NRL SuperCoach: What to do with a busted Semi Radradra

SEMI Radradra’s season looks to be over after the Fijian flyer suffered a knee injury in Friday night’s win over the Roosters — what now for SuperCoaches?

SuperCoach hearts sank as Semi Radradra left the field injured during the round 18 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Sydney Roosters.

SEMI Radradra’s season looks to be over after the Fijian flyer suffered a knee injury in Friday night’s win over the Roosters — where to now for SuperCoaches?

THE CALCULATIONS

It’s a double dose of pain for the 28,000 plus SuperCoaches who owned Semi Radradra as of last night. Not only will they lose Semi for the duration of the season, they also cop a financial whack.

With Radradra scoring just 3 points prior to the injury he will lose a little over $44,000 leaving those looking for a replacement with $351,000 in the kitty.

ROUND NINETEEN PAIN

There’s more bad news for SuperCoaches — a number of the obvious replacements for Radradra, think Jarrod Croker, Joey Leilua, Brett Morris and James Tedesco will be on a bye in round nineteen.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Jarrod Croker (32.2% ownership): With five games under 40 so far this season, Croker’s reputation as a super safe CTW has taken a bit of a dent in 2016. However, he is still the 6th highest scorer in the position (excluding one game wonders Jahrome Hughes and Reimis Smith) and the Raiders appear to have rediscovered his potential as an attacking weapon of late. Should be owned.

Jarrod Croker racked up plenty of points in Canberra’s round 17 match against the Knights.

James Tedesco (31.7% ownership): With five scores in excess of 80 points, two of those in triple figures, ‘Teddy’ should be in everyone’s team. Will miss next week due to the Tigers having a bye so if you swap Semi for him (via a dual-position nuff) you will take a short term hit for a long term gain.

Cameron Munster (31.4% ownership): The only knock on Cameron Munster is the mystery surrounding his ankle injury. After busting out a SuperCoach record 183 points in round 14 he’s failed to play. The mail is Munster should be good to return in round 19 against the lowly Knights, if that’s the case then he’s a perfect replacement for Semi.

Ben Barba of the Sharks in action during the Round 17 NRL match between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Parramatta Eels.

Ben Barba (30.1% ownership): A player capable of the sublime and the ridiculous, Ben Barba is an option for those that have the dual-position flexibility to bring him in for Semi. With five scores over 70 already there is no doubting Barba’s capacity to produce and his side, the Cronulla Sharks, have a juicy run home.

Tohu Harris (29.6% ownership): Tohu’s greatest weakness as a SuperCoach player is one of his greatest strengths as a player. Harris is the Storm’s Mr Fix-it, and has been rotated between 2RF, CTW and 5/8 to fill gaps as and when required. Melbourne has lost two of their regular forward rotation to injury recently so with any luck Tohu returns to his most SuperCoach productive spot which is as an 80 minute edge backrower. One concern is the rib injury Harris picked up in 17, plenty of SuperCoaches will be hoping the big man can play with a needle.

Tom Trbojevic has been outstanding for the Sea Eagles in 2016.

Tom Trbojevic (17.9% ownership): ‘tommy Turbo’ is a deadset gun with five scores in excess of 70 so far and not a single score under 40. The only issue is he is playing with a busted ankle (syndesmosis) at the moment. Manly have said the young star intends to play out the remainder of the season and then have surgery but with trades running low it’s a risk you must factor in before hopping on the Trbojevic express.

Joey Leilua (16.3% ownership): The shine has come off Leilua a little of late (3RA of 46.7) but there was little chance he could maintain his insane output from the middle of the season. However, with five scores in excess of 90 already this season and a surprisingly low ownership rate ‘BJ’ is most definitely in the top echelon of CTWs this year. Will miss round 19 due to the Raiders having a bye and has a high BE (120) for his round 18 clash with the Cowboys. Could be a juicy option at over $100k discount to his season high price come round 20.

Defences have struggled to come to grips with Joey Leilua all year.

THE PODs

Michael Gordon (14.4% ownership): Is not the SuperCoach stud of years gone by, but is a dual-position player who seems to have hit good form of late. Since round 10, Gordon has exceeded 60 four times. He’s not going to give you the massive scores that Semi was capable of, but he offers flexibility and would not be out of place as a 5th CTW/FLB reserve.

Josh Mansour (13.2% ownership): After a mid-season lull, Mansour has turned it on big time with a 3RA of 88. The Panthers have a very nice run home with Roosters/Knights/Tigers/Titans and Sea Eagles as their final five games and you should expect Mansour to grab plenty of tries against that lot. As close to a like-for-like replacement for Semi as you’ll see on this list.

Euan Aitken is a safe 5th CTW for the run home. Picture: Mark Evans

Euan Aitken (7.6% ownership): Aitken delivers base stats more akin to those expected from a second rower than a centre and is thus a very popular pick as a fifth CTW in many final squads. Has a mixed run home with tough games against the Bulldogs (rd 21), Broncos (rd 22) and Sharks (rd 23) but a juicy finish of Eels (rd 25) and Knights (rd 26). With trades limited and injury clouds over many other options, Aitken is a safe selection.

Jordan Rapana (7.5% ownership): Feeding off his mate Leilua, Rapana has had a stellar year for the Raiders. However, the Canberra winger copped a knock to his shoulder against the Knights in rd 17 and is unlikely to play this week against the Cowboys. With the injury cloud and Leilua and Croker ahead of him with regards to Raiders players I’d pass on Rapana.

Josh Dugan (6.7% ownership): A proven SuperCoach scorer with a low ownership percentage Dugan has hit some form of late (3RA of 59.7). However, those games came against modest opposition (Rabbitohs/Knights/Sea Eagles). Keep in mind that injuries are always a concern with Dugan and you’ll be taking a significant risk if you pick him up.

Matthew Moylan is a key attacking weapon for the Panthers.

Matthew Moylan (3.9% ownership): Moylan has delivered at least one try-assist in all but one game so far this season. In excellent form of late there is every chance the young Panther will close out the season with a 60 point average. Available at FLB, 5/8 you’ll need a dual-position player in order to bring him in for Radradra.

Shaun Kenny-Dowell (2.5% ownership): With a 5RA of 60 (including Friday night’s score against the Eels) SKD and a low ownership percentage SKD is definitely in POD territory. Unlikely to bust out a mammoth score, he’s not as attractive as several other listed above but you could make a case for risking him

Brett Morris (2.4% ownership): A top-class finisher who returned from a long-term injury in round 16, Morris has bagged five tries in his two games this season. The Bulldogs miss round 19 due to a bye, but if you can cover for him over that round then Morris could be the POD that wins you your head-to-head final or helps you claw your way up the rankings.

Will Chambers (1.9% ownership): A star who produces base stats in line with Euan Aitken, Chambers has been missing since round 6 due to a foot injury. Is slated to return in round 19, and if he does the former Origin player would be the ultimate POD. Definitely worth serious consideration.

Feel free to hit me up with abuse/compliments over my SuperCoach prognostications on Twitter@rob — sutherland3