Fantasy Winners & Losers: Round 2

Injuries wreaked havoc for many Fantasy owners in Round 2, while an unexpected top-scorer stole the show from the wing. 

A couple of potential cash cows showed signs of life after underwhelming opening performances, while suspensions and health layoffs look set to force trades for some ahead of Round 3. 

Round 1 winners 

After two rounds the top scoring WFB in Fantasy is Bulldogs wing Jacob Kiraz, and on Saturday night his 90-point haul ensured he finished top of the pile for week two, which was a gift for the less than one percent of teams who own him. 

Kiraz had 20 points from tackle breaks alone, while his 235 metres gained gave him another 23, before a try-scoring double propelled him into elite territory. 

We were among those singing his praises ahead of the season kicking off, and another star showing from J'maine Hopgood in the middle of the park saw him score 85 and shoot well clear as Fantasy's best player so far.

Having jumped a ridiculous $165k in value after two games, the Eels' forward is a good chance of becoming the most owned player in Fantasy this week.

Mitchell Moses and Jahrome Hughes hit 79 and 78 respectively, despite their teams losing, while Sharks EDG Briton Nikora and Titans MID Tino Fa'asuamaleaui were the other players to finish with scores in the 70s for Round 2. 

Cut-price HOK options Jacob Liddle ($571k) and Wayde Egan ($609k) were the leaders in their position, with scores of 66 and 65 respectively, while Eliesa Katoa continued to drastically outperform his $456k price tag with a 63.

The 14 percent of teams who picked up Bulldogs rookie Jacob Preston will be laughing after he busted out a 62, which was helped by scoring the opening try in his side's win against the Storm, while his teammate and fellow newbie Paul Alamoti had 46 in the centres. 

While we're on rookies, Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa had a nice little bounce back after a shaky Round 1, hitting 31 as he helped his side to a 2-0 start. It wasn't spectacular but was enough to clear his break even of 19. 

Round 2 Losers

After suffering a concussion in the opening minute of his side's courageous victory over the Wests Tigers, Kalyn Ponga failed to pick up a point and his Fantasy owners now face uncertainty in terms of his immediate availability, given his history with concussion. 

Failed head injury assessments proved an issue for many Fantasy teams across the weekend, with Tommy Talau (two points), Jackson Ford (four points) and Connelly Lemuelu (seven points) all having minimal impact before leaving the field. 

After hitting 40 to open the season, Scott Drinkwater had just 10 after being binned for the tackle which ended in Corey Oates suffering a displaced fracture of the jaw, and the Cowboys' No.1 will now miss the next three games after taking an early guilty plea for a Grade 3 Shoulder Charge. 

Selwyn Cobbo continues to be a concern after managing just 21 in Round 2 on the back of a season-opening 15. He will enter Round 3 having already lost $76k in value. 

Round 2 Team of the Week

1. William Kennedy (WFB) — 57 points 
2. Jacob Kiraz (WFB) — 90 points
3. Joseph Suaali'i (WFB, CTR) — 60 points
4. Stephen Crichton (CTR) — 58 points
5. Mikaele Ravalawa (WFB) — 59 points
6. Jahrome Hughes (HLF) — 78 points
7. Mitchell Moses (HLF) — 79 points
8. Marata Niukore (MID, EDG) — 68 points
9. Jacob Liddle (HOK) — 66 points 
10. Tohu Harris (MID) — 69 points
11. Briton Nikora (EDG) — 73 points
12. J'maine Hopgood (EDG, MID) — 85 points
13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (MID) — 70 points

14. Sam Walker (HLF)) — 69 points 
15. Blake Lawrie (MID) — 65 points
16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (MID) — 67 points
17. Shaun Johnson (HLF) — 69 points