Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 22
More chaos adding to our red dots and casualty wards this week. Saving trades will be the best course of action apart from moving on those with season-ending injuries at this time of the year.
Check through the trade-in, trade-out tier list at the end of this column as well as for some basic general advice to help you through this week. In the meantime, let’s take a look at what burning questions came through this week from some of our coaches needing a hand.
Q: I have had some trouble with my second rowers in the last couple of weeks. I have Toby Couchman and Zac Hosking. Should I keep Hosking or trade him for someone else. I have only 17k spare – Sam
A: Definitely hold Zac Hosking, he dipped in score with an early resting due to the game being in hand, but considering the matchup this week, he will still score well for you. Best edges at a cheaper price are Jacob Preston and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki but give Hosking at least this week to course correct before cashing down to one of those two.
Barkin' Bargain Round 21: Tyran Wishart
Q: I have Joey Walsh, Nathan Cleary, and Te Maire Martin as my halves. I want to sell Martin for another half this week since I think he has reached his peak and Joey Walsh has the bye. I have many trades left. I was thinking of getting Tyran Wishart for 2 rounds to make quick cash and then buy someone more expensive. What other halves would be a good trade for Martin and is this a good idea? – Cooper
A: At this stage I am leaning towards holding all green dots and just run Te Maire Martin if that’s who you have. However if many trades left mean 8+ trades remaining, then I would recommend a quick cash grab like Tyran Wishart. The only players cheaper than Wishart are the likes of Sandon Smith, Ezra Mam, Jack Wighton and Ashton Ward. All not ideal picks as they average scores below Martin, so unless it is Wishart or a different position, I stand by my hold option.
Q: Terrible watching the Dylan Lucas injury who will unfortunately need replacing! I Have Haumole Olakau'atu, Toby and Ryan Couchman, Payne Haas and Terrell May. Thinking between Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Siua Wong or Beau Fermor? Appreciate the help – Steve
A: You have a very strong pack already with these held. I would have Siua Wong ahead then Kulikefu Finefeuiaki ahead of Beau Fermor only based on the match ups ahead. Another two you could consider are Jacob Preston or Hamish Stewart, it just depends on your cash flow.
Q: I’m looking to move on Noah Martin and Harry Grant as well as Kalyn Ponga if his quad issue keeps him sidelined. Sitting on $150k in the bank and looking at getting Pascoe in for Grant. Also considering getting in Alex Twal or Haumole Olakau'atu as well as Sua Fa’alogo with only Tom Jenkins, Greg Marzhew and Latrell Siegwalt as my WFBs at the moment, between the three casualties who should I trade? – Aidan
A: With Kalyn Ponga set to play at this stage and Newcastle in must-win mode, I would hold him. I would also look at a James Tedesco, Sualauvi Fa’alogo or Reece Walsh (in that order) to improve another of your WFB spots given how strong your MID and EDGs are. Both Harry Grant and Noah Martin aren’t due back for a few weeks so either candidate is fine to trade out.
Home Hardware player of the round: Jayden Campbell
Q: I have to trade Harry Grant and Dylan Brown this week, should I trade for Oliver Pascoe or Jayden Campbell? I was thinking Oliver Pascoe and Sam Walker or Jayden Campbell and Reece Robson? – Shaun
A: Dylan Brown is a must-sell, if you can afford Jayden Campbell then bring him in. Oliver Pascoe has been going well but if you have hooker cover I would try and hold Harry Grant until he returns. If you don’t then it comes down to your cash flow. Blayke Brailey is the next best option and while Pascoe has the hot hand at the moment, there is still a risk in going someone so green. Another youngster you could plump for is Owen Pattie but he is averaging 60 minutes a game and the Raiders still have a bye coming up so that could be a red flag.
Q: I only have two trades left coming into the last six rounds and am wondering who I go for with just 19k to spare. Am thinking of using one this week with Te Maire Martin for Jamayne Isaako and one next week bringing in Isiaya Katoa. Do I save a trade and bring in Katoa for Martin this week and keep a trade for an emergency injury? – Leo
A: Te Maire Martin may have peaked but with just two trades remaining you aren’t in a position to make this move. We are seeing multiple fantasy players miss games due to injury and suspension every round, some like Dylan Brown and Dylan Lucas, are lost for the season. You need to save your final two trades to cover future emergencies as they are almost certain to pop up.
Q: I have four trades remaining but I'm in must-win territory to make finals so I'm trading out Harry Grant. Who should I bring in? I'm thinking about Owen Pattie or even Blayke Brailey. With the Broncos finals run in I traded in Walsh but now they lost should I move on from Reece? Also thinking of making one of the riskiest trades of all time should I trade out my captain (Cleary) for Nicho. – Reese
A: Nathan Cleary bounced back last week and considering he scored a 65 in Mudgee during the corresponding match last year I simply can’t recommend that trade. Also Brisbane are mathematically still alive which means Reece Walsh is also a firm hold. Harry Grant is not an essential hold however, despite the fact he is due back in Round 25, these types of injuries do often get delayed and the Storm could easily be mathematically eliminated by then. As good as Owen Pattie has been going, Blayke Brailey is the obvious choice here as long as you have the money to make the move. Save your other three trades and try and put a couple of your least reliable players into loop positions. If they do poorly you can look to swing a mid-round trade to make things happen for your head-to-head match-up.
Q: First year playing head-to-head finals, do you recommend using your trades (I have five left) to build the strongest possible starting 17, even if it leaves you with limited depth, or keep a slightly weaker starting side with reliable cover for injuries and byes? I have Nicho Hynes and Joey Walsh in my halves and I’m wondering about selling Joey and one of my depth players - maybe Arama Hau or Ronald Volkman to bring in Jayden Campbell or Nathan Cleary as a second gun half. – Rocky
A: Definitely getting Nathan Cleary should be your priority leading into your head-to-head finals. Cleary is a strong captaincy candidate every week and you can offset your opponent’s best option by owning him and then adding the C to his title. As for the makeup of your roster. I like to keep a close eye on my opponent’s roster and try to predict which unique players will be in my favour and which may go against me. Then I can utilise trades each round to either match a gun or come up with a POD that could get me through to the next round. Utilising looping and exercising mid-round trades where necessary are useful tools that can give you the edge over your opponent.
Q: Hi, I'm looking to trade Harry Grant and Dylan Brown out, who do I get for both? I have Oliver Pascoe at the moment but I haven't decided who to get for Brown. And is Te Maire Martin a sell and if so who for? (if possible all three of the players I listed, what three players would you get) – Ryley
A: Depending on how many trades you have would dictate which of those players you would trade out. Obviously Dylan Brown is out for the season and an easy trade-out. Harry Grant could be held if you have less than four trades and are only playing overall. Te Maire Martin would normally be a sell candidate based purely on his on-field performances of late. However the amount of injuries and suspensions occurring lately leans me towards holding him as a useful green dot unless you are either well-endowed in trades or have the perfect roster otherwise.
Q: Hey Lone Scout, off the back of my first 1000 score ever, I'm wondering who to captain this week to try and beat it? Nathan Cleary would be my first choice, however he is facing a high-flying Raiders team and Farnworth might not be safe with his L3 average at 47.– Ayden
A: Congratulations Ayden! Tremendous result to “raise the bat” for the first time. Nathan Cleary is still my favourite pick for captaincy this week, he scored 65 in Mudgee last year and considering the Panthers haven’t been travelling at their usual form rate, he could be primed for an even bigger game this time around. Toby Couchman is next on my list, he has surpassed the Wests Tigers duo of Terrell May and Alex Twal as reliable middle forwards with his brother Ryan also right up there. Herbie Farnworth is a great POD option while Nicho Hynes has a tougher matchup so I would just recommend him as a regular play but not a captain choice this round.
Q: Thinking of trading Lucas for Hynes and Terrell May for Toby Couchman, this is because of May’s low scores and high break-even. Also thinking of trading out Te Maire Martin because he has peaked and bringing in Simi Sasagi. No cash in bank, also playing head-to-head and playing a bad player but still care about place in world should I take a risk and captain Hynes or is Cleary the safest option. – Harry
A: Cleary is definitely the safest option this week. Hynes has been great the past three weeks but don’t chase the scores, only get him if it is to shore up a weakness in the halves for the rest of the year. Couchman has been outstanding but the trade from May to him is still too sideways, despite how good they look on paper, these sort of trades almost never pan out well. Finally Martin sell is reasonable if you have enough trades in the bank to lose a green dot. My advice would be to go Dylan Lucas to Toby Couchman and if you need a second trade to make it work financially, then Martin can be downgraded to a Jacob Preston type. Check out my tier list below if you can’t afford Preston and need someone cheaper.
NRL Fantasy Podcast - Episode 23
Q: I want to trade Dylan Brown for my last trade, I can't afford either Campbell or Hynes. Who would be the best available option in your opinion? Doueihi, Galvin or Fogarty? I do have Wishart that can cover the halves this week but looking on for next week, if I do get Doueihi it's this week or never. My only two halves at the moment are Cleary and Wishart – Ben
A: As this is your last trade, I would hold Brown for now. While this sounds crazy on the surface, the reality is with six rounds to go there is every chance an even more expensive player will become unavailable for you and then at least you can use your last trade to get the elite types like Jayden Campbell or Nicho Hynes.
Q: Hi Scout, I can get from Dylan Lucas to Hynes in one trade (good to save trades), but that would leave me with 5 x HLFs (Cleary, Doueihi, Wishart, Walsh). Is that a stupid option? I guess the question is how important is it to have Hynes? – Matt
Q: It is worth trading out Te Marie Martin to get Nicho Hynes and do two trades when I only have 5 left. – Felix
A: There is a famous saying “what comes up, must come down” and I try to stick to this when it comes to NRL fantasy. Therefore, as great as Nicho Hynes has been the past month, it is very likely there will be some regression in the next few outings to bring his L3 back into line with his average. My advice would be to save the trade or look to downgrade to a Jacob Preston or Kulikefu Finefeuiaki so you have cash in the bank for a future trade.
Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 22
Head-to-Head Players
Those playing head-to-head will still need to note the below is focused on coaches playing the overall competition. Head-to-head is now about making it to the finals so if you are at the top of your league try and save trades for your finals. For those at risk of not making the playoffs, then it’s going to be about comparing your team verses your opponent for the next few weeks and deciding if you need to make trades to secure the win.
Tier 1 – Must Trades
Buys
With so few trades, there are no must buys anymore
Sells
Dylan Lucas
Dylan Brown
Tier 2 – Recommended Trades
Buys
Toby Couchman
Nicho Hynes
Blayke Brailey
Jacob Preston
Tyran Wishart
Haumole Olakau’atu
Payne Haas
Simi Sasagi
James Tedesco
Jayden Campbell
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Francis Manuleleua
Sells
Noah Martin
Harry Grant
Tier 3 – Luxury or emergency trades
Buys
Reece Walsh
Hamish Stewart
Ryan Couchman
Oliver Pascoe
Owen Pattie
Sells
Te Maire Martin
Erin Clark
Thanks for all the questions and keep them coming in at thelonescout@nrl.com.au
