The first post-Origin Team List Tuesday is a mixed bag for Fantasy coaches.
But what is a headache on one hand does also present possible good news for a handful of cash cows, while there are some cut-price keepers on the horizon too.
Note: In instances where three of the club’s players listed on the NRL team list have been additionally selected to play in State of Origin, the club may name one additional player as a reserve. In instances where four or more players named have been additional selected to play in State of Origin, the club may name a maximum of two additional players as reserves.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 14
Wests Tigers v Raiders, Friday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Wests Tigers: With Joe Ofahengaue having moved to the Eels last week, there could be increased minutes on offer for some of the other middle forwards, with Fonua Pole ($475k) likely to be a beneficiary. Api Koroisau is named to start at hooker, but given the fact that this game comes just 48 hours on from Origin I, and he'll need to travel from Adelaide to Sydney, don't rely on him playing.
Raiders: Corey Horsburgh quickly eased any worry that his move to the edge would result in a drop in scoring with a stunning 78-point showing last week, and he's again named to play in the second row. That's good news as well for Joseph Tapine, who retains the lock role after hitting 75 last week. There could be money to make on $286k MID Pasami Saulo too, with the big man's 49 last week setting him up with a break even of 7, ahead of him starting again in the front row this weekend.
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Warriors v Dolphins, Saturday at Go Media Stadium
Warriors: Wayde Egan is back from a calf injury and will start at hooker. Despite his scores dropping off since the start of the year, he could return to some decent scoring this week with no back-up dummy half on the bench. Mitch Barnett has been included on the bench and is set to play his first game since Round 3, which is unlikely to impact popular MID Tohu Harris' minutes, but could be an issue for others. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak comes off a 79 last week.
Dolphins: Tom Gilbert won't back up from Origin I, which is great news for those who have held onto Ray Stone, with the $405k MID set to jump in price again with a starting lock role. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will also miss the trip to New Zealand, so Kodi Nikorima gets another go at fullback. Jeremy Marshall-King ($700k) remains a solid HOK option for those still seeking an answer there, and he has a last three game average of 54.3.
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Titans v Rabbitohs, Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: The loss of Kieran Foran to a toe injury, expected to keep him out until Round 17, opens the door for $223k WFB Keano Kini to get a start at fullback, while Jayden Campbell moves to the halves. Sam Verrills will return via the interchange, with Chris Randall keeping his starting spot at hooker for now. Those who held onto popular cash cow Alofiana Khan-Pereira will be relieved to see him back on the wing. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita are named to back up from Origin duty.
Rabbitohs: The calf injury which ruled him out of Origin I will see Latrell Mitchell sit out Round 14, which means Blake Taaffe (WFB, $221k) gets another run at fullback, after an underwhelming 19 there last week. Damien Cook's 60 last week was his best score since Round 5, but given there was a try and try save mixed into that, he's far from a sure thing at HOK. Cameron Murray and Jai Arrow are named to back up.
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Sharks v Broncos, Saturday at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: Nicho Hynes is set to start and compared to many other Origin stars named to back up this week, he will be a good chance of doing so given his likely reduced-minute role off the bench for NSW. $587k CTR Siosifa Talakai is named to return from a neck injury. WFB Will Kennedy scored 69 points in his last game, but is one to be wary of given he has plenty of 30s as well this year.
Broncos: Adam Reynolds returned from injury in style last week with a 78 against the Warriors, and at $649k the veteran shapes as a decent HLF cover option for the Origin period. Herbie Farnworth ($592k) continues to be a very safe option at CTR and still doesn't have a score under 30 this year. The Origin contingent are all named to back up for the time being.
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Roosters v Bulldogs, Sunday at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Roosters: Brilliant news for those who kept Joey Manu, with the Kiwi not only named to return from injury, but set to play five-eighth again. James Tedesco is named to back up from Origin, while Billy Smith has kept a spot in the centres after he crashed back to earth with a 19 in Round 12, following consecutive scores in the 60s. $337k HOK Jake Turpin has the starting hooker role, coming in to replace Brandon Smith (thumb) who isn't set to return until Round 19.
Bulldogs: Jayden Okunbor being named to start in the second row is potentially big news, with the $365k WFB sitting on a -3 break even and appearing set for another price hike. With all of the Origin contingent listed in the reserves for now, cash cow Harrison Edwards should see game time again. Josh Reynolds has been listed on the interchange after withdrawing from the squad just before kick-off in Round 12.
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Cowboys v Storm, Sunday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: Owners of Valentine Holmes, Reuben Cotter and Murray Taulagi are in an awkward spot after the Origin trio were included in the reserves by coach Todd Payten. Given they are the second to last game of Round 14, there won't be much scope for a late trade or two either. Jason Taumalolo is in the reserves again after falling short in his bid to return from a knee injury last week. Jeremiah Nanai has been included on the bench in his return from suspension and will likely have an impact on the minutes of Heilum Luki or Luciano Leilua.
Storm: All three of their Origin players are named to back up for now, with Harry Grant shaping as the most important of those given he is owned by over 22 percent of all teams. After a run of lower scores, Eliesa Katoa (EDG, $553k) has scored 55 and 63 in his last two games.
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Panthers v Dragons, Sunday at BlueBet Stadium
Panthers: All six of their Origin players are named to play at this stage, but given they are facing the team at the bottom of the ladder it seems likely that at least a couple may be rested, so keep an eye on updates. Scott Sorensen (MID, $676k) retains a spot in the back row, where his Fantasy scores have been very strong in 2023, while Dylan Edwards ($742k) is now both the best WFB by form (last three games) and across the season.
Dragons: Jack Bird will be rested for the second time in three weeks, leaving the 17.1 percent of teams who own him with a tricky decision this week as his availability starts to become an issue. Jacob Liddle ($471k) played 73 minutes last week, easily his biggest shift of the season, and scored 78. He shapes as a potential cut-price keeper, or at the least a good Origin cover player, with his position appearing much safer under interim coach Ryan Carr. Ben Hunt is named to back up at this stage.
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