NRL SuperCoach: Trent Copeland’s captaincy analysis Round 4

With most SuperCoaches missing Dylan Brown and/or Adam Keighran, this is the perfect weekend to pull the vice-captaincy loophole.

• SUPERCOACH: Bye, hold, sell analysis

• ROUND 4: NRL SuperCoach teams analysis

Teddy time!

Many SuperCoaches were TRADING Teddy out last week after two low scores to start the season. Thankfully, the savvy owners were with me and going the other way to captain the great man for a humungous 133 points! The stats pointed to that after his 180 against the Eels last season, and it just goes to show — back in your guns.

Onto round four, and who do we entrust with the all-important ‘Orange Armband’ this weekend?

Each week I will delve into the stats that stick out, the best matchups, form and even sometimes a gut feel to find the best skippers of the week.

Without further ado…

Trent Copeland's captaincy analysis Round 4.

VC OPTIONS

Many teams will be left with the likes of Simonsson, Dylan Brown and/or Keighran amongst others as loophole skippers who wont play this weekend, so we have a few options throughout the Thursday and Friday games for VC looping.

James Tedesco FLB (Roosters) vs. Broncos

Teddy was the main man last weekend, and after a 133 point BOMB against the Eels, you’d be hard pressed to find better upside in the opening games of the round. The matchup is much tougher against the Broncos (a team Teddy averages 54.2PPG against), but at home with the return of Cooper Cronk I like him to break that career trend. The surface at the SCG is a bit of a worry if there is rain around.

James Tedesco scores a crucial try against the Eels.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck FLB (Warriors) vs. Titans

RTS has flown under the radar this season, despite winning the Dally M Medal last year, and having scores of 95, 61 and 69 for an average of 75PPG — with only the one try! This week those lucky owners of RTS get a matchup with the lowly Titans, whom Roger averages a whopping 71.4PPG against with a high score of 130 points, at home at a slick Mt Smart Stadium. Oh, if you weren’t quite sold yet, SuperCoach Stats projects RTS to score 99 points this week… It’s most certainly not just Teddy/Turbo time at fullback this year people.

Esan Marsters CTW (Tigers) vs. Panthers

Marsters is perennially underrated, and it’s about time he started getting the plaudits he deserves. Centres in our wonderful game are so heavily reliant upon tries and line breaks to sustain scoring — not this guy. Having averaged 60.8PPG last season scoring just three tries, Marsters has started 2019 with scores of 68, 55 and 107 for an average of 76.7PPG with NO tries, and just one try assist. Incredible. The number ONE CTW in SuperCoach, without a shadow of a doubt, gets a matchup with the Panthers this week who are leaking points to outside backs big time. Get on board as a priority trade-in, and then whack the VC on him.

Other options… Nathan Cleary, Anthony Milford, Latrell Mitchell, Jai Arrow

COPES’ CAPTAINS

Andrew Fifita FRF (Sharks) vs. Eels

No Paul Gallen, I repeat, no Paul Gallen this week for the Sharks. In games where Gallen has not taken the field in recent years it’s well documented that Fifita’s average jumps almost 10 minutes of playing time and that equates to almost 13 points with Fifita’s incredibly good 1.2PPM across his career. Quite simply, if Fifita gets 65 minutes this week the worst he would score is in the 65-70 range and we all know the offloading/try upside on top of that. My captain this week as things stand.

Robbie Farah HOK (Tigers) vs. Panthers

Yep, it’s time to start considering Farah in the captaincy discussion each week. Scores of 110, 123 and 57 (with no attacking stats) for an average of 96.7PPG so far this season is incredible. When you consider the likes of Cook, Arrow and even Fifita have had their ups and downs this season, it looks as though a mid-50s score is the low mark with upside of much, much higher for Farah in 2019 playing the full 80 minutes each week. No Benji Marshall this week against the Panthers likely means more last play touches for Farah also.

Damien Cook HOK (Rabbitohs) vs. Sea Eagles

I know, I know, Cook ‘only’ scored 54 points last weekend. But, when was the last time you saw Cook score less than that? The answer? Twice in his last 20 matches. Don’t overthink it, Cook will sit around the 60 mark on a bad night and the upside as we saw last weekend against the Dragons (when he scored 96 points) is much higher. Against the Sea Eagles at Lottoland this weekend I think Cook goes 90+.

Other options… Cameron Smith, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Burgess, Jake Trbojevic

Good luck everyone, may the Orange Armband fall on the right man this week.