NRL SuperCoach Last Word round 7: Hooker position wide open

HOOKER used to be the most boring position in SuperCoach — Cameron Smith set and forget from round one. Not anymore.

HOOKER used to be the most boring position in SuperCoach — Cameron Smith set and forget from round one.

However, the new interchanges rules have turned the position on its head, with NRL coaches keen to play rakes for longer minutes.

Smith has lost his mantle as the best hooker in SuperCoach to Jake Friend, albeit by just 0.4 points per game.

The position is wide open, with the nine best hookers averaging within eight points of one another.

Many of these players have far superior bye schedules to Smith, who will miss at least three games over Origin and invariably plays from the bench when backing up.

The byes are just five weeks away, so it’s time to assess the options.

Nathan Peats ($374,000)

Byes: 13, 16

Average: 63.3

Average minutes: 76

Ownership: 9.6%

Why buy: Peats has the best schedule in the comp and would have the highest average of any hooker if not for an injury-affected round two. Played 80 minutes on his return last week and has the added bonus of dual position flexibility.

Why not: Injury history. The Eels could fall to pieces if docked big points for the Salary cap scandal.

Nathan Peats is a serious option for the byes. Picture: Mark Evans

Mitch Rein ($339,100)

Byes: 13, 18

Average: 49.5

Average minutes: 75

Ownership: 1.4%

Why buy: After a slow start, Rein has played 80 minutes in his last four games at an average of 57 points, all in base stats. Has made the most dummy half runs of any player in the NRL. A massive POD at just 1.4 per cent ownership. Dragons have the second best bye schedule in the comp.

Why not: The Dragons have the worst attack in the comp. Back-up Siliva Havilii was dropped last week, but returns this round and could steal minutes.

Josh Hodgson ($375,600)

Byes: 15, 19

Average: 58.5

Average minutes: 76.5

Ownership: 5.6%

Why buy: The form hooker of the NRL (although that hasn’t quite translated to SuperCoach). Has played the full game in all matches in which he hasn’t been injured. His average of 58.5 would be over 60 if not for a thumb issue last week that saw him spend 31 minutes on the sideline.

Why not: Attacking role may reduce now halves Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin are back. Bye schedule is not as good as it looks. He only plays one Origin round, but round 19 will be deceptively hard to cover as four teams are on the bye, not two. In doubt this week.

Jake Friend ($381,600)

Byes: 12, 16

Average: 65.2

Average minutes: 78

Ownership: 6.3%

Why buy: Has scored the most SuperCoach points of any hooker this year. Played 80 minutes - or very close - in every game. Averaged 49 tackles. Improved attacking game, with three try assists this year.

Why not: Minutes may reduce when Mitchell Pearce is back, which will see Jayden Nikorima used as a bench hooker. Misses the all-important round 12, but has a dream schedule from there. He is therefore a buy option from round 13, pending the Nikorima/Pearce situation.

ROUND 7 SUPERCOACH PODCAST

Jake Granville ($345,400)

Byes: 15, 19

Average: 51.5

Average minutes: 58

Ownership: 8.3%

Why buy: Great attacking potential in a brilliant team.

Why not: Playing from the bench and only averaging 58 minutes. As with Hodgson, his bye schedule is not as good as it looks, with round 19 deceptively hard. Relies on attacking stats.

Issac Luke ($371,800)

Byes: 12, 18

Average: 58.4

Average minutes: 71.4

Ownership: 5.2%

Why buy: Has averaged 67 in the last four rounds following an injury-affected 26 in round one. Huge attacking stat potential from runs, tackles busts and offloads, as well as big attacking stats. Has played 80 minutes in three of the past four rounds.

Why not: Inconsistent player at an inconsistent team. Low tackle count. Tough bye schedule – he misses two Origin weeks, but has a huge gap in between, making him a potential buy for rounds 13 to 17. Thomas Leuluai could steal minutes as he eases back from ACL injury.

Matt Parcell has been a revelation. Picture: Jenny Evans

Matt Parcell ($289,600)

Byes: 12, 18

Average: 51.5

Average minutes: 66

Ownership: 22.9%

Why buy: No longer a buy as he’s already too expensive and has a tough bye schedule, but those who already own him will be over the moon. He has averaged 62 since becoming the sole hooker at Manly, making $156,000.

Why not: Trent Barrett says Apisai Koroisau will remain in the 17 when Daly Cherry-Evans returns in a few weeks, which could affect Parcell’s minutes. Hold until DCE returns, then reassess.

James Segeyaro ($402,600)

Byes: 12, 15

Average: 44.0

Average minutes: 55

Ownership: 1.3%

Why buy: Has potential to be the best hooker in SuperCoach - when fit and given 80 minutes. Horrible bye schedule to start, but the Panthers are the first team to finish their byes, making Segeyaro a purchase from round 16.

Why not: Injury history. Peter Wallace has starred at hooker in Segeyaro’s absence and may provide competition for game time.

WINNING TIPS

“With multiple injury worries this week it might be an ideal time to bring in a player to cover the initial bye period. Aaron Woods for example, can easily be traded to Jack de Belin or James Graham. Kerrod Holland from the Bulldogs can be traded in for Will Chambers. You still need to be making money whilst planning for the bye period. The temptation may be to trade out cash cows like Jacob Saifiti or Pat Mata’utia, but my view is that you should finesse your team now and keep them until Round 12.”

- Mary Kaye (2015 winner)

“The time has come to start preparing your team for the byes. Holland and Bowen are the obvious targets this week but if you decide to only bring one in, the smart bet with your second trade would be to bring someone in that offers some sort of bye coverage. My trades this week will be Hunt or De Belin and Holland.”

- Dave Von Kotze (2014 winner)

“Holland is a non-negotiable this week, but Bowen is a tougher call, and it may pay to wait until team lists on Friday night. With 14 trades available before round 12, those selling Woods or Taukieaho shouldn’t feel restricted to buying bye-period cover - there’s plenty of time for that later. Plenty of coaches have been burned riding the lightning the last couple of weeks when captaining backs. But unless you have Fifita there doesn’t seem to be many locks for 75+ points in the forwards. Risk taking and VC loopholing may need to continue.”

- Darren Thompson (2013 winner)

“Two more potential cheapies hit the market this weekend. Holland sells himself, an accurate goal kicker with good short term job security. Javid Bowen is a 50/50 depending upon your team structure. Job security is his issue, with no guarantee he will achieve 2-3 more games to make his trade worthwhile.”

- Matt Mullen (2009 winner)

CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN

Semi Radradra - average v this week’s opponent 90.20

Paul Gallen 85.00

Corey Parker 83.08

Anthony Milford 82.20

Sam Burgess 77.40

(Full figures in SuperCoach Gold, just $19.95 for season)

Semi Radradra has averaged over 90 versus the Sea Eagles.

MOST PURCHASED

1 Kerrod Holland, 17,191 trades (24.67%)

2 Javid Bowen, 10,977 trades (15.75%)

3 Jesse Bromwich, 2304 trades (3.31%)

4 James Tedesco, 1534 trades (2.20%)

5 Bryce Cartwright, 1487 trades (2.13%)

6 James Graham, 1411 trades (2.02%)

7 Dylan Napa, 1362 trades (1.95%)

8 Ashley Taylor, 985 trades (1.41%)

9 Te Maire Martin, 965 trades (1.38%)

10 Corey Oates, 922 trades (1.32%)

(Full figures in SuperCoach Gold, just $19.95 for season)

MOST SOLD

1 Pat Mata’utia, 7211 trades (10.35%)

2 Aaron Woods, 4674 trades (6.71%)

3 Cody Walker, 4534 trades (6.51%)

4 Paul Carter, 3707 trades (5.32%)

5 Nathan Green, 1866 trades (2.68%)

6 Jacob Saifiti, 1491 trades (2.14%)

7 Hymel Hunt, 1473 trades (2.11%)

8 Robbie Rochow, 1416 trades (2.03%)

9 Ben Barba, 1361 trades (1.95%)

10 Dale Copley, 1324 trades (1.90%)

(Full figures in SuperCoach Gold, just $19.95 for season)

TOP 10 COACHES

forkheads 6,835

PugziesDoggies !! 6,797

Honeybadgers 6,796

Pesky Wabbit 6,769

deadlys 6,762

Beaverrr 6,752

Bombers Broncos 6,750

GeeBangers 6,746

Watch this Space 6,744

Shimmy Shimmy Zoom 6,742

BIGGEST PRICE RISES THIS YEAR

Cody Walker $+155,500

Matt Parcell $+152,600

Ashley Taylor $+143,500

Jackson Hastings $+130,500

Sam Mataora $+123,600

Pat Mata’utia $+119,000

Cameron McInnes $+118,800

Hymel Hunt $+118,700

Moses Mbye $+111,500

Ryan James $+110,200