NRL Fantasy 2021 Part 3 - Closer

Milchcow wrote:

For the first 3 rounds, assume it will be Lodge, Carrigan and TPJ as 3 starting middles.

Haas will displace one of them, which may or may not be Lodge

With middle fowards like Haas, Lodge and TPJ around, how long until carrigan is corrupted and turns into a scumbag?

NB: he seems like a pretty good bloke though.

StormTrooper96 wrote:Are people of the belief Lodge is coming in to replace Haas? I was of the belief Lodge would be his starting partner and someone like Carrigan, TPJ, Flegler would be filling the Haas void?

Depends on the TPJ role, if Kevvy sees him as edge or middle. Given they will be short of middles until Haas is back, I would expect him to be primarily a middle.

At full strength I think they will be either:
A) Haas & Carrigan props, TPJ lock
or B) Lodge & Haas props, Carrigan lock


Note that Walters said this in pre-season about TPJ “I feel that 13 is his best position for mine — he can play on an edge as well — but I just think through the middle is where he plays his best football. If we can get him in good conditioning shape he’ll be a great asset for us in the next year.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2020-tevita-pangai-jnr-stood-down-kevin-walters-brisbane-broncos-preseason-rugby-league-news/news-story/0c738f831e2890fae88a064714c175be

So it looks like option A is what Walters had in mind. This would see Lodge promoted to starting round 1.

Anyone have any info on Riki? I can’t see how he can be guaranteed that 2RF starting spot without Haas playing. What hapoens in Rd 4?

The Pascoe Fiasco wrote:Anyone have any info on Riki? I can’t see how he can be guaranteed that 2RF starting spot without Haas playing. What hapoens in Rd 4?

Even if Riki starts, if Oates is on the bench, he was getting big minutes off the interchange last season.

The Pascoe Fiasco wrote:Anyone have any info on Riki? I can’t see how he can be guaranteed that 2RF starting spot without Haas playing. What hapoens in Rd 4?

If TPJ plays in the middle, who do you think would start ahead of Riki?

Its not a guarantee he starts, but I think it would be more likely than not

I don’t know why some don’t see Lodge as good value, priced at 29 with an avg of 43 from 50mins when starting at prop.

It’s only a matter of time until TPJ is suspended or injured again.

Even if coming off the bench round 4 onwards Lodge should still make some cash and some solid scores.

mattnz wrote:
Even if Riki starts, if Oates is on the bench, he was getting big minutes off the interchange last season.

He played off the bench twice. One of those he played 70 minutes in the backline after Staggs got injured, so not really a threat to Riki

Rabbits21 wrote:I don’t know why some don’t see Lodge as good value, priced at 29 with an avg of 43 from 50mins when starting at prop.

It’s only a matter of time until TPJ is suspended or injured again.

Even if coming off the bench round 4 onwards Lodge should still make some cash and some solid scores.

Yeah, I don't mind him as an option at this stage, especially with Haas out for a few rounds now.

Rabbits21 wrote:I don’t know why some don’t see Lodge as good value, priced at 29 with an avg of 43 from 50mins when starting at prop.

People are concerned he won't start at prop.

And if he plays off the bench he will likely be a poor fantasy buy.

Getting him on the assumption his competition for a starting spot will get injured in the first few weeks is a bold move.

Broncos depth chart on edge is basically: Glenn, Riki, Oates, Bullemor/Teo

Lodge is firmly on my radar with Haas out for the early rounds, I'll need to see that he is fit in trials before I'd pick him. I think it is likely he would have started with Haas there, but its obviously a tough decision for Walters to make around how the middle forwards rotate.

mattnz wrote:
Depends on the TPJ role, if Kevvy sees him as edge or middle. Given they will be short of middles until Haas is back, I would expect him to be primarily a middle.

At full strength I think they will be either:
A) Haas & Carrigan props, TPJ lock
or B) Lodge & Haas props, Carrigan lock


Note that Walters said this in pre-season about TPJ “I feel that 13 is his best position for mine — he can play on an edge as well — but I just think through the middle is where he plays his best football. If we can get him in good conditioning shape he’ll be a great asset for us in the next year.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2020-tevita-pangai-jnr-stood-down-kevin-walters-brisbane-broncos-preseason-rugby-league-news/news-story/0c738f831e2890fae88a064714c175be

So it looks like option A is what Walters had in mind. This would see Lodge promoted to starting round 1.

So you reckon Lodge back to interchange round 4?

Milchcow wrote:

If TPJ plays in the middle, who do you think would start ahead of Riki?

Its not a guarantee he starts, but I think it would be more likely than not

So it’s safe to start with Riki? Does this mean he’ll get about 60 minutes?

wolfking wrote:

Yeah, I don't mind him as an option at this stage, especially with Haas out for a few rounds now.

If TPJ plays middle which is likely as Walters says he’s best at 13 then maybe Riki plays 60mins? Hard to ignore if he does.

What are your thoughts on Hetho?

The Pascoe Fiasco wrote:
So it’s safe to start with Riki? Does this mean he’ll get about 60 minutes?

There are essentially zero edge starters that play less then 60 minutes

Fingers crossed both Davey and Riki are fit and starting round 1.

Would be nice if Gilbert and Blore would start as well but something in my gut says they’ll be on the interchange.

Rabbits21 wrote:I don’t know why some don’t see Lodge as good value, priced at 29 with an avg of 43 from 50mins when starting at prop.

It’s only a matter of time until TPJ is suspended or injured again.

Even if coming off the bench round 4 onwards Lodge should still make some cash and some solid scores.

Its all comparative though, other mid options in his price bracket:
Ofa, LAM and Leota, if starting are likely to be starting for the season
Gilbert, Koala, Ford and BMM could all be 60-80 minute edge for the season and dual
Watson, cheaper and better value, likely even if off the bench, and dual

Assuming everyone ends up with between 2 and 5 of these 9 options, is Lodge one of the best of them for potential upside, job security and dual flexibility?

Rabbits21 wrote:
If TPJ plays middle which is likely as Walters says he’s best at 13 then maybe Riki plays 60mins? Hard to ignore if he does.

What are your thoughts on Hetho?

I didn't even know he went to the Dogs until reading the last few pages. I'm a bit out of touch still by the looks. Regardless, he's a risky pick but I think he's a great player personally.

mattnz wrote:

Its all comparative though, other mid options in his price bracket:
Ofa, LAM and Leota, if starting are likely to be starting for the season
Gilbert, Koala, Ford and BMM could all be 60-80 minute edge for the season and dual
Watson, cheaper and better value, likely even if off the bench, and dual

Assuming everyone ends up with between 2 and 5 of these 9 options, is Lodge one of the best of them for potential upside, job security and dual flexibility?

I think I’ll stay clear of Leota, BMM and Ofa.

No Worries wrote:@Verbal Kint Happy Birthday you old kent

Happy B'day VK!

HBD:

Rabbits21 wrote:

I think I’ll stay clear of Leota, BMM and Ofa.

Not getting the lack of love for Leota, while his other middle starters play big minutes, he has a high PPM and his minutes will increase this season from 33 average last year, to likely 40-45 this year, with great job security.