Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 25

Trades are scarce but the stakes are high with head-to-head grand finals and preliminary finals underway in Fantasy leagues this weekend.

• NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 24 - Doueihi out
• NRL round 24 team lists 

This week's big questions

How does being named at five-eighth affect Tyrone Peachey's score?

From Dean Longley

Peachey has played quite a few games at five-eighth in the past but hasn't started there since the new six-again rules came in.

He averages just under 39 points per game wearing the No.6, just under the 43 points a game he's scored this season, including a few scores in the mid-teens and a career-best 91 against the Warriors way back in 2015.

It's been his fourth-best scoring position, behind hooker, lock and fullback, but better than second row, centre and interchange (yes, he's played a lot of positions).

If he plays like he usually does and runs the ball often, he has the potential to score well. A natural tackle buster, Peachey generally scores better the more minutes he plays and the closer he is to the middle of the park.

His tackle count will probably dip now that he's out of the forward pack but he could make up for it with increased tackle breaks and/or attacking stats in an 80-minute role.

Trade out Fifita + Douehi for Cleary + ??? ($290 cash too)

From Kilian Amini

Sounds good. Fifita could still score well via the bench but he's also capable of scoring 30, while Doueihi is a sell and Cleary is must-have if you can get him. Bring in a reliable forward like Isaah Yeo or Jake Trbojevic with your second trade.

It's not like we have any trades or more than 17 players to choose from so who to captain is the only question.

From Craig Finkle

The obvious answer is Nathan Cleary, if you've got him. Next best options are Tom Trbojevic against the Bulldogs and Payne Haas against Cronulla.

If you are a huge underdog in your head-to-head match-up you could take a chance on Trbojevic outscoring Cleary, but it's obviously a risk.

I have two more trades left and I'm the preliminary final, do I use both or just the 1? If so which hooker should I go for this week?

From Tashinga Chanyau

Look at your match-up, and if you look likely to win and you don't have injuries to cover, hold the trades. There could easily be a few big names rested in round 25, or one or two key injuries or suspensions you'll need to cover for.

If there aren't any obvious trades to make, keep in mind you can still use a trade as an upgrade across the weekend depending on how your match-up is going.

If you put your players who play the early games (Thursday, Friday, Saturday afternoon) in your starting 13 and other players (playing Saturday night or Sunday) on your bench, you'll have plenty of flexibility when it comes to trading a bench player for a player of any other position if you need to make a late upgrade and give your team the edge.

In terms of hookers, Damien Cook is the standout this season although keep an eye on the late mail to confirm he'll play after speculation he could miss the game with a quad injury. Of the available players, Jayden Brailey, Brandon Smith and Harry Grant are the next best.

Curran or Jackson?

From Danny Upton

Curran has the higher ceiling but the lower floor (last week he need a try to get up to 44 points, although he scored 83 and 97 before that) while Jackson is the more reliable scorer, having scored at least 50 every game since round 12 – and even that score was 48.

If you're happy with your team and will glady take 50-70 points then take Jackson, but if you need a slight gamble for the chance at a huge score go for Curran.

Munster or Hughes? I've got DCE and Cleary

From Kingi Snelgar

It's a coin flip really, both could score very well against the Eels this week and against Cronulla (if they're not rested) next week. Hughes didn't play last week due to a head knock, which may mean Munster is the more likely to get a rest in round 25, so I'd lean towards Hughes – just. But if you've got a gut feel either way, go with your gut.