NRL 2024, NRL Fantasy, teams analysis, cash cows, cheapies, Fantasy advice, captaincy picks

Author: Corey Rosser NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Tue 27 Feb 2024, 03:59 PM

Round 1 continues with six matches to be played from Thursday onwards this week, following last Sunday's historic double-header in Las Vegas.

Here's all the important team news from a NRL Fantasy perspective.

NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 1

Knights v Raiders, Thursday at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: Dylan Lucas starts in the second row, but from a Fantasy point of view he might be a stay away anyway due to Kai Pearce-Paul's presence on the bench. Both are good options, but they'll need to play close to 80 minutes to score well enough to justify their price tags. Enari Tuala comes in on the wing, but expect most of the traffic to go down the other side through Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew, who are all set to be good Fantasy players in 2024.

Raiders: Ethan Strange has won the battle to wear the No.6 jersey and he's now arguably the best cash cow option in Fantasy, with a starting price of $250k. He'll also gain dual position status as a CTR and HLF this week now that he's been named to start there. The always reliable Zac Hosking starts in the second row, but at $584k isn't cheap. Seb Kris still needs to return to this backline in Round 2, so be very careful picking up someone like Xavier Savage, despite his inclusion on the wing.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 7 Mar

Full Time

Knights

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Kai Pearce-Paul

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jed Cartwright

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Kaeo Weekes

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:51 PM

Warriors v Sharks, Friday at Go Media Stadium

Warriors: A hamstring injury has sidelined Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, so $388k WFB Taine Tuaupiki gets an early run at fullback. There is plenty of hype surrounding Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who will become a dual position WFB/CTR this week, after he averaged 48 across his two Pre-Season Challenge games. Luke Metcalf has beaten Te Maire Martin in the race to play five-eighth and with the Warriors' attack set to be more balanced this year in terms of right v left side, could have some value at $457k.

Sharks: After battling a quad niggle in recent weeks, Fantasy's top player Nicho Hynes is good to go and will play alongside possible value grab Braydon Trindall (HLF, $458k). Selected in just 16 percent of teams so far, the Cronulla playmaker is shaping to be a far less popular pick than Nathan Cleary (54 percent ownership) this season. The other big news is Cameron McInnes' inclusion in the starting side at lock ahead of Dale Finucane, which makes him a viable Fantasy option, but one that still carries a lot of risk given the competition for middle spots at the club.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 8 Mar

Full Time

Warriors

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale Finucane
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Dylan Walker

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Adam Pompey

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal Iro

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:51 PM

Storm v Panthers, Friday at AAMI Park

Storm: A cash cow emerges almost out of nowhere with EDG Joe Chan earning a starting role in what is a highly competitive back row at Melbourne. At $261k he's a buy, provided you are ready for him to potentially lose that role to someone like Shawn Blore (who is 18th man this week) down the track. Cameron Munster has been named but remains in doubt as he battles a groin injury, so if he's in your team make sure you keep an eye on NRL Late Mail. Trent Loiero at lock is intriguing and he could be set for an even bigger year in Fantasy than his impressive rookie campaign in 2023.

Panthers: With Mitch Kenny unavailable, Luke Sommerton gets a start at hooker and will be added to Fantasy this week, with Tyrone Peachey set to back him up off the bench. Former heavyweight WFB option Taylan May moves to centre and after scoring 52 there in the World Club Challenge might still be a good buy at $600k. Liam Henry (MID, $320k) joins the bench and could get some love in Fantasy this week.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 8 Mar

Full Time

Storm

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 20 Jonah Pezet

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Soni Luke

Reserves

Replacement for Storm is number 19 Kane Bradley

Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Daine Laurie

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:51 PM

Eels v Bulldogs, Saturday at CommBank Stadium

Eels: Joey Lussick starts at hooker and at $459k would shape as a good buy at HOK if not for the presence of Brendan Hands on the interchange. Safest bet is to wait and see how minutes are shared this week and potentially make a move heading into Round 2 if he looks a must grab. Top tier MID/EDG player J'maine Hopgood starts at lock, with Bryce Cartwright retaining his starting role in the back row, albeit with both Ryan Matterson and Kelma Tuilagi on the bench and the chance of losing minutes.

Bulldogs: New captain Stephen Crichton will play centre, not fullback, which from a Fantasy point of view makes him much less appealing. He was a 43.4 point player at centre for the Panthers last year, but won't get the same level of attacking opportunities at the Bulldogs. Cash cow contender Jaeman Salmon starts at lock and is close to a must have, while Josh Curran might be a stay away after being included on the bench. Poasa Faamausili starts at prop and with a break even of 22 is a tempting buy at $300k, as is Sam Hughes (MID, $250k). CTR Bronson Xerri misses out on a spot in the 17 for now.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 9 Mar

Full Time

Eels

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Blake Taaffe
Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Eels is number 4 Morgan Harper

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Eels is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Poasa Faamausili
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Brendan Hands

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Samuel Hughes
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryan Matterson

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis Morrin

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 22 Blaize Talagi

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Connor Tracey

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:51 PM

Titans v Dragons, Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium

Titans: Cheapie WFB Keano Kini ($279k) starts at fullback while Jayden Campbell continues to recover from a knee injury, but before you bring him in remember the Gold Coast have a bye in Round 2 and Campbell could be back as early as Round 4, so Kini potentially plays only two games before losing that job. Klese Haas shapes as a serviceable cut-price EDG at $415k after being named to start in the pack, with David Fifita (pec) at least a month away.

Dragons: A couple of possible money makers included in Shane Flanagan's first team with Connor Muhleisen (HOK, $250k) and Viliami Fifita (MID, $230k) included on the bench. Given the lack of cash cows around to start the year, both are worth taking a look at, with Muhleisen the priority. Tom Eisenhuth starts in the second row but will likely lose that spot once Luciano Leilua is available again. $349k HLF Kyle Flanagan, who is already in 20 percent of all teams, starts at five-eighth.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 9 Mar

Full Time

Titans

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
Centre for Titans is number 4 AJ Brimson

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Jack Bird
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 21 Tom Weaver

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Klese Haas

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor

2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Lock for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu

Lock for Dragons is number 11 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 13 Keenan Palasia

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Connor Muhleisen
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Sam Verrills

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Erin Clark

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Viliami Fifita
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jaimin Jolliffe

Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Reserves

Replacement for Titans is number 19 Jojo Fifita

Replacement for Dragons is number 20 Jesse Marschke

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:51 PM

Dolphins v Cowboys, Sunday at Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins: A Fantasy bombshell with Euan Aitken, who shaped as a good CTR candidate, left out of the 17 altogether. $307k WFB Jack Bostock gets a run on the wing and there's value in him if he can add some dynamic stats to his decent base. It looks like Ray Stone (MID, $468k) will be the big beneficiary of Tom Gilbert's season-ending injury after being named to start at lock, Max Plath (HLF, $500k) could see an uptick in minutes as well.

Cowboys: CTR Zac Laybutt looks set to assume a position in the first-choice backline, but at $509k following a good 2023 season he's awkwardly priced. Bad news for cash cow prospect Thomas Mikaele for the time being, with the prop set to miss out after being left in the reserves. At $261k and with a break even of 19 he's still a good buy though for down the track. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (EDG, $272k) has nabbed a bench spot, but will need decent minutes to reach a break even of 20 this week.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 10 Mar

Full Time

Dolphins

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Tesi Niu

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac Laybutt
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Ray Stone

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Max Plath

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Kenneath Bromwich

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyre
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Mark Nicholls

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki