The representative weekend looms large over Round 6. While your big name recruits obviously won’t miss a round of NRL action, the potential for injury or a resulting suspension from an incident in the highly competitive representative arena could be enough to deter coaches from splashing the cash this week.
There are still trades to be made, however. Let’s take a look at those players you should be investing in, holding or letting go, as well as some of the better captaincy options for Round 6.
Buy
James Tedesco | WFB | $141,600
This highly-rated young fullback had his first NRL game and season cut short by a knee injury in Round 1, 2012. Thankfully he’s fully fit and is starting to work his way back into the first grade side on the wing. But with injury keeping Benji Marshall (more on him later) on the sidelines, coach Mick Potter could move Tim Moltzen into the halves, with Tedesco shifting to his preferred position at fullback. Regardless of any positional switch, he should be more involved for the next few weeks, and with a price rise on the way, you could do far worse than Tedesco.
Jack Stockwell | FRF/2RF | $131,100
I mentioned Stockwell last week, and was left with no choice but to mention him again. Scoring 35 against the Knights to accompany his 40 in Round 4, Stockwell has a BE of -26. Add to this his dual position status and it’s easy to see why over 11% of all trades have involved the St George Illawarra prop this week. Don’t get left behind.
Hold
Albert Kelly | HLF | $278,200
Kelly scored a superb 69 points against the Broncos before a knee injury saw him assisted from the field. Eyebrows were raised on Tuesday when he was named in the Round 6 side, but he’s no certainty to play. Regardless, Kelly still has a tremendous upside. With a BE of 6 and a few price rises are on the cards, it’s still too early to trade Kelly, particularly given he should return soon (if not on Sunday night). If you’re not confident he will play, look towards your extended squad and bench the Titans halfback.
Jacob Loko | CTR | $186,400
Loko missed last week through illness, and hasn’t been named again to face the Titans. Given his BE (5), and scoring potential, it could be worth holding onto Loko for now. If you’re in desperate need of cash, a trade could be on the cards, but try and hold firm - there’s still plenty come.
Sell
Jamie Buhrer | 2RF | $242,900
There’s no denying Tom Symonds has been an excellent signing for the Sea Eagles, quickly earning the respect of the Brookie faithful. But for those with Buhrer in their DT, his arrival was not met with the same enthusiasm. Relegated to the bench, Buhrer isn’t getting the required game time to remain a DT force. He’s still producing the goods when he’s on the field, but with a dwindling price tag, it’s time to consider your options elsewhere.
Benji Marshall | HLF | $347,900
It was perhaps rather optimistic to expect that Marshall would be running out onto the SCG on Sunday, and it was confirmed by the club during the week that their star playmaker would be sidelined until Round 9. While not a long-term omission, that’s still long enough to be without a premium half. Faced with a BE of 89, you’d be best served by shifting Marshall on, especially with Braith Anasta taking over the goal-kicking duties too. Once his foot has healed completely, look to pounce in the weeks following his return once his price has bottomed out and he has resumed the goal-kicking role.
Round 6 Captains - players to consider
- Daly Cherry-Evans | HLF | $470,700
- Cameron Smith | HOK | $538,600
- Robbie Farah | HOK | $476,500
- Sonny Bill Williams | 2RF | $379,600
- Shaun Fensom | 2RF | $444,300
- Wildcard: Brett Morris | WFB | $304,600
