Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 8

Conundrums around David Fifita, Angus Crichton, Max King, Beau Fermor and of course Matt Burton highlight round eight's burning NRL Fantasy questions.

This week's big questions

Is Jazz Tevaga now an option?

From @luca.mulcahy

Occasional Fantasy gun Jazz Tevaga now has back-to-back 50s for the Warriors (either side of a two-week injury layoff) after working into the season slowly. Fantasy coaches have had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Warriors lock for a while; on his day he is an absolute Fantasy beast who can happily make 40-plus tackles in the middle while bumping off defenders and offloading from anywhere. He can also be a demerit machine but the real issue is his coach Nathan Brown, who will give him a run of big-minute games then demote him to a small-minute role again. Tevaga could have a big few weeks before Josh Curran or Tohu Harris are back and he'll definitely make at least a little short-term cash. He'll definitely be a trade-out once the squad is fully fit so it may not be worth two trades – although a trade-down this week and a month or so of 50s scores before moving him on may be all you need right now.

Is Beau Fermor a sell?

From @fynn.faraone

Titans back-rower Beau Fermor has pretty much peaked, and is probably not much more than a 40s-average player unless he goes back to scoring tries. I don't think there's any rush to get him out but he's definitely someone you're going to want to upgrade as the season goes on.

Should I sell Matt Burton?

From @blakefwilson

Ah yes, the weekly Burton question. People seemed very quick to jump off the former Panthers playmaker back when he was still producing some decent scores and holding value. However rather than his – and the Bulldogs' – form improving, the opposite has happened. The club has started conceding a lot more points and Burton himself is struggling for impact or even to get clean ball, and has also lost goal-kicking to Kyle Flanagan (not that there had been that many goal-kicking opportunities anyway). He's had his two worst scores of the year in the past two games, despite setting up a try in each, and is starting to drop value pretty quickly. I think it's time to part ways with Burton.

Is Angus Crichton still a viable pick-up?

From @tobytindall

Former Fantasy gun Angus Crichton started the season slowly then got demoted to the bench, which made him an urgent sell. He was back in the starting side last week and played the full 80 minutes but still netted just the 35 points and is still yet to even hit a 50 this year. If he does reclaim his tackle-busting form of years past he'll be available at a big discount (currently $158k below starting price) but there's no way I'd be jumping on until I saw some decent scoring out of him.

Is David Nofoaluma a buy?

From @maliatuulima

I don't think so. Nofoaluma has scored doubles in back-to-back games for scores of 61 and 72, which is why he has a negative break-even this week. He'll obviously make money for the next week or two but he won't keep scoring two tries per game and it will only take one low score – like the three sub-20 scores he had in his first five games – to bring those to a halt. He's already $490k, which is a lot for a winger who scores below 20 points every second week.

Is Reuben Cotter a hold or sell?

From @frmtha834

I didn't really see the appeal to Reuben Cotter to start the year but if you had him you've done very well, with three 50s to start the year and $116k in price rises. He's about at his ceiling now; there's no urgency to sell this week but he's definitely one to cash out while you're ahead.

Is it worth swapping Moses for Cleary?

From @cobydelboux

I said last week – and it still holds true – that you want to get Nathan Cleary into your team as soon as possible. I'd try to find another way rather than selling Moses though – the Eels playmaker tops the NRL for try assists, averages 67.5 in fantasy over the past four games and has increased $138k in value so far with more room to grow.

Hold or sell Max King?

From @xxefamxx

Bulldogs forward Max King has just about peaked after a hefty $286k in price rises. He's probably got one increase left in him, or a few if he goes back to scoring 50s like in the opening two rounds. He's still viable to use in your 17 so there's absolutely no rush to part ways with him but he's an upgrade target at some stage for sure.

Should I sell Taylan May?

From @_komisi02

I don't know why you'd do that. He's dual position and is currently the third-top averaging CTR (after Siosifa Talakai and Euan Aitken) as well as the third-top averaging WFB (after Nicho Hynes and Ryan Papenhuyzen). He's made most of his money, certainly, but unless his scores drop off or he loses his spot he's a hold indefinitely.

Is David Fifita a sell?

From @cody_kingcott10

I was asked this a few weeks ago and I said I'd be inclined to sell and he promptly busted out a 79 and an 85. That 30 on the weekend was in the centres, which you wouldn't expect to happen again this year. I'd probably hold this week and see how he goes back in the pack but his quiet games are certainly frustrating given his potential and price tag. As always, just be aware if you sell, that will inevitably be the week he smashes out another 80.