The Final Word | Round 25 NRL Supercoach Trades Plans and Strategy

We’re at the time of the year where having 18 players is sometimes enough to make you really question the value of using a trade.



Is it a strong 18? Well that’s another question. But even having 18 in some of these rounds could be enough to gain an advantage after injuries and suspensions have cruelled several players over the last month.



The Jaromen Empire are sitting well in 283rd overall. It’s a decent rank, but sadly the push we were making towards the Top 100 three weeks ago has slowed.



When I appeared on the main podcast three weeks ago, my trade numbers were low but my depth was great. But with Herbie, Garrick and Ramien down injured plus the role changes to Connor Watson and Dane Gagai, our momentum has halted a little.



The side is sitting ok with 19 players this week thanks to the return of Keaon Koloamatangi. But with one trade remaining, I have three possible scenarios to follow this week. I know several coaches are in the same boat so let me talk it out with you.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Option 1) Do nothing and play the 19 players you own</h2>



This is the conservative approach and definitely one focused on overall and not Head to Head. Of the 19 players I’ve got the choose from, there’s only a handful of weaker options (Watson, King-Togia, Gagai).&nbsp;



A trade might net me 30-40 extra points as opposed to having to play the weaker options, but is that worth it? Maybe the best bet is saving the trade until I don’t have a full squad in case there’s further injuries or suspensions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Option 2) Upgrade the CTW</h2>



Looking at the squad, CTW is where my depth is being tested the most. Obviously aside from the spine positions which have only one reserve available, the fact I’m carrying three injured CTWs (Herbie, Garrick, Ramien) means I have no choice but to play Mark Nawaqanitawase and Dane Gagai every week from here on out.



Using my last trade, I can bring in a great POD like Adam Doueihi or Phil Sami. Again, this might net me an extra 30-40 points this week and help build my depth to let me sit guys with tough match-ups in the coming weeks.



This obviously leaves me vulnerable should I lose a spine player, or Round 27 restings happen. It also means I have to hold Drinkwater at his immense value when he’s on the bye in the last week.



This is an ok move to build depth, but risky with the vulnerability of having no trades left.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Option 3) Trade Drinky to Walsh and chase the Skipper option</h2>



I love how Reece Walsh dominated last weekend and I think he’s a Top 2 option as skipper this weekend too.



With Cowboys next week as well, it’s a great run of games for the Broncos altogether.



In contrast, the Cowboys have the Tigers and Broncos who on their day can be staunch defensively.



This move is clearly the most high risk as I wouldn’t be helping overall squad depth and could still run into issues with my CTW.



But it would give me a lower ownership captain play for the next two weeks which would help in H2H and potentially propel me up the ladder if it worked.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Match-ups I love for the run home</h2>



On paper, the draw for the Titans, Warriors, Tigers and Eels is good.



The side I’m most attracted to however is the Brisbane Broncos. With the Knights and Cowboys in their next two games it seriously could be a case of them scoring 40+ points in back to back weeks and them breaking wide the SuperCoach overall race.



If I had more trades, that is where I’d be looking the hardest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trade Plans</h2>



Smart people are saying to me to do Option1 and just sit on my hands. So I probably will. I think the opportunity to ensure I’ve got 18 every week (even if one of those is Watson) could be more crucial than the 30 points per week upgrade I may get from trading in a extra CTW.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NRL SuperCoach PODs and SuperPODs</h2>



Figures drawn from the Top 10% of coaches



Pods at less than 10% ownership



Sam Walker | $749,100 | 5.4 per cent owned



Next week it’s a tougher game for him against the Storm but otherwise he’s been on fire.



Taylan May | $485,100 | 5.1 per cent owned



The budget beast you can trade to from Garrick if you don’t have cash.



Super PODs at less than 5% ownership



Gehemat Shibasaki | $522,600 | 3.9 per cent owned



It’s a full circle moment. With the Broncos good draw, Shiba is a decent option again.



Kurt Donoghoe | $533,100 | 3.2 per cent owned



Got a great role, big base stats and knows how to find attack too. If you need a hooker this week I like Kurt.



Tallis Duncan | $643,300 | 2.6 per cent owned



Such a shame he’s named in the centres. Tallis has been one of the best stories in SuperCoach that no one has spoken about this year. Check out his scores since Round 14 &#8211; absolute weapon.



Kotoni Staggs | $640,800 | 2.5 per cent owned



You know he can drop a 30 point score, but Staggs is playing career best footy and been consistent in the last couple of months. I love his next two weeks as well.



Phillip Sami | $672,000 | 1.6 per cent owned



Averaging 78 points since he moved to the left wing in Round 17. Do I need to draw you a diagram?



Braidon Burns | $598,900 | 0.3 per cent owned



A sneaky base and power beast. The left wing is great territory and he can easily score a 70 most weeks.



Ben Hunt | $427,000 | 0.2 per cent owned



He’s got the keys to a high octane offence and has two nice games coming up. A serious POD option.



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



As Timmy said on the podcast this week, it’s a hard week to look past James Tedesco with a friendly looking matchup against the Eels.



If you own Reece Walsh however, I think he’s a standout whose floor has improved a lot with the goal kicking. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was the top scorer this round.



I think as a Sunday safety in case of a Tedesco fail, Terrell May, Payne Haas and even Scotty Drinkwater are all decent options to consider who should be able to jag at least an 80 or more.

The Final Word | Round 25 NRL Supercoach Trades Plans and Strategy

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