NRL 2021: NRL Fantasy winners and losers, round 8

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Mon 3 May 2021, 03:01 AM

A star is born at the Roosters, Eels duo pile on the points against Canterbury and Warriors cash cows get their prices pumping in a big round eight in NRL Fantasy.

Winners

Eels skipper Clint Gutherson (91) was unstoppable in a 32-10 win over Canterbury, topping the round with two tries and 10 busts despite getting an early mark from coach Brad Arthur.

His teammate Isaiah Papali'i now has to be regarded as a genuine keeper after holding a starting edge spot despite the return of Ryan Matterson, bumping Shaun Lane to the bench and piling on another 80 NRL Fantasy points.

The Roosters' impressive win over the Knights was tempered by some devastating injury news (more on that below) but the high point without a doubt was the stunning form of teenage half Sam Walker, who had a hand in all seven of his team's tries and finishes with a try and four try-assists in his 88-point haul.

Jamayne Isaako (86) was electric against the Titans while Storm duo Reimis Smith (82 with a hat-trick) and Jahrome Hughes (73) carved up the Sharks.

Get Caught Up: Round 8 must-see moments

Wests Tigers duo Luke Brooks (82) and Daine Laurie (69) both bounced back in fine style.

Keaon Koloamatangi (67) has been phenomenal since returning from suspension, Tom Trbojevic (50) has three 50s since returning from injury and Warriors duo Reece Walsh (51) and Josh Curran (48) earned big price rises.

Losers

There were plenty of below-par scores from popular Fantasy picks with players racking up the demerits in round eight.

Cameron Munster (34) missed nine tackles among his 22 demerits, Jack Bird (25) had 16 demerits and Corey Harawira-Naera (30) suddenly developed habits of rushing up to bump off players and/or pushing over players while they played the ball to rack up 20 demerits.

Kalyn Ponga (33) was kept very quiet by a good opposition for the second week running, Jordan Riki (29) was quiet despite getting 80 minutes while Viliame Kikau (26) averages 31 over the past month and is probably a sell.

There was also some shocking injury news, headlined by the worst possible result for Roosters duo Brett Morris (53) and Lindsay Collins (31) who will both miss the rest of the year with ACL injuries.

There was a triple blow for the Bunnies; Cameron Murray (18) was limited by an ankle injury and is set to miss a couple of weeks while Adam Reynolds and Campbell Graham (both 58) both played out the game and earned good scores but will miss time with thumb and arm injuries respectively.

Eels lock Nathan Brown (18) went off with a hip injury and Zac Lomax (6) went off very early with a dislocated thumb.