Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 20

This is it: the final round of the NRL Fantasy season. 

It's been one of the most gruelling Fantasy campaigns ever, with the COVID-19-affected season leading to a spate of injuries and now a host of players being rested ahead of the finals.

Those who have dodged most of the carnage and made it to their head-to-head finals still have some big decisions to make, even if they've run out of trades for round 20.

This week's big questions

Who should I pick for my captain in the Grand Final this week? I have Haas, Carrigan, Taumalolo, Cleary, Teddy, Pappen, Ponga and Grant as options.

From Peter Lavell

Payne Haas is the obvious front-runner. He averages 73 points a game, scored 73 against this week's opponents the Cowboys back in round one, is physically fresh from a week off, and should get big minutes in a game Brisbane need to win to avoid the wooden spoon.

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Cleary is the one player who actually has a better season average than Haas but his Panthers have much less to play for this week – having already wrapped up the minor premiership – and the halfback could get a rest at some stage against the Bulldogs with fellow playmaker Matt Burton on the bench.

Pat Carrigan has outscored Haas at times this season but tends to score best when Haas is out of the Brisbane side. Taumalolo only played 40 minutes last week in his return from a three-week injury layoff and could get a significant rest again.

Harry Grant could go off in his final appearance for the Tigers, especially with no specialist hooker on the bench, but has only scored above 70 twice this season.

James Tedesco, Kalyn Ponga and Ryan Papenhuyzen are all capable of monster scores on their day but it's notoriously difficult to predict when that day will be.

Tedesco for example did score 94 against Souths back in round 3 and has hit triple figures a staggering three times this year, but he's scored less than 60 in six of his past eight games (the other two scores were 112 and 101).

Any of the above players could produce a monster score this week, but Haas is the clear No.1 candidate – especially if you think your side can match your head-to-head opponent elsewhere this round.

Who to play as my final player out of Tommy Talau, Jordan Riki or Bayley Sironen?

From Hayden Beardmore

I'd play Sironen, who averages 40 as a starting second-rower. Riki is a smokey now that he's into the Broncos' starting side but his points per minute hasn't been great this season apart from his try-scoring effort against the Panthers.

Should I trade Hunt (was on my bench) for Jake Trbojevic as my last trade? Or take a risk on Flanagan?

From Patrick Robinson

So you're looking at players under $700k. Jake Trbojevic's season average is actually just below Isaah Yeo's but for a one-off week he does look a safer option with the chance that Yeo, and other Panthers stars, get an extended rest this week with the minor premiership already in the bag.

Another very steady option is David Klemmer, with the bonus that Newcastle are one of the few teams this week with something genuine to play for as they can lock up a home final with a win over the Titans.

Kyle Flanagan isn't a bad shout either though, especially if you expect the Roosters to run up a score against Souths. He's averaging 55 points across his past five games and is always a chance of getting across the tryline, especially when the Roosters win big.

All of the above are solid options with a high base, so it's a bit of a luck of the draw for a one-off round. I'd personally lean towards Klemmer ahead of Flanagan.

Best player under $765k?

From Matt Toby

It's probably Harry Grant ($723k) ahead of Mitch Moses ($757k) and Tohu Harris ($751k).