Fantasy by the numbers: Round 2

Lowly-owned players stole the show in Round 2 with the three highest scores all belonging to talent who sit in under four percent of teams.

A couple of cash cows stood tall, while normal service resumed for a gun who had a quiet opening week. 

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NRL Fantasy by the numbers: Round 2

Top trade targets deliver

News of Lachlan Galvin's NRL debut in Round 2 sent Fantasy coaches sprinting for the trade button, with a touch over 18,000 bringing the basement priced HLF in last week. He didn't disappoint either, with a 43-point showing and some pretty clear signs on the field that he's likely to keep his spot for the foreseeable future, regardless of who ends up partnering him. Given his price and first-up score it's safe to assume Galvin will top the trade-in list again ahead of Round 3 too. The second-most popular Round 2 trade, Terrell May, was even better, with his 37 tackles and 111 run metres helping him to a 60 in his big-minute role for the Roosters. His price jumps to $571k for Round 3, but he's still well underpriced and right now is the best points per dollar MID in the game. 

Projecting a Rd 3 party for HLF big guns

After Nicho Hynes bounced back from a disappointing opening round with a monster 77 against the Bulldogs last Friday, the data has the Sharks HLF set to go even better in Round 3 against the Wests Tigers with a projected score of 82. That makes him the second-highest Round 3 projection among fit players, just behind Nathan Cleary who is projected to reach 83.5 in the grand final rematch with the Broncos on Thursday night. That would mark a huge improvement from the Panthers' playmaker who has been underwhelming so far with scores of 51 and 58.  

Hosking hitting on all levels

Raiders recruit Zac Hosking leads all EDG players in scoring through the first two weeks with a commanding 81-point average. After starting the year at $584k, which jumped to $616k in Round 2 and will go up another $79k this week, he is set to be the best money maker through the opening month. If you're one of the 3.5 percent who have him then you're laughing all the way to the bank as he proves an incredibly value point of difference player along the way. Expect his ownership to potentially double ahead of Round 3.  

MVP of the PODs 

In Round 2 it was the lowly-owned Bryce Cartwright who stole the show in terms of point of difference players and this time around it was another EDG, Teig Wilton, who made a huge impact for owners. Selected in just 662 teams – giving him 0.4 percent ownership – the Cronulla forward was outstanding against the Dogs, setting up a try, smashing through seven tackles and scoring a late four-pointer for a score of 58. 

Round 2 Fantasy Team of the Week

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen (WFB) – 83 points
2. Selwyn Cobbo (WFB, CTR) – 74 points
3. Izack Tago (CTR) – 86 points
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (CTR, WFB) – 73 points
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo (WFB) – 70 points
6. Jahrome Hughes (HLF) – 68 points
7. Nicho Hynes (HLF) – 77 points
8. J'maine Hopgood (MID, EDG) – 78 points
9. Joey Lussick (HOK) – 61 points
10. Isaah Yeo (MID) – 70 points
11. Zac Hosking (EDG) – 93 points
13. Adam Elliott (MID) – 87 points
14. Reuben Cotter (MID) – 66 points
15. James Tedesco (WFB) – 65 points
16. Mark Nicholls (MID) – 64 points
17. Reece Walsh (WFB) – 63 points