NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 12

NRL Fantasy teams analysis

Storm v Sea Eagles, Thursday at AAMI Park

Storm: Jahrome Hughes is back but might be a late withdrawal again with the Storm playing the first game of the round. Definitely keep an eye on late mail. His return is better news for Harry Grant owners, who shifts back to hooker. Xavier Coates is losing cash and will likely play Origin (and the bye-rounds as a result), and will start to become a popular sell. Moving Tom Trbojevic to Ryan Papenhuyzen could be a savvy move if you can wait the few weeks until the Storm number one is back, but it's potentially a little early with Papenhuyzen not listed to return to Round 15. Tui Kamikamica is intriguing but not worth it at the price, which is north of $500k. Brandon Smith has lost more money than any other Storm player ($440k).

Sea Eagles: Reuben Garrick will be a popular in for Turbo, having shown last year that he is more than comfortable in the number one jersey. He might not bring in a truckload of points away to Melbourne this week, but is still a good option. Turbo's injury has a flow-on effect for the outside backs with Christian Tuipulotu ticking along in price. Jason Saab is closing in on a return but will likely replace Jorge Taufua when he is back, which means Tuipulotu isn't an urgent sell. Tolu Koula isn't doing much in terms of money-making or points-scoring, but his upside and Round 13 coverage — when he plays the Warriors — means you should keep the faith.

Panthers v Cowboys, Friday at BlueBet Stadium

Panthers: Another unchanged team list for the Panthers with Nathan Cleary returning in a big way for those who captained last week. He's not quite the auto-pick with the armband that he was last year, but he's still one of the best options and is worth taking again this week at home. Izack Tago will be a popular sell after the Panthers' play in Round 13, but there's an argument to be made for holding given the attacking upside that is there. Stephen Crichton is another question, though, with Tom Trbojevic's injury likely meaning the Panthers centre will play for the Blues in Game 1... and won't be available next week for the 40% of coaches who own. 

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo lost $76k last week and leaves coaches with a tricky predicament as he faces 1-2 weeks on the sideline. If it is one, then he's probably a hold as he'll then play Round 13. But if he does miss two, which is a fair chance as the Cowboys play the Thursday night game next week, then he's worth moving on. Reece Robson owners, look away, with Jake Granville back on the bench and set to take some of his precious minutes at hooker. Reuben Cotter will benefit, however, with Taumalolo out, and showed his class last week with 50 points off the bench after battling the flu all week. Scott Drinkwater will be a popular pickup for those wanting to move on Tom Trbojevic.

Broncos v Titans, Friday at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: Ezra Mam will be a popular purchase after retaining the halfback role with Adam Reynolds (groin) still out. Reynolds' exclusion is also good news for Kotoni Staggs, who will retain the goal-kicking duties following his 68-point score last week. Selwyn Cobbo is all the rage as he continues to rise in popularity and price. Patrick Carrigan ($694k) is rocking a three-game average of 56.3 and could be a popular switch for those wanting to move on from the injured Jason Taumalolo.

Titans: All eyes on the reserves list with David Fifita listed in jersey 23. If he plays, Isaac Liu will likely drop back to the bench. Jayden Campbell has been in great form since returning from reserve grade but it's tough to select him over some of the other great options at wing-fullback. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui ($642k) is revelling in his role as captain, and is one of the most consistent middles in the competition. 

Warriors v Knights, Saturday at Moreton Daily Stadium

Warriors: With no Addin Fonua-Blake (injury) and no Matt Lodge (released), Jazz Tevaga moves to prop which could be good news for coaches if he can maintain consistent minutes. Keep in mind that Josh Curran is just around the corner to add into that middle rotation, however. After missing the start of the season with injury, Fantasy favourite Tohu Harris was dominant against the Dragons, scoring 50 in 70 minutes, and will be a popular purchase over the coming weeks.

Knights: David Klemmer is going as good as anyone with a three-round average 61.3, but won't play next week. He's still a great set-and-forget option in the middle, but has risen by more than $150k and will now cost you $774k. Chris Randall needs to be sold as he is no longer playing 80 minutes, and will start to lose you the cash he's made so far this year. Mitch Barnett starts at lock with Leo Thompson on the bench and could be worth a look — he's got dual-position flexibility and low ownership, and has played 80 minutes for the past two weeks, scoring 68 and 53.

Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, Saturday at Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs: Lachlan Ilias and Blake Taaffe are both struggling for points and should be moved on — Taaffe, in particular, with a three-round average of just 26. Trent Peoples is out of the side all together after starting last week, with Cam Murray's pending return good news for those that own. Damien Cook is firing, rocking a three-game average of 65, but will miss time with Origin, while Campbell Graham continues to score well despite the Rabbitohs' issues in attack.

Wests Tigers: Big inclusions for Michael Maguire's side with Daine Laurie back at fullback and Luke Brooks back in the halves. Joe Ofahengaue has quietly risen by close to $250k but is owned by just 1.1 percent of coaches, with a three-game average of 57.7. Once again, Kelma Tuilagi is a sell, having lost his starting spot and minutes on the edge to Luke Garner. Having switched from the Bulldogs to Wests Tigers, Brent Naden will be a better option for the seven percent of coaches who own, but won't play Round 13 for those that had him down as an extra number.

Sharks v Roosters, Saturday at PointsBet Stadium

Sharks: Lachlan Miller ($277k) scored 67 on debut last week but the return of Will Kennedy from suspension means he drops back to 18th Man. Nicho Hynes might not be the best captaincy selection against a Roosters side determined to bounce back from last week's defeat, but definitely still needs to be in your side. Cameron McInnes looks to have the lock role for good now and is a very safe option to sure up your middle if you need it. Keep the faith on Siosifa Talakai. 

Roosters: Nat Butcher scored 58 last week despite the Roosters being well beaten by the Panthers and looms as the big winner out of Victor Radley's untimely injury, although Sitili Tupouniua is lurking on the bench and could be a late start on game day. After a slow start, Angus Crichton is starting to hit form with a three-round average of 57.7 but is likely on the Origin radar of Blues coach Brad Fittler. Joey Manu will probably be available for under $600k next week and should play fullback in Round 13 with James Tedesco away on State of Origin duties. 

Bulldogs v Dragons, Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

Bulldogs: Matt Burton needs to be in your team before he approaches $700k territory. The young gun scored 74 last week in a beaten side, and is closing in on Tevita Pangai jnr for the best average of any Bulldogs player this year. Jacob Kiraz retains his place in the side and is a good cheapie option if you need one, but note that he isn't available at centre — only wing/fullback. Max King has been named on an edge but can go after the bye after making more than $270k this year.

Dragons: Cody Ramsey was great at fullback last week for the Dragons and remains there again this week. His $281k price tag is very appealing for those looking to downgrade on a cheapie. Talatau Amone is starting to tick along in price for those that have kept the faith, and he's definitely worth holding for the next few weeks, while Zac Lomax finally got amongst the tries last week — much to the delight of the five percent of coaches who own. Michael Molo isn't a trade target despite scoring a try on debut last week and subsequently producing 53.

Raiders v Eels, Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad sidelined for 1-2 weeks, Xavier Savage starts at fullback and will shoot up in price over the next fortnight. He should score well with Jamal Fogarty set for his first game of the year at halfback, meaning that any Brad Schneider owners definitely need to bid farewell to the young gun. Jarrod Croker is also back and will probably resume the goal-kicking duties ahead of Fogarty. Hudson Young could be a handy point-of-difference for coaches over the next few weeks with a three-round average of 50.7 and the Raiders' attack starting to click into gear. Adam Elliott's time at hooker appears over with Tom Starling and Zac Woolford in the side, and isn't quite an option when playing 40-50 minutes.

Eels: Ryan Matterson dominated in his first start at lock, but is now back on the bench in an incredibly frustrating piece of news for owners. He is a genuine star if he can maintain big minutes, so keep an eye on late mail. Isaiah Papali'i (who is also a bonafide gun) starts in the number 13 jersey instead with Marata Niukore on an edge. Maika Sivo ($465k) is closing in on a return from a long-term knee injury but is worth a look before rushing him back into your team. Here's hoping he doesn't affect the positioning of Will Penisini, who has kick-started another cycle of price rises with 58 points in Parramatta's win over Manly. He plays the Bulldogs in Round 14, before firming as a sell ahead of the Roosters and Rabbitohs in Rounds 15 and 16.