Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 13

With Fantasy favourites Harry Grant, Bradman Best, Alex Twal, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Smith, Kyle Flanagan, Chris Randall and Ryan Matterson all on the sidelines it's case of survival of the fittest this week.

But while everyone's aiming to cope with the injury carnage it's a good time to focus on getting to your final 17 with as few trades as possible, with many teams burning through trades and battling to get a full side on the field this week.

This week's big questions

Absolutely brutal this week. Is Matterson or Twal a sell and is McIntyre a keeper, or would you waste two trades to get Peachey?

From Brent Jackson

Matterson and Twal are both worth holding, on the assumption they'll both be back as soon as next week (stay tuned to the injury news from the Eels and Tigers). Spare trades will be priceless at the end of this season and both Matterson and Twal can give you 60 points per game.

On the second question, Sam McIntyre is actually in my team and has been impressive in his stints in the middle off the bench, with a couple of head knocks hurting his scores (and preventing big price rises) so far. At $333k he's probably the best value option available at centre right now. He's starting in the second row this week, but probably unlikely to hold that position for good. Expect scores around 35 with the occasional 50+ effort, which is reasonable for a Fantasy centre.

Tyrone Peachey is in a great run of form in a similar bench role, busting tackles and making plenty in the middle. Even if he doesn't keep it up he's probably likely to maintain an average around 40 which is keeper-level for a centre, so if you've got a spare $532k he could be the stronger option. If it's going to cost you an extra trade though I'd just go the cheaper McIntyre option.

Is Mitchell Moses worth bringing in with his price being so low?

From Jonathan Flavell

An injury-affected score in round seven has brought Moses's price down considerably, so if you want to snap him up now's a pretty good time to do it. He's scored tries in his last two games – for scores of 47 and 67 – and should continue to score well while the Eels are winning. He's not quite on the same level as Nathan Cleary or Daly Cherry-Evans this season but if his $646k price tag suits your budget and you need a second (or third) HLF he's a very good option.

Is Luke Thompson worth a trade in? Hoping he turns DPP and leaving him in the second row as a keeper. Good points per minute and hopefully his minutes increase.

From Tom Dahl

Yeah Thompson's been encouraging so far. In four games at lock for the Bulldogs his minutes have actually declined slightly but his scores have gone up, with two scores of 53 after he made 39 and 42 in his early games. That means his price tag hasn't really moved yet, but at $560k – and now as a dual-position player – he'd be a bargain if he can consistently score above 50.

The only front-rower with an average above 50 and a price tag below $650k is Mo Fotuaika, and he costs $641k. Fotuaika's scoring has also taken a bit of a slump lately, so Thompson could be a cheap alternative. Two games is not a huge sample size to assume he's going to hit 50s consistently, so there is a risk he goes back to 40s, but his price will start climbing soon and for the low cost he could well be a risk worth taking.  

Who is the third best WFB for the run home after Ponga and Teddy? I could get Staggs to partner Crichton in the centres and keep Lomax as my third WFB.

From Anthony Hall

Any of David Nofoaluma, Clint Gutherson, Matt Dufty or Ryan Papenhuyzen do the job as a third WFB, with season averages around 50.

The next tier of WFBs are Jahrome Hughes, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Zac Lomax.

Been holding onto Luai and he is scoring well. Is he a hold for now or upgrade to Junior Paulo with his run of form?

From Connor Sainsbury

Unless money isn't going to be an issue for you in assembling your "final" 17, I'd be holding Luai for another week or two at least until his price has peaked – he can still score well on his day (like last week's 50) and this isn't the round to be trading out fit players.

Is Benji worth a buy? His average on the last three games are near 60, or would you spend more money on Moses, SJ or Dylan Brown?

From Jackson Rath

I prefer more established and consistent Fantasy scorers like Mitch Moses and Shaun Johnson rather than Benji Marshall, who could lose some points with Luke Brooks back in the Tigers side.

Should we be worried about Fisher-Harris's scoring? It's his third under-50 score in the last four weeks (43, 80, 30, 39).

From Josh Lafo

It is a worrying trend for a forward who still has a season average in the 50s. The main factor seems to be lower-than-usual tackle counts – Fisher-Harris has had three of his four lowest tackle counts of the year in the past month.

It's coincided with the Panthers' terrific run of form and the fact they're dominating the ball, with around 60% of possession in those games when Fisher-Harris has scored less than 45. If you expect Penrith to continue to roll on, Fisher-Harris could potentially be one to move on – but I'd be holding him for at least another week before making that call.

Is Kurt Mann a hold on the bench for the season or is he now a trade out?

From Lachlan Delforce

I'd definitely be holding Kurt Mann now it appears he's Newcastle's first-choice hooker. His attacking stats may decline but there's every chance he makes up for that with increased tackle counts at dummy-half.

Can we have more trades this week?

From a lot of people

Sorry folks, the two bonus trades awarded to everybody a month ago is it for the season, so hopefully you've managed to keep a few up your sleeve for tough weeks like this one.