The Final Word: Round 12 NRL Supercoach Strategy

If it hadn’t yet been made clear, it’s all eyes on the byes at the moment…



We’re about to launch into eight weeks of carnage with three rounds where half the competition are sitting out, three rounds with three teams sitting out, and the likelihood of numerous players getting rested after Origin footy.



Don’t be daunted, it’s not as scary as it seems.



Firstly, we’ve done the hard yards for you with copious amounts of bye-planning articles at <a href="https://scplaybook.com.au/2024/05/15/5-best-nrl-supercoach-tips-bye-rounds/" title="Head-to-head focus: NRL Supercoach Bye Planning Strategy">scplaybook.com.au</a>.



Everything from the best and worst draws, strategy and players to target.



This is covered for both overall focused and head-to-head focused players, so check out our homepage for more.



Secondly, it takes just a bit of preparation this week to have yourself well placed moving forward.



Take 20-30 minutes over the next couple of days and it’ll help set yourself up for the next two months, that’s all it takes.



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So here’s how to do it based on an overall focus, but also of which can be applied to head-to-head players.



Open up Microsoft Word or get a pen and paper and list Round 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 and 20.



Then, go through each round individually and count how many players you currently have active in those weeks and put the number down.



For the three major bye rounds being 13, 16 and 19 when Origin players are unavailable, don’t add the likes of Harry Grant or David Fifita who you know won’t be available.



Also don’t really bother adding a player like Poasa Faamausili who either doesn’t play, or gets 15 minutes.



Keep in mind that for those three major bye rounds only your top 13 scoring players count, so having say 15+ won’t do you much favour.



Once done, you’ll immediately know how many numbers you have for each round, meaning you’ll know which ones you need to target having more players (and trades used) and which ones you can sit on your hands and perhaps save trades.



It’ll make life a lot less stressful and allow you to enjoy the Origin bye-period in peace.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">Supercoach PODs &amp; SuperPODS&nbsp;</h3>



Here’s the players I’ve identified as PODs (Point of Difference players – less than 10% owned) and SuperPODS (less than 2% owned) that should be on your radar.



Note that all below are based on ownership % among top 10% ranked teams overall.



PODs



Latrell Mitchell (4.6% own.) &#8211; $728,000



It’s probably best waiting a week on Latrell in case of Origin selection, but it does appear as though he won’t be in camp.



The Bunnies have been terrible this season with just one win to their name which has scared many off, despite the form though, Latrell has averaged 78 points with just one score under 69 which included a sin-bin in the smashing at the hands of the Roosters.



We know he’s among the elite fullbacks in Supercoach and barring Origin he’ll play the second two major bye rounds which are by far the most difficult.



Shawn Blore (5.5% own.) &#8211; $580,400



Here’s one of Walson’s boys…



All the attention is on Eli Katoa in the back-row at the Storm, but Blore has quietly knocked out a season average of 62, with all scores over 50 since his first game of the year.



His 39 in base isn’t great, but I do believe there will be more attack on the horizon to boost his scoring.



With Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo and David Fifita all set for Origin duties, the 2RF position isn’t beaming with great options, so Blore could be a nice pick-up at a decent price.



Super PODs



Brandon Smith (0.8% own.) &#8211; $370,900



While I don’t necessarily expect Cheese to go ham for tempted owners, he does offer excellent bye period coverage for those after a cheap No.9.



His minutes have dropped in recent weeks with Connor Watson taking the starting hooker role, but with Watson gone for a month it should mean good game time for Smith.



He covers the first two major bye rounds, but do note if already loaded on Roosters they miss round 14 which looks a tricky week for numbers.



He has attacking upside in a gun team and should plug a hole and make some cash before being upgraded at the back end of the Origin period.



Others: They’re on the bye and I likely won’t be writing this article next week, but Dane Gagai and Dylan Lucas are both at 2% ownership and have great draws from next week onwards.



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Supercoach Captain



I like Scott Drinkwater this week against a leaky Tigers outfit in Townsville.



They’ve lost both centres to suspension and will be very fragile on their edges.



If following along, it doesn’t leave much of a VC option for coaches this week as it’s the second game of the round, unless you own Jacob Kiraz or Zac Lomax who are great options in what will be beautiful conditions for footy in Sydney.



Nicho Hynes is the most popular captain this week, I don’t rate it all that much against Penrith who will be fired up for this clash coming off a shock loss.



Nicho is a gun, but it’s very rare that any players score well against Penrith.



Last year against Penrith he scored a grand total of 22 points…



Dylan Edwards is the third most popular skipper, I’m also not entirely crash hot on him due to the same match-up against ladder leaders Cronulla.



I sold Reece Walsh last week, but if still owned I’d have the captaincy locked on him with a dream match-up against a depleted Titans outfit.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">BETTING PLAYS</h3>



Tune into this week’s episode of the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FBXPSoZDXzonV0drAotEC?si=4ca2ca5136014efe" title="Half-Backed podcast">Half-Backed podcast</a> with myself, former Raider (and brother) Sam Williams and ex-TAB data analyst Jimmy Hughes for all our punting plays for Round 12.



Aside from trying to find winners, we also get inside the genius footy mind of Sam which is littered in rugby league IQ so check it out if interested.



The episode has dropped in the SC Playbook Spotify/Apple feed.



Do you ever feel uneasy with how much you’re gambling with? You’re not alone, sport fans love a punt, but sometimes it can get a bit out of control. There’s help available with Gareth Wyatt and the team at CECAL. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, so make the call and get in contact here: <a href="https://bit.ly/3L2yG1W">https://bit.ly/3L2yG1W</a>



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The Final Word: Round 12 NRL Supercoach Strategy

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