NRL Fantasy 2021 - In my opinion, this is part 8

Even with a bench hooker, if Liddle stays fit, I think he'll score well. I've warmed to him and at 300K, i's almost a no brainer. The fear is if he goes down, but you can't not pick him based on that I feel.

Eaglestar wrote:

Well there is the unknown with hooker being new to Croker. Guess it depends if you think he go ok or not at hooker and prepared to risk it if think he could surprise.

Said it before, but I reckon Des after two weeks wonders what the fuck he was thinking and Croker is demoted.

Liddle should average 40+ if he gets 60+ minutes - he's a decent footballer.
The biggest question is whether he stays injury free.

Jake Simpkin already looks like he'll be the better Hooker, so if he's on the bench, In My Most Humble Opinion, he will at some point displace him in the starting role.

If Mbye is on the bench (not withstanding that he's only been on the bench on one occasion in the last 7 years) then I'd be less worried about his JS.


Croker doesn't look like a great footballer, but if he gets minutes he'll score points (probably at a poor PPM). On the upside, there doesn't seem to be any obvious other Hooker putting pressure on him.
Still, he could lose the role just from being poor.

Croker is not that bad a footballer, people get blinded and stuck between fantasy and reality.

Had big wraps at Raiders, and few bad injuries. Never really had chance to get going properly

easytiger wrote:Liddle should average 40+ if he gets 60+ minutes - he's a decent footballer.
The biggest question is whether he stays injury free.

Jake Simpkin already looks like he'll be the better Hooker, so if he's on the bench, In My Most Humble Opinion, he will at some point displace him in the starting role.

If Mbye is on the bench (not withstanding that he's only been on the bench on one occasion in the last 7 years) then I'd be less worried about his JS.


Croker doesn't look like a great footballer, but if he gets minutes he'll score points (probably at a poor PPM). On the upside, there doesn't seem to be any obvious other Hooker putting pressure on him.
Still, he could lose the role just from being poor.

Would back Cust to shine as hooker and get the starting role. They need to find a role for Schuster, at least on the bench, so Croker could easily be out of the 17 within a couple of weeks.

easytiger wrote:Jake Simpkin already looks like he'll be the better Hooker, so if he's on the bench, In My Most Humble Opinion, he will at some point displace him in the starting role.

He's only 19, don't get many that are ready for the NRL washing machine at that age. It will be good for him to spend time in NSW Cup and build up his body.

Even Harry Grant, albeit different circumstances, spent 2+ years in Q CUP.

mattnz wrote:
Would back Cust to shine as hooker and get the starting role. They need to find a role for Schuster, at least on the bench, so Croker could easily be out of the 17 within a couple of weeks.

I agree with you.
None of them are career Hookers, and ultimately Cust & Schuster look like better footballers and (I think) are more likely to be successful even in an unfamiliar role.

Pretty sure I'll give Croker a miss (if I'm going to role the dice, I imagine there will be more attractive options)

Too many unknowns around Croker for me to pick him.

Historically poor scorer and playing a new position where it's unknown if he'll make enough tackles or rack up attacking stats to be worth it. If there was a lack of options on TLT I guess I'd go with him but otherwise I'm steering clear.

Liddle has at least proven to be a decent scorer when he gets even 50 minutes on the field.

my tv broke wrote:

He's only 19, don't get many that are ready for the NRL washing machine at that age. It will be good for him to spend time in NSW Cup and build up his body.

Even Harry Grant, albeit different circumstances, spent 2+ years in Q CUP.

This is true. He's a pretty solid unit though (same playing weight as liddle) and just looks like one of those nuggety builds that will go well in first grade.

I don't see much chance that Simpkin gets a 70 or 80 minute role - But it wouldn't surprise me if at some point a 50/30 split flips (with Simpkin getting the 50).
Probably still enough time for Liddle to make decent coin.

multiple.scoregasms wrote:

Haven't heard from him but he has rejoined MS+15 Plebs league so must be lurking around

Ah ok cheers mate.

Speaking of, are there any other 'special' or incomplete leagues to join ? Every time someone throws one up it is full in minutes !

How come not much love for Momirovski. Cheap enough and looks like a good player from what seen over his career so far. Panthers juicy early draw. Will Naden automatically come back in after the few rounds he spending in reserve grade or will he play well enough to cement the spot?

Eaglestar wrote:How come not much love for Momirovski. Cheap enough and looks like a good player from what seen over his career so far. Panthers juicy early draw. Will Naden automatically come back in after the few rounds he spending in reserve grade or will he play well enough to cement the spot?

I did consider him as I really like him as a player but my concerns are Naden and May (Who the Clearys love for some reason) are competing for his spot plus the Panthers heavily favour their left edge so Momirovski might not get good attacking ball.

Eaglestar wrote:Lot of people going Liddle when they come out and said he won't be playing the full 80 with the speed of the game. Both Liddle and Croker priced around 23. If have a bench hooker or someone taking 30 minutes off them i still see them a good 15 points under priced. As long as both named at 9 i'm tempted by both the same. Think Croker could surprise playing hooker. He's spent all off season preparing for it.

Liddle has never played 80 in his first grade career, so I don't think anyone was expecting it of him this year.

As starting hooker, he is cheap enough that there is still value there, even if he plays ~50 minutes.

I'd rather Liddle than Croker, he has better fantasy pedigree in his career so far, but may have both if both named to start, doesn't matter who is on the bench.

Welshy wrote:Croker is not that bad a footballer, people get blinded and stuck between fantasy and reality.

Had big wraps at Raiders, and few bad injuries. Never really had chance to get going properly

Last year was his first injury free year since about the under 16’s.
That must improve his confidence in his own ability to get through games.
A full off season and pre season to prepare for the role as well.
The injury news on Cust doesn’t help him though, I thought Cust was looking ok in the hooker role until he got injured.

Eaglestar wrote:How come not much love for Momirovski. Cheap enough and looks like a good player from what seen over his career so far. Panthers juicy early draw. Will Naden automatically come back in after the few rounds he spending in reserve grade or will he play well enough to cement the spot?

I'd rather Roberts for cheaper.

Potentially he's there for 2nd centre spot. Him or Bird if I don't go a cheapie.

But his average at centre is heavily inflated by tries, and some goalkicking, so no guarantees he can continue.

Squad numbers and named shirts is commercially a no-brainer and I have no idea why it wasn't adopted years ago*

From a fantasy perspective we'd get a clearer idea of the pecking-order pre-season...

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/04/nrl-open-to-adding-surnames-to-back-of-jerseys-abdo/

(* I do have an idea. It's conservativism and dumbness)

Mr Snrub wrote:

I did consider him as I really like him as a player but my concerns are Naden and May (Who the Clearys love for some reason) are competing for his spot plus the Panthers heavily favour their left edge so Momirovski might not get good attacking ball.  

Maybe it be a bit different this year. Capewell (injured most of year last year), Momirovski, Staines (to'o gone to other side). Different looking right side. Might share the attack more to both sides?

Certainly a risk with Momirovski if dosesn't grab his chance and shine in the early rounds with Naden and May wanting that spot as well. If he does shine but then no way can drop him. He could play even better knowing that fact he could get dropped for one of them if doesn't impress. Did read in the Panthers forum he did well defensively in the trial against the Eels. They did say they still do need to pick the attack up on that side but from the trial.

Milchcow wrote:

I'd rather Roberts for cheaper.

Potentially he's there for 2nd centre spot. Him or Bird if I don't go a cheapie.

But his average at centre is heavily inflated by tries, and some goalkicking, so no guarantees he can continue.

Yeah i'm tossing up between Bird, Roberts, Momirovski, Averillo for centre spots to put on field to play for points.

Revraiser wrote:

Hideki and Speith should be right in it. 

I wanna see if Bryson cuts across the lake tonight, no one since Daly has done it I think.

He didn't take Daly's line but he didn't land in the water (6 times!) either. Tap in birdie for Bryson.

Edit: reckons if he gets it down wind he will have a crack - that will be good to watch!

A shame BJ isn't 50-60K cheaper, I'd take a punt on him.