NRL Fantasy winners & losers: Round 9

Nicho Hynes put in a performance for the ages as the Sharks won — despite being a man down for most of the match — while Harry Grant and Cameron Munster laid on a clinic in yet another Storm smashing.

Matt Burton gave his patient coaches a reason to smile, James Tedesco made it back-to-back monster weeks and Isaiah Papali’i continued his rich vein of fantasy form.

Round 9 Winners

Nicho Hynes carried the Sharks on his back as they had to contend with only 12 men following Will Kennedy's dismissal. Hynes played a mixture of halfback and fullback en route to the fourth highest ever score in Fantasy, notching up 132 points — over 40 points clear of the next highest score in the round.

Harry Grant and Cameron Munster were in everything for the Storm in their big win over the Dragons, scoring 91 and 80 points respectively. Both players are benefitting from plenty of attacking stats to go with their usual base performances, but will be without their fullback partner for the foreseeable future.

Matt Burton was terrific against Canberra, showing off just how versatile he is for coaches with his dual position status. Having scored 82 in a losing side, Burton is fast becoming a must-own for coaches — especially given the fact he plays in the first bye-affected week in Round 13.

James Tedesco is in the winners list yet again as put the Roosters on his back. Coaches that brought him in a couple of weeks back will be well pleased as the Tricolours number one scored 81 points in his side's win over the Titans.

Isaiah Papali’i is proving to be the best edge option by the length of the straight, scoring 81 points to end the round as the fourth highest-scoring player. Once Parramatta have had their bye in Round 13, he is a must-own keeper.

Aside from Papali'i, Reed Mahoney and Ryan Matterson were the pick of the bunch from Parramatta's upset win over Penrith, each scoring 65 points. 

The Wests Tigers have had a few different high scorers for fantasy and this week it was Joe Ofahengaue, who is quietly having a strong season in his role at lock. Ofahengaue crashed over late for a try to boost his score to 77 points.

As expected, Adam Reynolds had a terrific game against his old club — scoring 73 points in Brisbane's upset over South Sydney — while Apisai Koroisau showed his importance to Penrith with 72 points in their close loss to the Eels.

Teig Wilton put the pressure of Wade Graham coming back via the bench behind him with another strong score in Cronulla's win, scoring 82 points. If coaches didn't pull the trigger and trade out the second-rower, they will have been very satisfied with the result.

Reuben Garrick took advantage of Manly’s big day out at 4 Pines Park, not only scoring two tries but also kicking four goals as part of his 71 points, while Daly Cherry-Evans (65) and Lachlan Croker (60) also put up strong scores.

Ben Trbojevic put his name up as the bargain cheapie to own after a late move into the back row helped him to two tries and a try assist — a 64-point total all up.

Pat Carrigan came back and filled the Payne Haas role superbly for both Kevin Walters and any astute fantasy coaches that traded him in this week — scoring 67 points — while, in the same game, game Selwyn Cobbo put in his best fantasy game yet thanks to two tries and 9 tackle busts (63 points).

Cameron McInnes was a late start again this week and if coaches want to own him for their end of season run they need to pounce now after he scored 56 points.

Adam Elliott (52 points) and Joseph Suaalii (48 points) did well for those eyeing the duo off as potential cash-cows; Matt Frawley (51 points) stepped up in the absence of Jack Wighton — who misses one more week with suspension — while the likes of Isaah Yeo, Angus Crichton, Reuben Cotter and Tevita Pangai jnr just continue to deliver each and every week.

Round 9 Losers

Ryan Papenhuyzen (57 points) could be in the above column for his two-try performance, but the fact he went down injured after the second try and is likely to miss the next two weeks means he reverts to this column instead.

With Melbourne not playing in Round 13, he is a likely sell for coaches.

Nathan Cleary wasn't bad for coaches, but his 45 points means he is no longer a set-and-forget captain, while Izack Tago (22 points) continues to come back to the pack and should be moved on after making his cash.

Brad Schneider (23) also needs to go along with Tom Starling (34), who is having his ceiling limited by the inclusion of Adam Elliott at hooker.

Despite looking the goods on-field, Tolu Koula only managed 23 points, while popular cheapies Kelma Tuilagi (18), Leo Thompson (28) and Viliami Vailea (13) all failed to deliver on their early-season promise.

Scott Drinkwater came back down to earth with a 29-point score despite his team's big win over the Knights, while Addin Fonua-Blake (27), Blake Taaffe (24), Cody Walker (22) and Victor Radley (22) all struggled to get going.

Alex Johnston, Edrick Lee and Te Maire Martin all scored in single digits.