NRL SuperCoach Last Word - Rd 3

THIS is your last week to pick up the best buys in SuperCoach before their prices surge. So who are the must-haves? Video, live blog

THIS is your last week to pick up the best buys in SuperCoach before their prices surge. Here are the five must-haves and five "think first" players to be careful with.

MUST HAVES

George Burgess
Price: $105,400
Break even: -62
Projected rise:  $37,900
Came back to earth slightly with 34 on the weekend, but will still see one of the biggest price rises in the comp on the strength of his brilliant 93 in round one.

Albert Kelly
Price: $126,700
Break even: -62
Projected rise:  $33,400
Falls in the must-have category at either halfback or five-eighth following two brilliant weeks in a row.

LATE MAIL: Team changes and gossip

Tohu Harris
Price: $94,300
Break even: -45
Projected rise:  $24,500
The Melbourne Storm youngster is playing big minutes in the best attacking team in the comp. Form is such that he may hold his starting spot when Kevin Proctor (knee, round four) returns.

Jack Buchanan
Price: $87,500
Break even: -37
Projected rise:  $20,000
The rookie Tiger was an awesome buy even before the injury to Keith Galloway (pectoral, four months). Now he’s a must-have.

Chris Sandow
Price: $207,600
Break even: -58
Projected rise:  $47,600
Has one of the biggest projected price rises in the comp. Close to a must, but there are other good options at halfback and his SuperCoach pedigree shows he’s more a cash cow than a keeper.

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THINK FIRST

Ryan James
Price: $114,400
Break even: -17
Projected rise:  $20,900
Will see a good price rise and has dual position status, but his minutes may be inflated by Nate Myles and co. earning early showers in the drubbing of Canberra.

James Segeyaro
Price: $200,000
Break even: -32
Projected rise:  $33,700
Would be an elite SuperCoach hooker if he played 80 minutes. But he’s tough to buy while he remains in competition with Kevin Kingston.

Nathan Smith
Price: $121,300
Break even: -25
Projected rise:  $25,800
Set for a very solid price rise, but minutes were cut last week following the emergence of Adam Docker.

Matt McIlrick
Price: $102,500
Break even: -24
Projected rise:  $19,600
The return of first choice hooker Glen Buttriss (ankle) could cause game time issues for McIlrick.

Anthony Watmough
Price: $278,300
Break even: 6
Projected rise:  $21,000
Two brilliant showings, but minutes are down and he’s carrying a rib injury.

Player of the round
Michael Gordon
Showed why he will be one of the buys of the year (if he stays fit) with 97 on Monday, including an incredible 11 tackle busts.

BUY
Robbie Farah
Averages an enormous 12 points more than any player after the opening two rounds. Genuine SuperCoach keeper who will soar in price after this week.
Price: $322,700

HOLD
Justin Horo
After a quiet round one, Horo improved dramatically with 50 on the weekend. He won’t see the huge rises of some, but is worth persisting with because he’s playing 80 mins.
Price: $130,700

SELL
Kurt Gidley
The general rule is to never sell a keeper. But this is an exception. While Gidley has been a keeper in the past, there are too many great replacements, particularly at halfback.
Price: $227,300

Winning tips

"Use both your trades this week to take advantage of the massive price rises on offer. But rule No. 1 still stands: Never trade a gun." - Ken Billingham (2012 winner)

"This is the week to trade out underperformers set for price drops and buy players looking for a rise. Remember however, that proven keepers like Feleti Mateo will bounce back" – Matt Mullen (2009 winner)

"This is the week you have to decide how much cash a trade is worth. Big names like Paul Gallen and Cameron Smith could lose you money, but players like Chris Sandow and George Burgess could earn you plenty" – Marton Bigg (2011 winner)