Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 19
Andrew Fifita is on the trade block for some as Fantasy coaches weigh up whether it's worth splashing out on Mitch Moses or picking up a bargain in Nathan Peats.
Here are my answers to some of this week's burning questions.
This week's Fantasy talking points
What's the go? Is Fifita a trade? Or is he worth holding for the week if you have cover?
From Nathan Keven
He's definitely a hold for me unless you have no decent front-row cover and are playing for overall points or have a close head-to-head match-up this week. Keep in mind 38,328 other Fantasy coaches are in the same situation with Fifita, and many of those will be running with a back-up option this week. Fifita returns in a week's time and is comfortably in the top two props in Fantasy – take out last week's 11 and his injury-affected score in round nine and Fifita averages 61 this season.
Who would bring in for Fifita? Bearing in mind I’ve already got P Haas & A Fonua Blake.
From Ben Hibberd
If you must trade, David Klemmer or James Fisher-Harris are the obvious replacements, slightly ahead of Martin Taupau. Klemmer has been a consistent 50+ scorer this year while Fisher-Harris is in great recent form and has dual-position flexibility.
Front row dilemma
Ideal bench for the run home?
From Darren Barker
Among your eight reserves you want at least one decent back-up option for all six positions – so on weeks like this when you lose a star front-rower, for example, you can easily slot a new FRF into your starting side. Dual-position players help a lot on that front. You also want your four bench players to be genuine keepers if possible – ideally scoring close to 50 points a game.
My bench this week is Kalyn Ponga (covering WFB and HLF), Alex Twal (covering FRF and 2RF), and two star hookers (Cameron Smith and Cameron McInnes). I then have Braidon Burns as 18th man, covering CTR and WFB.
The other handy thing to have in your reserves is a bargain basement non-player. Not only does bringing one of those guys in free up a lot of cash but it allows you to use the loophole.
Is Moses a must-have? Got Pearce, SJ & Reynolds already. Thinking of Pearce to Moses since the Eels have a far easier run home than the Knights do.
From Dan Bowman
No I wouldn't say Moses is a must-have. If you've already got three halves who are likely to score around 50 points a game I'd stick with that, unless your team is set and you have a lot of trades left. If you are able to make some luxury trades and expect Moses's terrific Fantasy form to continue, go for it.
Twal – are we concerned? What's your forecast for his minutes from the bench and will it stay that way?
From Dale Robert
Alex Twal has started every match for the Tigers at prop this season, until this week, but I wouldn't be too worried just yet about his game time. He has played 57 minutes a game and that's easily achievable from the bench – Michael Maguire could just bring him on after 25 minutes and leave him there for the rest of the match. His replacement in the starting side, Oliver Clark, has played 23 and 35 minutes in his two appearances this season so there's still room for a big-minute role for Twal in the middle. At the very least see how Twal goes this week before considering a trade.
Cust to Peats a good move?
From Caolan Cullinane
I like it. Peats is no certainty to hold his 80-minute spot for the rest of the season but the early signs are good, and of all players under $500k he's probably the best chance of averaging 50+ from here on.
Hey Scout is Tevaga a decent chance of keeping the starting role at lock even when Tohu comes back or is it more likely Tohu's return pushes Blair back to lock? After a cut-price keeper and Jazz looks appealing.
From Brandon Scott Lee
I've got Tevaga myself and am hopeful that Stephen Kearney leaves him in the No.13 jersey when Tohu Harris returns from injury (pushing Isaiah Papali'i to the bench instead) but it's a long way from guaranteed. In all 13 games Harris has played this year Tevaga has come off the interchange, so Kearney will need to have a real change of heart for the trade to pay off. A safer bet (and for $170k cheaper) you could get Peats who is probably more likely to keep a big-minute role, although his ceiling isn't as high as Tevaga's.
With Roosters playing Dogs and Titans and not having the hardest run home is Teddy a must-have? Already have RTS, Ponga and Tommy T. Playing for head-to-head and overall. Would trading Twal out to Tedesco be a good move?
From Chris Cook
I think Tedesco is pretty much a must-have, and you could play all four-star fullbacks in your 17 (with Ponga on the bench covering WFB and HLF). It's not necessarily the best move to trade out a 50-point player like Twal to get Tedesco though. If you can get Teddy in another way then do it, otherwise weigh up whether having Ponga as bench cover is more valuable to your squad than having Twal covering FRF and 2RF.
Tedesco tops the list
How many trades do you have left? Feeling confident heading into the prickly end of the season?
From Josh Vonk
I've been a bit of a tradeaholic this year, with just two left. Yikes. I do have a pretty solid squad though with decent scorers in No.18, 19 and 20 and coverage for all positions so fingers crossed I can cruise home from here.
When does the 2020 season start?
From Adam Delany
Some time in March, so never too early to start planning your next squad!
