ByronThe team at Outta Their League put the most popular player movements in NRL Fantasy under the microscope.
Read on for all the relevant talking points surrounding each player before locking in your trades for Round 15.
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Who’s Hot
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (WFB) | WARRIORS // $593k | AVG: 49.2 | BE: 44
Just when we were all starting to wonder if the classy Fullback would bounce back into form before Round 16, RTS produced his second highest score of the year and simultaneously eradicated any doubt in the minds of would-be owners.
He’s one of the most popular buys this week and if you have a bo beep at his form over the first 6 games of the season, it’s more than understandable. RTS averaged 57.5 across these games, before falling into somewhat of a slump between Rounds 8 and 13.
A sum of 70 NRL Fantasy points against the Titans in Round 14 sees Tuivasa-Sheck’s price temporarily settle this week at a very tempting sub $600 price points – which is some $61,000 below his starting price.
Tom Trbojevic (WFB) | SEA EAGLES // $751k | AVG: 62 | BE: 42
He isn’t available for Round 16, but this hasn’t stopped the masses bringing in one of the most in-form players in the competition over the last fortnight – “Turbo Tommy”.
He stamped his authority as a keeper WFB option again in 2019 with a tonne at club-level in Round 14 and a follow-up performance in Game II of Origin that will go down as one of the best we’ve seen from an outside back.
He’s seemingly unaffected by the hamstring injury that struck him down in Round 4 and with a break even of 42 this week – he’s likely as cheap as he will be for a while.
If you’re after a replacement for CNK this week (particularly if you’re a head to head player) than he looks ripe for the picking.
Connor Watson (HLF, WFB) | KNIGHTS // $586k | AVG: 37.8 | BE: 3
A three-game average of 68.7 is just too good to ignore for NRL Fantasy coaches this week and plenty are jumping on the dual position HLF/WFB, Watson.
This is a really tricky one to assess. The appeal is obvious, but a trade-in of Conner Watson at this stage of the season is fraught with danger.
On one hand, Connor has looked very sharp out of dummy half and you could argue that his form has simply been too good for Brown to justify a move back to the halves or (even worse) the utility role from the interchange. If he were to hold the position until seasons-end, then he becomes one of the better buys of the entire season and an absolute keeper at WFB.
On the other hand, Levi is tipped by Fox Sports to be back into the team as early as Round 16 and this could see an immediate shift for Watson. If this were to eventuate, we’ve seen that Watson is unfortunately not at keeper level when playing in the halves and given most coaches are running low on trades – the extra trade to get him back out of your team soon could make the whole exercise a little pointless.
If you’re bringing him in this week, I think you need to plan for the worst and budget for another trade to get him back out of your side. However, if you’re running low on trades – it may pay dividends to stay strong and not give into the F.O.M.O.
For just a few grand more, RTS looks the safer bet this week.
Siosiua Taukeiaho (FRF, 2RF) | ROOSTERS // $625k | AVG: 49.5 | BE: 51
There’s a lot to like about Taukeiaho this week and this is reflected by the sheer number of coaches pulling the trigger and bringing him in this week.
Outside of the fact that many coaches will be scrambling for Fifita cover for the next three weeks, TKO boasts an impressive resume in his own right that features dual position status, Round 16 availability and a modest price-point of $625,000 due to an injury affected score of 9 a month ago.
The hard-running FRF was enormous for Tonga in Representative Round with a side-topping 64 points and his last three starts for the Roosters have resulted in a three-game average of 50.
If you’re short a front rower and require Round 16 availability, Taukeiaho looks like your man. However, I have got him a whisker outside of an ideal top 17 squad with front rowers such as Fifita, Haas and Taupau proving to be a cut above at this point of the season.
Ryan Matterson (2RF) | TIGERS // $760k | AVG: 54.7 | BE: 50
I couldn’t agree more with the NRL Fantasy coaches who rate Matterson as a quality pickup this week.
A season average in the mid-fifties and five-round average of 62 places Matterson well and truly amongst the elite in his position.
The only reservation I have with picking up Matterson this week (as opposed to next) is you are leaving yourself vulnerable to the potential of an Origin call-up for Game III after being selected as 18th man in Games I & II. Whilst unlikely, Freddy will certainly be toying with the idea of moving Graham to five eighth and bringing Matterson onto the bench as the new utility.
Matterson’s time spent at five-eighth at the Roosters is more than enough proof of the skillful 2RF’s versatility.
If you can wait until Freddy confirms his Origin team for the decider, I’d be slightly leaning toward doing so – just so you can be sure that he’s available for Round 16. With a break even of 50 this week – holding off one more Round shouldn’t cost you too much.
Shaun Johnson (2RF) | SHARKS // $578k | AVG: 39 | BE: 81
With Nathan Cleary going down for up to 4 weeks, a lot of coaches are going early on Shaun Johnson and I don’t mind it.
Yes, there is absolutely some element of risk in this trade given that SJ is no longer the dominant player that he once was at the Warriors and he has shared his points with Townsend in the limited games he has played so far this year.
However, the man has serious pedigree and x factor, and he covers that all-important Round 16.
Ordinarily, we’d be saying stay well clear of a player coming into the Round with an 81 break even and a average a long, long way from this – however, he is coming up against the Dogs this week who have been decimated by quality attacking outfits a couple of times this season and Johnson could be one of many beneficiaries of a high scoring performance from the Sharks this weekend.
Martin Taupau (FRF, 2RF) | SEA EAGLES // $744k | AVG: 55.1 | BE: 38
After plenty of early concern, the big fella has well and truly hit his straps over the last month and has plenty of coaches jumping on ahead of Round 15 – despite the lack of Round 16 availability.
A three-game average of 64.3 and an extended 60-minute stint in his last outing both bode well for the dual position forward and if you’re playing head to head and after some short-term coverage for Fifita – Taupau will almost certainly serve you well for the remainder of the season.
Dylan Brown (HLF) | EELS // $320k | AVG: 36 | BE: 5
Everyone’s favourite cheapie is back!
At a friendly $320,000 price point and a single digit break even, there’s plenty to like about picking up Dylan Brown again this week.
The most encouraging aspect of Dylan Brown’s game doesn’t come from flashy attacking stats, but a solid base derived from 20+ tackles a game.
With many coaches carrying the likes of Dearden and Tracey, Dylan Brown looks like a great option at a similar price if you don’t have the funds to go up to a Milford, Brooks or Shaun Johnson.
Head to head players should be all over this one and judging by the trade-in numbers this week – they’re on the money.
Jarome Luai (HLF) | PANTHERS // $236k | AVG: 12.9 | BE: 28
We’ll round out the list with a popular trade-in this target this week that I’m not keen on, Jarome Luai.
This isn’t a question of ability by any means and we have seen how electric Luai can be over a number of starts for the Panthers and most recently in his starring performance for Samoa where he orchestrated a brilliant individual try.
Despite his potential, Luai is looking at a maximum of four starts for the Panthers as Cleary recovers from an ankle injury and it’s worth noting here that there have been some early reports that suggest Cleary could be back in as early as two.
Given we’re all travelling along with less trades than we’d like to me, I can’t justify the trades for this one and if you’ve got him locked him right now – hit that reverse button!
Who’s Not
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | Raiders (WFB) // $494,000 | AVG: 40.2 | BE: 58
CNK looks to have peaked after a disastrous points tally for Round 14 (12), while losing $42,000 in the process.
CNK has been a good servant for half the season who at stages looked like a potential keeper. Despite this early form, a break even of 58 and a 5 game average of 31.6 means it’s time to cut your losses and move CNK on.
For a direct replacement this week, RTS is looking a very popular option with Round 16 availability and a discounted price-tag.
Siliva Havili | Raiders (HOK) // $434,000 | AVG: 30.1 | BE: 18
With Hodgson returning from injury this week, Havili has now become a popular trade-out option. Havili only played 3 games which was very disappointing – as coaches initially hoped for something closer to 4-6.
Overall, the Havili pick-up was a slight disappointment, but on positive note, he still scored a respectable 3 game average of 40 and made $71,000 in the process (about half of what we like to justify a trade).
Being named on the interchange with a lowish break even (18), you can certainly keep him for an extra week (if needed).
Corey Allan | Rabbitohs (WFB) // $267,000 | AVG: 20 | BE: 16
When Allan jagged the fullback position (while Johnston was out), we all thought there was a chance for him to make it his own. Unfortunately, he didn’t seize the opportunity with a disappointing 5 game average of 21.2.
With Johnston now back, he has lost his spot from the squad and is an obvious sell. The only trouble is the promising outside back hasn’t made too much money at all and a trade down to even a bargain basement priced player won’t free up too much cash.
Even though Allan was disappointing this season, we saw his potential in the Charity Shield where he stole the show. As a result, I would be monitoring his form next season when he gets another crack in the starting line-up.
Jai Arrow | Titans (2RF) // $692,000 | AVG: 51.6 | BE: 74
Arrow is expected to return anywhere between round 18-24, therefore we’ve got to move him on given we can’t keep an expensive asset like him on your emergency list.
It’s the same sad story for the injury-prone Arrow that we have grown familiar with. What makes matters worse is he’s one of the most destructive Fantasy forwards in our game. Hopefully next year he can remain injury-free, as it’s the biggest concern now when trading him in.
Nathan Cleary | Panthers (HLF) // $716,000 | AVG: 51.8 | BE: 49
After limping off during Game II we all thought the worst, however it has been reported that Cleary has avoided a syndesmosis injury. As a result, he looks to only miss a month and therefore is a potential hold for coaches with adequate cover.
Surprisingly, Cleary has maintained a solid avg. of 51.8 in a underwhelming season. As the Panthers normally finish strong in the back-end of the season, it wouldn’t surprise me to see regular 55+ performances once Cleary returns.
Andrew Fifita | Sharks (FRF) // $745,000 | AVG: 58.2 | BE: 49
Fifita has already served 1 game of his 3 game suspension, however coaches are still trading the big man out. Being one of the finest NRL Fantasy players around – he is a definite keeper and should be held at all costs if you’re running with single digit trades.
Plenty of coaches would be bitterly disappointed with no more Round 16 availability as he would of been a fantastic captain option alongside the likes of Smith and McInnes. Again, hold under almost every possible circumstance.
Zac Lomax | Dragons (WFB, CTR)) // $383,000 | AVG: 28.1 | BE: -3
Lomax is expected to return for Round 19, but plenty of coaches would be disappointed as they would of expected him to make up a vital additional number in Round 16. Depending on the make-up of you’re squad, you may be tempted to trade him out, however if you can afford to keep him I’d be giving it serious consideration.
With a break even of (-3), dual position status and potential for multiple price rises ahead – he is a good emergency option in your squad.
Jaeman Salmon | Eels (HLF)) // $261,000 | AVG: 20.1 | BE: 0
Salmon (like Allan) didn’t get the cash rises we expected, however he left his best NRL Fantasy performance to last with a score of 56 in Round 14.
The return of Dylan Brown (to the starting line-up) has demoted Salmon to the interchange, therefore making him a trade-out option. Like Havili, Salmon has a low break even so you can afford to keep him for another week (if needed).
Overall, coaches who traded in Salmon would of been disappointed as he never reached the averages and price rises of similar cheap half options like; Brown, Flanagan, Harris-Tavita and Dearden.
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