After nailing both Tedesco and Drinkwater in Round 8, we take a look at potential VC & C options for Round 9.
VC Options
James Tedesco – Tedesco is averaging 86 across the opening 8 rounds, having only scored in 1 game this season. He is an elite option at fullback (probably #1 realistically) and has such a high scoring floor that he is always a consideration on these lists. Dolphins concede the 7th most points to fullbacks in 2025 so this is a decent fixture to target, especially with the Roosters putting points on last week. Teddy is averaging a whopping 84 points in Base, Creative & Evasive statistics. This is before he even crosses the try line. One to consider.
Nicho Hynes – Feels like Nicho Hynes is ready to explode and drop a big 100+ performance – could it be this week? Remains to be seen if Nicho can command enough ball from Tricky Trindall to fill the stats sheet as he has done so many times in the past. Surprisingly, the stats show this is a bad fixture to target, with Parra conceding the 3rd least points to halfbacks in 2025. Despite this, I think Nicho is good enough to put points on anyway and I always like VCing someone from one of the earliest games. One for the risk takers.
Kalyn Ponga – I’m not game enough to straight C until I see far more involvement, however with a decent(ish) fixture against Souths, Ponga always comes into VC considerations. The main reason Ponga is worth consideration is that Souths have conceded more points to fullbacks than any other team in 2025. Could a massively understrength Souths outfit be the catalyst to kick start Kalyn Ponga’s season?
C Options
Scott Drinkwater – Nailed this call last week and Drinky finds himself amongst the C options again. This is a middle of the road fixture statistically as the Warriors are going well, however I can’t ignore the recent form of the Cowboys – especially when the game is in Queensland. He can be a bit of a nervous watch as there have been countless times he has been on single digits at half time, but he somehow seems to find the attacking stats each week. The goalkicking helps too!
Terrell May – Safe option #1. Averaging a mammoth 64 in pure base, with a further 22 in evasive stats each week, it seems that Terrell May’s floor is in the 70-90 range in 2025. Ridiculous numbers.
Payne Haas – Safe option #2. Averaging a huge 59 in pure base, with a further 30 in evasive stats each week, it seems that Payne Haas’floor is in the 70-90 range also in 2025. Both he & May are wonderful to watch and I am so jealous neither of them play for my beloved Eels.
