Final word: Strategy, skippers, trades, Round 21

With Supercoach well and truly turning the corner into the home stretch, I’m going to focus this week on a few key anti-POD plays and some POD plays that could make the difference on the run home.

There is significant risk though, and everyone’s team and aspirations are different, so make sure it works for your team.

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AntiPODs

David Fifita

Pros – If you don’t have Fifita he’s very expensive now at just under $840k and you may have to make some serious moves to free up that type of cash. 5 out of the Titans last 7 games are against top-8 opposition, and there has been the talk about Fifita carrying a lower back injury out of Origin. If Titans slim finals chances are extinguished and Fifita re-signs, does the club put their marquee forward on ice for the rest of the season and shut him down early?

Cons – Averages 85.6 Supercoach points per game and that is nearly 10 points clear of the next best average in his position of 2RF. Madness to trade the clear leader of the position.

Verdict – If you already have David Fifita it’s a no-brainer. He’s a solid hold. However if you don’t have Fifi, there is an argument to not trade him in and go some alternate options. I’m undecided but think I will eventually get him over the next 2-3 weeks.  

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Nicho Hynes

Pros – This type of anti-POD move was unthinkable a month ago. Hynes was a lay-down misere locked-in bonafide gun that we would all ride to the end of the season in the HLF position. Sharks have hit the skids and can’t beat any top 8 teams (1 from 7 this year I think the stat is) and they are through the soft part of the draw and face some harder teams. The form of SJ and the class of Cleary are another two reasons this could be an anti-POD move for the ages. If your anti-PODding Hynes it can only be for the combo of SJ and Cleary in my book. SJ and the Warriors have the great run home particularly after the bye and Cleary is Cleary. Hynes may have a way better average than SJ and Cleary but he averages 76.75 in his 4 games against Top 8 opposition. In Cronulla’s remaining 7 games they play Penrith, Souths, NQ and Canberra who are all quality teams.

Cons – Why are we even considering this?  Hynes is a lay-down misere locked-in bonafide gun that we should all ride to the end of the season in the HFB position. Hynes averages 100.1 and has posted a century or more in 6 out of his 14 games!! That’s almost half!

Verdict – I’m trading Nicho Hynes to leave me with an SJ-Cleary HFB combo for the run home. Very risky but I believe it can work even though SJ plays one less game.

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Valentine Holmes

Pros – At $865k Holmes is over $130k more expensive than any other CTW. If you’re paying that type of money you need him to deliver week on week big scores. Can he continue that for seven more weeks?

Cons – Five-round average of over 100 and arguably the hottest Supercoach player in the game right now as it stands. Has a low BE so may not get him any cheaper if he can keep it up.  Pretty good run home should help his scoring.

Verdict – Same as above with Fifita, if you already have Val it’s a no-brainer. Hold him for sure. If you’re not an owner like me the price may just be too steep to get involved after this week. It’s now or never if I want Holmes in my team. Same probably applies for other supercoaches who don’t have him in their team.

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PODs for the run home

Izaak Tago – Under 3% owned but in supreme form. Goes against my rule to not getting centres unless they goalkick.   

Latrell Mitchell – Could possibly wait a week and have a look. Bunnies are road tripping with their grounds occupied by the Women’s Soccer World Cup so that throws another consideration in the mix. If Latrell’s on though it doesn’t matter where he’s playing. Won’t be 6% owned for long.    

Luke Metcalf – This would be a truly risky play. Very reliant on attacking points and largely unproven as a supercoach player. Munster, Ponga and Cody Walker are definitely safer but if you want to take a flyer the Warriors run is very good.

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Victor Radley – 2.2% owned and costing $534k, Radley is a serious POD and I think he’ll average around the 70+ mark on the run home. Always a suspension risk though but I like him a lot better at second row position.

Wayde Egan – He’ll set you back just under $500k but with the Warriors upcoming draw surely he’s the next best option behind Harry Grant and the clear pick if you want to run 2 x HOK’s