They were the individual displays that benefited their side and gave NRL Fantasy coaches lucky enough to own each player a huge points boost. Just two players hit triple figures in NRL Fantasy 2016, and one winger even made the list twice.
How many of the following players will you include in your side when the official Fantasy game of the NRL opens for 2017 in the coming weeks?
10. James Tedesco (Wests Tigers): 94, Round 2 v Sea Eagles
Wests Tigers kicked off 2016 in style, handing the Warriors an opening-round defeat before scoring seven tries in a 36-22 win over the Sea Eagles in Round 2, thanks largely to the form of their fullback. James Tedesco scored three tries, made 166 metres, three line breaks for a handy 94 points. He starts 2017 just under the $500,000-mark and will be a popular pick again at wing/fullback.
2017 starting price: $483,000
Wests Tigers 2017 NRL Fantasy guide
9. Anthony Milford (Broncos): 95, Round 7 v Knights
Began 2016 in red-hot form, and his best performance statistically came in the Broncos' big 53-0 win over the Knights in Round 7. Three tries, 166 metres, seven tackle breaks and a field goal to boot saw the livewire five-eighth to his best NRL Fantasy total of the season. Starts 2017 at $434,000 but isn't the most consistent scorer in the halves.
2017 starting price: $434,000
Broncos 2017 Fantasy guide
8. Cameron McInnes (Rabbitohs): 97, Round 5 v Sea Eagles
While McInnes isn't the NRL Fantasy powerhouse that most on this list are, the Dragons recruit showed glimpses of his Fantasy potential as he shared hooking duties with Damien Cook in his last year at the Rabbitohs. Scored two tries, assisted another and made 47 tackles in dour conditions at Brookvale Oval. Now at the Red V, McInnes could be a (slightly) cheaper option at hooker if he can play 80 minutes each week.
2017 starting price: $473,000
Dragons 2017 Fantasy guide
7. Josh Mansour (Panthers): 98, Round 19 v Eels
Powerhouse Panthers winger Josh Mansour returned to his NRL Fantasy best in 2016 and went agonisingly close to cracking the ton on not one, but two occasions. A monstrous 15 tackle breaks, three line breaks, 246 metres and a try saw him finish with what at the time seemed like his greatest performance of the season, but the best was yet to come…
2017 starting price: $431,000
Panthers 2017 Fantasy guide
6. Jason Nightingale (Dragons): 98, Round 26 v Knights
It's unlikely many had St George-Illawarra winger Jason Nightingale in their side for the final NRL Fantasy round of 2016, but those who did were handsomely rewarded with a two-try effort against the Knights, a match where he also ran for 239 metres and made nine tackle breaks.
2017 starting price: $393,000
Dragons 2017 Fantasy guide
5. Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs): 98, Round 13 v Titans
An epic golden point clash in Perth saw two players from that game finish on this list, the first being South Sydney's workhorse lock. Playing the entire 88 minutes, Burgess made 53 tackles, nine tackle breaks and ran for 260 metres in a monumental display in the middle. Will be a popular premium 2RF in 2017, particularly given the Rabbitohs' favourable bye schedule.
2017 starting price: $523,000
Rabbitohs 2017 Fantasy guide
4. Josh Mansour (Panthers): 99, Round 21 v Warriors
Just two weeks after his huge display against the Eels, Mansour was at it again despite his side going down in golden point to the Warriors. Two tries, 15 tackle breaks, two line breaks and 266 metres says it all. The Penrith flyer will miss the first few months of the 2017 Telstra Premiership season after injuring his knee while on tour with the Kangaroos, but could be a handy selection mid-way through the year.
2017 starting price: $431,000
Panthers 2017 Fantasy guide
3. Cameron Munster (Storm): 99, Round 14 v Roosters
No Billy Slater? No worries. Cameron Munster again proved to be more than capable at fullback with the regular Storm custodian missing through injury, and was particularly strong when the Storm sent the Roosters reeling in a 46-0 demolition job. Three try assists, four line breaks, three line-break assists, six tackle breaks and a four-pointer of his own… Munster was virtually untouchable at Allianz Stadium. His role in 2017 remains a mystery, with a move to the halves the most likely outcome if Slater returns.
2017 starting price: $481,000
Storm 2017 Fantasy guide
2. Jake Friend (Roosters): 107, Round 7 v Panthers
With senior players Boyd Cordner, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Mitchell Pearce missing, a host of youngsters still finding their feet in first grade and conditions that dictated the contest should be played through the middle, it was little surprise to see Jake Friend dominate proceedings in Round 7 against the Panthers. And the Roosters skipper did so with little fuss, producing 67 tackles, three try assists and four line-break assists to smash through the 100-point barrier. His Fantasy scores tailed off towards the end of the season, but Friend remains a proven performer.
2017 starting price: $559,000
Roosters 2017 Fantasy guide
1. Ryan James (Titans): 119, Round 13 v Rabbitohs
The biggest individual Fantasy performance of 2016 came from a front-rower for the second year running (after Matt Scott took that honour in 2015), with Ryan James' big night at nib Stadium featuring 48 tackles, two tries, 12 tackle breaks, two line breaks and 193 metres in just 66 minutes on the field. James shot to NRL Fantasy prominence in 2016 and while he starts the new season at $573,000, might just be worth the investment.
2017 starting price: $573,000
Titans 2017 Fantasy guide
Your club's 2017 NRL Fantasy guide and all the latest NRL Fantasy news
