NRL Fantasy 2019 Off Season (86)

Iron Mike wrote:Just had a quick look through prices and jotted a few names down to create some discussion:

My obvious picks:

Payne Haas - 13 points better than next best prop - is he a must? I would say yes.
Ryan James - priced at 34 - I think he is very good value
Blayke Brailey - has to be in your side as looks to be starting hooker
Ryan Papenhuyzen - will be in every serious side I would have thought on back of 60+ starting average
Jamayne Isaako - looks good value if starting fullback/gk
Zac Lomax - looks good value if starting fullback/gk

Yes to all these

Near base price halves if starting

Jarome Luai
Phoenix Crossland
Billy Walters

yes, slightly unsure if Walters will start at HOK though

Hookers:

Sam Verills Friend probably still ahead of him
Reece Robson should be starting but Paul Green is stubborn and will probably persist with Granville
Brandon Smith probably still interchange middle
Jeremy Marshall-King definitely undervalued if 80 min HOK, is undergoing surgery in off season though

Props:

Moeaki Fotuaika wouldn't want him in addition to James
Herman Ese'ese unsure of start with new coach
Moses Leota Looks like a trap off 2019 scores, probably won't even start with Panthers stacked pack
Thomas Mikaele less stacked Tigers pack but still not certain of start and 2019 scores nothing promising

Second Rowers/Locks:

David Fifita looks great option
Nat Butcher definitely unlikely to start behind Cordner/Aubusson/Crichton - if he moves club he would be great
Jack Williams yes if starter over Magoulias
Joe Stimson slightly concerned about him with Dogs numerous 2RFs
Luciano Leilua few question marks but looks decent option
Joseph Tapine solid option but stacked pack
Aidan Guerra new coach but unsure of start with Barnett/Fitzgibbon
Jaydn Su'a definite yes
Jackson Ford doubt he'll start with Frizell/Sims/Merrin likely ahead of him

Other Halves:

Kyle Flanagan under pressure replacing Cronk, think Keary will take most responsibilities
Ash Taylor 3 scores under 20 in 80 mins in 2019, new coach may pressure place with T Boyd
George Williams largely depends on price, but highlights show him more as running HLF so could be problem with Wighton

Backs:
Kotoni Staggs kinda needs a try to get a good score, lot of other Broncos relevant may mean better to spread options
Billy Smith nope not for me, priced at 450k+ for 2 games each with tries, Latrell not even guaranteed to leave
Alexander Brimson am interested in him but early games are horrendous with 3 of 4 prelim finalists in first 5 rounds
Nick Cotric playing wing, would likely need tries
Dylan Edwards potential is there but WTF happened at the start of 2019

Apologies for long post!

Camo123 wrote:

My thoughts on these, though obviously these are just one person's opinion and you are free to pick anyone you like

Key players IMO not mentioned here would be Cleary (averages 75.5 without Maloney in 4 games throughout 2019/2018, will be taking on added responsibility + GK); Friend (if playing 80 massively undervalued based on 2019 scores, though Verills is mentioned); Bradman Best (should be guaranteed CTR/wing spot for Knights and priced under 300k)

Camo123 wrote:

My thoughts on these, though obviously these are just one person's opinion and you are free to pick anyone you like

Key players IMO not mentioned here would be Cleary (averages 75.5 without Maloney in 4 games throughout 2019/2018, will be taking on added responsibility + GK); Friend (if playing 80 massively undervalued based on 2019 scores, though Verills is mentioned); Bradman Best (should be guaranteed CTR/wing spot for Knights and priced under 300k)

Iron Mike wrote:

Cleary is a lock for me, just was trying to point out must haves like Haas and obvious value players. Then start a discussion in regards to some potential value mid priced players. As it turns out, too much post for some people.
You could make a case for starting with Cleary or DCE, but Haas should average at least 10 points better than next best prop.
I wouldn't touch Friend as too many questions re injuries, minutes and Verrills is a good young player.

multiple.scoregasms wrote:I won't be starting with Haas and will be a toss up for if I start with Papenhuyzen

Haas had no games at low minutes or injury affected in 2019. He is priced appropriately for his average and unlikely to fluctuate too much. I definitely see the appeal if you want him as a captaincy option

Papenhuyzen's main attribute is speed and I see teams game planning for him more in 2020. Isn't a great ball player and line running still needs some improvement. At times was shaky defensively. Still his base will be solid with some bulk run metres, has significant upside and will be in close to 60% of teams. It would take a brave man to leave him out

my tv broke wrote:I am not as sold on Papenhuyzen as most, I tend to agree with MS on him. I'd probably go with him as a luxury choice, but I imagine he will be squeezed out of my team.

Haas is really hard to ignore. He did get alot of junk TB's in 2019 because our attack had no idea and would default to "give it to Haas / give it to Fifita". Will be interesting to see how that plays out in 2020 I guess. Aside from that, his output will continue to be immense, one would think.

Cleary is probably a lock for me, and I think McInnes will be my starting 9, but there is alot of opportunity around hooker.

I think I say the same thing every pre-season, but this season looks to be throwing up a lot of potential money makers.

Milchy wrote:
Haas is probably going to be priced at an average of close to 70.

Just don't see the value. He'll have to average close to 80 over the first month in order to rise significantly in price. As MS said, he doesn't have a single injury/low minute score to drop his starting price. Better off IMO saving the cash and getting someone who will rise in price and bring in Haas once you've made some cash.
Only exception is if you think he will average significant;y better than the next best player, in which case grab him as captain.

Papenhuyzen's scoring is going to drop off for sure, but he is probably still cheap enough to get into my team.

White Lightning wrote:Just read this on nrlscaddicts - one of leagues biggest names in the last 20 years who is retired is facing serious drugs supply charges. He was granted name suppression & was arrested last week & appeared in court before being granted bail. But he will be back before the court soon & is likely to be outed......lots of speculation with Lockyer & Sailor being mentioned in comments.