It's the last chance to make changes to your squad without having to use a trade, and injuries to a couple of key players has complicated the start of the year for Classic owners.
From what to do with Hynes, to thoughts Ponga at No.6 and the 2023 must have, here are the big calls to make ahead of the start of the new season.
If you are still having trouble putting your team together, check out the handy video below from our Fantasy experts, while a guide to how Classic Fantasy works can be found here.
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Crucial Fantasy calls for Round 1
Hold hobbled Hynes
If you were on the fence about whether Nicho Hynes was your top choice HLF, then the calf injury which will keep him out of Round 1 has made your mind up for you. But, if know you definitely want him in your team this year, and are going to end up burning a trade (or more likely two given his $984k price tag) by bringing him in as early as next week, then you should just pick up him now anyway.
While it's not certain when he will return from what he called a "small strain", at this stage it could be as early as Round 2, in which case it'll be worth taking the hit in Round 1 and making sure he's in your team while trades are still unlimited.
The Sharks have a tricky start to the year, facing 2022 top eight sides in each of their first three games, so they they'll be sweating on the return of Hynes, especially if they lose first up against the Rabbitohs.
The introduction of bye rounds this year due to the Dolphins joining the competition means trades are going to be super valuable, and even though they've been increased to 44 in 2023, you should avoid wasting them early on a player you know is in your best 17.
Dump rookies that aren't going to make good Fantasy prospects
It's tempting to pick up any rookie who showed Fantasy promise in the Pre-season Challenge, or who there has been plenty of talk about in the lead up to this season, but owners should apply a critical eye to any of these selections.
First you need to look at the club's depth in their position/s and assess if they're actually a chance of getting a run at NRL level. A good example is Manly young gun Gordon Chan Kum Tong, who was excellent through the Pre-season Challenge, registering scores of 51 and 42, but is unlikely to be in the 17 for the Sea Eagles until an injury strikes, so shouldn't be prioritised.
On the other side someone like Dolphins whizz-kid Isaiya Katoa has jumped clear of Anthony Milford as the preferred No.6 and will play 80 minutes, so at the very worst is probably going to make you some cash through the early rounds, with Bennett likely to stick with him for at least the first few games.
Katoa tells his parents he's making his NRL debut
Being selective now will help prevent Fantasy dead wood floating around in your squad, or the need to burn trades getting rid of non-playing options later in the year.
Pass on Ponga
Kalyn Ponga's move to five-eighth has reignited the Fantasy buzz around him, and it's understandable given that in theory he's going to be a whole lot more involved.
But at $532k he's an expensive gamble, with the only real example we have to go off being the uninspiring 14 he scored in week two of the Pre-season Challenge. His defence in the frontline was a concern, with three missed tackles in a game in which he made eight. That is unlikely to improve anytime soon either, and if anything he's going to have a heap more traffic sent his way as opposing teams seek to take away his energy on attack.
There are better options available, and even if he does go well, his break even, which is 37 in Round 1, is high enough that his price shouldn't jump too much.
Captain Murray
Nicho Hynes is out and Nathan Cleary is leading around a Panthers team with a bunch of new combinations, against a Broncos team who should prove difficult opponents.
So for me South Sydney lock Cameron Murray is the pick of the bunch to captain in Round 1. He was excellent in week two of the Pre-season Challenge, racking up 58 Fantasy points, spurred on by a couple of try assists.
Burgess opens the scoring
What I really like though is the way he combined with Damien Cook through the middle of the park, and if they can crack a dynamic attacking play or two against the Sharks, to go with Murray's base stats, it's easy to see him coming away with a score in the 60s.
Pick Hopgood in your team
J'maine Hopgood shapes as the bargain of the early rounds, with his $453k price tag set to increase significantly over the next few weeks and his scores likely to approach keeper level for at least the first month.
J'maine's stock takes flight
After being a depth player at the Panthers and appearing just nine times in the last two years, the 23-year-old should be a first-choice player for Brad Arthur's Eels in 2023 as they look to fill the void left by Isaiah Papali'i's departure to the Wests Tigers.
The suspended Ryan Matterson won't be seen until Round 4 and Shaun Lane will likely be sidelined for at least that long with a fractured jaw, so the immediate future looks very good for Hopgood and to me he's a must have.
Draft tip of the week...
Scour the free agent pool for your league. After the conclusion of your draft you'll be amazed at some of the quality players who were missed in the rush of the draft, or overlooked because of short-term injuries or suspensions.
If you see someone who can add value to your squad, even if it's a little further down the track, grab them and keep them on your bench which doesn't score points anyway.
It's good practice to check the free agents whenever you are in the app or on the website changing your team, as often good players are released due to being surplus to requirements in other teams.