Crucial Fantasy calls to make: Round 6
One of the game's most popular players has been dropped to the bench and might be a sell, but the good news is there are some bargains to be had before Round 6 kicks off.
This week we discuss what to do with J'maine Hopgood, some good options if you need to start clearing cash for Nicho Hynes and the best value for money players floating around.
Time to hop off Hopgood
It seems crazy to say, but after five rounds the most-owned player in Fantasy, who averages 64.6 points per game this year, is probably a sell.
J'maine Hopgood was everything we hoped he'd be after earning a starting role with the Eels and busting out back-to-back scores above 80 to start the season, and to date he's increased $277k in value, which is more than any player bar Jacob Preston (+$288k) and his teammate Bryce Cartwright (also +$277k).
But with Shaun Lane back and Ryan Matterson the preferred lock, Hopgood has been relegated to the bench this week, meaning his minutes will likely drop significantly from the 67 per game he's averaged this year, and with it his scores will likely go the same way.
If you have more urgent needs this week he can probably hold until after Round 6, but with a break even of 45 he is a good chance of losing value immediately.
Shedding cash for Nicho? Start now
If you know you want Nicho Hynes in your squad, chances are you're going to need to make multiple trades which save you a stack of cash.
A couple of nice cash-down options to very cheap players who should keep NRL spots have emerged in Round 6, headed up by Dolphins HLF Kodi Nikorima, who could have the club's No.6 jersey for a while with Anthony Milford suffering what seemed to be serious a hamstring issue last weekend and Sean O'Sullivan gone until about Round 16.
At $254k he's almost as cheap as they come, but we also know his ceiling in Fantasy isn't very high, so know he probably won't make much money or score- well enough to be in your 17 on a regular basis.
There is also $290k EDG Karl Lawton, who comes with a -9 break even after a big-minute appearance in Round 4 when Lachlan Croker was out, which means he should make some money in the next few weeks.
I can't see him getting enough minutes to be a scorer you'd want in your 17, with Ben Trbojevic whose job he's taking averaging just 16.5 through four games, but is a way to save cash.
Marzhew a must have?
The things Knights winger Greg Marzhew does with ball in hand make him a dream Fantasy WFB, with his game based around tackle breaks and metres gained. He also happens to be pretty handy when it comes to scoring tries and making line breaks, which is why he is currently the top WFB prospect by average in the game, following consecutive scores of 78 and 69.
Happy Knights debut for Marzhew
If this was just about Fantasy performance, he would be someone I'd recommend every team grabbing at $628k, with his base stats impressive enough that even in quiet games he should be good for scores in the 50s.
But I can't get past the fact that on any given week the Knights have Dominic Young, Hymel Hunt, Enari Tuala and Marzhew all vying for two wing spots, which makes job security for any of them feel very shaky. Last week Marzhew's questionable defensive reads hurt the Knights, and at some stage they could cause Adam O'Brien to make a change too.
Love the player, dislike the situation. I'm staying away.
Target underpriced players this week
There are some fantastic value for money players floating around right now, and even if you failed to jump on them at their cheapest a few weeks ago, they could be worth a look this week.
MID Josh King has already climbed $196k in value, but at $698k is still a bargain, with his 61.4 point average putting him right in the same class as the likes of Cameron Murray ($849k) and Ryan Matterson ($777k). There is also Newcastle's Leo Thompson ($548k), who has the best points-per-dollar output among MIDs and has a last three game average of 53 points. He comes with some risk though as he will likely lose his starting role in Round 8 when Jacob Saifiti returns from suspension.
One for the hard workers
WFB Lachlan Miller has made a brilliant start to the year and boasts an average of 68.7 over the last three games. He will continue to have a heavy role in the Newcastle attack as they battle on without Kalyn Ponga and at $625k is still worth it. Also consider Hayze Perham, who has a much lower ceiling, but at $449k is averaging a respectable 40 points per game this year, with scores above 40 each week since Round 2.
