NRL Fantasy 2020 Part 3

rhinoceroo wrote:While we're talking about Manly, the one I'm slightly interested in as a gamble is Suli. Really came into his own at the back end of last season and a couple of 60+ scores in the finals. Not much more expensive than Best and a far bigger upside imo.

In the absence of Bateman/Nikora or any other 2rf centres we're back to accepting rocks and diamonds from that position and it's about who has the most diamonds. Suli could be in the BJ/Ramien/Roberts category but at a 100-150k discount.

Good shout, he was on my early watchlist and I completely forgot about him

They do have tougher early draw with Storm, Roosters and Raiders in first 4 though but to be fair the actual matchups wouldn't be the worst

Very torn about which strategy I'm going to go with my CTRs; will probably keep Best in most of my drafts but who I partner him with I don't know out of a gun CTR like Burns, base price CTR or a mid-ranger like Suli (currently Lomax is in my WFB)

Within the injury update article for RFM and Jackson there is update regarding JMK from Bulldogs website:

JMK is well into running program and will commence non-contact next week and full skills over next 4 weeks

I'll be honest I have no idea what that means regarding his health come R1, but it sounds positive

New draft..
Shit centers and no cash left...

Friend
Haas (c) knight
Dfifita Williams Lowe
Cleary luia
Best milne
Pappy isaako brimsom


Korisoau bbrailey rjames stimson

Grant sailor Musgrove smith-shields

32k itb

Camo123 wrote:Within the injury update article for RFM and Jackson there is update regarding JMK from Bulldogs website:

JMK is well into running program and will commence non-contact next week and full skills over next 4 weeks

I'll be honest I have no idea what that means regarding his health come R1, but it sounds positive

Do we know what his injury/surgery was? I can translate for you if we’d do

Morning all

churg wrote:To kick things off - whats everyone's thoughts on Milford? Me personally I am super keen on him, looks as though he has slimmed down a fair bit, looks sharp skills wise and with the addition of croft into the Bronc's team could allow for him to focus on his running game (TB's Galore).Cheers!

As Mulvy said, he will lose too many kick metres to be worth picking this season.

Fantasy aside though, I think he is going to have a big season. I honestly think he will be up there in the Dally M voting if he stays fit (and our other key spine players stay fit) (Broncos bias kicking in here tbh)

RandomSil wrote:didnt they get Billy Walters as well? Brooks and Benji have the hlfs sown up.

I think people have been sold on the Walters name a bit. I've watched a fair bit of him over the last couple of years at Easts, and while he's a top tier reserve grader, I just don't think he will make it in the NRL... who knows, could prove me wrong. He's nearly 26 now, not like he is some young kid with massive amounts of improvement to come.

standard-issue wrote:MTB might be able to add a BMI and skin fold test columns to his site.

Working with KFC and McDonalds at the moment to plug into their sales api. I will soon know everything these fuckers eat. Every time Suli buys a Zinger Stacker Burger Box with a side of Popcorn Chicken, BAM!, I will know about it, and it will be collated on my website. Finger lickin' good.

Mighty Fishes wrote:Fair call on Des but i can see Cust at 5/8th and Walker back to his preferred at the centres.

I read an interview with Walker the other day, it sounds like he is 100% playing 5/8 this season. Talked about evolving his game and learning to think more like a half/etc/etc.

Assuming Flanno gets the gk duties at Easts, who do we think has more upside out of him and Croft?

manlybeaver wrote:New draft

Smith
Cardigan James
Fifita Lowe Stimson
Clearly Croft
Lomax 228k
Turbo papa isaako

Friend Koro brailey grant 4x228k

Liking the balance of this team atm has weaknesses yet every team will

There are 14 $228k centres in the game.
Most of them you haven't heard of. You are basically relying on Smith-Shields getting a run for Canberra with Scott out, or some rookie securing a spot in the trials.

There are also no $228k FRF that are going to get a game, so you will be forced into playing Carrigan every week.

You'll certainly have a couple of positions where you are playing with zero depth. Too much of a risk for my liking

nxoc39 wrote:Assuming Flanno gets the gk duties at Easts, who do we think has more upside out of him and Croft?

I think Croft has a higher ceiling.

Remember, goal kicking is already factored into Flanagan's price (although he got a slight discount for only playing 8 games)

Both are potentially value. I think Croft will get to play a more dominant half role than he did at Melbourne, and it should benefit his scoring

rhinoceroo wrote:While we're talking about Manly, the one I'm slightly interested in as a gamble is Suli. Really came into his own at the back end of last season and a couple of 60+ scores in the finals. Not much more expensive than Best and a far bigger upside imo.

In the absence of Bateman/Nikora or any other 2rf centres we're back to accepting rocks and diamonds from that position and it's about who has the most diamonds. Suli could be in the BJ/Ramien/Roberts category but at a 100-150k discount.

The boy doesnt like to distribute. Is that an upside for more tbs or downside becuase less ta's and lba's?

Most popular team change today? Due to injuries and now growing prospects as a starting 80min man: Stimson IN.

At 390k he is an easy swap for those with Lowe (430k) or Su'a (412k) in the 2nd row. Or for those with players like Egan (384k) or Carrigan (430k) on the bench.

I like his prospects even more now and after being pencilled in at the end of last season for me, he has now joined the bench for the 'Goodnight Kiwis'. Welcome Stimson

Goodnight Kiwi wrote:Most popular team change today? Due to injuries and now growing prospects as a starting 80min man: Stimson IN.

Welcome Stimson

Was in my very first draft and I can't see him leaving my team.

The Courier Mail has a 'lurker' style bit about the Broncos and Jo Ofa, the Broncos reportedly pretty pissed off about getting caught for an alcohol related offense (again). It suggests they may suspend him for round 1 and will come back via the bench.

Looking good for Carrigan at this stage.

Ponga Yeo the Mann wrote:

Do we know what his injury/surgery was? I can translate for you if we’d do

Off season shoulder reconstruction

Camo123 wrote:

Off season shoulder reconstruction

A Marshall with dodgy shoulders you say?

There was a point last season where it was reported that he had a season ending injury only to come back two weeks later, so this isn’t surprising and would’ve been managed so he’s full fitness for R1. I think the injury isn’t the issue, it’s whether you think Katoa spells him and for how long. Most seem to think it’s a non-issue, I’m a bit wary.

nxoc39 wrote:Assuming Flanno gets the gk duties at Easts, who do we think has more upside out of him and Croft?

I think it depends if flanno picks up Cronks kms. Unsure if Keary's role is going to change and become the more dominant half. Interesting to see how they go in preseason

Honey Badger wrote:

I think it depends if flanno picks up Cronks kms. Unsure if Keary's role is going to change and become the more dominant half. Interesting to see how they go in preseason

Jake Friend will take some of Cronk's kicking. Flanagan does still have room to improve though

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/01/31/there-is-no-bigger-game-james-on-fast-track-for-all-stars/

interesting.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook told NRL.com that he views James as essentially a middle forward who can play on the edge if required.

"I spoke to Justin earlier in the year and I said to him that I see myself as a middle and if circumstances arise in a game where I have to push out to an edge I am comfortable to do so," James said.

"We have enough edge players and guys that can play anywhere on the field like Peach [Tyrone Peachey] so I see myself as a middle and hopefully I can stay there."

James also states the knee feels great, he is no longer thinking about it when training. The year off has the body feeling fresh.

That would also suggest the Carty Party will get the left edge starting spot...

mattnz wrote:

Both Cook and Haas seems like overkill. Would suggest having one of them as captain and finding value from spending the extra money elsewhere.

Would love a second opinion on this. I think Cook will be more direct this year with his running and create havoc with CWalker and Mitchell, and will average higher than Smith and McInnes until origin.

Apart from more information regarding Friend or Robson I won't consider dropping Cook. I like having Hass and Cook, given I can also fit Nathan Brown and Cleary into the side.

Iron Mike wrote:Would love a second opinion on this. I think Cook will be more direct this year with his running and create havoc with CWalker and Mitchell, and will average higher than Smith and McInnes until origin.

Apart from more information regarding Friend or Robson I won't consider dropping Cook. I like having Hass and Cook, given I can also fit Nathan Brown and Cleary into the side.

I don't really see an issue mate. If you're happy with the balance in the rest of your squad, then go for it. They are two top tier guns, there isn't any problem owning both.

My main reason for starting without Haas is I see him on the same tier as the other captaincy options

Haas, Cook, Smith, McInnes, Taumalolo and Bateman are all going to average 60+ in non injury affected games, and are all going to score 55+ most weeks which is passable for a captain. I see Taumalolo with the highest ceiling(most damaging runner) and Smith with the highest floor(80 minute every week and touches the ball more than any player in the comp). You can basically pick any one of these guys as your captain and you are going to have a similar outcome over a 25 week season.

The difference from last season is Haas didn't have his "floor" game like everyone else - Cook 29 backing up from Origin(average 64 without that game), McInnes injury affected 9(average 65 without that game), Taumalolo injury affect 17(average 64 without that game), Bateman injury affected 20(average 62 without that game), Smith 42 in one of his worst career games 7 missed tackles and a penalty(average 63 without that game)

Personally I'm going with the guys that I like watching the most. At this stage that is just Cook however would also want to squeeze Bateman/Taumalolo in