The halves starred in a round full of thrilling comeback victories to help produce some solid Fantasy scores despite the absence of several Origin guns – as well as the Eels and Rabbitohs. Here are the success stories, flops and talking points to come out of this week's NRL Fantasy action.
Winners
With the Storm's big guns taking the week off after a gruelling State of Origin II, Melbourne's youngsters stepped up to almost get what would have been a famous victory against a quality Roosters side – and Cameron Munster led the way with a performance that earned him 89 Fantasy points.
Munster was the best of the round, edging Blues and Sharks back-rower Wade Graham (81) and Warriors tackle machine Simon Mannering (80).
Dragons duo Josh Dugan (79) and Leeson Au Mau (77) were excellent in their side's big comeback win over the Knights on Sunday, while Nathan Cleary (77) starred for the Panthers who featured in another comeback game – being run down at the death by a Cowboys side featuring a rampaging Jason Taumalolo (74).
Other Fantasy stars of Round 16 included Broncos second-rower Matt Gillett (75), Knights hat-trick scorer Nathan Ross (73), in-form Tigers prop Aaron Woods (72, after three straight 50s), Roosters duo Jake Friend (67) and Mitchell Aubusson (66) and star halves Shaun Johnson (65) and Mitchell Pearce (63).
Cheapie Curtis Scott (60) and potential keepers Jarryd Hayne (58) and Josh Mansour (58) did their prospects no harm either, with Mansour averaging a very impressive 52 since returning from injury for the Panthers this season.
Losers
A calf injury to star Dragons prop Paul Vaughan in the opening minutes of their clash with Newcastle was a major blow to the Red V and Fantasy coaches alike, resulting in a score of 2, a $35,000 price drop and a likely stint on the sidelines.
Also in the wars this weekend were Sharks hooker Jayden Brailey (jaw, 23), Storm back-rower Tohu Harris (knee, 35), Warriors hooker Issac Luke (shoulder, 17), Knights forward Luke Yates (AC joint, 38) and Bulldogs forward Adam Elliott (head knock, 22).
There were poor scores from popular cheapies Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (6), Manly utility Lewis Brown (6), Warriors winger Charnze Nicoll-Klockstad (9), Tigers centre Moses Suli (17), Cowboys utility Ben Hampton (17) and Broncos halfback Kodi Nikorima (13) who was benched for the excellent Ben Hunt (54 in 47 minutes) during the first half of Brisbane's win over Canberra.
Fantasy team of the week
1. Josh Dugan (79)
2. Nathan Ross (73)
3. Mitchell Aubusson (66)
4. Konrad Hurrell (66)
5. Ken Maumalolo (70)
6. Cameron Munster (89)
7. Nathan Cleary (77)
8. Leeson Ah Mau (77)
9. Jake Friend (67)
10. Aaron Woods (72)
11. Wade Graham (81)
12. Matt Gillett (75)
13. Simon Mannering (80)
Interchange:
14. Jason Taumalolo (74)
15. Jahrome Hughes (69)
16. Dale Finucane (66)
17. Shaun Johnson/Moses Mbye (65)
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