SuperCoach Plus article Round 13: Should Damien Cook really be most purchased player?

Damien Cook’s Origin axing has created a mad SuperCoach scramble for the South Sydney hooker, but there’s certainly a strong argument against the trade.

Damien Cook’s Origin axing has created a mad SuperCoach scramble for the South Sydney hooker, who is currently the most purchased player this week.

But is he really a good buy? There’s certainly a strong argument against the trade.

Cook is in the midst of his worst SuperCoach season in six years, averaging 61 (he’s averaged 75, 66, 70, 76 and 77 in the seasons prior).

He’s dropped to the third best hooker in SuperCoach behind Harry Grant (69.3 average) and new HOK force Jeremy Marshall-King (67.1).

And while Cook’s bye coverage is nice this week, it’s hardly the best schedule given he misses the next tough bye in Round 16. In fact, if Cook regains his Origin spot for even just the final game, he’ll miss three of five rounds from 16-20.

As pointed out many times, there is no need to run a hooker this week just to a team on the park – those numbers can be absorbed in other positions.

It’s best 13 this week, not best 17 as per normal weeks, and these 13 players can be taken from any position.

NRL 2023 RD09 South South Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm - Damien Cook. Picture: NRL Photos

TOHU’S HORROR HISTORY

Speaking of popular buys, Tohu Harris sits second behind Cook. But again, this trade doesn’t come without risk. Yes, take out the two injury-affected games and Tohu has averaged 75, which is on par with the best FRF in the comp in Payne Haas (75.5).

The dual position flex is also tempting. But the Warriors veteran has struggled to stay on the park of late, playing just 63 of a possible 96 games. He’s already missed three games this year due to complications with previous knee injuries, so is he another injury waiting to happen?

SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE ON HOP-GOD

J’Maine Hopgood is looking more and more like a must-have keeper. His average is a very healthy 72.8, which places him third at 2RF. Plenty sold when he was relegated to the bench, where he averaged just 45 over two games.

But take out those matches and include only the ones starting at lock - where he is set to stay for an extended period given the injuries to Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard - and he has averaged 78.3. The only reason not to buy his back is that he’s on the bye next week, but he’s a must for Round 15.

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CAN ISAAKO KEEP THE STATS COMING? PROBABLY NOT

Jamayne Isaako is very popular this week and fair enough given he has the second highest average of any CTW and also the second most total points (both behind Campbell Graham).

But the big question on Isaako is whether he can keep these amazing stats coming. Law of averages says he can’t. Isaako is averaging a full 20 points better than his next best season – in 2021 when he averaged 56. He has averaged 36, 56, 39 and 45 over his last four seasons prior to this one.

TWO REASONS NOT TO BUY MOSES

Mitchell Moses is popular this week but there are two reasons I won’t be going there. Firstly, he has the bye next week and it’s a particularly hard week to cover given Origin players are backing up and three popular teams are on the bye in the Eels, Knights and Sea Eagles.

Secondly, Moses’s inconsistency is a big worry. While he’s notched three tons, he’s also posted two scores in the teens.

SELL ON HOSKING IS THE RIGHT CALL

Zac Hosking is a popular sell this week and the stats back it up. While the Penrith revelation has no doubt been a great SuperCoach contributor this season, he has the bye this week and almost all key stats are on the way down. He averaged 81 minutes over his first month (yes 81 minutes due to two golden point games) for an average of 80 points. Since then he has averaged 60 minutes at 50.4 points per game.

Originally published as SuperCoach Plus article Round 13: Should Damien Cook really be most purchased player?