H2H | Best skippers for each round of Head-to-head Finals


<p>When it comes to winning your head to head leagues, the two things which will determine your final matchups will be your uniques and your skipper.</p>



<p>Head to head is match play and strategy plays a huge part in if you prevail or fail. With respect to unique players, the rule of thumb is pretty simple.</p>



<p>If you’re the better team, decrease the amount of uniques to reduce the variables. If you’re the worse team, increase the amount of uniques to increase the variables.</p>



<p>Now in either scenario, sometimes it’s not possible to make changes to your team as you could be low on or out of trades. In that case, skippers are your best shot shot at finding an advantage in your league.</p>



<p>To help get your head around planning to win your league, we’ve taken a look ahead to identify the best skipper options in each Round of Head to Head Finals so you can ensure you’re equipped to get the best possible score, or find yourself a POD.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Round 22 &#8211; 27 draw</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeWodeNs-9oxHczWw-cj5LOEKUKvuBqdEyoKbOhxKRp4Wt3UJe31M0tbVF437gjs1r_2S3aUpjSPXsfA8guH8eNNmOr2ovy0rG4BkPsobuqMyRgCXaGVkg6YVK-5kpPqHmUYdvt5w?key=CwcIxO70p09rBcnnyZjWbw" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Before we dive in, be sure to check out the full backlog of H2H strategy pieces we’ve been producing across SC Playbook</em>.</p>



<ul>
<li>Best Draws for your H2H Finals System</li>



<li>All POD Squad; best point of difference players for H2H</li>



<li>Changing CTW strategy for H2H</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Matchups we love seeing:</strong></h2>



<p>Anytime a team is playing the Titans, Eels, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Dragons or Tigers you can expect to see an uplift in their performance. And as we get closer to the end of the year and sides begin to drop out of finals contention, defences could drop off even more.</p>



<p>Not all games are equal though &#8211; the best attacking sides are the best sides to choose from when they have an easy matchup.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The best attacking sides are the Dolphins, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters, Eels, Sharks and Storm.</p>



<p>Ideally a gun attacking side against a poor defensive side is where to search for a skipper.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Round 22:</strong></h2>



<p>This is an easy week for skippers were a lot of the popular options come up against weaker defensive sides. What this means is that it’s lower risk than usual to go against the most popular skipper of the week and get a unique skipper.</p>



<p>Even some of the POD skipper options are good fun this round, so if you’re playing H2H in Round 22, you’ve got plenty of tricks you can pull.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeTTaQcFKsq7TqLE4ZlX2baxHhqhMIqg99vx9ryPR2-m28ZgVam1m9Wm8HCBn6YYdjFksYEkmjRgunSJfMnyN_tYaNxUDCBloYVcDmtGGe-cWdY1VG_51hdAAIwrY3fWpoMYT57cA?key=CwcIxO70p09rBcnnyZjWbw" alt=""/></figure>



<p><strong><em>Best Skipper Options</em></strong><em>:</em></p>



<ol>
<li>Nathan Cleary vs Titans</li>



<li>Dylan Edwards vs Titans</li>



<li>Jahrome Hughes vs Eels</li>



<li>Nicho Hynes vs Cowboys</li>
</ol>



<p><strong>Best POD Skippers:</strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Jacob Kiraz vs Tigers</li>



<li>Hudson Young vs Dragons</li>



<li>Reece Walsh vs Rabbitohs</li>



<li>Payne Haas vs Rabbitohs</li>
</ol>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Round 23:</strong></h2>



<p>This week starts to get a little more difficult as a lot of the gun attacking sides have tougher matchups. The limited options emerging highlight the Cowboys and Eels as teams to look for a skipper in, or the Sharks.</p>



<p>Gun options like James Tedesco, Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards are co. have the ability to go big against anyone. So there’s always the chance to stick with the trusted option, but on matchups there’s better choices.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdfAD9DnOAr_3uldCp2HKpdHrXnL1DYwYsdEIQhn5KckoQ_acPaVXBf-X8VUS9wPjg1TNrGQrb755A4qZrqfr6UBK8ZF3my7V_eb58u3r-5ZXH0F106I-My3ya1RvS2QYevD_TQAA?key=CwcIxO70p09rBcnnyZjWbw" alt=""/></figure>



<p><strong><em>Best Skipper Options:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Scott Drinkwater vs Eels:</li>



<li>Nicho Hynes vs Dragons:</li>



<li>Nathan Cleary vs Knights:</li>



<li>Herbie Farnworth vs Roosters;</li>
</ol>



<p><strong><em>Best POD Skippers:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Zac Lomax vs Cowboys:</li>



<li>Dylan Edwards vs Knights:</li>



<li>Ryan Papenhuyzen vs Broncos:</li>



<li>James Tedesco vs Dolphins:</li>
</ol>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Round 24:</strong></h2>



<p>With the Storm playing the Panthers this week, a number of skipper options are instantly nullified. Thankfully Nicho has a nice matchup against the Titans but what that means is that most of the competition will be targeting the same option.</p>



<p>Some of the lesser owned targets like Zac Lomax or Reuben Garrick could be in for big games and worth a punt.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdDNnlVlfIH93aTPKfVbeef4FVjWmAH-rIHrdzE24d79Uz7rgq25ASYAArsYxdaowginFG91gEiDkG70BJdJOqzBahv07Wy9fEj9-Y0VGsmypfOTZfNSW_9i-urVifJwp5nlRRceA?key=CwcIxO70p09rBcnnyZjWbw" alt=""/></figure>



<p><strong><em>Best skipper options:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Nicho Hynes vs Titans:</li>



<li>Zac Lomax vs Rabbitohs:</li>



<li>Reuben Garrick vs Tigers:</li>
</ol>



<p><strong><em>Best POD Skippers:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Tom Trbojevic vs Tigers</li>



<li>Nathan Cleary vs Storm</li>



<li>Dane Gagai vs Cowboys</li>
</ol>



<a id='7a_cR3QFSMVIEXUcM-bivA' class='gie-single' href='http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2224751853' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'7a_cR3QFSMVIEXUcM-bivA',sig:'slQmhRRGqk5rq3FaBcMf6-xrn4h8in88K0UA6RgUtos=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2224751853',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Round 25:</strong></h2>



<p>Some highly owned fullbacks have nice matchups this week and the majority of Coaches will steer their choices that way. The Storm vs Bulldogs and Panthers vs Raiders games cancel out a lot of the usual candidates.</p>



<p>There’s a handful of POD options but largely this is a vanilla week.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdQEarV9Qh0XZovFYNOOW0nSkH8F_uodj05evyUjO-2BqGFbV983ozPbPkn1VRMCPoIH2k8tWCJz9MoobeEjzGigsBEEk4s0D2dIJYR7pXyJIRDgcAfKrdtTNBLQp2x6DX5dUBzTQ?key=CwcIxO70p09rBcnnyZjWbw" alt=""/></figure>



<p><strong><em>Best Skipper Options</em></strong>:</p>



<ol>
<li>Scott Drinkwater vs Tigers</li>



<li>James Tedesco vs Eels</li>



<li>Terrell May vs Cowboys</li>
</ol>



<p><strong><em>Best POD Skippers:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Erin Clark vs Titans</li>



<li>Tom Dearden vs Tigers</li>



<li>Payne Haas vs Knights</li>
</ol>



<a id='I8YWG3ndSGhImduz7_rWpg' class='gie-single' href='http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2222561879' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'I8YWG3ndSGhImduz7_rWpg',sig:'-38ukvZWXtLRhp9UXbff9HSboA3Uon8BkKrPfcYovGM=',w:'594px',h:'373px',items:'2222561879',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>
Embed



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Round 26:</strong></h2>



<p>As above, Bulldogs vs Panthers will cancel out a lot of popular options which creates opportunities for Coaches to take the punt on some POD options.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This late in the season, defences can really fall away for sides who won’t make Finals which could change the current matchups.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfjhRqY1yztNRyg0noPNz4DXaa7ZNG8XNKPpJ_Fd1D_svFAyjz3FWLfDbNMOfhlBv4yU8atLdLobYbBJyQ7CINELixm6m9c2dbb9Xt5VSgND-NqFXwhsW89B0tHOsSGRjA2dIwINg?key=CwcIxO70p09rBcnnyZjWbw" alt=""/></figure>



<p><strong><em>Best skipper options:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Reuben Garrick vs Eels;</li>



<li>Payne Haas vs Cowboys:</li>



<li>Herbie Farnworth vs Titans:</li>
</ol>



<p><strong><em>Best POD options:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Nathan Cleary vs Bulldogs:</li>



<li>Nicho Hynes vs Knights:</li>



<li>Payne Haas vs Cowboys</li>



<li>Hudson Young vs Tigers</li>
</ol>



<a id='zgPy2hCIShxnYFR1LlgV3Q' class='gie-single' href='http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2224863401' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'zgPy2hCIShxnYFR1LlgV3Q',sig:'AvKRCXvG4hnkM7kPXOuW5uAOp2r2wQEQiInwmmPsjxs=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2224863401',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Round 27:</strong></h2>



<p>Another week where some headline games involving the popular stars will make most coaches flock to the same options as the Panthers take on the Dragons. This is a hard week to project given the inevitable restings that will take place, so keep your head on a swivel.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="872" src="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-2.32.16-pm-1024x872.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2401615" srcset="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-2.32.16-pm-1024x872.png 1024w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-2.32.16-pm-300x255.png 300w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-2.32.16-pm-768x654.png 768w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-2.32.16-pm-640x545.png 640w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-2.32.16-pm.png 1064w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 98vw, (max-width: 1199px) 64vw, 770px" /></figure>



<p><strong><em>Best skipper options:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Nathan Cleary/Dylan Edwards vs Dragons:</li>



<li>James Tedesco vs Rabbitohs:</li>



<li>Jayden Campbell vs Tigers</li>



<li>Terrell May vs Titans</li>
</ol>



<p><strong><em>Best POD skippers:</em></strong></p>



<ol>
<li>Dane Gagai vs Eels</li>



<li>Zac Lomax vs Knights</li>
</ol>



<p><strong>In Summary:</strong></p>



<p>If you do a rough count of the players who show up most on this list, it&#8217;s Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Nicho Hynes in three of the six weeks.<br><br>Drinky, Herbie, Teddy and Garrick all feature twice. Hughes, Lomax, Terrell May and Payne Haas feature once. Playing it safe would mean ensuring you&#8217;ve got good coverage of all of these players, but it&#8217;s the POD options which can prove the most fun.</p>


H2H | Best skippers for each round of Head-to-head Finals

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