Devil’s Advocate: 3 PODs for a final-round rise plus top 5 Thunder picks
The final round is upon us. Those of us who are in the race for 1st, or 100th or 1000th will be scrambling to find the perfect balance to finish the season.
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However, for those languishing, they’ll be having a crack at the weekly prize. So let’s have a look at the top 5 Thunder picks, as well as a few PODs.
David Warner
Recently retired test legend for only $120k? Yep I’ll take that. Although there’s no actual numbers to support him, his quality and his price make him a very compelling option. This is a guy who two years ago was the Player of the Series as Australia won the T20 World Cup. I already bought him and I encourage you to do the same.
Daniel Sams
No longer batting at 6, but still the guy to C/VC. Some less than flattering scores in the last 2 weeks mean that he’s a tad undervalued heading into the final round. The only risk is that Adelaide take apart the Thunder’s attack, especially with the Thunder not contending for finals. If you’re not sure, monitor whether the Thunder bowl first on Sunday, as that 20th over is his and prime for junk points.
Chris Green
Seems to get a bat most games, but may not with the extended order now that they’ve got Warner in this side too. As the skipper of the Thunder, Green turns to himself for the toughest overs, and often gets economy rate bonuses plus a wicket or 2. Also fields in the right hotspots. A POD C/VC
Alex Hales
You’d have to think he’s got another big score in him, he’s playing both games of this double, unlike Tom Kohler-Cadmore. I’m personally going to pass on him, but I’ll be nervously watching him as he’s got the ability to hurt non-owners, which he has demonstrated time and time again in past seasons
Tanveer Sangha
He’s not had an excellent season for SuperCoach purposes, but he’s playing at home against the Renegades, you’d have to think he’s got a bag of wickets coming his way. Spin has been the way at Showground Stadium, and I don’t expect anything different from this pitch again.
Hayden Kerr (1% ownership in top 5%)
Replacing Tom Curran is not an easy thing. Hits the ball a long way and is a good death bowler. Managed 73 against the Thunder and although he’s playing Perth at Optus, the big ground will benefit him late in his bowling innings. Decent batting role at 7 too.
Akeal Hosein (4.9% ownership in top 5%)
He’s playing at the most spin-friendly ground in Australia, where Ashton Agar got 2-6 off 4 overs and Cooper Connolly got 3-21 of his 4. They also both bowl left-arm off spin, which is the same as Akeal Hosein. Finger spin at Showground Stadium has been amazing lately, and I fully expect Hosein to benefit from it as well. Took 2-18 in derby.
Lance Morris (8.4% ownership in top 5%)
Lance is averaging 74.67ppg at Optus Stadium, it makes perfect sense for him to keep that scoring trend up against the Sixers. For him to be a POD is remarkable, and something coaches should look to exploit, particularly for a quality player such as Morris.
A final goodbye for this season, thanks so much to the crew at Honeyball for giving me an opportunity to write for them, and thanks to those who read these articles after each round. Without you guys to read what we write, we’d be nothing so thank you. All the best with the rest of the season!
Cheers, SuperCoach Guns