If you’re looking to climb the NRL Supercoach rankings, you simply can’t do it at this stage of the season without some PODs (points of difference players).
With this week’s big bye round, it’s even more crucial to look outside the box, as many squads will have a very similar flavour.
Here’s a look at four of the best POD options to consider for this week.
Jacob Preston (2RF) – $690,200 | 7.3% Owned | 73.8 PPG
Preston is having a career year for the Bulldogs, averaging 73.8 points per game with an impressive recent run — a three-round average of 78 and a five-round average of 77.
This week he takes on the Broncos, a team that can leak points to some edge forwards and Preston’s try-scoring strike rate — six tries in ten games — is the best of any back-rower this season.
The only caution is that this strike rate may be hard to sustain on the run home, and he averaged just 61 points across the previous two seasons.
That means while there’s no way buying him now will hurt you, he may settle back into “solid” rather than “outstanding” territory.
Still, the Bulldogs’ upcoming draw is favourable enough for him to maintain excellent output.
More: NRL Supercoach players you need this week
Matt Burton (5/8) – $580,200 | 4.5% Owned | 59.1 PPG
Burton’s Supercoach form has been a rollercoaster this year, but the upside remains clear after averaging 66 last year, producing seven consecutive 70+ scores including a career-best 147.
He is yet to reach that level this season with a current average of 59.1, but the chance to turn his season around is there coming up against a very understrength Broncos lineup with goal-kicking duties.
At a relatively low price in a weak 5/8 position, he’s worth a punt, especially with a draw that could help him rebuild his scoring consistency if he strings some form together.
Daniel Tupou (CTW) – $551,600 | 1.3% Owned | 59.6 PPG
Veteran winger Daniel Tupou keeps delivering for the Roosters with a steady 60 average and a five-round average of 61.
This week he faces the Tigers, a team that has leaked plenty of tries down his side in the past — in fact, Tupou averages 72 points per game against them, the best of any opponent in his Supercoach career.
Two of his last three games against the Tigers have seen him score doubles, while the other still included a try.
In his two games scoring two trys this season he has recorded Supercoach scores of 119 and 85 points – a possible preview of things to come this round.
At just over 1% ownership, there’s every chance he crosses for another double making him a high-upside super POD for a crucial bye round that comes at a value price point.
Matthew Timoko (CTW) – $468,200 | 2.5% Owned | 55.3 PPG
Timoko has been steady but inconsistent for the Raiders, averaging 55.3 points per game in 2025.
After opening the season with back-to-back 80+ scores, he’s since produced a string of low-scoring outings.
Put simply, Timoko relies on tries for his Supercoach value, and in the five games he has crossed the stripe this season he’s averaged nearly 76 points — great value at this price.
This week, Canberra face a very understrength Dragons side against whom Timoko has previously smashed out an almost career-high 122-point game.
For coaches with limited cash and a spare trade to move him later, or those happy to hold him as a sixth CTW option, he’s a legitimate high-upside POD play for the round that won’t cost too much.
Jumping on a POD during the bye rounds or beyond isn’t an exact science. It can fail spectacularly, but it’s a high-risk, high-reward play that’s essential if you want to make up ground.
Be calculated, don’t overload your side with too many gambles — and above all, choose wisely.