KFC SuperCoach: Trent Copeland’s five must-do trades
If you missed the memo, KFC SuperCoaches have FIVE trades for the NRL season retsart — and Trent Copeland needs all of them, mostly forced.
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My plan in this initial phase of trading is cash generation with a couple of PODs in for good measure.
I have some big forced changes that need to be made with David Fifita (knee surgery, indefinite), Kallum Watkins (family related COVID-19, no longer in NRL) and Will Kennedy (likely dropped for Moylan/Dugan). The other two changes will be used across the two trades I was planning before the hiatus.
Couple of things to remember, make sure you trade the BEST in, no Origin and no byes mean we need our best 17 as quickly as possible! And, gone are the days where you can’t trade in James Tedesco because he misses too many games over the bye rounds.
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Damien Cook | HOK ($705,500 | Rabbitohs) OUT
Connor Watson | HOK/5/8 ($506,700 | Knights) IN
First trade, and it’s a big POD move that nets me $200k to fund the rest of my desired moves! Former Rooster (no surprises why I like him!) Connor Watson has been playing 40-50 minutes off the bench with Jayden Brailey in the No.9 jersey. But, of course Brailey is out for the season, so Watson has a clear look at this spot.
Scores of 43 and 77 in reduced minutes this year are a good sign, but its the 2019 season where Watson played seven matches at hooker that has me sold — scores of 91, 70, 55, 75, 82, 117 and 24 for an average of 73.5PPG! With Cook having a 139 BE, I like this move (or Cameron Smith) for a few weeks then get Cook back cheaper. Risky with no byes/Origin to knock Cook’s value down but you know, gotta risk it etc etc.
David Fifita | 2RF ($501,900 | Broncos) OUT
Jake Trbojevic | 2RF ($583,900 | Sea Eagles) IN
Fifita is on the sidelines for “at least the first few matches after the resumption” after elective knee surgery during the hiatus. Quite simply, he’s a GUN, but no gun is worth holding at this point with a shortened season and the extra trade flexibility there for exactly this purpose.
We will need to get him back immediately upon his return, but the move has to be made.
So, who to? Ryan Matterson seems to be the most popular move, or Isaah Yeo using dual positions. But, let me remind you there is NO Origin or byes. So, its only the best available. Guys like David Klemmer, Jake Turbo and Cam Murray were all big no-nos to start because of that, but now they’re all fair game — and it’s an underpriced Jurbo that I’m all over. 80 minutes every week, extra time to have rehabbed the shoulder and unquestioned KFC SuperCoach elite status. John Bateman is very much in the mix here, too, if he is healthy and ready to go.
Jack Williams | 2RF ($397,200 | Sharks) OUT
Kotoni Staggs | CTW ($447,700 | Broncos) IN
Using Tyrell Fuimaono’s dual flexibility to facilitate this trade. I’m not 100% sold here, but it’s hard to pass up the -34 BE and 121 point score that will stay in Staggs’ rolling average for three weeks as well as the clear upside he possesses in a position that is lacking guns. Isaah Yeo is in the mix here also.
Kallum Watkins | CTW ($271,800 | Titans) OUT
Kurt Mann | CTW/FLB ($287,100 | Knights) IN
Simple one here. Watkins no longer plays in the NRL, jetting back home to the UK to be with his father who tragically contracted COVID-19 — we wish him, and the family, all the best. He goes out for Kurt Mann who won me over with his early form, particularly his defence. Watching Pheonix Crossland and Mason Lino mail very closely prior to locking this one in.
Will Kennedy | CTW/FLB ($242,600 | Sharks) OUT
Ben Hampton | CTW/FLB ($237,000 | Cowboys) IN
Kennedy played really well in his first two matches this season, but, the cavalry have returned in the shape of Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan, meaning Kennedy likely makes way. I really don’t think Hampton will make all that much money, but a short term move to him, with a plan to go down to Bradman Best or Xavier Coates in a few weeks is the plan.
Obviously team announcements will change these if we get unexpected changes, but this is as we stand.
Either way, KFC SuperCoach is back. How good!
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