KFC SuperCoach Plus round 26: 11 point of difference plays to win you a grand final

The KFC SuperCoach grand final is here and with numbers running short, there are plenty of SuperCoaches needing to take calculated risks.

The SuperCoach grand final is here and everyone is looking for an edge.

While some coaches consider themselves favourites and will play percentages, plenty are underdogs and will need to take risks.

In particular, with the Rabbitohs on the bye and the likes of James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell (and possibly Reuben Garrick) unavailable, plenty of SuperCoach sides will play short this week. For those SuperCoaches it’s time to take a deep breath and get POD-a-licious, baby.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

It would not surprise if DWZ was the top-scoring CTW in SuperCoach over the final two rounds given he has dream match-ups against the Dragons and Dolphins. Coming off a hat-trick last week, the former Bulldog and Panther has hit the SuperCoach stratosphere this season in averaging 73 points per game despite never averaging over 53 previously.

Only Greg Marzhew and Jamayne Isaako have averaged more at CTW this year, yet DWZ is only owned by 10 per cent. If you want to go ultra-POD, he could even be a sneaky VC or C.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on his way to three tries last week. Picture: Getty

Whack the C or VC on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

In a similar vein to DWZ, his three letter acronym brother from the Warriors is set to go large in two easy match-ups to finish the year. Take out his injury-affected games and the former Raider has averaged 70 this season. While he’s far from a POD at 23 per cent ownership, he’s definitely a POD in the captaincy stakes with only 4.5 per cent giving him the VC and 0.5 per cent the C.

Daly Cherry-Evans

I’ve made a bit of a fuss over the Warriors’ easy run home above, but Manly’s draw is actually BETTER against the Bulldogs and Tigers. In particular, the round 27 game at 4 Pines Park against the Tigers could see DCE produce anything. While it would be a huge risk to deviate from the proven Nicho Hynes, Nathan Cleary or Shaun Johnson, it should be noted that DCE actually has a better 5RA than Hynes. He may even kick goals if Reuben Garrick (back) is ruled out.

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Jason Saab

This is a proper make-or-break trade for the ultimate risk taker. Saab’s base is almost non-existent (17 points per game) so don’t expect many points of he doesn’t score. But score he should against the Bulldogs and Tigers. Coming off a 120 point hatty.

Cameron Munster for VC or C

Munster was disappointing last week in notching just 28 points against the lowly Dragons. However, you could forgive his mind for being elsewhere with Munster racing the clock ahead of the birth of his second child. But with bub now safely delivered and the Storm playing at home against the Titans, Munser is set to go large this round. That said, SuperCoaches have been spooked by last week’s score and he currently sits at serious POD levels for both VC (1.9 per cent) and C (4.1 per cent)

Nicho Hynes C in last game of round

There was a time this season when Nicho Hynes was an automatic captaincy option every week, nudging the 90 per cent mark. Those days are long gone but is Hynes really playing any worse? No. In fact he’s arguably producing better scores right now. Take out Nicho’s 22 against the Panthers (who are the best team in the comp at limiting SuperCoach stats of opponents) and he has averaged 102 in his last nine games, better than his season average of 93.3. Yet Hynes is currently captained by only 1.3 per cent of SuperCoaches, despite the added advantages of playing the last game of the round in a day game in Newcastle.

Throw the VC or C on Joey Manu

With Tedesco out, Manu will play fullback this week where his record is astronomical. He has averaged 91.4 in the position over his career and has a dream match-up against the leaky Tigers. All this, yet Manu is severely mis-represented in captaincy stats at 11.2 per cent (C) and 4.7 per cent (VC).

Scott Drinkwater

Amongst all the commotion over Kalyn Ponga, Drinkwater has snuck under the radar to average just a point less than the Newcastle superstar over the season, all at just seven per cent ownership. However, it may only be a one week move with the Cowboys taking on the Dolphins this week in a great match-up before the toughest game in rugby league right now against the Panthers.

Scott Drinkwater has been brilliant for the Cowboys this season.

Josh Addo-Carr

If you’re short on cash and need a POD, Addo-Carr is the man. The Foxx’s price has dropped to a cheapie-like $323,700, a discount of more than $200,000 on his starting price. The drop is mainly due to a tryscoring dearth for Addo-Carr, who hasn’t scored in five games. You have to wind the clock back to his debut season in 2016 for a longer drought. While the Bulldogs are hardly an attacking powerhouse, their run home is more than handy against the Sea Eagles and Titans.

William Warbrick

A feast or famine style of player, Warbrick can go as large as anyone yet also has five scores in the teens this season. Relatively cheap at $448,600 and owned by only 13 per cent, the rugby union convert has a huge chance to add to his 16-try season tally against the Titans in Melbourne this week. Next week against the Broncos is much tougher though.

Joseph Suaalii

After spending an inordinate amount of time at centre this year, Trent Robinson has finally worked out Suaalii’s best position is wing. He has averaged 76.8 since moving to the position five weeks ago, which is elite for a CTW. Of course, his scores have been propped up by goalkicking, but he won’t kick this week with Sam Walker back in the side. It’s no doubt a blow, but you could argue that’s cancelled out by the Tigers match-up.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Plus round 26: 11 point of difference plays to win you a grand final