With Game Two of the Holden State of Origin Series behind us (congratulations again, Queenslanders) it's time to switch the focus back to NRL land and Round 16 – a round that will be particularly tricky for those Fantasy coaches who loaded up on Eels and Roosters players with an eye on the major bye rounds. Those clubs have the week off, meaning squad depth becomes a crucial factor this week.
But with trades at a premium, what moves should you be making? Here are my tips for Round 16.
LS, what's the deal with Matt Parcell's hamstring injury, how long is he going to out for?
From Jake Cummings
He's officially an "indefinite" at this stage. The tricky thing for him is he's been the third best hooker this year in Fantasy terms behind Cameron Smith and Jake Friend – and Friend isn't playing this week either. So unless you haven't got Smith yet, I'd hold Parcell for now with the option of trading to Friend later if Parcell is out long-term.
I have Jake Friend and Cam Smith as my hookers. Since I bought Friend his scores have been way below his best. Keep or trade out for a cheaper option and strengthen my halves?
From Rick Wallace
Keep. It's always a better option to get two big scorers in the hooker positions, rather than one gun and a cheapie. If you only have one decent scorer at hooker than if your starter gets injured for a week you're forced to play a dud in your starting side. So always aim to have a couple of 50+ scorers in your squad's two hooker spots.
Should I bring Cody Walker back as a WFB? And who wins the Teddy/Munster debate?
From Caolan Cullinane
Cody Walker could still be some way off becoming available at fullback in Fantasy if the Rabbitohs move him back to the halves to cover for the injured Adam Reynolds. He has been a good scorer at the back though, although I'm still a bit hesitant to put him in that top bracket of winger/fullback guns alongside Tedesco and Munster.
Out of those two, Munster will probably be the better scorer from here on in (remember Tedesco scored a lot of tries in his dream start to the season) but Tedesco is better value and could be even cheaper next week. Both are great buys.
With Adam Reynolds injured, who's the best replacement?
From Turner Kirk
Reynolds is apparently unlikely to be fit for Origin III after injuring his shoulder on Wednesday night, meaning he'll be missing Round 16 and 17 as well. If you're playing for head-to-head you could hold him anyway as long as you can make your league's top eight without him, but if you're looking to trade then Shaun Johnson is the in-form gun at the moment and Nathan Cleary is great value at around $200,000.
When is Josh Dugan back? I thought he was close last week, if he's not back soon is it worth the change to Tedesco?
From Jason Edwards
He's expected back next week, but could make his return as early as Saturday's clash with Newcastle. He's a hold.
Is Latrell Mitchell a trade?
From Shoayb Khan
Depending on your situation, he probably is. If you're playing for overall points he's still a handy player to have for Round 18, but if you're short of a full 17 this week there's no point in keeping him for a single bye round later. If you have a decent side without him this week he's hardly an urgent trade, but if you can upgrade him to someone like Cameron Munster or James Tedesco and still have three starting winger/fullbacks and a decent back-up option, it's probably worth it.
Which of our favourite cash cows have finally peaked – ie. Mitchell, Barba, and Gutherson?
From Judah Frost
All of them have peaked, so it comes down to whether you consider each of them a keeper or not. I count Barba as a keeper at this stage as a winger/fullback with an average of 40, and he is also a handy depth option as a dual-position player. Gutherson will probably stick around in my squad as a back-up option covering both winger/fullback and centre. That leaves Mitchell as a probable trade for me.
Approximate starting price and player position of Zak Hardakar?
From Jake Mauger
The England star and new Panthers signing will be available in the game as a $220,000 winger/fullback.
That's it for this week, best of luck to your team.
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