TCT SuperCoach: Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the Season

(League Code: 704791)

Round 7 delivered one of the biggest scoring explosions we’ve seen so far this season, with premium options going absolutely bonkers. It was a week where backing the right guns paid off in a big way, especially for those who nailed their captaincy options.

A huge congratulations to Bailey’s side, Where’s Lomax, which topped the TCT league this week with an outstanding 1,659 points. Meanwhile, consistency remains king at the top, with Michael’s team, THUNDERMACHINE, holding firm as the team to catch in the TCT standings.

My Team

I put up 1,629 points this week, which I was absolutely stoked with. Posting seven 100+ scores is about as good as it gets, and it really set the foundation for a huge round.

However, it wasn’t perfect. A couple of sit v start calls left points on the table, most notably leaving out Sialetili Faeamani’s 94 points for Heamasi Makasini’s 23 points.

There was also early heartbreak with Tommy Turbo going down inside 15 minutes, particularly with the VC on him. In a funny way, it may have worked out for the best. Had he scraped together a score around 100, I’d have been very tempted to loop, meaning I would’ve missed out on straight captaining James Tedesco’s monster score of 162. Thankfully, I held firm and kept the captaincy on Teddy.

Waiting for Teddy to play on Sunday was nerve-wracking, especially watching other popular captaincy options all go big like Nathan Cleary, Sua Fa’alogo, and Latrell Mitchell. However, I trusted my gut and stuck with Teddy, and it paid off in a big way. Hopefully plenty of you backed that call from last week’s article.

Round 7 Review

Let’s break down the key SuperCoach takeaways from Round 7:

Premium Guns

Simi Sasagi (2RF/CTW – $731.3k – 108 points):

Simi Sasagi is quickly turning into a genuine must-have. One of the form centres in the competition right now, he’s averaging exactly 100 points across his last four games. The base and power have been elite, and he’s now adding attacking stats to take his scoring to another level. Unfortunately, Sasagi has been ruled out this week with a minor hamstring injury. For non-owners, Sasagi is a buy as soon as he returns.

Herbie Farnworth (CTW – $826k – 134 points):

If you didn’t start with Herbie, you’re well and truly behind the pack. Last year’s top CTW is averaging 90.7 points to open the season and looks as reliable as ever, posting 134 points against the formidable Panthers. With a favourable Origin schedule, and no State of Origin duties himself, he’s no doubt a season keeper. If you don’t have him yet, it’s time to find the cash and lock him in.

Jackson Ford (FRF – $734.8k – 102 points):

After a brief dip with back-to-back 60s, Ford has bounced back in a big way with consecutive 100+ scores. His 102 last week came entirely in base and power during an 80-minute stint – an enormous effort. Even with Mitch Barnett playing some time last week, Ford’s role as a big minute forward looks secure.

Jackson Ford has been enormous this season!

Latrell Mitchell (CTW – $859k – 177 points):

Latrell produced the score of the season with a ridiculous 177, running riot with four tries. With a vulnerable Melbourne Storm up next, non-owners will be sweating on what he’s about to dish up. To make matters worse for non-owners, Latrell’s Origin schedule isn’t ideal, leaving them with a tough call on whether to bring him in or not.

James Tedesco (FLB – $757.6k – 162 points):

A monster performance from Teddy which featured a try, three try assists, three linebreaks, and 16 tackle busts! He’s bottomed out in price and now gets a dream ANZAC Round clash against a struggling Dragons side. For non-owners, he’s an easy buy, especially for those who own Tom Trbojevic.

Terrell May (FRF – $803k – 113 points):

May continues to cement himself as one of the premier front-rowers in SuperCoach. 70 points in pure base, topped with two linebreaks shows just how well he’s performing right now. The only concern is Origin selection. With Payne Haas injured for an extended period, May is firmly in the frame for NSW, which could disrupt his availability.

Mid-Range Movers

Ethan Strange (5/8 – $632.4k – 95 points):

With 5/8 proving to be a weak position in SuperCoach this season, Ethan Strange is flying under the radar. Sitting in just 7% of teams, he’s averaging 88 across his last three games and building a strong combination with Simi Sasagi as he continues to grow into his role on the right edge.

Damien Cook (HOK – $528.6k – 104 points):

Cook was outstanding last round, piling on 59 points in base and power to go with a try and a try assist. The bigger takeaway, though, is the injury to Jacob Liddle, which should open the door for bigger minutes for Cook at just 3% ownership. The only concern is Kyle Flanagan sitting on the bench, which could see Cook lose some time.

The beach sprinter himself

Xavier Willison (2RF/FRF – $502.7k – 96 points):

Willison is shaping up as one of the more intriguing mid-range forwards right now. With Pat Carrigan out again this week and Payne Haas now sidelined for 6-8 weeks, the opportunity is there for a big minute role. He played 72 minutes for 75+ in base alone last week. If those minutes stick, he could be a great pick up, and his dual positioning certainly helps. However, I’d personally like to see Willison’s minutes once Carrigan returns next week.

Players of Concern

Jaydn Su’A (2RF – $611.5k – 39 points):

Unfortunately, after my early hype towards Su’A from his first three games, he’s since averaged 55.3 across his last four games. To make matters worse, he was sent off last round and is now set to miss the next three matches. With so many good options at 2RF, Su’A is a clear sell.

Keaon Koloamatangi (FRF – $567.3k – 45 points):

It’s been clear that Keaon has been managing a knee injury, which has significantly reduced his output. On top of that, Keaon was a late switch to the bench last week and has been named there again this week. For the 10% still holding, this is the perfect time to move him on to one of the in-form FRFs outperforming him right now, such as Alex Twal, Toby Couchman, Jackson Ford, or Terrell May.

Keaon has been dealing with a PCL injury all season

Heamasi Makasini (CTW – $333k – 23 points):

Makasini hasn’t lived up to early expectations, averaging just 35 points across his last four games. He’s not an urgent sell at his price, but he’s also not playable in your 18 right now. Dropped this week reportedly due to bone bruising in his foot, but there’s also a case that a stint in reserve grade was coming given his recent performances and limited experience.

Team List Watch

• Heamasi Makasini and Patrick Herbert drop out for the Tigers, with Starford To’a and Luke Laulilii coming into the side.
• Simi Sasagi is out with a minor hamstring injury, replaced by Savelio Tamale.
• Hudson Young serves his two-match suspension, which should open the door for Noah Martin to return to an 80-minute role.
• Sione Katoa has been dropped, with Mawene Hiroti shifting to the wing and Siosifa Talakai named at centre.
• Cameron McInnes has been named on the bench in his return from an ACL injury, which is likely to eat into Jesse Colquhoun’s minutes.
• Jeremiah Nanai has been named to start as he eyes a return from injury for the Cowboys.
• Payne Haas drops out with an MCL injury (6-8 weeks), with Jack Gosiewski named to start at prop.
• Stephen Crichton is set to return from injury, while Jonathan Sua comes onto the wing to replace the injured Jacob Kiraz.
• Bottom-dollar cheapie, Kade Reed, replaces Kyle Flanagan and is set to make his debut in the ANZAC Round clash.
• With Jaydn Su’A serving a three-match suspension, he’s replaced by Ryan Couchman on the edge, who returns from a four-match suspension himself.
• Brandon Smith has been named to start on the edge for the Bunnies, though this looks unlikely to stick. Expect potential late changes.
• Casey McLean returns from suspension for the Panthers, pushing Izack Tago to the bench.
• Greg Marzhew is out due to concussion protocols, with James Schiller named on the wing for the Knights.
• Tolutau Koula shifts to fullback to replace the injured Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, 6-8 weeks).

My Trades

For now, my trades are as follows:

• Reed Mahoney >>> Brandon Smith
• Tom Trbojevic >>> Nicho Hynes

After a string of below-par performances, Reed Mahoney had become a pretty clear sell, and the move to Brandon Smith feels like a straightforward one. It frees up some cash and, more importantly, Smith looked sharp last week, playing 55 minutes and producing two try assists in an encouraging return to form.

Unfortunately, Tommy Turbo has been forced out of my side following that unfortunate hamstring injury, which is expected to sideline him for 6-8 weeks. Using the flex position, I’ll be bringing in Nicho Hynes. He’s a player that I’m very keen to lock into my side sooner rather than later.

Captaincy

At the moment, I’m leaning towards placing the VC on Nicho Hynes against the Cowboys. A Sharks v Cowboys clash in Townsville feels like it has points written all over it, and Hynes is a player that will no doubt take advantage of this.

As for the captaincy, it doesn’t get much clearer than James Tedesco in a delicious match-up against the Dragons, who are looking to make it 0-8 this season.

Although I won’t be going this way and don’t have some of these players, I can definitely see the appeal in captaining a few other options:

• Nathan Cleary vs Knights
• Latrell Mitchell vs Storm
• Herbie Farnworth vs Warriors

I’m keen to hear your thoughts, trades, and captaincy calls – drop them below! Let’s see who nails Round 8. See you next week!

SC Adrian

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