NRL Fantasy 2021 Part 4 - Praying that nobody gets hurt

Mulvy wrote:Any love for Reed Mahoney? Was getting his minutes managed at the back end of the year with no byes and all that. Would expect him to go back to 80 minutes where he averaged 56.5, priced at 50.9, plays the first bye. Thoughts?

If I could pick 6-8 hookers without wrecking my squad I'd bring him.

I think he's hugely underrated IRL - has a beautiful pass that I think is a big reason the Eels were so good in attack last year. They can go 25-30m from Mahoney->Moses->Brown in a couple of seconds - so quick and direct in a way few teams can.

robelgordo wrote:

If I could pick 6-8 hookers without wrecking my squad I'd bring him.

I think he's hugely underrated IRL - has a beautiful pass that I think is a big reason the Eels were so good in attack last year. They can go 25-30m from Mahoney->Moses->Brown in a couple of seconds - so quick and direct in a way few teams can.

This!

But getting flogged every week by the sheer number of tackles he was making was impacting his play a bit. He has also got an intelligent kicking game. The word is that having an impact HOK on the bench will enable Reed to use these facets of his game more intensely. It is making me think that Junior Paulo could be a good option. He has trimmed down from all his boxing training for his charity bout with Neville Costigan and has the potential to play big minutes.

robelgordo wrote:

If I could pick 6-8 hookers without wrecking my squad I'd bring him.

Interesting idea! How many cheap whores affordable hookers can one play without messing up team balance?

LCroker and Watson give DPPs, which helps. And the fact that they are cheap means guns can sit elsewhere. So the following works with not-humiliating coverage ( and I’m on mobile so can’t cap check, but this be close):

Macca
LAM Watson Angus
D.Fifi Davey
Cleary Lam
Averillo Bird
TTurbo Paps COates

Turpin JBrailey Liddle LCroker
BMM Niu Simmonson Egan


————

So 7 hookers (sure, Watson at lock but whatever) within cap and with ok-ish coverage. Can be done - whilst getting cows/guns elsewhere

https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-trent-robinson-confirms-roosters-halves-luke-keary-to-halfback-lachlan-lam-sam-walker-drew-hutchison/news-story/4df67cbefa03e96b51da0356a3b57837?__twitter_impression=true

Lam to partner keary in halves.

We’ve got four halves that are really pushing hard and training well. Luke Keary and Lachie Lam are our halves to start the season,” Robinson told Fox Sports’ Lara Pitt on Wednesday.

“Then we’ve got Drew Hutchison and Sam Walker sort of saying ‘I’m here and I’m ready’ as well. You always need a group of them. It’s like any sport, there has to be a group of players that are pushing hard, but we know where we’re going.”
“Yep, definitely,” Robinson said when asked if Keary will shift to halfback.

Despite a change on the team sheet, Robinson says there won’t be much changing in Keary’s game. The 29-year-old was the chief playmaker last season — even in the No.6 jersey — and he’ll play that same role again.

“It’s not as simple as changing the number on the jersey,” he said.

Mulvy wrote:Any love for Reed Mahoney? Was getting his minutes managed at the back end of the year with no byes and all that. Would expect him to go back to 80 minutes where he averaged 56.5, priced at 50.9, plays the first bye. Thoughts?

I don't mind it. Have considered him too, but prefer McCullough for an extra 40k if I was going to go that route.

Averaged 51 in 70+ minute games in 2019, which jumped to 56.3 in 70+ minute games in 2020. Not inconceivable that he has another 5 points of improvement in him to really push a 60+ average and gun status, although how much of that jump was purely down to 6 again?

I'd worry that with Lussick and Roache hanging around he loses a few minutes from time to time, but probably not to start the year.

Anyone keen on Papalii?

Had a fair few 30ish minute stints at the end of last year to bring his avg down. Priced at 54 he averaged 60 in 50+ minute games & 42 in sub-50 minute games.

I guess the more accurate way of looking at is he averaged 59 up until round 13 (61 from round 3-13 under 6 again rules), when his minutes took a noticeable dip.

I guess the risk is always minutes in that Raiders pack, but some value there if he starts the season with big minutes again.

castlecrag sweethearts wrote:

This!

But getting flogged every week by the sheer number of tackles he was making was impacting his play a bit. He has also got an intelligent kicking game. The word is that having an impact HOK on the bench will enable Reed to use these facets of his game more intensely. It is making me think that Junior Paulo could be a good option. He has trimmed down from all his boxing training for his charity bout with Neville Costigan and has the potential to play big minutes.

Good insights, thanks for this

Could definitely see how a 15 min spell could be beneficial to Mahoney and the Eels.

mrbrownstone wrote:Anyone keen on Papalii?

Had a fair few 30ish minute stints at the end of last year to bring his avg down. Priced at 54 he averaged 60 in 50+ minute games & 42 in sub-50 minute games.

I guess the more accurate way of looking at is he averaged 59 up until round 13 (61 from round 3-13 under 6 again rules), when his minutes took a noticeable dip.

I guess the risk is always minutes in that Raiders pack, but some value there if he starts the season with big minutes again.

Without double checking, I think he scored way more tries than you’d expect last season. And they all involve tackle busts etc. so are big scoring plays. So I think he was probably on the high side of his scoring variance

Godtrell wrote:Despite a change on the team sheet, Robinson says there won’t be much changing in Keary’s game. The 29-year-old was the chief playmaker last season — even in the No.6 jersey — and he’ll play that same role again.

“It’s not as simple as changing the number on the jersey,” he said.

Keary will be on the right this year (was mentioned in an article a few weeks ago), but that will also suit Lam who is a left boot.

As someone pretty keen on Crichton, I hope he and Keary get a good little combo going down short right hand sides

People always get spooked that a coach mentions one or two players pushing for a spot. Every coach in the NRL, if asked about any position, will say that in pre-season. Some times its true, but I reckon Lam is going to get a pretty good run at halves.

L-Jimmy wrote:

Interesting idea! How many cheap whores affordable hookers can one play without messing up team balance?

LCroker and Watson give DPPs, which helps. And the fact that they are cheap means guns can sit elsewhere. So the following works with not-humiliating coverage ( and I’m on mobile so can’t cap check, but this be close):

Macca
LAM Watson Angus
D.Fifi Davey
Cleary Lam
Averillo Bird
TTurbo Paps COates

Turpin JBrailey Liddle LCroker
BMM Niu Simmonson Egan


————

So 7 hookers (sure, Watson at lock but whatever) within cap and with ok-ish coverage. Can be done - whilst getting cows/guns elsewhere

Don’t tempt me!

I may have had 7 at one stage last season, actually. McInnes, Mann, Jazz and Hunt DPP made it relatively easy.

But I’m a bit wary of positional depth to commit so early to so many. Played with 15 and 16 more than a few times last season.

robelgordo wrote:

Without double checking, I think he scored way more tries than you’d expect last season. And they all involve tackle busts etc. so are big scoring plays. So I think he was probably on the high side of his scoring variance

He scored 4 tries last season (6 including finals and Origin). No surprise that those lead to his 4 highest scores of the year. Not sure if 4 tries is unsustainable though? At a glance, he scored 5 the previous two seasons.

my tv broke wrote:

Keary will be on the right this year (was mentioned in an article a few weeks ago), but that will also suit Lam who is a left boot.

As someone pretty keen on Crichton, I hope he and Keary get a good little combo going down short right hand sides

People always get spooked that a coach mentions one or two players pushing for a spot. Every coach in the NRL, if asked about any position, will say that in pre-season. Some times its true, but I reckon Lam is going to get a pretty good run at halves.

I like that idea of Keary and Crichton tearing it up together. Keary seems to love the short ball. Crichton was the first picked in my team.

One thing that appears to be going for Lam above the other 2 halves is his defence. Appears to play well above his weight in defence.

Fark if Keary is on Angus' side then Crichton is going straight into my team. The amount of times we have witnessed Keary set up his backrower on a perfect short ball is crazy, and Angus is a great line runner who can easily bust a defensive line.

Ramitinmyhaaas wrote:Fark if Keary is on Angus' side then Crichton is going straight into my team. The amount of times we have witnessed Keary set up his backrower on a perfect short ball is crazy, and Angus is a great line runner who can easily bust a defensive line.

Teddy was the one generally setting him up for tries last season

mattnz wrote:

Teddy was the one generally setting him up for tries last season

Yeah well Keary was on the left edge... so when he switches to the right with Angus there will be much more opportunities as opposed to having Kyle Flanagan next to him lol

Two players that have not been mentioned much (or perhaps really at all) that I am interested in are Pangai Junior and Capewell.

Does anyone with Panthers knowledge know who would be preferred for the 80-minute edge role at the Penrith?

If Capewell is named to start on TLT, he is straight into my team... but it seems like Martin and Kikau would be favoured? Before Capewell for injured last year, he was in that position though.

Also Pangai Junior seems quite capable of putting up some massive scores but it seems to be dependent upon him spending some time in the middle. What is the likelihood of this?

I had Tohu set as my gun Edge but I might change my mind to Angus.

While Sitili is a good player, without Cordner I think they'll send most of the good ball to the right edge and that means Grand Angus scores. Couple that with Keary shifting sides, might be crazy not to have him.

Any credible confirmation of the Blore injury?

castlecrag sweethearts wrote:Two players that have not been mentioned much (or perhaps really at all) that I am interested in are Pangai Junior and Capewell.

Does anyone with Panthers knowledge know who would be preferred for the 80-minute edge role at the Penrith?

If Capewell is named to start on TLT, he is straight into my team... but it seems like Martin and Kikau would be favoured? Before Capewell for injured last year, he was in that position though.

Also Pangai Junior seems quite capable of putting up some massive scores but it seems to be dependent upon him spending some time in the middle. What is the likelihood of this?

I believe everyone assumes Capewell won't be named to start. If he is there come TLT then there will probably be movement to bring him in

All reports are Pangai will play in the middle, but he's not cheap, and with Haas and Carrigan around, opportunities for big minutes might no tbe around. Also potential for Lodge to get gametime, plus a few rumours that Asiata might be starting lock. Personally I'm avoiding all Brisbane middles to start the season due to uncertainty around role. Especially with Haas missing the first couple, so you can't trust the round 1 team to continue

castlecrag sweethearts wrote:Any credible confirmation of the Blore injury?

According to the thread about it on the wests forum, Kotoni Staggs did his ACL last year.