Lone Scout's NRL Fantasy Q&A: Round 24

Some thankful red dots turning green for us this week but a few others now go unnamed. If you can field 17 then it becomes more and more important to hold any remaining trades as player availability will only get less and less as we edge through to Round 27.

Those with the players on the season ending injury list or those in sudden death Head-to-Head Finals, check through the trade in trade out tier list and advice at the back end of this column. Without further ado, let’s get to what is hounding our Fantasy coaches this week.

Q: Who is the better captain this week for my team that lacks both Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes? My top options are Herbie Farnworth, Ryan Couchman, Haumole Olakau’atu or Payne Haas. – Leo 

A: Interesting question, I would roughly order those starting with Haumole Olakau’atu, Ryan Couchman, Payne Haas then Herbie Farnworth purely on consistency, though Ryan is dropped down with Toby on the bench and Herbie needing a try last week just to clear 50 was one of his lowest base stat games this year.

Q: My hand has been forced to trade out Sua Fa’alogo for a must-win this week against an on-paper stronger Head-to-Head (H2H) opponent, leaving me with 600k for a starting WFB. Would you recommend Fletcher Sharpe or James Tedesco? – Rocky 

A: Fletcher Sharpe has had a recent high run of form and seems to be more involved since Dylan Brown was ruled out for the year. Before the team list cutdowns I had fantasy mainstay James Tedesco slightly ahead but now he has been ruled out it is Sharpe all the way.

Q: I have Isaiah Iongi, Owen Pattie and Simi Sasagi and am down a centre or fullback and that’s with Tom Chester in. Also thinking of captaining Ryan Couchman instead of Cleary or Hynes what do you think? – Harry 

A: I am assuming like most you are low on remaining trades, considering Owen Pattie is playing and Simi Sasagi may return for two of the remaining four rounds, that leaves just Isaiah Iongi that won’t be back. The best options if you have enough funds are Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Stephen Crichton, Billy Smith or Jacob Kiraz. I’ve also got Fletcher Sharpe on the list but remember, he will miss the last round so I’m less inclined to recommend him. Stick with the classics when it comes to captaincy as Nicho Hynes only had the one poor game just like Nathan Cleary. Plus Toby Couchman on the bench could change Ryan Couchman’s rotation so I don’t think he is worth the risk.

Q: I have three trades left and am in semifinals so I'm going to use some trades. I’m thinking of trading Jayden Campbell out for Luke Metcalf and with Toby Couchman benched considering moving on him also but don't know who for. – Joe 

A: For a quick consistency bump and for H2H only I could get around going Jayden Campbell to Luke Metcalf. Beware however, Campbell has not gone below 50 in three consecutive games all year and he has the upside to go very large. As for Toby Couchman, even off the bench, he only has one poorer showing in the last couple of years and can easily go above 50 from the interchange so I wouldn’t be too worried and save the trade.

Q: I know Sua Fa’alogo has been getting high scores but is there anyone better I should be trading him for with an extra $49k? – Gus 

A: Being gone purely on a one-week bye and with three games still to play, I wouldn’t be moving on one of the top WFB players unless scratched for the season. Save those trades!!

Q: I need a WFB to replace Isaiah Iongi. Who’s the best option out of James Tedesco, Keano Kini and Fletcher Sharpe? – Huey 

A: With James Tedesco out again this week, I would edge Fletcher Sharpe over Keano Kini despite the fact Sharpe is set to miss the last round. This is because Keano Kini has been quieter of late and the Titans’ season is essentially done so he could put up fluctuating scores.

Q: Is it worth trading players in if I have the week off cause I won my qualifying final and I have the break? – Henry 

A: Only if you are focusing on the overall competition. If it's just H2H you are looking at saving those trades as you have up to four next week. The only reason to make a trade this week is if you want to jump on a player like Francis Manuleleua who is going up in cash. On the flip side, a worst-case scenario could see you trade a player in this week and then they are injured while your week doesn’t even count. The overarching message is save those trades!!

Q: Entering H2H finals that end in Round 26, six trades remaining with a match up I should win but want no doubt. Should I cash out players like Joey Walsh or Euan Aitken? Should I move on Sua Fa’alogo to James Tedesco or another must have WFB? Also can I trust Xavier Willison to score with their season done needing a try to pass 50? - Riley 

A: Quick fire responses here would be to either hold or maybe upgrade one player mid-round if you are already confident this week. A guy like Joey Walsh could still get a 50 so hold for now and wait till next week on Euan Aitken. Xavier Willison could be your upgrade as the Broncos play later in the round so you will know how you are going and perhaps even have a chance to loop a good Walsh score in. Plan to hold on Sualauvi Fa’alogo as he is still one of the top WFBs even with the Panthers match up on return however considering he doesn’t play, put him into your 17 and if you need an emergency trade to make sure you win this week, he could be transferred to a Kalyn Ponga, Toby Couchman or Alex Twal who play on the Sunday.

Q: Last week, you listed the key Centres and Edges for the rest of the season. Who are your choice WFBs? I have Sua Fa’alogo on the bye, Simi Sasagi missing this week and round 26 with a bye, Isaiah Iongi out for the season and Jaylan De Groot benched leaves just Reece Walsh and Kiraz at Centre. Is Simi Sasagi a sell and is Owen Pattie to Billy Walters a good move and a cash out to afford the top CTRs or WFBs. – Peter 

A: It’s certainly been a rough team list with those in your line up Peter. Obviously Isaiah Iongi will certainly need moving on, while Jaylan De Groot is likely a hold on and hope he gets a call back up as I don’t like trading out lower cost players this time of year. Owen Pattie to Billy Walters could easily backfire as Pattie has shown himself to be a more consistent scorer than Walters ever has been. The CTR and WFB options I have answered within a previous question but I would grab Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Stephen Crichton, Billy Smith or Jacob Kiraz.

Lone Scout’s Trade In, Trade Out Tier List – Round 24

Head-to-Head Only Players

Those only playing head-to-head will still need to note that the below is still focused on coaches playing the overall competition. Head-to-head will now be about staying alive. Make trades if you need to, especially mid-round ones if you are behind in the predictions. Otherwise hold, hold, hold.

Tier 1 – Must Trades

Buys

Francis Manuleleua

Sells

Isaiah Iongi
Isaah Yeo
Corey Horsburgh

Tier 2 – Recommended Trades

Buys

Haumole Olakau’atu
Jacob Preston
Kalyn Ponga
Salesi Foketi

Sells

Simi Sasagi

Tier 3 – Luxury trades or wait a week

Buys

Luke Metcalf
Adam Doueihi
Blayke Brailey
Billy Smith
Leka Halasima

Sells

Te Maire Martin
James Tedesco
Oliver Pascoe
Joey Walsh

Great to see so many questions still coming in this time of year so keep them coming through to thelonescout@nrl.com.au and we’ll answer them here in our weekly Q&A.