Hooker –
I have no interest in trying to find a diamond in the rough for you at the hooker position. There aren’t enough guys playing big minutes in this position consistently to justify picking someone up to score you 45 points on a good week. Save yourself the hassle – grab a 2RF or a CTW on your bench and AE this position every week. If you own one of the four good options at hooker, well done. The rest of you, AE is the only way.
FRF –
Jacob Saifiti 39.6% ownership
The best FRF pick-up that’s most likely to be sitting on your waiver wire. Is leading from the front at Newcastle, playing big minutes and putting up some solid numbers. Scores of 72 and 65 in the last fortnight, all in base power. Will be a reliable option at FRF.
Alternatives
Taniela Paseka 41.7% ownership
Matt Croker 51% ownership
2RF –
Teig Wilton 36.1% ownership
Is back in the starting side after missing the start of the season and is benefiting from the good form of Trindall and Hynes. Back-to-back scores of 70 & 72 prove he’s a great player to own that can be relied on when the Sharks have a good match-up. He’s too good to be on waivers, so if he’s sitting there, pick him up.
Alternatives
Trent Loiero – 47.1% ownership
Ben Trbojevic – 27.1% ownership
Halfback –
Jock Madden 18.2% ownership
The only option at halfback if you need some coverage over the next few weeks. He has been playing awesome for the Tigers since Jarome Luai went down and is also kicking goals, making him a more than handy option. Three home games in a row for the Tigers with some favourable match-ups – as mentioned before, he’s the only option for halfback if you’re looking for someone on waivers.
5/8 –
Chanel Harris-Tavita 29.4% ownership
Comes back into the starting side after the unfortunate injury to Luke Metcalf – CHT will be coming out firing as it’s his chance to prove to Andrew Webster he deserves to be in the starting 13 going forward. Melbourne in Melbourne this week is not an ideal match-up; however, the Wahs play Titans, Dolphins, Eels and Dragons over the next six weeks – some juicy match-ups.
Alternatives
Joash Papalii – 33.5% ownership
CTW –
Tyrell Sloan 4.8% ownership
Oh boy – this feels a little gross, but I genuinely believe he’s a good option. Sloan is basically playing for his career here and gets a shot at fullback in a struggling side with no Clint Gutherson. He’s either going to have a blinder or a Barry Crocker – there is never a middle ground with Tyrell Sloan. Fortune favours the brave with this one.
Other alternatives
Phil Sami 44.4% ownership
Jesse Arthars 14.3% ownership
Fullback –
Will Kennedy 54% ownership
Reece Walsh owners (myself included), are scrambling to find a replacement this week, and I think Will Kennedy is the only option. Far from a sexy option given some of the other fullbacks running around, but he will do a job in a Sharks team playing well.
Smoky option – plenty of rumours around about clubs wanting Trai Fuller this season before the deadline. If he is available in your league, I would take the risk that a mid-season swap eventuates. He either becomes a great AE/injury cover or trade bait for when fullbacks go down. Get him now while he’s only 27% owned.
