absolute pressure, and I line the ball up, and then it goes totally sideways and not where I aimed it at all.

Only it’s just the 6 sheep in the next paddock watching on when I’m kicking the ball, and not a crowd of 28,611 people – so actually I CANNOT imagine. The pressure!

And why was Api kicking? Because of a very gutwrenching moment whereby Doueihi has unfortunately done his ACL. And we wish you a good recovery Doueihi (who looked good back in 5/8 with 66 points before his injury).

Now the Tigers must be commended for having so much more fight than they’ve had lately coming back from 22 – 6. And the score of 22 – 28 wasn’t the blow out score many expected either, and indeed they came that close to levelling up.

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Moses’ kicking game was on-point. Top scoring for the game with 102 points including 4 try assists which equals his career-best.

It was a slightly bitter watch for Dylan Brown owners (including me) who had been promised so many points from him leading up to this game, but he only managed a quite deflating 46.

Except then! The updates. Ohhhh the updates! And they gave Dylan a try assist. Oh, such a glorious moment for owners opening the app with those beautiful updates, and I will take those 63 points. Even if you are going to drop a bunch more cash with an enormous BE of 97, and I still think I brought you in too early.

Bateman managed 77 points. And IPap managed a 60. Nice reliable consistent points. I’m just scared to own any Tigers just yet, especially as you have cheaper mid-range guys churning out the same amount of points on the weekly.

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Hopgood came off the bench and managed 48 points in 53 minutes. I sold him and yes, he is a great bye number, so up to you if you hold for that. But if he loses minutes, then he’s going to lose cash…and he has a BE of 76 next week.

Stefano on 37 points might need to go before he starts dropping more cash. He’s done his job averaging 50, making 100k, and filling in as a second FRF for most. Surely a popular trade-out with the Tiger’s bye this round, and a lot of people running the risk of a Moale play.

And as for the Carty Party. Well. They’ve only gone and got their second wind after a quick nap and a blue Powerade, and have started up the party again. They’re currently sitting around somebody’s paddling pool on a sunny Sunday afternoon, sunnies on, bevvies in hand, sounds on. 80 minutes. 67 points. A $211k price rise. And congratulations owners – you may have just jumped on the cheapie of the year.

Injuries: Brent Naden (collarbone), Adam Doueihi (knee)

On report: Nil. 

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