NRL SuperCoach 2016: Trent Copeland reveals the best captain choices for round four

AFTER the Johnathan Thurston VC loophole saga, Trent Copeland takes you through the best options for captain in round four.

AFTER the Johnathan Thurston VC loophole saga, Trent Copeland takes you through the best options for captain in round four:

Captain, My Captain

#JTSaga has swept up the SuperCoach community this week, and let me begin by saying … Suck it up people!

Seriously, I ‘VC Loop-de-looped’ JT last week after seeing his 129 points in the demolition of the Roosters on Thursday Night, but it was most certainly with the knowledge that he didn’t really have an impact on at least two, if not three of the try assists he was awarded and Sanga and I were tweeting as such, and thus his score came down to 84.

So I say suck it up not only to all of you who feel hard done by, but to myself as well.

It’s the risk you take. Sangster and the great people here at SuperCoach HQ have clearly defined the ‘3- review’ process several times, and there in lies the risk when VC’ing a half or outside back. I digress …

JT is killing it, Milf, Teddy and Carty are all just ridiculous, Fifita came to life on Monday night at Brooky and a host of other guns are on fire. Captain options everywhere we look, and here are the best ones for this week keeping in mind there is no Thursday night game this week.

LISTEN TO OUR ROUND 4 SUPERCOACH PODCAST

VC options

I’ll start here, remembering that your VC should always play in the early games of the round (Fri), so always select your VC first. I always like to have someone a bit unique as if it pays off, you’ll be getting a leg up on the whole competition.

Johnathan Thurston HFB | 5/8 (Cowboys) vs. Broncos

Was the clear-cut best VC option last week, and nothing different here in the GF rematch. JT was unbelievable in the closing stages of last year’s grand final, and I expect this one is marked in the diary as one he wants to dominate. Beware though, he averages a below par (for him) 65.4 points against the Broncos in 15 career matches. He will be my VC again.

Anthony Milford (Broncos) vs. Cowboys

How can we ignore the form of the little genius number 6 for the Broncos. Averaging 92.3 points per game, and coming off a 136-point effort in a loss against the Panthers, Milf is a great choice as VC.

Jarrod Croker (Raiders) vs. Titans

If you’re planning on using Ben Henry for the loophole, then Croker becomes a good option in a match where there should be a lot of points on Saturday evening! Croker has had an underwhelming start to the season, but he averages 67 points per game against the Titans, playing at home and running at a weak right-side defence – all signs point to a big one. Other options … Corey Parker, Paul Carter, Moses Mbye

Copes’ Captains

Some really good match-ups this week for the big guns of our game, a revenge game and what could be a monster for a certain warrior.

Trent Merrin FRF | 2RF (Panthers) vs. Dragons

Yes, Merrin missed last weekend with a virus, but he appears to be right and will no doubt want to show Mary and his former club – the Dragons – what they let go. Expect a big performance from the big Panthers lock.

Andrew Fifita FRF (Sharks) vs. Storm

A lot of people were not happy with Fifita’s first up effort without Gallen in the team, but man he hit back last week. 82 points and so close to a try, his minutes have been increasing game by game and at home on Monday night against the Storm, Fifita could be on for a biggie. Will be my captain this week.

Shaun Johnson HFB (Warriors) vs. Knights

Do you love the rollercoaster rides at the Easter Show? Are you a daredevil? Well this one could pay off big. No team has conceded more points this season that the Knights, and despite Shaun Johnson’s mediocre start to the year, he has regained the goal kicking duties, he and RTS looked like they had some chemistry last week and we could see a big BANG at home this week. No doubt Dave Von Kotze has thought about this one … Other options … Simon Mannering, James Tedesco, Semi Radradra. Good luck to all of you this week, may the armband fall on the right man!

Originally published as NRL SuperCoach 2016: Trent Copeland reveals the best captain choices for round four