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.

Gold Coast Titans recruit Jai Arrow. ©titans.com.au

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.

Gold Coast Titans recruit Leilani Latu. ©titans.com.au

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