Captain's Challenge: Round 18 skipper options

<ul><li>STAT ANALYSIS: <a href="http://13.210.220.211/2020/09/10/stat-analysis-vital-numbers-to-beat-the-best-rd-18/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vital numbers to beat the best</a></li><li>DECISION TIME:&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://13.210.220.211/2020/09/09/decision-time-answering-the-big-questions-rd-18/" target="_blank">Answering the week’s big questions</a></li></ul>



As we head deeper into the season with finals ramping up, the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://13.210.220.211/2020/05/27/how-to-utilise-the-vice-captain-loophole/" target="_blank">vice-captain loophole</a>&nbsp;is becoming more and more viable.



The tactic has been aided by a stack of injuries, a few rests, along with a greater tendency this season to nuff out players from an earlier stage of the year with no bye-planning required.



If you are lucky enough to field a strong 17 at the moment and can
walk the tight rope of getting a free shot at the VC loophole than it’s&nbsp;a
major bonus.



We saw last week the reward in going against the grain of popular
skippers, with Nathan Cleary underwhelming while James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga
went ballistic.



Let’s take a peak at Round 18.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SAFETY FIRST</h2>



JAMES TEDESCO



Teddy is very likely to be the most popular captain this
week for good reason.



He’s scored a ridiculous 308 points in his past two games.



While I like him as a pick, I don’t think it’s as clear cut
as people are making out.



I acknowledge the Knights form of late hasn’t been crash
hot, but I do think they’ve developed far more defensive resilience this season
under Adam O’Brien.



They boast the sixth best defensive record in the
competition with 278 against, and it’s not far off those above them (aside from
Melbourne’s 204 points conceded.)



The odds would suggest it’ll be a one-sided affair, but Kalyn Ponga’s absence will contribute to the odds significantly.



While that will cruel the Knights’ attack, it shouldn’t impact defence too significantly.



Get this, the Knights actually concede the least SuperCoach points to fullbacks in the NRL!



PAYNE HAAS



I really like Haas as a play this week, particularly for
those who are ahead comfortably in their head-to-head finals.



He played the full 80 minutes last week for 89 points,
including a mind blowing 85 in base… seriously.



Obviously be aware of late changes, but the Brisbane bench
boasts a hooker and winger, so I can’t really see Haas not getting a very
minimum of 70 minutes, I’m expecting him to play 80.



He comes up against the fragile Titans defensive unit, so he’s every chance to jag some extra attacking stats this week and a 100+ score is a huge chance.



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CAMERON SMITH



Melbourne are ramping up for finals and they face a Cowboys
side boasting the second worst defensive record in the competition.



While their SuperCoach defensive record is horrid, they
actually defend okay against hookers with the 9th most points
conceded. 



The Cows are very patchy on the edges, so the concern is
that he just dishes very early ball to his halves who do the damage out wide.



I’ve seen this happen plenty of times before where Smith doesn’t
need to turn provider around the ruck.



However, it’d take a brave person to not think he can’t get
a try-assist or two of his own, along with a stack of conversions if the score
line is what punters are predicting.



Taking out Smith’s few games in the halves he has an exceptional
scoring rate in 2020.



He’s a very good option, and if you find yourself chasing ground in your finals clash he becomes are great pick late in the round.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RISK IT FOR THE BISCUIT</h2>



CAM MUNSTER



For all the reasons listed above with the Cowboys defensive deficiencies
Munster becomes a huge play too.



If you need a miracle leading into the Roosters clash and
you have the C sitting on Teddy, Munster is definitely your Hail Mary play.



The Cowboys concede the most SuperCoach points of any team
to 5/8s and the second most to halfbacks.



Furthermore, with Ryan Papenhuyzen out it’ll force Munster
to engage the line plenty more rather than just servicing the little star
fullback who has been causing havoc outside him.



CODY WALKER and DAMIEN COOK



Looking for an enormous POD play to jump overall ranks, or are
you simply looking at your opposition wondering how on earth you can win?



This pair can go large and they’re both coming into serious
form at the right end of the season.



The Tigers defence is ordinary and it’s only getting worse. In particular their edge defence which have been on different pages all season.



In the past seven rounds they’ve conceded on average 32
points per game, and haven’t conceded less than 26 to a team since Round 10
against the Broncos.



They concede the sixth most SuperCoach points to five-eighths, so I particularly like Walker as a play.



Walker has scores of 81 and 102 in his past two games, coming against the Eels and Storm.



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



I was torn prior to writing this article, then the stats I
found made it even harder.



James Tedesco is the safe and obvious pick, there’s no two
ways about it.



On a personal level I’m looking to VC Cody Walker on
Thursday night, and with a few other Rabbitohs in my team it’ll determine my
choice.



If they flop and I need to rescue my week I’ll likely go Munster,
if they fire I’ll play it safer with Tedesco.



Basically, assess how you’re looking early in the round and
if you’re happy than just go Teddy. 



If you’re chasing points after a slow start than Munster or
Smith look the options for me.

Captain’s Challenge: Round 18 skipper options

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