Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 2

The Raiders appear to have a new superstar on their hands in John Bateman, Victor Radley's stocks have plummeted and it's time to swoop on the cash cows you missed before the start of the season.

With two crucial trades available this week, here are my answers to the week's big NRL Fantasy questions.

• NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 2
• Round 2 NRL official squad announcements
• Make your Fantasy trades

This week's fan questions

Do you think Bateman will play 80 every week?

From Daniel Chapman

Not necessarily – it's very rare for any starting lock to play the full 80 minutes, and Bateman did spend some time in the centres late in the contest – but his scoring in the first hour of Canberra's win over the Titans suggests Bateman won't need 80 minutes to produce big Fantasy scores. It's early days but the signs are good Bateman is capable of scoring 45-60 points a game this year.

Is it worth trading down Tapau to Tolman or even Lawrie in order to bring in Bateman, probably for Radley? Basically betting Bateman will average 50+ to justify an at best sideways move with Tapau.

From George Bright

I have Taupau and will be holding him this week – with Addin Fonua-Blake suspended Taupau's minutes should increase and he'll get plenty of work to do against the Roosters – but if he scores around 40 again you could reconsider a trade next week. Bateman looks a must-have at some point this year but his price isn't rising so fast that you need to get him this week.

Should I trade Taupau for Taumalolo?

From Ben Hibberd

Nope. Last year Taumalolo averaged 54 and Taupau averaged 57. It's too early to assume their scores will vastly change this year based on one round.

Best FRF under around $600k? I'm thinking Tolman.

From Lachlan Mead

The best scorer may be Tolman – he's in my side and will stay there – but this week you're probably better off snapping up one of the Dragons cash cows who available in the front row, Jacob Host or Blake Lawrie. 

Worth buying Braidon Burns for that price? Could be a potential keeper/cashie for WFB as I already have my centre spots locked in.

From Breezin Farquhar

Yep, he's in my team and I'm very happy with a 39 in round with no tries or assists. He's a handy high-scoring cheapie at the back.

Should I trade Arrow to Bateman and Garrick to Lawrie or just hold?

From Jaidyn Spina

I like the Garrick to Lawrie trade but Arrow is a hold at this point.

Burr or Lawrie and why?

From Alvante Harris

Lawrie's the better bet – Burr could lose his starting spot to Isaiah Papali'i as early as this weekend – but Lawrie is also likely to go back to the bench in round three when Korbin Sims is available to be selected at lock. Unlike Burr, Lawrie has already shown he can score well from the bench though.

Who's a better cash cow to pick up, Sele or Lawrie?

From Angus James

Tough one. Sele suffered an arm injury last week (he was cleared of a broken arm this week) so could be bumped to the bench or out of the side by the time Penrith play on Sunday, but if he does start at lock he could make some fast cash as a $225k middle forward. Lawrie is a safer move and proved last week he can score well with 50 points in 40 minutes, but costs a little more at $314k. I've got Sele but Lawrie is the less risky option at this point.

Trade Radley or wait another week or two?

From Niko Laupola

I'll be trading Radley this week. Don't rule out the prospect that he comes good eventually but if there are cash cows you missed and no better trade options he's one to go.

Should I bite the bullet (early I know) and trade Radley for John Bateman?

From Jake Maddison

I like it.

Ryan James and Sione Mata'utia for Matt Gillet and John Bateman?

From Angus James

Good trades.

Is worth keeping Nathaniel Roach knowing Issac Luke is back? Maybe just for this week? Then sell?

From Elric George

Yep hold this week, with him named to start again, but be ready to trade next week if he's benched.

Is it a week too late to get on Ravalawa? Already hate myself for picking Napa. Easy downgrade for some $$.

From David Carter

Not too late – most cash cows will get increasingly big price rises in the coming weeks if they keep scoring well.

Napa to Host and Radley to Bateman or Radley to Mahoney and save the trade?

From Aidan Zlotnick

I'd go plan A, bringing in Host and Bateman. Mahoney started the season well and I'm happy he's in my team, but his score wouldn't have looked as impressive without a try and with Matt McIlwrick now at the Eels his game time could become questionable in future weeks.

Had Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in my starting side, however thankfully I also had all the good cheapies. Should I  get rid of him before he loses more value or do you think he will bounce back?

From Rowan Berry

Watene-Zelezniak doesn't look Fantasy-relevant this year, especially on the wing, so I'd trade.

What was the top score in round 1? I’m in the top 200, should I consider going for overall with this start or just focus on the H2H competitions I’m in?

From Chase Nightingale

Top score was 1030. I always set out to chase both overall and head-to-head – if you do well in overall you'll probably be a big chance of winning a head-top-head league anyway, especially if you're up there in the top 1000.

Considering buying Aubo. My friends are teasing me. Do I listen to them or listen to my heart?

From Mitch Kersnovske

Listen to your friends. Mitchell Aubusson will almost certainly be back on the bench next week when Angus Crichton is starting in the Roosters pack. He could also find himself in the centres at times this year. In fact there's an old rule that helps you out on this one…

Has the old "Never Buy Mitch Aubusson" rule been replaced with the "Never Buy Bryce Cartwright" rule?

From Evan Snowflake

I wouldn't say replaced, but I like the idea of a new Cartwright-specific rule. Leave those guys out of your team and you'll save yourself a lot of headaches.