With the representative round in the rear-view mirror, it's full steam ahead for NRL Fantasy coaches with a crucial set of fixtures on the horizon in Round 16 ahead of next week's bye weekend.
There's plenty of big inclusions, such as Latrell Mitchell, Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas, while also plenty of intrigue surrounding the potential inclusion and game day roles of players such as Ryan Papenhuyzen and David Fifita.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 16
Sea Eagles v Storm, Thursday at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: There's movement in the forward pack with Sean Keppie and Toafofoa Sipley named to start up front for Martin Taupau (bench) and Josh Aloiai (concussion), but there's not actually all that much Fantasy news in this side. Tolu Koula is starting to show the attacking upside that we've been wanting to see all year, while Jason Saab will be a popular sell after scoring minus one last week. Given they don't play the bye, any coaches looking to pick up Daly Cherry-Evans or Reuben Garrick can wait a fortnight with a tough matchup on the cards this week.
Storm: Grant Anderson retains his spot in the backline but plenty of eyes will be on the reserves list with Ryan Papenhuyzen included in jersey 19. His inclusion would be a huge boost ahead of the Round 17 bye weekend, and plenty of attention will be on late mail to see if he does make their final team on Thursday. Brandon Smith owners will be pleased after the Kiwi international was named at lock, with Josh King shifting to prop and Jayden Nikorima called on to the bench.
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Knights v Titans, Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Chris Randall looks set for big minutes once again with no hooker named on the bench, but there could be some late movement in the Knights' side following the inclusion of Bradman Best and Daniel Saifiti in the reserves. Tex Hoy moves to fullback with Kalyn Ponga out, where he will likely play next week with the Maroons number one away on Origin commitments. David Klemmer is the Knights forward to own after averaging 55.6 this year, but Kurt Mann's return to lock makes him a potential punt to take over the next fortnight.
Titans: David Fifita is the name to watch after being named on the bench, which could see his price fall dramatically over the coming fortnight given he enters Round 16 with a high breakeven from scores prior to his injury. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has been one of the most consistent performers this season and is one of the Titans most popular Fantasy players as a result. Outside of that, there's not a lot to get excited about for coaches. Paul Turner is worth watching.
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Panthers v Roosters, Friday at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers: Fantasy regulars could nearly name the Panthers' each team by heart at this stage given it's consistency. Incredibly, the analysis is the same as the team. Hold Izack Tago. Hold Taylan May. Brian To'o is probably bordering on must-buy territory with a three-round average just shy of 60. Nathan Cleary is a great captaincy option regardless of the matchup... just ask Queensland.
Roosters: Victor Radley is back in the run-on side at lock with Nat Butcher dropping back to the bench. Butcher will be a popular sell this week after doing a handy job over the past two months. James Tedesco and Joseph Manu ran for 700 metres between them across the Representative Round and are rightly well owned, along with Angus Crichton (14.7 percent) and Joseph Suaalii (9.7 percent).
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Bulldogs v Sharks, Saturday at CommBank Stadium
Bulldogs: Matt Burton is a gun. Now that's out of the way, let's get to the analysis. Max King is a hold — scores of 50 aren't to be sneezed at despite many thinking he was a sell a few weeks ago. Jacob Kiraz's attacking stats against Wests Tigers won't happen every week, but they were great to see for coaches to continue the youngster's price rises over the past few weeks. Jake Averillo is an intriguing option after being named again at fullback; he's available at centre or half for those wanting to zig when everyone else zags at this point. Raymond Faitala-Mariner will be a cheap option to bring in and bolster your edge depth if his minutes continue to rise.
Sharks: No Sharks forward has a better three-game average than Cameron McInnes, who is looming as a very strong selection for the run home after securing the lock role despite Wade Graham and Dale Finucane both coming back into the side. Nicho Hynes will be a popular captaincy selection this week despite the Bulldogs' recent run of form, while Siosifa Talakai owners have a big decision to make after the Round 17 bye.
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Cowboys v Broncos, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: Luciano Leilua will make his club debut off the bench with Tom Gilbert named in the back row instead of the former Wests Tiger. Jason Taumalolo only scored in the 40's last week despite Reuben Cotter's injury, and it'll be interesting how Todd Payten rotates his pack this week with Cotter sidelined. Valentine Holmes will be a great point of difference for the run home after averaging close to 50 over the past three weeks and upcoming fixtures against the Wests Tigers (Round 19), Dragons (Round 20), Bulldogs (Round 21) and Warriors (Round 23).
Broncos: A huge boost for the Broncos with both Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas named, although the latter is in serious doubt with an ankle injury sustained during Origin. Given he will miss Round 17, Haas is a potential sell if he is out this week, although you will want to plan to bring him back for the run home. Ezra Mam has been on a tear since earning his starting spot in the halves, and has been scoring well with or without Reynolds. Jake Turpin's inclusion in the 17 is one to watch for Billy Walters owners with Walters again set to split time with the young rake.
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Rabbitohs v Eels, Saturday at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell is back in a boost for Bunnies and Blues fans, along with the Rabbitohs outside backs, who will likely benefit from the star fullback's inclusion. With Mitchell back, Nikorima shifts to the bench and it'll be intriguing who he takes minutes off, whether it's Damien Cook (who has a three-game average of 72.7) or Lachlan Ilias (who was taken off early last week and is the most-owned Rabbitohs player outside of reserve Davvy Moale). Cameron Murray won't play next week with Origin but will be a popular middle to own for the run home.
Eels: Isaiah Papali'i is back on an edge and Ryan Matterson has been named to start at lock — two key pieces of news for those who own either (or both) of the Parramatta forwards. Dylan Brown is rocking a three-game coverage of 53 and plays in next week's bye round along with fellow half Mitchell Moses, who is similarly owned by more than 10 percent of coaches.
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Warriors v Wests Tigers, Sunday at Mount Smart Stadium
Warriors: Euan Aitken shifts to the centres with Jack Murchie and Tohu Harris named on the edges and Josh Curran at lock. Aitken is the most owned Warriors player but that could change depending on how he adjusts back to the centres after performing strongly in the back row over the past 18 months. Harris has been solid since his return but quiet by the standards we have come to expect from the Warriors skipper and Fantasy stalwart. Instead, it's Curran we should be keeping an eye on after posting a strong 51 in his return to 80 minutes in Round 15.
Wests Tigers: With Luciano Leilua now in North Queensland, Kelma Tuilagi is back in the starting side and set for strong minutes over the back end of the season given the lack of edge forwards at Wests Tigers. Fa'amanu Brown is an intriguing option given his dual position flexibility in the halves and hooker after he was named in the run-on side with no hooker on the bench. Don't expect him to play the full 80 minutes, though — Adam Doueihi will probably come off the bench into the halves, pushing Luke Brooks into the hooking role. Doueihi is worth monitoring as his price will continue to fall, but the lack of attacking output at Wests Tigers is a worry and there's no guarantee he returns to the goal-kicking, either.
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Dragons v Raiders, Sunday at WIN Stadium
Dragons: Talatau Amone is the most owned Dragon at just seven percent, such is the Fantasy popularity of the Dragons this year. He and Cody Ramsey have been going okay without setting the world on fire, but they do provide Round 17 coverage against a Broncos team without their Origin representatives.
Raiders: Xavier Savage owners will be delighted with his three-game average of 45.7 but the inclusion of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the bench is worth watching out for over the coming weeks. Joseph Tapine has been an absolute monster of late but will cost you near $800k as a result of his form. The upside is the minutes — with a hooker and an outside back on the bench, his game time (and likely points output) will be strong. The same goes for Adam Elliott who is out of hooker and back at lock, where his game time will be far more consistent for coaches.
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