The numbers don't lie and after seven Game Weeks in Bundy Mixer the elite options are out there for all to see.
But the highest averaging players are also the most selected players, meaning if you pick them every week you are going to struggle to climb the overall rankings or dominate your league.
With that in mind we've gone looking for the best point of different players to target for the run home, identifying a handful of options who can help you zag while the others zig.
Bundy Mixer PODs to target for the run home
Ali Brigginshaw (HLF)
When Nathan Cleary, Nicho Hynes and Shaun Johnson are up for selection, very few Mixer coaches are going to opt for Ali Brigginshaw. But there's an opportunity to cash in on that if you can get the timing right for when she has a big game. The Brisbane veteran has three scores over 60 this year, including a 78 in Game Week 5, and could have a couple more in her given the Broncos’ favourable run home. The key is picking which games to use her in, as her floor is pretty low, but get it right and Brigginshaw is a winner at HLF.
Brilliant Brigginshaw
Brandon Smith (HOK)
A combination of injuries and patchy form made Smith a stay away early on in the Mixer season, but in recent weeks he’s been back to his best with ball in hand and racking up much-improved scores as a result. A dynamic runner who can get you tackle breaks as well as base numbers from metres, Smith has a high ceiling but is likely to be a less popular HOK option than players like Harry Grant or Cameron McInnes, for however they all remain in the finals.
Evania Pelite (WFB)
After her scores dropped off between Game Weeks 3-5, Pelite has returned to hit 50s in the past two weeks and has the potential to jump back into elite territory on the run home. The Gold Coast have two very winnable games against the last-placed Eels and a Raiders outfit who are conceding 23 points per game on average. With that in mind it's easy to see Pelite racking up some big attacking numbers from here on.
Mele Hufanga (CTR)
While Isabelle Kelly is around, Hufanga will remain down the pecking order when it comes to selecting NRLW CTRs, but on her day she has just as much upside as the Roosters star. A powerful runner who has formed a nice combination with the likes of Ali Brigginshaw this season, she’ll be a good chance of scoring some tries in remaining matchups against the 8th-placed Wests Tigers and 6th-placed Dragons.
Mele Hufanga dominates for Mixer managers
Patrick Carrigan (MID)
There is no shortage of good MID options in Mixer, with a number of big scorers in both the NRL and NRLW competitions. But Carrigan will likely go under the radar for the next few Game Weeks given he has spent time out injured and scored only 41 points in his last game. But that was with him playing only 57 minutes and when he plays 80, which he should most weeks from now on, he’s averaging 69 this Mixer season. A good option while most others go with players like Isaah Yeo, Georgia Hale and Simaima Taufa.
Stephen Crichton (CTR)
Crichton has taken his game to another level in recent weeks, culminating in a season high 92 points in Round 27 against the Cowboys. He’s making the most of the opportunities he’s getting in attack, while off the ball he’s been excellent defensively too. Definitely one to keep in mind as the Panthers’ move deeper into the finals.
Now it's Crichton's turn in defence