Ranta ‘23 Team Tracker

Starting team got 794. Bit of a lower score but was carrying some dead value so to be expected

Smith
Carrigan, Hopgood, Haas
EButcher, EKatoa
DCE, Boyd
Bird, Thompson
Walsh, Ponga, TTurbo

Garner, Loiero, Uto, Trindall
Doorey, Warbrick, Alamoti, IKatoa

Strategy:
Byes are important but I didn’t want to spend trades bringing guns in post bye. Figured it was easier to cop a bye early and have my team plan around it from the start rather than have to spend trades chasing players I wanted in my team (DCE, Bird, Turbo). Warbrick and Trindall should provide solid string and coverage while I wait.

Also wasn’t confident in WFB and CTR cheapies. Hindsight shows CNK was likely a fine pick and avoided Miller would also be okay but actively chose not to have knights double up with Ponga.

Pick bu Pick:
Smith - Math says he had 10-15 points of value/ Not enough to gun but good scores at price.
Carrigan - 2nd year post ACL. Think he acwnds to Gun
Hopgood - Initially a Cow but now looking gun
Haas - Gun with good byes
EButcher - Value midranger. 10pms of value
EKatoa - Value midranger - scores okay
DCE - gun - no foran meant more hands on ball
Boyd - value midranger with good DPP
Bird - stability and Gun
Alamoti - cash cow
TTurbo - potential keeper that’s slightly undervalued to start
Ponga - Hoping for Hynes light upside
Walsh - love to watch. Hope he does elevate.

Warbrick and Trindall had job security and scoring upside to cover early byes
Garner - not value midranger
IKatoa - base price cow
Thompson - CTR/WFB coverage and cow
Loiero - cow
Doorey - cow
Uto - value midranger

Trade plans for round 2 aren’t coming as easily as I hoped:

Trade out candidates;

Uto - worries as Ofas fitness comes back the minutes will go down and is too expensive to have riding as an 18th man I don’t want to play but buddy mean I must.

Garner - role of 55 mins isn’t good value at his price

IKatoa - feel he will be a slow burn that I never want to take him out of WMG

Smith and EButcher - both disappointed. For the investment I need more but the roosters as a whole were poor. Not urgent but would be who I cull if there was a must get higher priced guy.

Trade in candidates:

Ford - worried about Curran but looks good
Carty - not sure I want to ride the rollercoaster in his limited time (rd 4 could have butcher, smith, Trindall and Carty all be out (or in a poor scoring role)
Tohu - looked strong. Not sure my team balance need another MID
CNK - won’t play the knights every week and again team balance mean I don’t need another WFB unless I want to play Ponga at half……..
Mahoney - could be a value play at HOK with the chance to rise to gun status if he maintains his rd 1 form
Wilton - with Graham out could cement that spot where he is undervalued - maybe not 10 points though.

Nothing is really seeming obvious but with Garner playing first up I need to figure out a plan soon. Will have a look in the morning.

Okay -

1st trade is locked as Garner to Carty. Hoping for him to have a role till rd 6 and bring in quick cash.

2nd trade is either to bring in Tohu (via butcher/smith) or to bring in Ford/Wilton for Uto. I can wait on this so will give time for any news to come through. May even end up just holding the trade.

Cap'n Ranta wrote:Okay -

1st trade is locked as Garner to Carty. Hoping for him to have a role till rd 6 and bring in quick cash.

2nd trade is either to bring in Tohu (via butcher/smith) or to bring in Ford/Wilton for Uto. I can wait on this so will give time for any news to come through. May even end up just holding the trade.

I like the idea of Smith to Tohu. I think Tohu has just as much money to make as Smith, while scoring a lot better, so I don't see the harm in pulling the trigger now.

Nice trades mate. I’m currently deciding wether I should just leave my basement CTRs to their own devices this week and look at bringing in a couple more cows for guys like Smith/Uto. Probably a bit too reactionary after a single game, but it’s tempting.

Carty and Ford the two I’m probably more keen on. Although I feel like Thompson should probably be brought in to try and help me out at the back.
Too many decisions

Thanks for the suggestions

Problem with Smith to Tohu is I play Alamoti or IKatoa over Uto. Think that kills the upgrade. Also if they make the same cash trading now or later doesn’t matter as much. Just means the gap next week will be too big so I’ll need to wait.

Ive gone Uto to Wilton for the second trade.

So on a one week basis my trades were terrible. Happy with the guys I traded in but both trade outs were probably better for my team balance and point scoring. Hopefully this week my trade outs are more obvious.

Week 2 score: 790
Rank: 10k

With Smith and Boyd both performing poorly I have no HOK options and my only half coverage with Ponga out is IKatoa. On the other hand I have 9 players who have EDG and playing one in my MID and one in CTR.

I’m not forced to trade this week to play 17 but think my planning needs to consider this possibility.

HOK: Grant, Cook, Mahoney, Api, Kenny, Levi, Luke, BSmith (post rd7)
MID: Murray, Tohu, Ford
HLF: Hynes, Cleary, Moses, Hughes, S.Walker

Haven’t listed Reynolds as I already have 3 Broncos and while they are playing well it’s too many high end players. Feel I’m capping my ceiling. Like the pick for others but not for me.

As I have talked about cover now it’s no surprise my 1st trade is to shore up my EDG at the expense of MID/HOK cover

BSmith -> Preston

Can’t ignore the quality of the cash cow. Playable in 17 and will make some good cash.

The next trade out is Ponga. Can’t carry 471k with his health risks. Hope he gets better. Really sad as he’s a great player to watch but it hurts to watch him now with his HIA risks.

That leaves 762k. My first thought is to go to Tohu. He’s a cash cow and keeper MID all in one. Hopefully has 100k + left in him at a 60 - 62.5 avg.

My other thought is Mahoney. Costs more and I have him pegged for a 55 avg. Big positive is he covers my HOK position.

Left field is Moses but he’s 10k too expensive. Would keep Ponga to help looping but I’d need to get rid of E Butcher.

Think I’m drawn to Tohu - he’s been a better fantasy player in the past. I can grab a panthers hooker next week and hope I have enough money for Hynes sometime soon with all the cash outs or at a minimum Moses. Ford once he comes back will likely come in as well.

Feel free to point out if I’m missing anything or if you have any better ideas. At this stage trades are locked as

BSmith -> Preston
Ponga -> Tohu

Boyd
Carrigan, Hopgood, Haas
EButcher, Wilton
DCE, Trindall
Bird, Alamoti
Walsh, TTurbo, Warbrick

Tohu, EKatoa, Carty, Preston,
Loiero, Doorey, Thompson, IKatoa

Good trades, 2 guys I have traded out, for 2 that I have in my team.

Definitely the two trades I’d be making. I have huge Tohu FOMO.

Trades went well last week. Tohu and Preston did a great job and Smith and Ponga were good outs. May get one or both back later but with high BEs and injury risks I’m happy to run without for now.

Rd 3 Score: 880
Rank: 2,167

One straightforward trade this week of EButcher to Kenny. I need a hooker to not play IKatoa at half. Next week with Boyd out I’ll need a half as well or play IKatoa. I’m happy Kenny will get 55-60 mins and average about 45. Has 10 points of value. Not looking for anything special but he does provide HOK depth without the cash other options require.

That trade leaves 80k. Was tempted to bank some cash with a Loiero to Ford trade but that doesn’t give much more to upgrade Trindall with next week. Really hoping some cows pop up soon or I might need to go get an AKP just to help make the finances work.

At this stage think not forcing cow trades and playing IKatoa next week is the better path. As always thoughts and opinions welcomed.

Team after trades is

Kenny
Carrigan, Haas, Tohu,
Wilton, EKatoa
DCE, Boyd
Bird, Alamoti
Turbo, Walsh, Warbrick

Hopgood, Carty, Preston, Loiero
IKatoa, Doorey, Thompson, Trindall

Next week could be less fun with only an 80k bank but I’ll trust some new cows to appear Tedesco, Hynes and Cleary are hopefully my next upgrades so I need them cows please

Pretty happy with my week.Saved a trade. Kenny seems a solid HOK option and a dubious binning cost him some real cash gen opportunities.

Rd 4 Score: 929
Rd 4 Rank: 3,108

Honestly thought I was having a great week but seems like there were some real monster scores. Congrats if you were one of them.

Trades are very easy.

Tohu -> Hosking
Doorey -> Ford

Missing Lemuelu again hurts a bit but I’d like to risk Hosking getting 2-3 weeks and helping me get Cleary/Hynes sooner. Not willing to risk holding Tohu if something is wrong. Haven’t looked into it enough but hard to believe it’s not a larger issue.

Doorey has stalled and Ford should keep the bank moving with good MID cover.

Next week Trindal will need to go after his last rise so he and Thompson need some cows or middies to stand up as I think I’ll be just short of going Trindal to Tedesco (plus it ruins the bank needed to upgrade Hosking).

Nice work mate, good trades
Team is coming along nicely rvrn if you took a hit last week in the rankings
Should claw that back sharply

Thoughts are all sound. I don't think missing Lemmy is a big deal this week, provided he keeps the edge spot even when Kaufusi is back. His BE isn't that low, not nearly as low as Hosking/Ford anyway.

Easy trades and good line of thinking. I'm also missing out on Lemmy so far, but not overly fussed about it. As Snatchpato said, the BE isn't ridiculous so not going to be out of reach in a hurry if he locks down the spot. Hosking definitely worth the risk and I feel like Tohu is a late out/reduced good chance to downgrade

Well had a shocker of a week again. Had too many edges and left Preston on the bench after Ford went over 40. Wouldn’t have saved my week but definitely would have helped.

Round 5 score: 839
Overall Rank: 13,857

This week is pretty tough. With 225k in the bank I could make some moves. My best plan is wrecked by Trindall not getting off the bench as I’m 9k short of

Hopgood -> Cleary
Trindal -> Smith

Think Cleary is self explanatory but Smith looked good last game and if I don’t want to pay up for mid coverage I see him as a better option. Nothing changed from the start of the season but now hopefully playing at full health he can be what we originally bought him in as. HOL coverage also helps.

Am locking Hopgood to Cleary. Can’t see the point in holding Hopgod - know Brad Arthur plays funny buggers and it’s a shame the game is last but think he has peaked. If I’m wrong can’t see it being to hard to get him back in later but I’d probably prefer Matterson for a keeper eels forward. Perhaps a little bold but that’s how I see it.

2nd trade is EKatoa to Smith. EKatoa I see averaging 45 long term 150m + 30 tackles. Some games the errors will go lower like last week and some days the attacking stats will go higher so there’s a chance I’m leaving 50k on the table but I’m okay with that.

Trindal may hang around until I find a good cow. Doesn’t help loop well as a half. These trades leave me with 213k ITB so could grab Hynes/Cook + 350/450k cow for Wilton and Carty next week. Brings my edge stocks back to 3 but that’d feel pretty strong. Not locked in as I’d trade Wilton this week to secure points with Katoa but I like having it available.

Team this week

Kenny
Haas, Carrigan, Ford
Hosking, Loiero
Cleary, DCE
Bird, Alamoti
Turbo, Walsh, Warbrick

Preston, BSmith, Boyd, Wilton
Trindal, Katoa, ITT, Carty (can get a free look at all 3 bench players. 40 is the keeper mark)

As always any thoughts or advice appreciated.

I'm keeping Hopgood this week but if he's your ticket to Cleary it's a no brainer IMO, he's likely a sell next week anyway.

I'm personally not sold on letting Katoa go just yet. Hughes is back this week, and as a Storm fan I've noticed how much ball Jahrome feeds him. It's only a matter of time before he crosses for a try and has some good attacking stats. I think I prefer the option of selling Wilton, but I wouldn't blame you either way.

As you already have a strong halves pairing, I'd be tempted to use your cash to grab Brailey or Teddy next week.

Overall I think your squad is solid man. Hopefully you get a bit more luck going your way this week!

Cheers Stylebender.

Katoa vs Wilton will likely be a toss up. Not sure I’m keeping either so might be wiser to keep Katoa and his points this week. I know Hughes feeds him but his hot streak was with Munster out. Not sure Hughes/Katoa combo will get as much time. He has looked good though.

Yeah - know it’s overkill to have Cleary Hynes and DCE. Smarter would be getting in a rd 13 hooker or replacing Warbrick in my starting 13. Wil definitely grab Tedesco but his BE makes me want to wait another week and make sure he’s back. Don’t need him at absolute bottom dollar but another bad game really drops his price.

Sounds like your Round 5 went kinda like mine. Some absolute shockers in there that's for sure.

I like any trade that gets you Cleary so as Stylebender said, definitely lock that in. Katoa vs Wilton is almost too close to call though. I'd personally stick with Katoa solely cuz I like watching ex-Warriors play in other teams and do well (hello IPap!), but I have no technical basis for such a decision. Murphy's law says whichever one you trade will score better going forward so if you can accept that just go with your gut on Katoa

Trades have steadied the ship. Captain Cleary will certainly do that for you.

Rd 6 Score: 903
Overall Rank: 10,861

Some trade regrets as Katoa kicked on and smith bottomed out but I can live in the past. Happy with my rationale and need to look forward.

One trade this week locked in:

Trindall -> Lemuelu

Gives me a solid CTR pairing and backup that I can ride through the byes. Can’t see a better cow so taking the dead spot and turning it into a season keeper. Know he has been underwhelming the last few weeks but a 35 point floor at CTR with upside that is slightly undervalued I’m happy to get on.

Leaves me with 124k ITB and the following team

Boyd
Haas (vc) Carrigan Ford
Hosking Wilton
Cleary (c), DCE
ITT*, Lemuelu
Turbo, Walsh, Warbrick

Preston, Carty, Loiero, Bird*
Smith, Kenny, Alamoti, Katoa

*Bird can swap with Kenny based on Smiths score as my loop. Also if Hosking is a late out I can also loop Alamoti if Smiths score is diabolical.

Highly tempted to jump on Teddy early but was 10k short of a straight swap for Trindall. Thinking Loiero can be straight swapped next week for Teddy to maximise cash. Hopefully Warbrick tears up Manly…….

My big call this week is to make a call on Tommy Turbo. Last week I acted fast and cut Hopgood and that has worked out really well. Wondering if with the injury concerns and a high BE whether I should make the same call with Turbo.

Definition of a sideways trade if he was healthy. Would be looking to bring in Teddy, Latrell or Miller. Not sure this is as good as the Hopgood to Cleary trade but am concerned that with a niggle Turbo isn’t worth it…

Also tempted to jump on Crossland but think it’s a big risk unless we see 60+ minutes this week. Also don’t really see who I’d trade out.

Would love any opinions and thanks for reading

Rd 7 Score: 894
Overall Rank: 4613

Great week for the team and left to rue what could have been with the late Carty benching meaning Kenny after being in my team the last two weeks was in the EMG this week and unable to be moved. Know he scores better in the close grindy games and certainly didn’t expect that against Newcastle.

Guns:
Cleary, DCE, Haas, Bird, Turbo, Walsh. Was a great week for all. Some down scores from Turbo and Cleary are fine. Turbo showed he wasn’t injured so is a hold despite looking to shed cash.

Mid rangers:

Carrigan - doing poorly but the next 5 games will hopefully be a bit tougher and with a lack of mids I think he’s a hold. Think he’s likely to gain cash over 5 weeks and may be a swap to Tohu/Tapine/other mid for byes.
Wilton - doing his job. Has peaked but is a solid edge and happy to hold for now. Might be my Hynes enabler if a Hosking retains his spot.
Hosking - seems to have locked up a spot on merit. Very happy to hold for now.
Lemuelu - dissapointing result given the great first half. Will upgrade him to gun status if he can get closer to a 40 average. Locking down my centres for now though is very valuable.
Boyd/Kenny/Smith - my hooker squad. All had a good game this week - doesn’t feel optimal but DPP and coverage feels really good. Hoping they go 100k higher each in the next 6-8 weeks to sell for the run home.

Cash cows:

Ford, Preston, Katoa - all making good $s
ITT - hope he’s back soon as he’s not super useful as a looper. Not an urgent trade yet.

Peaking Cows:

Alamoti - Passes the eye test and is good CTR coverage. Happy to hold until his cash needs to become available for a good cow or gun upgrade.
Carty - moving to the bench means it’s time to go. Will wait as he’s the 2nd game this week but honestly his cash is quite valuable and likely becomes Teddy this week.
Warbrick - could have a boom game to restart money making. Might be better served moving him to a less mature cow now. A big game this week would make him a hold over his bye…. One to ponder


TLT wishes:

With 124k ITB I’m really hoping for some cows to pop up so I can find the money to go to Hynes. Carty to Teddy solves my WFB so might just be a one trade week and even further away from funding Hynes. Other than playing Warbrick at WFB very happy with the positional balance and depth of my roster.

Other notes:

Will be very keen to see Ponga play a game and could come back into my team as a cow with good positional coverage. Huge risk but I still think he’s a player to watch.

Need to start looking at bye planning. Pretty sure my team will struggle given the number of origin players and rd13 byes for my guns and midrangers. Not super stressed yet but worth considering.