A closer look at some of the key recent Fantasy performances, and what they mean for your planned trades for the upcoming round.
Time to trade Parker?
Surely not.
A long-time Fantasy gun, Parker owners have seen his scores – and his price – dry up considerably over the past few weeks. 27 against the Sea Eagles in Round 10 was worrying, and a post-Origin 26 against the Warriors in just 47 minutes of game time will have alarm bells ringing for the 32,560 coaches who own the Broncos skipper. He still averages just under 50 for the season, but a last-three game average of 34.3, a high BE of 74 and pre-Origin byes in Rounds 15 and 18 might be enough to persuade owners into trading.
There's every chance Parker will bounce back once the Origin period is over, but can you afford to wait for things to turn around?
Is Ryan James the real deal?
He might just be.
Averaging just under 60 points per game, the Titans forward has been a real surprise packet of the 2016 NRL Fantasy season. 119 against the Rabbitohs in Perth was a score no one could have predicted, but James has made a habit of scoring tries this season with five from 12 starts. Making 48 tackles in his last two starts, James also had 193 metres and 12 tackle breaks in Round 13.
He is of course not going to reach those heights every week (or even crack 100 again this season) but James is approaching – or is right in the thick of – keeper status. Being dual position never hurts, and with the Titans playing in Round 15 and a BE of 15, now is the time to snap up James if you're looking for a something different in the premium bracket.
Points of difference up front
While it is approaching the time where most coaches only bring in cash-out cheapies and keepers, there are a few point-of-difference (POD) mid-range players who you might look at and could very well be keepers in their own right.
Bulldogs middle forward David Klemmer has always been a point-per-minute machine, but since his move to lock in Round 10, the NSW forward has seen an increase in his minutes and a steady rise in his scores, with an average of 51.4 over his last five starts. Despite backing up from Origin I, Klemmer still managed 64 minutes in Round 13 which indicates Des Hasler will look to get the most out of his young charger. With his scores coming from essentially base stats entirely (one try assist and no tries in 11 games), Klemmer is one to monitor as he does miss Rounds 15, 18 (pending NSW selection) and 19.
While there might be some doubt around trading in Klemmer now due to his availability, one man who is looming as a huge POD is Roosters forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho. With Boyd Cordner sidelined, Taukeiaho looks to be nailed on to play 80 minutes most weeks, and now has the added responsibility of goal kicking, duties he retained despite the presence of Jackson Hastings in the Tricolours' Round 13 side. Averaging 28 tackles and 115 metres per game, and undervalued at $399,000, it could be time to look at bringing in Taukeiaho particularly as he will miss just one more game (Round 16), perfect for overall players.
Top scores in Round 13
Ryan James (FRF/2RF, $511,000): 119
Sam Burgess (FRF/2RF, $499,000): 98
Cameron McInnes (HOK, $423,000): 89
Tuimoala Lolohea (HLF/CTR, $274,000): 74
Andrew Fifita (FRF, $534,000): 72
Bottom scores in Round 13
Matthew Wright (WFB/CTR, $160,000): 0
Brett Stewart (WFB, $128,000): 4
Lachlan Maranta (WFB, $217,000): 5
Joe Ofahengaue (FRF, $239,000): 7
Isaac Liu (FRF/2RF, $319,000): 9
Top Round 13 price increases
Ryan James (FRF/2RF, $511,000): +$47,000
Pauli Pauli (2RF/FRF, $261,000): +$38,000
Sam Burgess (2RF/FRF, $499,000): +$32,000
Tevita Pangai Jnr (2RF, $166,000): +$29,000
Joseph Tapine (2RF, $327,000): +$29,000
Top Round 13 price decreases
Jake Friend (HOK, $562,000): -$32,000
Anthony Milford (HLF, $378,000): -$31,000
Isaac Liu (FRF/2RF, $319,000): -$30,000
Craig Garvey (HOK, $194,000): -$30,000
Sam Perrett (WFB, $277,000): -$29,000
