Check out the best scorers from the opening round of the NRL Fantasy Finals Match Day competition.
Roosters v Broncos
The 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series kicked off with an open game and plenty of points, the Roosters getting away with a 24-22 win in the end. It provided a bit of everything Fantasy-wise, with Roosters half Mitchell Pearce as solid as usual, backline try-scorers Latrell Mitchell and Corey Oates scoring well, workhorses Jake Friend and Josh McGuire hitting the mid-50s and triumphant skipper Boyd Cordner doing a bit of everything for a game-high 70.
Best Fantasy Match Day line-up:
HOK: Jake Friend (57)
FRF: Josh McGuire (56)
2RF: Boyd Cordner (70, captain)
HLF: Mitchell Pearce (60)
CTR: Latrell Mitchell (64, vice captain)
WFB: Corey Oates (49)
Honourable mentions: Aidan Guerra (65), Alex Glenn (53), Luke Keary (47)
Storm v Eels
An 18-16 nail-biter saw the minor premiers get the edge over an impressive Parramatta side, and it was a low-scoring contest in Fantasy Match Day with Storm superstars Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk top-scoring with just 53. Melbourne back-rower Tohu Harris made 40 tackles and Eels fill-in fullback Will Smith scored a try and made a game-high 156 run metres to notch the other scores above 50 in this one.
Best Fantasy Match Day line-up:
HOK: Cameron Smith (53, captain)
FRF: Jordan McLean (45)
2RF: Tohu Harris (51)
HLF: Cooper Cronk (53, vice captain)
CTR: Will Chambers (46)
WFB: Will Smith (50)
Honourable mentions: Corey Norman (47), Josh Addo-Carr (45), Dale Finucane (45), Cameron Munster (44)
Sea Eagles v Panthers
With a try assist, five goals and strong base stats Nathan Cleary prevailed over Daly Cherry-Evans in the battle of the halfbacks and his Penrith side took a surprise win as well. There were still plenty of strong Fantasy scorers from the Sea Eagles, with Cherry-Evans scoring 55, Martin Taupau making 54 and both Trbojevic brothers being standouts in their positions - with Tom adding a try assist and two line breaks at the back. Tackle-busting Panthers winger Josh Mansour made 56 despite not getting across the tryline and remains a good Fantasy Match Day option in Finals Week 2.
Best Fantasy Match Day line-up:
HOK: Apisai Koroisau (37)
FRF: Martin Taupau (54)
2RF: Jake Trbojevic (52)
HLF: Nathan Cleary (70, captain)
CTR: Tom Trbojevic (64, vice captain)
WFB: Josh Mansour (56)
Honourable mentions: Daly Cherry-Evans (55), Blake Green (51), James Tamou (44), Matthew Wright (43), Dylan Edwards (40)
Sharks v Cowboys
A stunning upset for the under-strength Cowboys over the reigning premiers in Sydney, with Jason Taumalolo producing the best performance of the weekend to carry his team (and on one occasion, four Sharks defenders) over the line. Taumalolo cracked the ton while Paul Gallen (75) and Michael Morgan (66) also impressed as expected. The fact the game went into extra time meant there were high scores across the board.
Best Fantasy Match Day line-up:
HOK: Jayden Brailey (57)
FRF: Matt Prior (60)
2RF: Jason Taumalolo (100, captain)
HLF: Michael Morgan (66, vice captain)
CTR: Kane Linnett (46)
WFB: Jyle Feldt (51)
Honourable mentions: Paul Gallen (75), Ethan Lowe (59), Andrew Fifita (55), Chad Townsend (54), Scott Bolton (52), Shaun Fensom (46), Wade Graham (46).
Get Fantasy news updates from the Lone Scout on Facebook or Twitter and read more Fantasy hints and tips here.
