NRL Fantasy 2018
After a stunning finals run in 2016, the Gold Coast are coming off a year to forget. New coach Garth Brennan takes the reins as the team moves on from the brief, but eventful, Jarryd Hayne era. Once again there are new faces with genuine NRL Fantasy potential at the club, but they'll be relying heavily on old heads like Ryan James and the playmaking talents of Ashley Taylor.
Fantasy gun: Ryan James
James was the Titans' best NRL Fantasy performer last season but was still below the form he showed in 2016, when he scored 12 tries and averaged 60 points a game. Last season's 48-point average is a tick under the 50-point mark you want from an elite front-rower. But a new era under coach Garth Brennan could bring the best out of James and friends.
Value buy: Bryce Cartwright
Cartwright was an NRL Fantasy keeper in 2016, scoring 50 points a game as Nathan Cleary's halves partner at the Panthers. But after a couple of injuries in 2017 his role was reduced markedly, finishing the year as an interchange forward with an average score of 22. Now at a new club and having received the backing of coach Garth Brennan – who has a close relationship with him from his time at Penrith – Cartwright should have a bigger role to play this year and his Fantasy prospects could improve significantly if he grabs a starting spot.
Value buy: Jai Arrow
Arrow follows in Jarrod Wallace's footsteps, moving from a Broncos bench player to a potential starting role at the Titans. Once considered the long-term replacement for Corey Parker at Brisbane, Arrow will now be vying for the No.13 jersey at the Gold Coast where he would get much more than the 25 minutes a game he played at his old club. He scored better than a point a minute last season so could be a quality option if he spends the bulk of his time on the field in 2018.
Wildcard: Leilani Latu
Latu impressed in his two full seasons at the Panthers and is a handy recruit for the Gold Coast Titans, coming hot on the heels of the retirement of fellow recruit Brenton Lawrence. His Fantasy scoring – 22 points a game – wasn't anything spectacular but his role should increase after coming off the bench in all 19 of his appearances last season.
2018 NRL Fantasy player prices
Ryan James: FRF, 2RF, $700,000
Nathan Peats: HOK, $673,000
Jarrod Wallace: FRF, 2RF, $642,000
Kevin Proctor: 2RF, $608,000
Ashley Taylor: HLF, $544,000
Konrad Hurrell: CTR, $541,000
Joe Greenwood: 2RF, $472,000
Max King: FRF, 2RF, $462,000
Morgan Boyle: FRF, $457,000
Mitch Rein: HOK, $448,000
Brendan Elliot: WFB, $411,000
Jai Arrow: 2RF, $409,000
Jack Stockwell: FRF, $407,000
Dale Copley: WFB, CTR, $392,000
Will Matthews: 2RF, $361,000
Anthony Don: WFB, $339,000
Leilani Latu: FRF, $328,000
Paterika Vaivai: FRF, $328,000
Bryce Cartwright: 2RF, HLF, $325,000
Karl Lawton: CTR, HOK, $322,000
Kane Elgey: HLF, $308,000
Dan Sarginson: WFB, CTR, $299,000
Phillip Sami: WFB, $285,000
John Olive: CTR, $228,000
Jamal Fogarty: WFB, HLF, $228,000
Keegan Hipgrave: FRF, $228,000
Lachlan Burr: 2RF, $228,000
Jeff Lynch: FRF, $212,000
Alexander Brimson: HLF, WFB, $212,000
Tony Mata'utia: 2RF, CTR, $212,000
Jai Whitbread: FRF, $212,000
*2018 salary cap: 9.4m. Fantasy squad size: 21
