NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 15

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 15

Dragons v Rabbitohs, Thursday at WIN Stadium

Dragons: No Dragon is owned by more than 10 percent of coaches, and it's hard to find a lot of Fantasy relevance in this side. Moses Suli is a point of difference in the centres with his tackle busting ability, while Cody Ramsey and Michael Molo have some small price rises left in them over the coming weeks. The challenge there is that you will likely need to move them on after the Round 17 bye.

Rabbitohs: Even with another hooker on the bench, Damien Cook still produced 63 points against the Titans and looms as a great vice-captain option this week with Blake Taaffe returning to the bench. Campbell Graham is somehow owned by less than three percent of coaches despite a three-round average of 60. Cameron Murray will be a must-own middle by the end of the year but when to get the Souths skipper will be a tricky one for coaches. He has a high break-even this week and won't play Round 17 due to Origin commitments.

Sea Eagles v Cowboys, Friday at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles: Tolu Koula owners were rejoicing at the speedster's late try against Wests Tigers which saw him finish with 55 points — kick-starting another round of price rises as a result. He can be moved on before Round 17 for those wanting an extra number, but has been a great money-maker for coaches this year. Daly Cherry-Evans' return is big for the nine percent who own, while Reuben Garrick has been superb since taking over for Tom Trbojevic. He's averaged 67 in the last three weeks, along with Blues/Tonga hopeful Haumole Olakau'atu.

Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai returns for Tom Gilbert, who is out of this week's side, while Helium Luki's season-ending injury sees Connelly Lemuelu start in the back row after his 57 last week. With dual-position flexibility, Lemuelu could be a handy pickup at just $360k if he can lock down that starting role. Reece Robson is absolutely killing it — so much so that he could well be on the Origin radar soon — while Reuben Cotter's return is a boost for the 12 percent who own. Jason Taumalolo has produced his two highest scores of the season in the last fortnight.

Storm v Broncos, Friday at AAMI Park

Storm: All eyes on the reserves list following the inclusion of Ryan Papenhuyzen. Having not played since Round 9, there's no guarantee he returns this week but he is certainly one to watch if/when he does, having averaged 55 this year. He's a potential keeper through to the end of the year and a huge inclusion for Round 17 should he miss Origin selection. Cheapie Grant Anderson ($251k) retains his place in the centres for now, although he could drop out should Papenhuyzen return. 

Broncos: No Adam Reynolds, but Payne Haas has been named and is tipped to play, while Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs also return. Ezra Mam is shaping as not only a great number for Round 17 but a must-have now with a three-round average of 49 and the prospect of more price rises on the horizon. Billy Walters was probably a sell a few weeks back but continues to tick along, having scored 56 on the weekend, and could be worth holding for the bye for those that still own.

Sharks v Titans, Saturday at C.ex Coffs International Stadium

Sharks: Nicho Hynes is a strong captaincy option this week against the Titans following his 61 last week against the Warriors. Coaches will also have been pleased to see Siosifa Talakai return to form after a lean run. He has dropped in price from his peak a few weeks back, but has still made more than $228k this season with a friendly draw ahead in the Titans, Bulldogs and an Origin-affected Storm. Cameron McInnes is a very safe option for Round 17 since nailing down the lock role at the Sharks — he churned another consistent 60 last week, but it's worth seeing how the pending return of Dale Finucane affects his minutes.

Titans: Captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is doing all he can in a beaten side at the moment and is a set-and-forget middle option this year, having averaged 63 in his last three games. Greg Marzhew is a tackle-busting machine and is a massive point of difference at less than one percent ownership, but his spot in the Titans backline is too up in the air to trust with confidence. 

Warriors v Panthers, Saturday at Moreton Daily Stadium

Warriors: Euan Aitken is out with concussion — leaving the near 20 percent who own looking for a replacement for this week, but he's well and truly a hold. Tohu Harris hasn't quite delivered the numbers we would have wanted since making his return from an ACL injury, playing on an edge rather than through the middle. What impact Josh Curran's return has to starting side will be interesting to watch.

Panthers: Brian To'o is back after scoring 76 — reminding everyone that he is indeed a keeper with his work-rate and attacking potential. At $550k, he could be a great option this week against the Warriors, but won't play Round 17 with Origin and has the Roosters in Round 16 so it's not an easy decision to make. Izack Tago has averaged 34 in his last three weeks and can be moved on, but it's easy to see why so many are holding given his dual-position flexibility and upside in attack. Nathan Cleary will be a very, very, very popular captaincy choice this week. 

Eels v Roosters, Saturday at CommBank Stadium

Eels: In a tough afternoon against the Bulldogs, popular Fantasy options Isaiah Papali'i (50), Mitchell Moses (43), Reed Mahoney (48) and Ryan Matterson (42) emerged somewhat unscathed, although all suffered price drops. The Roosters and Rabbitohs present two touch challenges for Brad Arthur's side in the next fortnight, so it's understandable many coaches are taking a more cautious approach with this side. Maika Sivo will be one to watch for Round 17 coverage.

Roosters: Nat Butcher continues to rise in price as he scores well from lock, and he'll retain that role again this week with no Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and two ball-playing utilities on the bench. Angus Crichton is close to a must-have given his dual-position flexibility as a middle and edge and is in good form, averaging 57 in his last three. James Tedesco had his first score below 40 since Round 5 last week. 

Raiders v Knights, Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: Xavier Savage enjoyed a $59k price rise after scoring 45 last week and could be a great option to pickup, although 21 percent of coaches already have the Canberra young gun in their side. Adam Elliott has proven this column wrong on many occasions this year, and his three-round average of 58 (courtesy of another 67 on the weekend) is sensational. Cheapie James Schiller is out after one week, with Jordan Rapana returning from suspension.

Knights: Chris Randall was again looming as a sell for a while, but his return to big minutes makes him a valuable hold ahead of the Round 17 bye. Randall scored 57 last week with Kurt Mann (who has been named at lock this week) playing fullback. Kalyn Ponga has been named but will be monitored following his head knock and, should he return, will likely be available for under $500k next week. 

Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, Sunday at CommBank Stadium

Bulldogs: Matt Burton's dual-position flexibility, goal-kicking and centrality to the Bulldogs attack have made him a brilliant Fantasy option this year and it's no surprise to see him dominating with a three-round average of 74. Jacob Kiraz has risen by more than $200k and has more to go after scoring 73 against the Eels. Tevita Pangai jnr is one to watch after being named at lock with Max King shifting to prop — he could be in for big minutes with the make-up of the Bulldogs' bench this week and has fallen below $650k in price. Josh Jackson ($661k) will be the most consistent player this year that nobody owns; he hasn't scored below his season average of 47 since Round 5 after a slow start to the year.

Wests Tigers: Kelma Tuilagi could be back on the Fantasy radar once again with Luciano Leilua not in the side. Still owned by close to eight percent, Tuilagi has lost a lot of his earlier money after dropping back to the bench, and could be a very handy Round 17 number. Joe Ofahengaue and Alex Twal have been very underrated by coaches this year — averaging 52.7 and 54.3 respectively this season — and are consistent enough to hold through the Origin period and Round 17 if needed. Adam Doueihi's return via the bench should see his price fall from $670k, which could make him an intriguing option for the back-end of the season if he returns to the starting side and goal-kicking duties.