BUY, SELL, HOLD – Round 5

Round 5 is upon us and teams are either being deleted or sending coaches to the emergency room with panic attacks. This round will start to see the separation of POD teams that fired early and teams that will hit their straps for the long run.

Yet again, I’ll go through my top BUYS, SELLS, and HOLDS for the round along with the hits and misses of the round 4 article.

HITS

JAMES TEDESCO – HOLD (88 points and $6.8k gain)
KOTONI STAGGS – SELL (38 points and $15.2k loss

MISSES

CAMERON MUNSTER – BUY (33 points and $16k gain)
ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE – HOLD (59 points and $2.4k gain)

TAYLAN MAY – CTW – $252,500 – BE -123
There’s essentially nothing to say, this is the most blatantly obvious buy there will be this season. 5 tries in 2 games, an average of 101.5 points and an incredible run of Bulldogs, Broncos, Raiders and Titans for their next 4 games. Get him in no matter what!
*This was written before the news of his police charges was known.

DYLAN BROWN – 5/8 – $612,300 – BE -37
What a start to the season for Dylbags, with the endorsement of his coach behind him he has gone up many levels from his disappointing 2021. While I’m not sold on the idea that some people have of trading out Munster to Dylan Brown, I’d say they are the two standout 5/8s so far this season so if you have neither of them going into this round then Brown is your man to get in. If he averages 80 points per game over the next 3 rounds, he will reach $760k. With games against Titans, Tigers, Knights and Cowboys coming up, that’s a very realistic possibility.

DANIEL TUPOU – CTW – $568,800 – BE 3
CAMPBELL GRAHAM – CTW – $517,800 – BE 62
I’ve decided for my last buy section to add in 2 POD players that each only have 0.2% ownership change this round and both under 5% ownership. The Roosters haven’t fired at the start of the season compared to most pre-season thoughts however Tupou has been playing some very solid footy. A 3-round average of 74 points per game with a try in each, he’s currently owned ay 4.6% so would be an ideal POD to own for the incredible run of games the Roosters have from now to round 10. For a slightly cheaper option, Graham has had a much more difficult run to start the year. Facing Melbourne, Roosters and Panthers in the last 3 games, he’s still achieved a 60-point average and like the Roosters, the Rabbitohs also have a fantastic run even past the first bye round.

HARRY GRANT – HOK – $644,700 – BE 28
SIOSIFA TALAKAI – 2RF – $434,400 – BE -36
CAMERON MURRAY – 2RF – $714,500 – BE 22

EUAN AITKEN – CTW/2RF – $495,700 – BE 47
Almost 1000 people are going into this round having sold Aitken, however I see Aitken as more of a hold than a sell. He hasn’t been amazing, and I understand that, but at the same time he hasn’t been bad by any means. Averaging 55 points per game with 1 try over his first 4 games. That doesn’t look like amazing numbers however he’s been averaging 47.5 in pure base which is ideal considering this season has taken a different turn scoring wise to 2021 and that high of a base in your CTW will be vital.

HAUMOLE OLAKAU’ATU – 2RF – $516,300 – B3 73
Holy Guacamole started the season on fire, a 51 against Penrith then 77 against the Roosters in a losing side. He attracted the attention of over 3% of coaches, including myself. Since then, he scored a lowly 35 points against the Bulldogs in a tough-fought victory in torrential conditions and then a 56 with a try against the Raiders last round which is not amazing. Tommy Trbojevic is out so I can’t see Manly beating teams by 20+ as I originally expected over this run, however Big Guac would not be the biggest fire in your team that needs putting out. He’s still capable of averaging decently over the 5-6 games and could definitely cross the white line a couple of times.

TOM TRBOJEVIC – FLB – $969,900 – BE 155
This one is specially for my main man Adam who’s the writer of the captain’s articles on the site. SELL HIM.
SUITABLE REPLACEMENTS: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell

TALATAU AMONE – 5/8/CTW – $264,800 – BE 68
As a die-hard Dragons fan, it hurts to say that Amone didn’t hit his straps as a large majority of coaches were wanting to begin the season. Now out of favour and starting from the bench, he will be an AE nightmare and will potentially hit close to bottom dollar.
SUITABLE REPLACEMENTS: Taylan May, Tolutau Koula, Xavier Coates

KOTONI STAGGS – CTW – $383,000 – BE 48
SELWYN COBBO – FLB/CTW – $282,500 – BE 46
The combo of Selwags has been abysmal to start the year. They’ve had chance after chance but haven’t been able to finish their dinner. Broncos had a good draw to start the year but that’s come to and end. With the emergence of Taylan May and possibly Tolutau Koula, they are a definite sell for me.

SUITABLE REPLACEMENTS: Taylan May, Tolutau Koula, Xavier Coates

TYRELL SLOAN – FLB/CTW – $438,200 – BE 87
ELIESA KATOA – 2RF – $346,600 – BE 72