NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 17
With eight teams sitting out this weekend on a bye and a number of elite scorers away on Origin duty, it’s a tricky week for those playing for overall points or in head-to-head leagues with matches in Round 17.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 17
Sharks v Storm, Thursday at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: Owned by nearly 47% of all teams, Nicho Hynes was a popular pick as captain last week and rewarded owners with a 72-point haul. Cameron McInnes is again on the interchange and has played reduced minutes in his last two matches following the return of Dale Finucane, managing just 41 points last up.
Storm: A late spree against Manly saw Ryan Papenhuyzen pick up where he left off in his first game back since Round 9, with two tries helping him to 53 points. The Storm fullback’s value is unlikely to drop much at this stage, with his break even sitting at 58, and he’s a player you’ll probably want in your best 17. Brandon Smith registered his second highest score of the year last week (57) and at $414k could be an attractive option with Damien Cook and his Storm teammate Harry Grant out on Origin duty.
Match: Sharks v Storm
Round 17 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Storm
3rd Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Knights v Rabbitohs, Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: Jayden Brailey is named to make his return from a torn Achilles, and with his minutes likely to be minimal at first his price tag of $741k should drop significantly in coming weeks. His return is bad news for those still holding Chris Randall and he will be a sell soon. After scoring eight tries between them last week, Edrick Lee ($392k) and Dominic Young ($379k) may have caught the eye of some owners, but both still average in the low 30s across this season. David Klemmer has scored under 50 just three times this year and is one of the most consistent middle options around.
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell delivered a solid 43 in his first game back since Round 5 and should be better for the run, but with a break even of 59 coaches looking at him can probably afford to wait another week. Those who held onto rookie Isaiah Tass got a nice surprise when he scored 48 last week after being a late inclusion at centre, and he is named to start on Friday with a break even of 5.
Match: Knights v Rabbitohs
Round 17 -
home Team
Knights
12th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wests Tigers v Eels, Saturday at Leichhardt Oval
Wests Tigers: Cheapie Fonua Pole ($249k) has retained a spot on the bench and will be a popular buy after averaging a point a minute in his NRL debut. After scoring 43 he has a break even of zero. Fa'amanu Brown ($327k) gets the start again at hooker and also has money to make with a break even of 14. After a run of big scores earlier this year, Jackson Hastings’ 32 last Sunday means he can be moved on from.
Eels: Those who held Ryan Matterson after he withdrew from the squad last week will be relieved to see him named at lock again, while fellow forward Isaiah Papali’i has a break even of 84 and could drop slightly in value in coming weeks after clocking his worst score the of the year (40) against the Rabbitohs. Halfback Mitchell Moses continued to frustrate owners with his fourth score under 40 for the year, but with most of the premier halves out of action he remains a good option this week.
Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
Round 17 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
away Team
Eels
6th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Broncos v Dragons, Sunday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: Tesi Niu is back for the first time since Round 6, but at $458k is awkwardly priced for a WFB averaging 32 points. Adam Reynolds had his worst performance of the year from a Fantasy perspective last week, but is one to hold onto. Zac Hosking is a player with big talent and was the NSW Cup Player of the Year in 2021, and while he has been named to start in the second row in his NRL debut it’s unlikely he will see much action beyond Round 17 given the depth of the Brisbane pack.
Dragons: Jack Bird (61) was the Dragons' best Fantasy player last week and is an attractive option given his dual position status (EDG/CTR) and the fact that he is starting in the second row. So far Cody Ramsey ($416k) hasn't been the money maker owners had hoped he'd be.
Match: Broncos v Dragons
Round 17 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Dragons
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
