SᴜᴘᴇʀCᴏᴀᴄʜ Cᴏᴜɴsᴇʟ

🐉 Valentine Holmes | CTW | $734,200 Holmes started the year as a popular pick before a suspect hamstring and a brutal early draw put a lot of coaches off. Two games in and he’s averaging 74 after matchups against competition heavyweights, and now the schedule softens considerably. The Dragons face the Eels, Titans, Cowboys and Sea Eagles over the next month - a run that looks far more inviting for attacking CTWs. At just 6% ownership, and with many coaches focused purely on cheapies, there’s a genuine opportunity here for a serious POD play. We saw the joy that Staggs had up against the Eels left edge last week and the appeal becomes even clearer when you look at the role. Holmes is parked outside Daniel Atkinson, who showed on the weekend he has an outstanding left to right passing game. Atkinson looks like he’s warming to the role, demanding plenty of ball and with Jayden Su’a running decoys and Atkinson’s cut out balls, that right edge suddenly looks ready to breathe fire. It’s well known how dangerous Holmes’ explosive line running can be when he has a half capable of engaging defenders and releasing him. Something we saw on the weekend. You do pay a premium - he’s priced around a 75 average but if you’re planning to own him at any stage this season, the next fortnight is probably the window. Otherwise you could be waiting until post Origin (Round 20). This upcoming stretch is about as good a run of matchups as you’ll see in SuperCoach. There’s also genuine captaincy upside in the next month for those willing to roll the dice with a POD option. For the stat nerds - base and power sits just under 40 after two games, which is very respectable for a CTW. Add goal kicking under the new higher scoring format and that base effectively lifts into the 54-60pt range before any attacking stats. If the Dragons are scoring points you’d have to think that right edge is heavily involved - whether it’s Holmes finishing himself or tipping on to Setu Tu. If you’re in the fortunate position of being able to make an upside trade this week, or if you own Shibasaki 🥴 I think Holmes is the target. #NRLSuperCoach #NRLEelsDragons #SuperCoachCounsel

@Borderathletics Not blaming you mate 😂😂😂

@NRLSCC Don't blame me. I dididn't make the new assist rule. Get ready for more

Make that a Yeo 86 😁

@CundyBradley Would’ve thought that’d be the whole point of getting DCE across. Walker’s fundamentals aren’t the best and prone to brain snaps. DCE needs to be the head decision maker.

Hear me out but I’d like to see DCE at 7 and in control let Sam chime in with his off the cuff footy and running game when it’s necessary

@CundyBradley Nawaqa & Walker were right there with him

Pauga is poo

@Mo36046361 If he doesn’t, there’s always this 😃

@NRLSCC I feel like the Broncos will turn up tonight. They're too good of a side to play this average 3 weeks in a row. I feel like Walsh is due for a big game

⚖️ Counsel’s Captain Call 👑 Payne Haas There’s a fair element of safety in this choice as it does feel like there’s quite a bit of risk across the board this round, with very few “perfect matchup” feel plays available. So for the risk-averse #NRLSuperCoach I think you should be able to lock in quite a good score from Haas tomorrow night and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Broncos are 0-2, they’ve had a rocket this week, and Madge has swung the axe. He’s shown he’s happy to use Haas up, and there’s every reason to continue that with him going off to South Sydney next year. It’s an incredibly tough game to win. Away vs Storm. They very rarely lose in Melbourne. It can be done, but it’s rare. If Broncos were to lose, I think they’d start to feel the heat. So I can see them going all in on the grand final rematch. I can see a motivated Haas playing big minutes and looking to create second phase to gain an advantage at every opportunity. In this scenario, Cleary becomes the clear number one pick for VC. Otherwise, you could have a bit of a throw at the stumps with Tedesco, Walker, Kiraz or Critta. 🔀 Alternatives 🦈 If you’ve got Hynes, he should definitely be considered. I think his minimum score this week is 65 to 70, with upside. You could look to take a swing on a Fa’alogo VC, or again a Cleary or even a Haas or Walsh, and if they miss, have faith in Nico to get a couple of attacking stats and some goals in potentially high scoring affair. 🐰 Latrell is interesting. He does have a low floor, but it’s hard to see a scenario where the Rabbits and Tigers game doesn’t have points in it. And where there’s points, there’s Latrell. Without going to the stats, I’d expect much of their success to come down usual the left side - it’s just too powerful. Walker, Fifita and Latrell up against a new combination that hasn’t had the chance to gel, I could see them attacking down that side all day. 🌩️ Fa’alogo - Highest captained player in SuperCoach this week. If I was to go down this path, I wouldn’t be comfortable putting the C on him, I’d be looking to VC him and then looking at Latrell or Hynes as your captain options. After looking through it many times, I think the best approach is to try and jag a VC from the first two games, and if you can’t, then hope for one of those massive base games from Haas that we saw so often last year, which led to him being a lock and load captain week in, week out.

@Mo36046361 If the Broncos were playing well it’d be 100% Walsh with Reynolds out, but will they kick into gear tonight? Cleary is a great option as well. Walsh’s draw opens right up next week so I’d lean to him over the next month. Cleary’s draw picks up in RD7.

@NRLSCC Thoughts on Walsh as a Vc option? Or who would you bring in out of Cleary or Walsh?

@hazza77k @TheHoopCentral Not a hater I’m just sick of the constant glaze and misguided attempts to push MVP narrative from people who watch three games a week.. it’s not close. He’s 4th in the race, not even in the picture.

@NRLSCC @TheHoopCentral You just a hater. Shai had to statpad to get 20 points when he played the rockets. Luka dropped 40,9,10 against rockets

LUKA DONCIC DAGGER UNREAL. 🔥🔥🔥

@hazza77k @TheHoopCentral Didn’t realise we were talking about the exact dribble.. Luka’s handle is not even in the same stratosphere first of all. Embarrassing defence, slow double cross and step back. Was a great shot after the waltz.

@NRLSCC @TheHoopCentral He’s had a dagger yes. But the moves Luka just did, Shai has never done

@riseabovealll @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral

@NRLSCC @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral You can breathe man , take it out

@tekewhiffs @SC_is_life If you need the money for something next week then Gus definitely goes but if not it probably makes sense that the injured player goes. Gus is an easy upgrade on the next fortnight for $100k

@NRLSCC @SC_is_life Those my current trades

Big Twelve VII - Round Three Trades 📋 Just when you think things can’t get any worse… that’s exactly what happens 😂 The Big Twelve VII began the season ranked around 60k and after bringing in Doueihi and Lisati last week, we still somehow managed drop another 7,000 spots. Reed Mahoney flopped and had his minutes reduced in a flogging. Keano Kini hasn’t hit the heights we expected just yet. The gamble of sitting Pezet to use Sharpe as a free loop didn’t come off. And to top off not owning Fa’alogo, Tino put up just 45. 🚮 The positives - I’ve pretty much started with all the key cheapies that look like the major cash cows, so the overall structure is still in decent shape. There are a couple of issues to navigate this week. Sharpe is in doubt again, which likely forces Pezet into the 17. I’m also looking for a bounce back from the Cowboys, and in particular Mahoney - need him getting somewhere close to Harry Grant this week. Hopefully a couple of these trades steady things. Sam Walker⏩Sua Fa’alogo. Don’t love selling Sam, but it feels like a forced move. Walker has the Panthers this week and then a bye in RD5, while not starting with Fa’alogo has been a huge mistake with the new ruck speed and fatigue in the game. He has the imminent price rise and serious upside over the next couple of rounds. Just one of those you can’t ignore. Kalyn Ponga⏩Val Holmes Confirmation this week that his hammy issue will keep him out for potentially up to two months, so he has to go. I’ve gone with FLX and I’m backing the Dragons’ draw. Their right edge looks decent in attack and with the way games are trending - high scoring across the board - the opportunities should be there. The Dragons are far from a gun attacking team but even if they’re not putting up massive totals, I’m expecting improvement against softer incoming opposition and majority of their joy to come down the right side. Good chance of an increase in goals as well. Kiraz is a great alternative e as well but just want to watch the Dogs for one more week before I target them. Angus Crichton⏩Ryan Couchman I’ve gone back and forth on this all week, but the reality is Gus is getting full minutes - so what we’re seeing is the final role. The issue isn’t minutes, it’s work rate. There’s no obvious upside unless he starts crossing the stripe. With the Panthers this week and a bye coming up, it just feels like if someone has to make way for Ryan, it’s him. Probably the only cheapie I don’t have that looks crucial (Couchman). Jacob Liddle is back which could impact minutes, but I’m comfortable with it. He passes the eye test easily and looks like he’s fast climbing the pecking order. Even in a worst case where he drops to 35-40 minutes, at around 1.3ppm he’s still pushing 50+ in base which should translate to 300k+ in cash generation. With the great schedule over the next month he could jag some attack as well. All the best this week & will chat over the weekend. #NRLSuperCoach

@riseabovealll @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral

@NRLSCC @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral What’s over? The Thunder getting eliminated this year? Yeah, it’s over alright.

@tekewhiffs @SC_is_life Post team?

@NRLSCC @SC_is_life Had angus to rouchman, but now with lisati out for 4weeks, do i go lisati to rouchman? And gus bus lives another week?

@riseabovealll @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral

@NRLSCC @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral Bet you scrolled for minute looking for a good GIF , get yo goofy ahhhh

@riseabovealll @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral

@NRLSCC @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral Yeah you better enjoy that ring, cos you ain’t getting another one this year🤣

@riseabovealll @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral

@NRLSCC @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral It’s going to be fun to see the Thunder getting eliminated in the playoffs this year 🤭 Can’t wait.

@riseabovealll @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral He put them in front in the Celtics game too.. He’s made 5 outstanding clutch plays in the last 90 seconds, over that 4-game stretch. Call it what you want. Luka doesn’t touch Shai. Better luck next year.

@NRLSCC @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral And you lied saying he did that 4 games in a row to fit your narrative. 🤣 I’m not pushing a narrative, just pointing out you glazing mediocre plays . Saying I’m pushing a narrative is irony at its FINEST💀

@BrodieCopeland1 @MakasiniSZN Very tough mate. That’s a matter for the individual. I definitely want Cleary by RD7. It’s obviously an upgrade, Up to you whether you use a boost.

@NRLSCC @MakasiniSZN I’ve done Tino to Sua, Flegler to Rouchman. Would u boost Sammy to cleary?

@riseabovealll @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral There’s four examples in the thread and you isolate to one to push a narrative 🤣. Luka’s 4th in the MVP race you can rest.

@NRLSCC @ruka_mikami @Nels67278 @TheHoopCentral Being down against a watered down warriors team with out curry, shouldn’t have never been in that situation in the first place 🤣 close ass game with a stacked thunder team

Well - quick summary. I don’t have Yeo, but he’ll just hold value and has potential for more minutes on any given week. Particularly this week. Tino is top 2/3 in the FRF position if we see his mins increase and has a good draw to take advantage of. Crichton is playing my max mins. Tough matchup this week. Bye in two weeks. Not a mins issue, workrate and form is just poor.

@MDEG012 All in the write up brother