Fantasy by the numbers: Round 3

Despite eight scores of 70 and above being recorded in Round 3, totals were down for many Fantasy coaches due to lesser-owned players dominating. 

The round's most traded in player delivered big time, even though he was left out of the scoring 17 initially by a heap of teams, while a couple of point of difference options ensured they'll get a whole lot more attention over the next few days. 

These are the numbers behind the round that was from a Fantasy perspective. 

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NRL Fantasy by the numbers: Round 3

A week for the backs

A theme of free-flowing footy and big scorelines helped WFBs and CTRs steal the limelight in Round 3. Half of the top 10 scorers for the week had designation as one or both of those positions, with Jacob Kiraz ($579k) leading the way with an effort that saw him smash through 11 tackle breaks and score a try on his way to 89. While some of those backline stars delivered a nice surprise for owners, for Valentine Holmes and Dom Young it was in keeping with 2024 form so far, which has them both inside the top 10 overall scorers by average.

The Lachlan Loophole 

Plenty of Fantasy coaches made the most of the loophole rule this week once Lachlan Galvin starred for the Wests Tigers and hit 60 in Fantasy on Saturday night. The rookie HLF was left as an emergency player by 17.53 percent of all teams, meaning that excellent score didn't count for most, unless he was maneuvered in using a red dot from one of the Sunday games or a Dolphins player who was on a bye. It's now safe to assume the teenage sensation will be included in far more scoring 17s for Round 4! If you're unsure what the loophole rule is and how to use it to your advantage, the video below is a must watch. 

Dom the POD

Thanks largely to him missing Round 1 through injury, prolific WFB Dominic Young has been overlooked by most Fantasy coaches and starts the week leading into Round 4 with just 1.74 percent ownership. He was the only top 15 scorer last week who was owned by under 2 percent of all teams, while his 77-point haul now means he trails only teammate James Tedesco in terms of highest average score by a WFB through three rounds. If you picked him up early you got a real bargain, but even after jumping $49k this week to $604k, he's still potentially good value. Young has scored tries in both his games so far, but given his prior form in that area and the quality of the Roosters team he's playing in, he's likely to find the line more often than not in 2024. 

Round 3 Fantasy Team of the Week

1. James Tedesco (WFB) – 71 points
2. Brian To'o (WFB) – 78 points
3. Jacob Kiraz (WFB/CTR) – 89 points
4. Valentine Holmes (CTR) – 88 points
5. Dominic Young (WFB) – 77 points
6. Mitchell Moses (HLF) – 67 points
7. Nathan Cleary (HLF) – 75 points
8. Tohu Harris (MID) – 63 points
9. Apisai Koroisau (HOK) – 74 points
10. Thomas Hazelton (MID) – 62 points
11. Keaon Koloamatangi (EDG) – 78 points
12. Kai Pearce-Paul (EDG) – 61 points
13. Patrick Carrigan (MID) – 66 points
14. Jahream Bula (WFB) – 68 points
15. Reed Mahoney (HOK) – 67 points
16. Izack Tago (CTR) – 66 points
17. Tyran Wishart (HLF/WFB) – 66 points