NRL SuperCoach: Gorden Tallis takes punt on Ben Hunt

WELCOME to the Baby Socialites. It was no exaggeration when this was dubbed the “dreaded” Round 12.

WELCOME to the Baby Socialites.

This week I have managed to pull together enough players to put forward a team of 14 for NRL SuperCoach.

It was no exaggeration when this was dubbed the “dreaded” Round 12.

With no Origin stars and only half the competition playing due to byes, I have done my best with what I have.

Before I made my trades I had just 11 players available.

And my rule for every Origin and bye round is to field at least 13 players.

So with four trades available, I decided to make three.

I need to save them where I can but I also needed to offload bottom dollar player Vince Leuluai, who I’ve been stuck with since Round 1, and bring in some star factor.

My star factor this week is Ben Hunt.

I made way for him by getting rid of Jackson Hastings.

Hastings has been a solid buy for the Socialites this year but with so much uncertainty over his future at the Roosters, I could not justify keeping him over my other back up half, Ash Taylor.

Then, as well as Leuluai, I also booted Corey Oates.

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Oates has been another great inclusion this year, but with his well-deserved Origin selection, I have to make some room.

For this pair, I brought in Joseph Tapine and Javid Bowen.

Bowen will play his third game for the Cowboys this weekend, opening the door for an injection of cash into my side.

Tapine on the other hand plays for the Raiders who have some of the best bye coverage available.

It means my backrow is definitely lacking some stars, but I am a big believer in just getting the points where I can.

And I think I will make up for it with my halves combination of Hunt and Anthony Milford.

Milford regains his role as skipper this week and together I think they will lead the Socialites to a few surprise victories.

GT’s Socialites this week

Name (Team) Last week’s score

FULLBACK

Corey Norman (Eels) 42

CENTRE/WING

Jarrod Croker (Raiders) 78

Kerrod Holland (Bulldogs) 51

Michael Gordon (Eels) 58

Greg Eden (Broncos) DNP

FIVE-EIGHTH

Anthony Milford (Broncos) 19

HALFBACK

Ben Hunt (Broncos) 60

FRONT ROW

Herman Ese’ese (Broncos) DNP

Kodi Nikorima (Broncos) 34

James Graham (Bulldogs) 67

BACK ROW

Manu Ma’u (Eels) 83

Luke Bateman (Raiders) 49

Joseph Tapine (Raiders) 35

RESERVES

Javid Bowen (Cowboys) DNP

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach: Gorden Tallis takes punt on Ben Hunt