The first week of price rises is in the books, with plenty of movement on the financial front. Here’s hoping your side increased in value, but you may have had at least one player who lost you funds as well.
Remember, this week is the first round of head-to-head action, so you’ll have even more incentive to make sure your side is primed for a big showing.
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 4.
Buy
Vai Toutai | WFB | $101,600
Cheap as chips, Toutai has seemingly secured his spot on the wing in the first grade side for now. Wingers are generally inconsistent scorers, but there’s not much to lose with Toutai as he’s so cheap. A BE of -33 means there’s a solid price rise of the cards as well... What’s not to love?
Tom Symonds | 2RF/CTR | $157,000
Since being picked up by the Sea Eagles, Symonds is starting to show just how valuable he can be. 38 from his last start is nothing to sneeze at. The biggest selling point here is his dual position status - if you draft him into your centres, you’ll be laughing. Glenn Stewart is still some time off, so even if Symonds makes way at that time, there’s still money to be made here.
Hold
Kurt Gidley | HLF | $231,300
There were plenty of coaches (myself included) who were left in the lurch on Monday night with Gidley being a late scratching. However, his injury isn’t expected to sideline him for too long (currently listed as TBA), and there’s still plenty to like about him, particularly if he spends some time at hooker. Look to your wider squad as cover for now.
Paul Gallen | 2RF/FRF | $489,000
The Cronulla skipper wasn’t at his scoring best in round three, dishing out 35. Faced with a BE of 94, you’d expect Gallen to drop in value again. But if you’ve stuck by him through the first three rounds, why cut him loose now? You obviously want to keep him around for the entire season. I certainly wouldn’t buy Gallen this week, but if you already have him, stick by your man.
Sell
Issac Luke | HOK | $364,300
Was seen as a viable alternative to Smith and Farah as a premium hooker this pre-season, but hasn’t been able to match what you’d expect from a player of his value. Is sharing minutes with Nathan Peats and has scored less every round this season... In this instance, it’s time to cut your losses.
Feleti Mateo | 2RF/HLF | $287,400
Scores of 21, 18, and 15 are not what you expect from a player of Mateo’s stature. On his day, is capable of a 60+ total, but he hasn’t been able to produce anything close to that so far in 2013. With a BE of 70, consider your options elsewhere. If he can turn things around, he’s one to look out for come Origin time.
Round 4 Captains - players to consider
Daly Cherry-Evans | HLF | $484,300
Cameron Smith | HOK | $534,500
Robbie Farah | HOK | $470,600
Michael Gordon | WFB/CTR | $315,700
Johnathan Thurston | HLF | $385,300
Wildcard: Michael Jennings | CTR | $367,200
