One of the most popular cash cows of the season has been bumped out of position already, a new batch of bargains – or traps? – have emerged and Fantasy coaches are keen to ditch a few misfiring cash cows.
So what are the right moves for round two? Read on for my verdict.
This week's big questions
Zac Lomax on the wing. Does this make him a trade or hold for one more week?
From Peter Bourke
It's certainly bad news for Lomax's scoring prospects – Lomax averages 39 from two games at fullback but only 22 from five games on the wing – but after he scored 43 last week there's no rush to trade him just yet. A break even of 17 means he should get another price boost next week, and with Mikaele Ravalawa expected back from injury in round three we'll get a better idea of where Lomax's long-term position will be. If it's fullback or centre, he'll be a hold for now. If it's still on the wing, he'll be one to sell sooner rather than later.
I didn't get Haas from the start and now unbelievably he has increased in price. Do I just get him in now before more price rises or hold off and wait for a drop in price?
From Darren King
The big question is, how? If you've got Jason Taumalolo already you might as well keep running with him – he's likely the second-best captaincy option available and you certainly don't want to trade him out. If you're able to trade out two dud mid-range players to bring in Haas and a cheap cash cow, then go for it.
After underwhelming in round one I'm considering burning two trades to go Su'a + Knight to Guler and Horsburgh. Gives me two of the best scoring cash-cows I don't already have and $230k left in the bank. Thoughts?
From Dom Griffin
That looks like a good move, although it's not without some risk. Guler won't score a try (let alone a try and a try assist) in many games this year so expect to see him score in the 30s more often than the 50s, and despite an excellent performance Horsburgh is likely to return to the Raiders bench whenever John Bateman is fit. But in the short term both will make some good quick cash.
Is Wakeham to Watkins a viable trade option? I didn't go with any WFB or CTR cover on my bench so want to bolster that...
From Nick Drysdale
Wakeham isn't a must-trade just yet but he'll need attacking stats to be an effective cash cow and the Bulldogs' attack didn't look red hot against the Eels. If you need some extra depth in the outside backs you could do worse than Watkins whose running game looked very solid despite his Titans suffering a loss to Canberra last week.
If you had to hold one, Stimson or Hess?
From Charles Walters
I'd keep Stimson. He averages 40 points when playing at least 60 minutes as a starting second-rower, including a couple of good scores (with tries) last season. Hess actually averages 45 in that role but last year in six starts he scored less than 32 points a game (and he played the full 80 in five of those matches). Both flopped in round one but while Stimson was scratchy in his first game for a new club in a low-scoring grind of a game, Hess's numbers suggest he might just be continuing the form he showed in 2019.
Damien Cook joins Inside The NRL
If you could choose two players under 350K, who would they be?
From Ty Breezy
If you're happy to take a risk around job security, three obvious cheapies who do carry some risk are Emre Guler (question over his scores without attacking stats, could lose minutes when Raiders are at full strength), Eliesa Katoa (Warriors' status in the coming weeks) and Billy Walters (Tigers could eventually sign Harry Grant). Walters and Katoa are probably the best bets. Safer options whose positions look secure are Kallum Watkins and Toby Rudolf.
I think Horsbrough is a better buy than Isaako but buying him would mean Fusitua stays in my WFB. Which one should I target considering I also have Stimson and Wakeham as first-round flops?
From Lachlan Smith
Isaako's job security as a starter looks rock solid this season after a strong round one performance at fullback and with Jack Bird sidelined for the season. Horsbrough should continue to score well while he starts but there's a risk that John Bateman returns early from injury and Horsbrough's game time dips. My guess is Horsbrough will be a better scorer in the next few weeks while Isaako could earn more cash in the long run while also filling a spot in the tricky WFB position.
Every try from Round 1
Is Yeo a potential POD keeper or was his 80 mins performance only due to injury?
From Tim Burgess
Yeo has never made as many run metres or tackle breaks in a game as he did against the Roosters, and he played big minutes in the middle after Zane Tetevano got injured. He can play 80 regularly but will primarily be used on an edge, where he tends to score in the 40s. I think he's unlikely to be a keeper.
