It was a big week for the backs in NRL Fantasy this week, with Penrith's NSW winger going agonisingly close to breaking the hundred-point barrier.
Winners
Four of the top five Fantasy scorers in Round 19 played in the backline, with the clear player of the week being Panthers tackle buster Josh Mansour – who produced a try, three line breaks, a massive 15 tackle breaks and 246 metres for 98 points. After his 81 in Round 17 Mansour is now the form player in NRL Fantasy, ahead of Bodene Thompson, Andrew Fifita and Shaun Johnson.
Mansour's teammate Tyrone Peachey was the next best this week, scoring 71 in the centres, while Brisbane speedster James Roberts and Rabbitohs rising star Cody Walker both scored 69.
The best of the usual captaincy options was Warriors veteran Simon Mannering, who stayed at lock despite a reshuffle of the Warriors pack and made 70 in an 84-minute performance as his side went down to Manly in golden point.
Hookers Nathan Peats (66), Cameron McInnes (66) and Issac Luke (65) also impressed, as did Roosters rookie Connor Watson (65), while Andrew McCullough (57) continued a strong recent run, Ben Hunt (57) regained some form and Cameron Munster made his return at last for the Storm and scored 50.
Losers
After last week's big score Roosters fullback Latrell Mitchell came back down to earth with a lowly 14 against the Sharks on Monday night.
Point-of-difference gun Bodene Thompson was a late withdrawal for the Warriors in a significant blow for Fantasy coaches struggling to get a decent 17 on the park in a week when four NRL clubs had byes, while Tuimoala Lolohea's price is falling fast after the Warriors utility managed just a single point in a very brief appearance off the bench.
Gun watch
Ryan James dropped in value by $32,000 and with a break even of 92 he'll be cheaper again next week after scoring a solid but unspectacular 42 against the Dragons, while Joey Leilua, James Graham and Paul Gallen are other established guns whose price is set to fall in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on these guys if you want to pick up a quality scorer on the cheap in a few weeks' time.
With the bye rounds now completed for 2016, the goal for your team should be getting your "final" 17 together as quickly as possible for the run home.
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