NRL 2020: Fantasy winners & losers: Round 8 NRL

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Mon 6 Jul 2020, 09:04 AM

It's nice to be talking about a week of big scores rather than a week of injury dramas and there were some monsters in round eight with more than 100 coaches scoring 1100-plus, and hundreds more breaking the 1000-mark.

Winners

The Eels' big win over the Cowboys produced a Fantasy bonanza with player of the round Clint Gutherson (102) joining the 100-club in his 100th game, boosted by three try assists, seven busts, seven goals and over 240 metres.

Four try hero Maika Sivo (86) and half Dylan Brown (84) also made the team of the week while anyone who punted on Jai Field (64) as a short-term cash cow would have enjoyed his try and nine busts.

Cam McInnes (89) produced yet another monster score. He currently has the best average in Fantasy, eight points clear of Payne Haas (79). He is arguably the better captaincy option right now.

Maumalo double gives Warriors converted try lead

Daly Cherry-Evans produced 86 despite an early sin-bin, with a solo try, an assist, seven busts and 500 kick metres.

James Tedesco and Angus Crichton (both 82), Api Koroisau (76), Andrew McCullough (74), Cam Murray, Jahrome Hughes, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Wayde Egan (all 70) also propped up some big Fantasy team totals.

Pat Carrigan and Blayke Brailey (both 69) are still in plenty of teams, lots of coaches were forced to rely on Jarome Luai (68) this week while Kyle Flanagan (65), Nathan Cleary, Jake Friend, Tohu Harris and Mitch Pearce (all 64) also scored well.

Ponga sent flying by Garrick

Losers

Despite a gutsy win, the Knights provided a few Fantasy headaches. Kalyn Ponga (17) was the dud of the week, piling up 14 demerits with almost no attacking involvement before going off for an HIA.

A far more concerning HIA befell his teammate Sione Mata'utia (24) who went off just before half time having been traded in a fair bit in recent weeks.

Ponga's newfound preference for right-side play also starved Bradman Best (30) of attacking chances.

Latrell Mitchell (22) once again struggled for attacking involvement despite an early line-break assist that led to a try.

Adam Clune (24) hasn't looked like recapturing his 39 on debut while Scott Drinkwater and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (both 29) are both definite sells.

Ryan Papenhuyzen's impressive game didn't translate to Fantasy with just 31 points including that clutch field goal.