A week of ups and downs with a mixed bag of performances from my trades, I’ve seen myself put up a score that I would be ecstatic with most weeks, but is it enough in a round full of high performers?
Overall Thoughts:
A score of 1347 as it stands, pending updates. I’m not exactly sure what to say about it. It’s my second highest score of the season, however, I look at other results in my league and I do not feel remotely satisfied. A lot of missed opportunities in my squad, with most of my PoD players failing to fire. It seems a lot of teams this week broke the 1300 mark, with players in the SCPlaybook chat saying that over 1400 is the norm. I’m expecting a higher than normal average this week, but my score should still be in the upper-echelon and hopefully enough to keep me in touch with the top 4000.
In-Depth Analysis:
Played both Api and Robson this week, scores of 90 and 45. I’m stoked with the Api upgrades, was back to his usual busy self and did a lot despite the Melbourne thrashing. Robson did the hard work as he always does but didn’t see much of him which explains the average score. Will evaluate whether he’s worth keeping-in depending on other hooker options.
Haas and AFB both score 69 as it stands. Haas looked strong in a gritty game on Friday night and was unlucky to not crash over on a few occasions. He looked for chances and will hopefully find them in the weeks to come. AFB put in an admirable showing which I have been begging for since I bought him 4 weeks ago. I’ll take what I can get but at the moment I’m a little annoyed he’s being outshone by a certain NSW teammate, who I haven’t even been looking at till now.
Back-rowers were solid as usual, Katoa and Nikora in particular with scores above 85. Didn’t watch the Titans game but was unfortunate that Fifita couldn’t score better off the win, not that it matters with the entire competition owning him. I’ve had my eye on Olakau’atu for some time and with news he’s missed the blues team he’ll be very popular next week, though I’m not sure how I’ll make room for him.
Jahrome Hughes has once again delivered and is quickly turning into a season-lock. Took a punt three weeks ago and swapped him in for Walker and couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Dylan Brown put up another solid showing, I would likely look to trade him if I didn’t need him for the bye.
The 5/8’s is where my heart got broken. I had a bad feeling about the Bulldogs game given how well they have performed all year, but Te Maire Martin seemed indestructible without SJ so I had to ride the wave. As expected, Warriors didn’t score many and Martin was a part of none of it. I think he got a line break which must have been 80% of his points but we’ll have to wait and see. Galvin posted an unreal 63 in a losing team and he also is looking like a surprising season hold. Loves to run and seems immune to match ups, puts up decent scores almost every week. Unfortunately I didn’t play him so those points went to waste.
CTW came up solid as expected. Young, Garrick, Talagi, Marzhew all getting 60+. Lomax as it stands with the 25 was not completely unexpected but after that 170 I feel obligated to play him every week. He’ll peak in price soon though and I may need to put cash elsewhere, and will need to check the Dragons draw. Didn’t play Iro who bagged an on-form 53, surely the kid is due for an attacking stat.
Captain Teddy once again delivering the goods, 148 is absolutely outrageous. I saw somewhere that 74% of the top 1% captained him, so hopefully the remaining 25% captained Nicho and that’s enough to go up a few spots. For seemingly the third week in a row Weekes’ score has been saved by an outrageous runaway try. I love watching him play and don’t want to get rid of him, but I can’t tell if this is his ceiling or he just hasn’t had many good games yet.
Trades
My trade-ins this week were Haas and Marzhew, both were solid. Haas I’m hoping will pan out. I brought him in for Terrell May on the assumption that May would see less minutes with the Roosters pack full strength and JWH’s milestone game. Turns out he played 53 minutes, the most of any Roosters prop, and punched out a solid 68 points. Not much different than Payne so can’t complain too much, however I’m not convinced yet it was a good call. May will likely play big minutes again in two weeks against Melbourne, and even after that who knows. He’s the form player in that Roosters pack.
Marzhew on the other hand was a great call. I never really wanted him but I needed someone for round 19 and he was the most traded player this week. The trade was more out of fear that he’d go well, not in my side rather than believing he was the right call. Nonetheless he delivered with a try, a line break and tackle busts aplenty, and I’m very happy I went with him. Hoping the form continues even if Ponga heads to Suncorp next week.
The only bloke I was thinking of trading and didn’t was Nicho. I’m yet to see a strong showing of him since his return and had a feeling that Titans game wouldn’t go to script. I’m undecided whether I’ll bring him in next week but I need numbers which may force my hand. Martin or Weekes will have to go.
Koula was another option who I considered but I knew I wanted Marzhew and didn’t think he was worth the boost. Thought I’d leave it a week and see how he went. I now want him.
Round-End Thoughts
Finished up with a score of 1366 following a big upgrade to Api, the score sits in the top 9% for the round which averaged 1,123. Can’t complain with that, it didn’t seem like my best week and I honestly thought the average could be higher with some incredible scores coming from the round. I dropped only 29 spots which is practically nothing, so I stay in the top 4,000 at 3,824. The coming round will be interesting, I don’t want to burn trades but some options have emerged to really beef up our squads. Ola, Will Pryce and a potential injury to Nicho? Very keen to see how the week unfolds.