Mastermind and the Apprentice go head-to-head over who they should pick in the back row

In his third attempt to teach a monkey how to play SuperCoach, resident expert The Mastermind has to explain why Bryce Cartwright is a bad idea ... a very bad idea.

Kurt Capewell could prove an intelligent buy at the start of the season.

This week our Mastermind and his apprentice, deputy sports editor Brad Ricks, take a look at the backrow where there are plenty of points on offer.

Bryce Cartwright. Just ... don’t.

BR: So my team has a name now, Bacon Bay Battlers ... you like?

M: Mmmm bacon! Are you prepared for the backlash from the vegan SC community? If there is one? Have you considered naming your team after a Canberra cult player? It shows you’re a true fan and there’s no shortage of pun fun to be had with names like Royston Lightning and Alan Tongue.

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BR: Speaking of legendary tackle-machine Tongue, next cab off the rank is the backrow. I have read your JT success theory and noticed the two top names in the backrow list both happen to be JTs. Only way to fit Taumalolo and Trbojevic in would be some good old fashioned salary cap rorting. That doesn’t appear to be in the game settings so which way do I go?

Rhyse Martin’s kicking game gives him an edge on other backrow options.

M: In the words of the Mexican mastermind, Taco Girl, why not have both? Backrow is the place to spend your money. Over the past three seasons Taumalolo has 4828 points and Trbojevic 4835. You can bank on the guaranteed workrate of both players. Taumalolo has more hitups, Trbojevic more tackling but both have the ability to notch up attack stats on top of that base stats. If you look at the top-priced backrowers you’ll see they’re players who have an attacking edge, offloads (Martin Taupau), goalkicking (Rhyse Martin), tryscoring (Jake Trbojevic and Ryan James), tackle busts (Jason Taumalolo), line breaks (Angus Crichton and Viliame Kikau). Gone are the days when players like Tongue, Dallas Johnson, Shaun Fensom and David Stagg could just tackle their way to a swag of points.

● WHO IS THE MASTERMIND? Meet our resident expert

● TEDESCO OR TRBOJEVIC: Which one do you pick?

BR: OK, I want to throw a name at you ... Bryce Cartwright. Coming in at $231,300, the Titans’ big buy of last season would fit in well with the Battlers after the year he had. What hopes of a rebound creating a little bit of value for my team?

M: He’s priced that low for a reason. He played 14 games last year at an average of 24 and 12 games in 2017 at 29. You can’t ignore those numbers as much as SuperCoaches gaze back all misty-eyed at his 2016 season average of 74.4. He’ll be on the bench at best for the Titans and is stuck behind quality backrowers Ryan James, Jai Arrow and Kevin Proctor. The addition of Tyrone Roberts and Ryley Jacks means he’s not even a look in at five-eighth. Keep an eye on him if injuries hit, but I wouldn’t be in the 21 per cent of teams carrying him at the moment.

Kurt Capewell could prove an intelligent buy at the start of the season.

BR: So what about some players who are carrying lower price tags like Josh McGuire ($473,600) or Wade Graham ($454,100). Graham obviously has to come back from injury but these are guys who get through a ton of work. Is there any chance they can claw their way back up the standings?

M: You’re getting close to the mark here sniffing around the Sharks backrow. Luke Lewis has retired and Wade Graham won’t be back from an ACL injury until at least Round 9. That’s two starting spots up for grabs. Players like Kurt Capewell ($340,200) and Scott Sorenson ($347,800) shape as players who could make you some coin. Capewell is a dual position player too, so you could even give him a run in your centres. McGuire averaged 50 last year with the Broncos. Previously he’d been close to a 60-point average player. He could grow in value if he returns to those numbers, but I think you could get better results out of cheaper guys like Victor Radley ($400,700) at the Roosters and Cameron Murray at the Rabbitohs ($458,900).

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