Get caught up on all of the big team news from an NRL Fantasy perspective ahead of Round 9 of the NRL Telstra Premiership season.
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 9
Rabbitohs v Panthers, Thursday at Accor Stadium
Rabbitohs: Michael Chee-Kam (EDG, $359k) has a starting back-row spot again, with Keaon Koloamatangi named to start at prop for the second week in a row. Chee-Kam should be considered a very low level money making option at this stage, while the move to the middle looks like it might be a big negative for Koloamatangi's scores. WFB Jye Gray still managed 33 on a forgettable night in Melbourne and has more money to make yet with a break even of 0.
Panthers: Those hoping Paul Alamoti might keep a spot in the backline after an excellent 57 in Round 8 can think again, with Sunia Turuva back from a rest week to take his spot on the wing. Dylan Edwards continued his fantastic run of form with a 58 against the Cowboys, with his last three game average now sitting at 62.3. Nathan Cleary had 50 in his return from injury and shapes as a point of difference pick as captain for those not wanting to go with, or who don't have, Nicho Hynes.
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Sea Eagles v Raiders, Friday at 4 Pines Park
Sea Eagles: Owners of Daly Cherry-Evans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of tonight’s Judiciary hearing, with the $772k HLF facing multiple matches out unless he can successfully have his Dangerous Throw charge downgraded. Haumole Olakau’atu is out for two matches after entering an early guilty plea for his role in the same tackle DCE was charged for, but he’s worth holding because he’s a long-term keeper at EDG.
Raiders: Bad news for the 48,000-odd coaches who jumped on Chevy Stewart, with the rookie WFB gone from the side this week. Popular dual CTR/WFB option James Schiller, who was travelling nicely in Fantasy, is also out and replaced by Nick Cotric. Albert Hopoate is the new fullback, but he's too risky to trade in now, with Jordan Rapana (knee) likely not too far away from returning. Kaeo Weekes (HLF/WFB, $278k) scored 42 in a team that didn't register a point last week and looks like being a nice money maker after all.
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Broncos v Roosters, Friday at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: There's plenty of Fantasy love for Reece Walsh (WFB, $637k) right now, with his ownership set to climb up over 30 percent following a 64 last week. As expected, Patrick Carrigan's scores dropped off following the return of Payne Haas, but he should remain a solid mid 50s player so is a hold for the time being. Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo return in place of Jock Madden and Corey Oates respectively.
Roosters: Angus Crichton continues his mighty resurgence on the Fantasy front, with an 86 last week meaning he is continuing to easily exceed his price tag, which is up to $597k now. If you still have Terrell May in your side then he's an urgent sell, with last week's 16 meaning he is now dropping in value at a rapid rate, and there's no suggestion that his minutes will bounce back to what they were.
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Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, Saturday at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs: Highly-owned EDG/MID Jaeman Salmon is named to start in the second row but could end up losing minutes to Jacob Preston, who is named in the reserves and is a chance of returning from a jaw injury. There’s a bit more money to be made on $365k MID Sam Hughes too, with his break even set at 3 this week.
Wests Tigers: John Bateman is again named to start at lock, which will be of interest to plenty of coaches following his team-high 60 points there last week, which was achieved through base stats alone. Lachlan Galvin continues to jump in value and at this rate, with a season average of 44.7, is shaping as a borderline keeper and at the very least someone who can cover for you over Origin.
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Titans v Storm, Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: David Fifita is named to start but could revert to the bench before kick-off again. Either way he’s a great buy this week, with only scores above 50 since he returned from injury in Round 4 and a break even of 39, which will mean he jumps in price after Round 9. Tanah Boyd continues to score really well and is a good HOK option right now, but if you are considering bringing him in this week just keep in mind that there is a good chance he loses his role once Jayden Campbell returns towards the back end of May. There’s serious value in MID Jaimin Jolliffe too, with a last three game average of 63 and a price tag of just $674k.
Storm: EDG Shawn Blore ($636k) continues to show potential as a borderline keeper, as does his back-row partner Eliesa Katoa ($734k), who has only two scores under 50 this year and two over 70. Cameron Munster was exceptional on ANZAC Day, but as a Fantasy player he remains a real risk due to how much work goes through Jahrome Hughes in that side.
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Cowboys v Dolphins, Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Cowboys: The return of Heilum Luki likely signals the beginning of the end in terms of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki’s money making, but with a break even of 10 and his starting role retained for the time being, there’s a couple more weeks' worth of value in him yet. Jeremiah Nanai’s 71 was easily his biggest score of the year, but don’t read too much into Jason Taumalolo’s 58 in Round 8 as he is likely to be an inconsistent scorer going forward.
Dolphins: Those who picked up Trai Fuller a couple of weeks back are laughing all the way to the bank right now, with the WFB killing it for the Dolphins and skyrocketing in price as a result. Euan Aitken is now the second-highest scoring CTR eligible player in the game thanks to a 69 last week which takes him to a 52.8 average across the year. He keeps his starting second row spot this week despite the return of Felise Kaufusi and Connelly Lemuelu from injury.
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Knights v Cowboys, Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights: $267k WFB David Armstrong, who immediately became Newcastle’s most-owned played when he was selected to take over for the injured Kalyn Ponga at fullback, keeps his job after scoring 50 on debut. Dylan Lucas, who boasts a last three game average of 53, gets another run in the second row with Tyson Frizell still out injured, while Jayden Brailey (HOK, $490k) continues to show signs he is getting back to his best Fantasy form again, with a 54 last up.
Warriors: Owners of Addin Fonua-Blake and/or Tohu Harris could see a slight drop off in their scores due to the return of Bunty Afoa on the bench, but both remain elite MID options even if that is the case. Shaun Johnson continues to deliver in Fantasy even when the team is struggling and has a 67.3-point average across his last three games.
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Sharks v Dragons, Sunday at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks: All eyes on Nicho Hynes after his stunning 124-point outing in Round 8, with a projected score of 80 this week certain to make him the favourite captaincy choice of the round. $424k CTR Kayal Iro, who is creeping towards 50 percent ownership across all Fantasy teams, continues to be an excellent cash cow after a 53 against the Raiders which leaves him with a break even of 2.
Dragons: Zac Lomax moves from the wing to centre to cover for Mosese Suli (concussion), but given he hit 51 back in his old position against the Warriors in Round 7 that shouldn’t be too much of a concern for his owners. After back-to-back scores of 13 and 8, Kyle Flanagan is a definite sell if you still have him (and 11.2 percent of you do right now).
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