NRL 2022, Fantasy winners and losers from Round 14, Matt Burton, Joseph Tapine, Nathan Cleary all impress

Author: Lone Scout NRL Fantasy guru
Timestamp: Tue 14 Jun 2022, 08:00 AM

Nathan Cleary bounced back from his Origin disappointment to lead the Panthers to a big win over the Knights, while Canterbury's upset win over the Bulldogs saw Matt Burton post a season-high score.

At the other end, injuries to Payne Haas, Kalyn Ponga and Helium Luki saw the trio forced off early and their points totals halted as a result.

Round 14 Winners

Joseph Tapine was a man on a mission as the Raiders pushed the Broncos all the way on Saturday night — chalking up another 200-plus-metre game to end the round with the highest score of any player. Tapine's 94 points was easily his best score of the year and also saw him rise in price by $25k.

Potential Blues or Tonga representative, Haumole Olakau'atu was dominant against Wests Tigers as the Sea Eagles posted a big win. Olakau'atu scored another try to finish with the second top score of Round 14 with 89, while teammate Josh Aloiai bagged a double against his former club to score 76.

Aloiai double against his old club

Stand-in fullback Reuben Garrick also continued his good form as he scored 70.

Canterbury's upset win over the Eels saw Matt Burton continue to shine — his 84 points saw him record the third highest score of the week while rising another $39k in price to now sit north of the $750k mark. Burton's three-round average of 74 is the third highest in the game, just behind Tapine and Nathan Cleary — who himself churned out 79 points in Penrith's big win over the Knights.

Brian To'o's spectacular double

Quiet by his standards since returning from injury, Brian To'o finally went large with a double helping him to 76 points (easily his highest score of the year), while tries to Marion Seve (83 points), Jacob Kiraz (73 points), Greg Marzhew (73 points), Alex Johnston (72 points) and Josh Addo-Carr (71 points) all saw them score very well.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was again tireless for the Titans as he churned out 81 points despite a short turnaround from Origin, while Reece Robson continues to push his potential inclusion for the Blues with another 70-plus score for the Cowboys.

Popular players such as Nicho Hynes (61 points), Tolu Koula (55 points), Xavier Savage (45 points), Chris Randall (57 points), Siosifa Talakai (53 points), Angus Crichton (50 points) and Nat Butcher (69 points) all performed well.

Round 14 Losers

Already backing up from Origin, a shoulder injury saw Payne Haas leave the field early for the Broncos as he finished the night with just 24 points to his name.

A failed HIA also saw Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga leave the field early after scoring just two points, resulting in a $39k price drop, while Roosters half Luke Keary saw his night end early with a head knock as he scored 14.

Ponga HIA makes Queenslanders nervous

Ponga's absence also saw Kurt Mann move to fullback where he only scored 18.

Centres Dane Gagai (4 points) and Brent Naden (5 points) struggled in their side's heavy defeats — the latter sent off for a dangerous throw that will see him sidelined for close to a month — while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (6 points), Daine Laurie (11 points) and Te Maire Martin (16 points) were all disappointing.

Helium Luki suffered a season-ending injury as he ended the game early having scored 17; Brandon Smith started at hooker but only managed 20 while Jackson Hastings also underwhelmed with another sub-30-point score.

Payne Haas unable to return to the field

The likes of Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Isaah Yeo, Kurt Capewell, Selwyn Cobbo and Daly Cherry-Evans were all rested after their respective Origin commitments and will be available for selection in Round 15.