NRL 2022: NRL Fantasy, winners & losers, round 1

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Mon 14 Mar 2022, 11:01 AM

The first round of the new season included some huge highs and lows from popular Fantasy guns and cheapies, which will no doubt have plenty of coaches with their fingers hovering over the 'trade' button this week.

Winners

The most obvious captaincy choice once Nathan Cleary was ruled out was Broncos big man Payne Haas (84), who despite some question marks over his minutes this year pumped out 84 points in a 71 minute spell.

Dane Gagai (78), Sean O'Sullivan (76), Josh Curran and Isaah Yeo (both 72), Jahrome Hughes (71) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (70) scored well.

The three players closest to 'must-have' status leading into round one all excelled, with Stephen Crichton (57), Chris Randall (59) and Brad Schneider (44) scoring well above their break-evens.

Other cheapies to pump out strong round one scores included Izack Tago (61), Ethan Bullemor (48 thanks to a try), Jeremiah Nanai (56), Max King (56), Billy Walters (55) and Dom Young (62) while mid-rangers Teig Wilton (68), Eliesa Katoa (59), Liam Martin (66), Jai Arrow (64) and Jake Clifford (63) started well.

Jake Clifford streaks away

Losers

It was a bad week to punt the captaincy on Tom Trbojevic (35), who was very well contained by Penrith's premiership-level defence.

Other big guns to start slowly included James Tedesco (32), Reed Mahoney (36), Brian To'o (25) and Alex Twal (31). Matt Burton (39) fell short of expectations but is worth persisting with.

Injuries played a part too. Popular pick Tevita Pangai jnr (DNP) was scratched on Sunday, making it tough to pick a decent replacement. Brandon Smith (2) lasted only a couple of minutes before breaking his hand and Roosters duo Billy Smith (5) and Victor Radley (21) were ruled out by head knocks.

Sean Russell (41) pumped out a first half hat-trick but unfortunately picked up a rib injury scoring the third and is likely to miss a few weeks.

A few other cheapies fizzled, with Lachlan Ilias (20), Talatau Amone (20), Viliame Vailea (7), Tolutau Koula (2 points in just eight minutes), Leo Thompson (15), Jackson Hastings (22) and Xavier Coates (22 with a try) all struggling for points.