NRL SuperCoach 2016: Trent Copeland reveals the best captain choices for round six

SUPERCOACHES can no longer lock in that orange armband with such calm confidence as previous seasons. So who should be your captain in round six?

CAPTAINCY. It’s something that SuperCoaches have often taken for granted in previous years with the luxury of Gallen, Parker, SBW and Sam Burgess all playing 80 minutes every week.

No longer is this the case, and no longer can we lock in that orange armband with such calm confidence.

Do you go for the safe choice or do you captain Tedesco because he plays the Knights? Milford and Mbye owners will attest to a large portion of them captaining one of the two last week, for a paltry return of 37 and 9 points respectively. OUCH.

Thankfully I captained one of my three nominations for Copes’ Captains last week in JT and he delivered. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was another suggestion who did well, hopefully you took the chance on one of those two.

The VC and C are the smallest of decisions it seems, yet those in the overall pursuit of glory, and more relevantly in the tight tussle of H2H match ups will know how important it can be.

Two Tips — Captaincy for H2H players

* One tip to H2H captaincy that always proves very effective is to look at your opposition’s team, who do you have that they don’t? Is it JT? Fifita? Whoever it may be, lock the VC on him (ideally early in the weekend for loophole purposes) as if/when they kill it, you can then double their score using the loophole and as a unique player you gain the greatest advantage in the matchup.

LISTEN TO OUR ROUND 6 SUPERCOACH PODCAST

* The other tip I have for you is if you are looking at projections for the weekend about half way through, your captain hasn’t played yet and your other players have far outperformed your opposition’s — if you have the option to match their captain, then do so!

This tactic diminishes the chances of an opposition unique captain making up valuable points … Always best to leave this one until just before kick-off, but make sure you have a good internet connection! Can you tell that’s burnt me before?

VC options

I’ll start here, remembering that your VC should always play in the early games of the round (Thurs./Fri.), so always select your VC first. I always like to have someone a bit unique as if it pays off, you’ll be getting a leg up on the whole competition.

Anthony Milford 5/8 (Broncos) vs. Dragons

Yes, last week was a blip on the radar if you captained Milf. But … This week you have the luxury of the Thursday night game, at home at Suncorp where you can do the loop-de-loop VC on him. No risk, right? A career average of 71.3 vs. Dragons with a high score of 100, on top of his outstanding form suggests he is a great option for captaincy. If I owned him, he’d be my VC for sure.

Sam Burgess FRF | 2RF (Rabbits) vs. Roosters

Big Sam played his first game back from the horrific neck injury at Brookvale last week and looked a little gassed towards the latter stages. He will be better for the run, and up against the Roosters he always seems to lift a gear. Will be my VC.

Adam Reynolds HFB (Rabbits) vs. Roosters

Here’s a left fielder for you. If Reynolds is a late inclusion as we believe he will be (Madge said he got through training), with the goal kicking duties, up against the Roosters who have conceded 157 points in 5 games thus far ... Ah, I like them odds! If you are one of the 1.2% ownership with Reynolds, it’s worth a shot!

Other options … Corey Parker, Semi Radradra (Sat game so be careful), Josh Dugan

Copes’ Captains

Sticking with the aggressive captaincy options after JT succeeded for me last week, those who skippered Milf, Mbye or Teddy in the last two weeks will know its not for the feint hearted! This week we see good match-ups for many of the big guns late in the round. Here are my top three!

Jonathan Thurston HFB | 5/8 (Cowboys) vs. Panthers

In Stat Attack yesterday a stat popped up that of all the teams in the NRL the Panthers have had the most missed tackles, and the most errors, with 194 and 53 respectively. That’s huge. It is relevant here given that those trends suggest JT will have every chance to score well, even Pepper Stadium in Penrith. Career average of 77.3, and coming off 93 last week, the great man is my skipper at this stage once again*.

* May backflip on this.

James Tedesco FLB (Tigers) vs. Knights

Simple really. The highest overall point scorer, is playing against the worst defence that concedes the most points in all of SuperCoach. Those that skippered Teddy last week will have had their head in their hands at one point (Off for concussion on zero), only to see their little master return for 103 points in 65 minutes of game time. Averages a sensational 78.3 against the Knights across his career and is a very good choice this week.

James Tedesco is the highest overall point scorer. Picture Gregg Porteous

Paul Gallen FRF | 2RF / Andrew Fifita FRF (Sharks) vs. Titans

Gallen started last week from the bench and played 57 minutes for his 78 points, which included a try. He has been named to start this week and despite the fact I think his minutes stay around the 60 mark, his career average of 88 against the Titans is simply unbelievable in SC terms. Fifita is averaging 66.4 this season without having scored a try. I think this could be the week he breaks that drought, and both the big boppers from the shire are great choices for the #OrangeArmband if you’re wanting a ‘sure thing’.

Other options … Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Bryce Cartwright, Cameron Smith

Good luck to all of you this week, may the armband fall on the right man. Who’s being gutsy and throwing it on Mbye again after last week??