The POD: Round 25 Point-of-Difference Picks
Welcome back to The POD, your weekly rundown of point-of-difference picks across every position in GameDay Squad Fantasy. If you're looking to break away from the crowd and climb those leaderboards, these are the under-the-radar selections worth a serious look in Round 25.
Let's dive in.
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Hooker - Damien Cook
Cook used to be one of the best in the position, but he's no longer playing the full 80 minutes regularly, which makes him a rather risky selection each week.
The Dragons this week are without De Belin, Stewart, and Sele, who are all missing due to CAT1 HIAs. These players were key parts of the forward rotation, and with them out I think Cook will play close to 80 minutes. He's had seven 75+ minute games this season, where his average rises to 49 points—including three scores of 65+. However, in those games he also has two scores under 40, so he still carries risk.
If you're looking to pivot away from in-form options like Grant, Cook is a decent play. Against his old side, who are the #1 matchup for hookers this week by DvP, he looks like a strong chance to post 50+.
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Middle Forward - David Klemmer
Now this might be one of the more left-field PODs we've had, but turning back the clock with Klemmer this week feels warranted. Over the past five rounds, he's averaged 58 minutes for 55 points.
That may not sound huge, but let's compare: Terrell May has averaged 71 minutes for 57 points in his last five. I'm not saying you'd start Klemmer over May, but it highlights that his recent form is sneaky solid. With the Dragons' interchange make-up this week, I expect him to see around 60 minutes again.
He's not a flashy option, but for coaches looking to bolster their middle rotation or find a bench forward POD, Klemmer could be a sharp play.
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Edge Forward - Keaon Koloamatangi
Koloamatangi returns from an ankle injury this week, and while there's always concern when selecting a player first game back, the Rabbitohs wouldn't risk him this close to season's end unless he was ready. With the bench make-up, I think he'll get a solid 60+ minutes.
When starting at prop earlier this year, he averaged 63 points. Excluding his injury-affected game, he's only scored under 50 once—and that was against the Dolphins when they piled on eight tries. This contest looks much tighter, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't score 50+.
Even though he's been one of the better edge forwards in GDS this season, he may be overlooked coming off injury. If Souths do decide to pull him late, it won't hurt coaches much as they play the first game of the round, giving an easy pivot.
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Half - Kurt Donoghoe
Donoghoe often slips under the radar as he's not a traditional half, playing most of his minutes at lock. His form has been mixed lately, mainly due to reduced minutes in some games, but this week I expect him to play close to 80 with how the Dolphins have set up their bench.
In games where he's played 75+ minutes, he averages 58 points with a high of 62. His ceiling is low, but his consistency is excellent.
The Sea Eagles are also a strong matchup for locks:
| Timeframe | % Beating Average | Points Above Average |
|-----------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Last 3 weeks | 100% | +9 points |
| Last 5 weeks | 80% | +7 points |
| Season-long | 53% | +3 points |
With Cleary and Campbell locks for most squads, the third half slot feels wide open. Hynes is on the bye, Katoa is out of form, and Fogarty faces Penrith. Donoghoe may not have a massive ceiling, but he's one of the safest options to deliver 50+ this week.
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Centre - Kotoni Staggs
It might look like chasing points, but I love Staggs' matchup this week. The Broncos face the Knights, who have been the best matchup for right centres recently:
| Timeframe | % Beating Average | Points Above Average |
|-----------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Last 3 weeks | 100% | +25 points |
| Last 5 weeks | 80% | +15 points |
| Season-long | 50% | +5 points |
Staggs is always a risky option, but his ceiling is among the highest at the position in Round 25.
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Wing - Brian To'o
To'o has had a quieter season than in previous years but still sits as the 6th-ranked winger. With the position a bit of a minefield right now—Kiraz in a tough matchup and Lomax also facing a tricky one—To'o provides some much-needed stability.
This week he faces Canberra, who aren't a great matchup. He has run for 240+ metres in each of his last two games while averaging seven tackle breaks across his last three. That's 45 points in output alone before factoring in linebreaks and tries.
He should clear 50+ this week and carries a ceiling of 70+. What may seem like the "forgotten man" at the position could actually be one of the sharpest PODs.
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Fullback - Tom Trbojevic
What used to be one of the easier positions to select for has become anything but. Turbo has been back at fullback for a couple of weeks, averaging 44 points in that role. Manly have looked poor, and Turbo doesn't look like his old self, but the matchup is outstanding.
The Dolphins have been a dream opponent for fullbacks:
| Timeframe | % Beating Average | Points Above Average |
|-----------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Last 3 weeks | 100% | +38 points |
| Last 5 weeks | 100% | +24 points |
| Season-long | 75% | +7 points |
He won't be on many radars, and for good reason, but if you're chasing a POD with a fantastic matchup, Turbo fits the bill perfectly.
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Final Thoughts
Round 25 once again offers a chance to zig while others zag. With several popular players missing or under tough matchups, there's opportunity to take advantage of form players and elite DvP spots.
Fade the crowd. Play the matchup. Trust your gut.
Let's make it count this week.