NRL Fantasy 2020 Part 1 - Offseason Edition

my tv broke wrote:

This is my main concern, will he get injured again. Hopefully not.

He'll be a very popular selection by the time round 1 kicks off I think.

Hopefully his popularity negates the effect of a possible re-injury

Rabbits21 wrote:

Anyone see any upside in Croft?

I don’t think I’ll take that risk but others might.

I'll definitely be considering Croft.

He's been a pretty consistent scorer except for the start of 2018 when everyone had him.

Should go OK in a team where Cam Smith isn't around to keep the ball away from him

Milchy wrote:

I'll definitely be considering Croft.

He's been a pretty consistent scorer except for the start of 2018 when everyone had him.

Should go OK in a team where Cam Smith isn't around to keep the ball away from him

I think Croft will be great to consider. He had one of the best teachers for most of his junior career in Cronk. He has shown some signs of possible greatness. I think Broncos fits him well. Isaako isn't a fullback who will be demanding the ball 2-3 times a set, doesn't have a hooker who will be playing first receiver most the time and if Milford sticks to his running game then Croft will be the main breadwinner in that team to steer them around.

If Croft takes on the majority of in-play kicking then he should be a great option. It sounds like that will be the case (we want to free up milford etc etc).

my tv broke wrote:If Croft takes on the majority of in-play kicking then he should be a great option. It sounds like that will be the case (we want to free up milford etc etc).

He won't be cheap but could be at least 5-10 points underpriced and should be a consistent scorer all year round, plus he has the chance of posting some good scores with his ability to run and score tries.

mattnz wrote:My initial draft team is looking too mainstream for my liking at the moment. Really hoping Watson gets 2RF/HLF or HOK/HLF while playing at lock, and Koroisau gets HOK/HLF again.

Friend
Haas (C) Tetavano
Tapine Brown Williams
Koroisau Watson
Burns Smith
Papenhuyzen Isaako Brimson

Egan Brailey Sua Luai
Wakeham Best Sailor Magoulias

Leaves me with $293k in the bank to play with early on. Doesn't look so good for first bye coverage either, with just 9 playing that round so far. Its weird that the first round bye coverage is almost all the same teams every year.

Mainstream compared to??

What side of the field does Kotoni Staggs play?

Maybe a smokey to benefit from Croft and playing 80 week in week out. A real chance of slotting in my centres if no Fullback/Second Rowers/Hookers are eligible.

Also, how likely in Shane Wright to jag 80 minutes on the Cowboys right edge?

First Draft:

Cook
Haas RJames
DFifita SWright JStimson
Cleary, Mann
Lomax, BBest
Papy, Isaako, GLeleisiuao

Korisau, BBrailey, JWilliams, Su'A

TRudolph, Musgrove, Luai, Taulau

Not sure what the Cap is but should be under $9.8 million

Iron Mike wrote:What side of the field does Kotoni Staggs play?

Maybe a smokey to benefit from Croft and playing 80 week in week out. A real chance of slotting in my centres if no Fullback/Second Rowers/Hookers are eligible.

Staggs is locked in right centre.

The only real question over our starting 13 is who starts at lock. Would assume that is TPJ but could be Carrigan tbh.

my tv broke wrote:

Staggs is locked in right centre.

The only real question over our starting 13 is who starts at lock. Would assume that is TPJ but could be Carrigan tbh.

Staggs is a good smokey. Can break a tackle; however, he can go missing in games.

Who will be taking another risk on Bird? Was huge before his injury.

Iron Mike wrote:Also, how likely in Shane Wright to jag 80 minutes on the Cowboys right edge?

Guess it depends on if Coen Hess goes back to 2nd row or not. Seems that Wright is preferred based on end of last year

Milchy wrote:

Guess it depends on if Coen Hess goes back to 2nd row or not. Seems that Wright is preferred based on end of last year

Hess is too heavy and slow now. He gained too much weight in the 18/19 off season. Shame because he was on the path to be a top tier 2RF.

Rabbits21 wrote:
Talau and Harper could yet be options.

Early indications is that talau won't be rushed into first grade

This is Corey Jensen's last year on contract with the Cows. He has a player option for next year. If I were Jensen I would be leaving that team. He has killed it in Q Cup and in NRL when given the chance yet he can't seem to find a spot over guys like Molo or Hola. He is more than NRL ready. I think he will either get given an uptick in games and minutes this year to showcase him and possibly go for more money. Just can't see how he is left out of the team. Surely he asks for an early release if someone wants him. Panthers are lacking forward depth, probably have a bit of money with RCG and Maloney gone and no major signings other than Koro, Capewell and Tetevano

WT2K wrote:

Early indications is that talau won't be rushed into first grade

If that is the case it will likely mean
Thompson at fullback
Jennings and Nofoaluma on the wings
Mbye and Momirovski in the centres
Reynolds and Walters sharing the hooker spot

Think I may give Brimson a miss to start:

Titans first 6 weeks is:

Raiders A
Eels H
Broncos H
Roosters A
Storm A
Sea Eagles A

Should be facing a 0-6 record. However, high tackle count forwards should go alright. Ryan James appears a safe bet.

Iron Mike wrote:Think I may give Brimson a miss to start:

Titans first 6 weeks is:

Raiders A
Eels H
Broncos H
Roosters A
Storm A
Sea Eagles A

Should be facing a 0-6 record. However, high tackle count forwards should go alright. Ryan James appears a safe bet.

I might just point out that at the end of 2017 tigers finished 2nd last
The first 6 rounds of 2018 for the tigers were
Roosters (2nd in 2017)
Storm (1st in 2017)
Broncos (3rd in 2017)
Eels (4th in 2017)
Storm (1st in 2017)
Manly (8th in 2017)

Tigers came out of that extremely tough start with 5 wins and 1 loss (which tigers should’ve won but the refs gave broncos an undeserved penalty to win the game)

I am most likely starting with Brimson and not at all worried about his early opponents

I was honestly about to write something about how I thought Brimson was a massive trap; however, I just had a look at his stats last year and he averaged 42.75 points when playing an 80 minute fullback role (8 games). He should be priced around 32 points so that makes him 10 point under-priced. I also like to think that has he gets older he may get better and this could even rise more.

Titans could just as easily start the season the way the Tigers started 2019. New coach etc etc.

He is on my radar but I'm not sure I could take the punt on him. That titans team is always 2 injuries away from capitulation. They have no depth.