NRL SuperCoach ‘it’s a trap’ series- St George-Illawarra Dragons

THE Dragons’ halfback dilemma remains unresolved, but one of the men who is in contention for the no. 7 jersey is a SuperCoach trap!

THE Dragons appear to be one of the few clubs almost universally rated to be no chance of making the finals in 2017.

Many of the same problems which plagued the club all last year appear to be still there this year, while plenty of the clubs around them have made positive moves either on the player market or in terms of adjustments to their rosters.

A preseason injury to Drew Hutchison was a big blow but one issue which remains unresolved is the #7 jersey. The topic of much conjecture all throughout the preseason, the answer still remains unclear and it is doubtful whether even the coach knows the answer yet!

Jai Field is in contention for the number seven jumper. pic Mark Evans

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

Of the four contenders — Josh McCrone, Jai Field, Shaun Nona and Kurt Mann — latest reports have narrowed the field down to a two-horse race out of McCrone and Field.

SuperCoaches will be crossing their fingers and toes that Jai Field (HLB/5/8, $122,600) is named in the #7 for Round 1; however, I have seen some consider McCrone (HLB/HOK, $183,300) if named.

McCrone is a TRAP. He’s priced at a 27 average, which is cheap for a starting half, but he’s priced there for a reason. I mean, he started last year priced at $133,300 (which is the equivalent of this year’s $143,600 when adjusted for the higher salary cap this year), but only managed make a peak of $29,700 following a relatively settled five or six game run.

Sure, he averaged 39 and 40 points per game a few seasons ago — but this was when he was at the Raiders, a far better attacking side. The Dragons’ attacking woes are well- publicised and unfortunately, McCrone himself has not shown any ability to contribute to the an improved attack in his time at the Dragons so far.

Any half who can score 16 and 9 in a full 80 minute performance surely has question marks over his SuperCoach relevance — Chris Sandow aside as he is his own special category of SuperCoach player!

Additionally, there have been some rumours that Field may be named in the 17 as a utility, to provide some attacking spark off the bench. Field was interestingly given some time at fullback during the trials, which adds further credence to the possibility of him being handed the utility role.

Of course, this means that Field himself may easily score less than five points in a short 20- minute burst off the bench; or he could just as easily slice through some tired defence for 27 points in a go (17 for a try plus 10 for a linebreak).

Either way though, the general rule is that a bench hooker or a bench utility is SuperCoach poison, because they just do not receive enough minutes to make money.

For that reason, you would have to give both McCrone and Field a wide berth if they line up in the #7 and #14 jerseys respectively. Keep crossing those fingers for a #7 for Field though!