Canberra's try-scoring machine continues to thrive while the Panthers cash in from a big win over the Bulldogs. Here are the success stories, flops and talking points to come out of this week's NRL Fantasy action.
Winners
Jordan Rapana's sensational run of form continued this week with the Raiders winger hitting 93 Fantasy points – including two tries, three line breaks and 243 run metres – following last week's 86. He's now scored five tries in his last three games.
Rapana edged out Manly enforced Martin Taupau, who is averaging 62 from his last five games after producing 79 in the Sea Eagles' golden-point win over Canberra.
Brisbane centre Tautau Moga was a surprisingly high scorer this week with 77 while of the usual suspects Simon Mannering (74), the in-form Billy Slater (70), Jake Friend (70), Clint Gutherson (67), Trent Merrin (67), Nathan Cleary (67), Corey Harawira-Naera (66), Jason Taumalolo (61), James Tedesco (61) and Cameron McInnes (59 were the next best.
The Panthers were big winners in general both in the NRL against the Bulldogs and in Fantasy, with Merrin, Cleary and Harawira-Naerea joined in the big scores by the returning Josh Mansour, who pumped out 58 points in his first game of the year. The tackle-busting winger appeared to have not missed a beat and looms as a point-of-difference keeper at the back for the second half of the season.
Elsewhere new Wests Tigers recruit Tuimoala Lolohea made a strong start to life at his new club with 54 points including five tackle breaks and the goal-kicking duties, fill-in Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards scored well with 41, and Joey Leilua scored 44 – his first score above 40 since mid-April.
Losers
The late injury withdrawal of James Graham was a big blow for Fantasy coaches with the Bulldogs skipper in their side – especially with the Dogs playing the final game of the round.
Still, Graham's zero was a better result than the -3 scored by Akuila Uate in Manly's win over the Raiders, with the Sea Eagles winger conceding five missed tackles and a penalty in his first game since his season-high 70 back in Round 11.
Elsewhere Eels hooker Kaysa Pritchard was injured in the first 10 minutes of Parramatta's win over the Warriors and scored 6, Jarryd Hayne scored just 8 in 65 minutes for the Titans, Knights duo Sam Stone (10) and Jaelen Feeney (11) both struggled in their team's heavy loss to Melbourne while Latrell Mitchell (18) had a quiet game against the Broncos.
Fantasy team of the week
1. Billy Slater (70)
2. Jordan Rapana (93)
3. Tautau Moga (77)
4. Cheyse Blair/Dane Gagai (49)
5. Clint Gutherson (67)
6. Michael Morgan (69)
7. Nathan Cleary (67)
8. Martin Taupau (79)
9. Jake Friend (70)
10. Aaron Woods/Adam Blair (54)
11. Simon Mannering (74)
12. Corey Harawira-Naera (66)
13. Trent Merrin (67)
Interchange:
14. Mitchell Rein (69)
15. Boyd Cordner (62)
16. Jason Taumalolo (61)
17. Issac Luke/Cameron McInnes/Kyle Lovett (59)
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